GOD IS IN CONTROL!

City of Rio Bravo.

God is in control!  Pastor Gerardo and his wife Miriam learned that again last Friday.  They were scheduled to attend a meeting of pastors in Reynosa twenty five miles away, but they were running very late. Nothing was going right, there was one problem after another and it was frustrating.  Finally they received a call from Fernando Colorado, the district supervisor, asking them if they were on their way.  They grabbed their things and started driving toward Reynosa, trying to make up time they had lost.

Gerardo and Miriam usually drive through Rio Bravo on their way to Reynosa because the road that bypasses the city is a toll road.  But this time they decided to pay the toll and take the quickest route.  When they arrived at the meeting in Reynosa, they discovered there had been a shoot-out on the street they would have taken through Rio Bravo.  They received a phone call from someone who witnessed the shooting.  That person had a video on their phone that had recorded the multiple gunshots on the street.

If Gerardo and Miriam had not been late, if they had taken their regular route to Reynosa, they could have been involved in a very dangerous situation.  But for reasons beyond their control they were hindered and blocked and forced to take another direction.  God was in control!

Ancient city of Matamoros across the river from Brownsville, Texas.

Lloyd and I experienced God’s timing and control in a similar way years ago in Matamoros.  That time we were with a pastor who wanted to take us to a church he had helped build.  And we wanted to give the church a box of Spanish Bibles.  The pastor said he knew how to get to the church, but things had changed in the city and he could not find the location.  We searched up and down the streets for about three hours and were ready to give up when we finally got to the right neighborhood.  And we could see the congregation was there and a service was about to begin.  We carried our box of Bibles inside at the exact moment to hear the pastor of the church praying, “Lord open up the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing on us tonight.”  We were right on time!

Come now and pay attention to this, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and carry on our business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know the least thing about what may happen in your life tomorrow. What is secure in your life? You are merely a vapor like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot that is visible for a little while and then vanishes into thin air.  Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.”  James 4:13-15 AMP

VISITORS FROM REYNOSA

Church of God District Supervisor Fernando Colorado with his two children at the church in Nuevo Progreso.

District Supervisor Fernando Colorado joined us for Sunday evening worship service last weekend. He brought his two children with him along with several members of his congregation.  The group arrived early so they could help Pastor Gerardo spread out the loads of caliche (gravel) that had been delivered to the church.  All of them came prepared to work in their work clothes and shoes and with their shovels and rakes.  Unfortunately, the truck delivering the caliche broke down and there was little work that could be done. But no one seemed to be disappointed and instead they had time to visit and rest before time for church.

Later, after a few worship songs and some announcements, Brother Colorado delivered a timely message from the book of Luke.  He read the story of Mary and Martha and the fact that Martha wanted Mary to help her prepare the food and take care of other daily tasks.  But Mary wanted to just sit and enjoy the presence of Jesus.  Brother Colorado emphasized that sometimes we push aside our personal time with the Lord even with tasks that are important church work.  He summed it up by urging us all to take time and lay aside our tasks to have an intimate relationship with Him.

A large group came with Brother Colorado to help Pastor Gerardo, and also to attend the evening service.

After church cake and coffee was served.  It was a good time to visit and get to know each other and hear about their lives.

There are six Churches of God in our district and there's a good spirit of unity among these churches. When there is work at one church, other pastors and workers join in and share the load. There's great strength in this kind of unity.  Also, it sets a very good example for everyone in the community.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"  Psalm 133:1

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Sam Sparks on the right and his son Bobby standing in one of their sugar cane fields back in 1988.

Every time we cross the international bridge into Nuevo Progreso, we remember the owner of the bridge - Sam Sparks - who passed away in 2011. Sam was frequently at the bridge where he would sit and chat with tourists. Sometimes when he would see someone he knew, he would wave them across the bridge for free.  And every year he gave us and other missionaries with credentials a free pass we could use every time we crossed into Mexico.

Having the free pass not only saves us $3.00 a trip, it’s a warm reminder of the generous man who did so much for the people on both sides of the Rio Grande River.  It gives us a boost to think that we are joining in a small way with the Sparks family as they continue to practice Mr. Sparks’ favorite saying - “Practice Ramdom Acts of Kindness.”

There are many ways we can all practice these random acts of kindness.  Acts that are done without expecting something in return, acts that are sometimes done without recognition.  Some people call this “paying it forward.”  But that phrase sounds like we’re expecting a reward for our deed.  The example Mr. Sparks left us is simple.  Once in a while do something kind for someone without having any reason at all.

Tuesday when we stopped at the Nuevo Progreso bridge office to pick up our bridge pass for 2017, we had opportunity to visit with the next generation in the Sparks family - Bobby.  He also enjoys visiting with people at the bridge.  But most of the time he and the rest of the family run a huge ranch near Mercedes where they raise registered Black Angus, Brangus and Brahman cattle and where they raise sugar cane, cotton, corn, grain sorghum and soybeans.  Bobby Sparks told us there are now four generations to carry Sparks Family values into the future.

Thank you, Sparks Family, for allowing us free passage on your bridge!

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”
Psalm 37:3 KJV

IN MEMORY OF PEPE

Pepe

Pepe lived near the church in Nuevo Progreso.  Pepe always rode his bike to the church for special occasions.  He wore a helmet because he had frequent epileptic episodes and sometimes he would fall off his bike in the street.  Pepe loved to ask Lloyd for money to buy a Coke.  And Lloyd would always give it to him.

Pepe passed away and was buried Saturday, January 7th.  Pastor Gerardo conducted the service. There were a few people at the funeral including many of Pepe's neighbors and all of his family. People who passed by to view his body left gift bags of Fritos and Cokes. Pepe's favorite snacks.

Pastor Gerardo reminded everyone that Pepe had asked Jesus into his heart several years ago and was now enjoying health and freedom in Heaven.  His suffering was over. It was a very cold, overcast and windy day at the cemetery, making it a miserable experience just to be outside.  But as the service ended and Pepe's casket was being lowered, the clouds parted, the sun came out and the wind stopped blowing.  For a few moments even the elements seemed to celebrate Pepe's life!

We hadn't seen Pepe since last May.  His condition had deteriorated and he no longer rode his bike around the colonia. He was having more and more seizures and could not be left alone.   His mother Eva said she was very sad but was relieved that Pepe was free.

Pepe was 29 years old.  Three years ago Pepe lost his brother who was 19.  Pepe had an 11 year old brother Javier, a pleasant little boy who wants to grow up to be a lawyer.

Pastor Gerardo and Miriam were with us on that visit.  Gerardo talked with Eva and her husband Domingo, while Lloyd gave Pepe his beloved Coke.  Now we treasure that memory.
We were all very glad we took the time to visit Pepe and his family.

"Come unto me all ye who are heavy laden and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

THE WAY OF THE CROSS

Way of the Cross warehouse in Harlingen, Texas.

Way of the Cross ministries has a large warehouse complex in Harlingen, Texas.  It’s a place where missionaries or pastors can go for large amounts of food to distribute to the people of Mexico.  We are welcomed at Way of the Cross and can visit their facilities once a month for supplies.  Today was our first visit there this season and we were happy to see that they had a variety of food on hand.  We left with our Jeep full of beans, cornmeal, rice, lentils, tomato sauce, crackers and snacks.  On our next visit to Mexico we’ll have several bags of food with us for needy families that we visit.  We are very thankful for Way of the Cross and their generosity.

Way of the Cross Ministries began in January 1988, when it became known that a children’s home in Matamoras, Mexico was in desperate need of assistance. Ben Butler of Harlingen, Texas brought its problem before a group of Christian laymen.  They found a building in Mexico once used as a house of prostitution and turned it into a children’s home with running water, plumbing and light.  It was dedicated it to the Lord with  a celebration with volunteers from both sides of the border. There was food and the Word was preached from the top of a converted school bus. Many were saved that day and the Way of the Cross Ministries was born.

They needed a bus so that they could deliver God’s Word to the people when and wherever the Lord directed. In the spring of 1989 with the help of a local church, an old school bus was purchased. The bus was painted and fitted with a platform stage, a lighting system, sound system and a 20 foot lighted cross. The Way of the Cross rolled into action in April of 1989.

The group began taking the bus into different colonias throughout Matamoras. They visited areas like the city dump  where poverty abounds, where there is no electricity or running water and the people literally live in shacks. They went to preach the gospel, the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and experienced tremendous results.  We were at the dump in Matamoros one day years ago when the large and dramatic bus pulled up and a crowd of people stepped out.  Each person carried a gallon of fresh drinking water that they gave away.  There was music, impromptu entertainment and a simple sermon.  We joined the group as they ministered and prayed for the sick.  It was an unforgettable experience.

Since 1989 Way of the Cross ministries has been a full time organization using volunteer help from all across the United States.  And they continue to work among the poor in Mexico and in Central America.

Our Jeep was full of good things we can distribute in Mexico.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”  Luke 4:18 KJV

BIBLICAL DELICACIES IN MEXICO

Saltamontes, dried grasshoppers, served as an exotic snack.

Saltamontes, chapulines, a common delicacy especially in Acapulco, Mexico.  Dried grasshoppers!  Another prized snack is the dried tiny whole fish from that area, resembling the minnow.

We had a close encounter with these two snacks when we visited Poli and Roberta in their jewelry store in Nuevo Progreso.
Poli and Roberta have been our friends for many years. They originally came from Guerrero, Mexico and still have family there.  Roberta pastors a church in Nuevo Progreso and two years ago they moved their congregation into a new building near their home. This couple also travels deep into Mexico as missionaries, taking Bibles and gospel tracts wherever they go. Last month they went to Acapulco where Poli purchased a tiny bag of the expensive dried food. Next week they plan a trip to San Luis Potosi.  We’re going to supply them with lots of gospel tracts to use on their missionary journeys.

We arrived at the jewelry store at lunch time and were invited to sit and visit with them over lunch.  When Poli offered to share the grasshoppers with us, he teasingly said they were cucarachas.  Enjoying our shock and repulsion, he quickly told us how good they were and so good for us.  They are known as a good source of energy.  He said they keep him young!

Then he brought out a small bowl of tiny silvery miniature whole fish that had been dried. Their tiny black eyes stared at us from their thin and brittle bodies.  Needless to say, these dried fish were equally repulsive to us.  Lloyd tried one of the grasshoppers and one of the fish just so he could tell about it.

Tiny dried miniature fish from Acapulco.

Roberta had brought gorditos from home. She served these fat little cornbread cakes with salsa.  Their daughters Elizabeth and Julie didn’t like the exotic snacks, but their son Daniel and son-in-law Moises ate one or two. It’s a good thing, because Poli said they are very expensive to buy.  He paid less for them while in Acapulco.

We enjoyed visiting with Poli, Roberta and their family at the jewelry store.  Tourists came and went, looking over their large inventory of silver necklaces, rings, bracelets and pins.  We laughed a lot about the strange snacks, but we enjoyed hearing more about their traditions and their likes and dislikes. It’s an interesting culture, very different from ours, and we’re honored to be included in their lives.

Lloyd in Poli and Roberta's jewelry store with their daughter Paola and her friends.  This was taken several years ago.

“John wore clothes made of camel’s hair. He had a leather strap around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey.”  Matthew 3:4 CEV