BLANKETS AND A MISSION

Because of the extremely cold bad weather, we took blankets to Nuevo Progreso. The red light flashed at the Mexican checkpoint and the alarm sounded as a young man approached us and asked to examine the contents of our Jeep. He opened every door, poked around and finally gave us permission to proceed.

There are old ladies begging on the sidewalks among the tourists and Lloyd wanted to take blankets specifically for them. It wasn't long before we had given out the blankets.

Here's a picture of me with one little lady whose name is Manuelita. She was happy to get an extra blanket to wrap up in.

TOURISM IN NUEVO PROGRESO

Tourism is picking up in Nuevo Progreso. Yesterday the sun was shining and it was 85 degrees, making it perfect for shopping. Store awnings and shades made from canvas created a dark tunnel effect on the sidewalk, blocking the sun and making it cooler. Vendors had stands of wares near the curb leaving a narrow pathway through which we walked; and even this pathway was crowded with people trying to sell things. Accordion music and the smell of food being grilled was overwhelming.

Mexican soldiers armed with weapons threaded their way through this crowded shopping area. It was a reminder that just below the surface danger remains in Nuevo Progreso. They strolled single file between the stands and stores. Their presence didn't seem unusual or out of place, but comforting and reassuring. They were patrolling the area, making sure nothing malicious threatened the shoppers.

When driving back across the international bridge into Texas, we were directed to enter a narrow roped off area with five other vehicles. The officials instructed us to get out of our cars and stand behind the guard rail near the office. A large truck equipped with ex ray vision drove slowly past our vehicles, scanning to see if there were any weapons hidden inside. It took just minutes for our vehicles to be scanned, but only random vehicles were examined while others were directed to pass through another lane.

These events were very dramatic and serious. It's not every day that we rub shoulders with armed military guards while strolling through shopping areas. And even though we appreciate the added precautions taken at the bridge, it felt strange to be checked over with such extreme criminal based technology. Meanwhile there have been no further incidents to disrupt the peace in Nuevo Progreso.

The picture shows our friend Poly who has a jewelry stand on the west side of Avenue Benito Juarez.

TRADITIONS IN MEXICO

Christmas traditions in Mexico are unusual and interesting. We experienced one annual Christmas Eve tradition at Apolinar's house, the butchering of a pig. Thankfully we got there when most of the work was done and the fresh meat was hanging from tree limbs in their back yard. Since they have no refrigerator or freezer, they had to salt the meat and hang it up to dry.

It was a big occasion and several friends gathered around to help and share the meat. We were invited to join them. Marcelino brought a large shallow pan with attached feet that fit over a fire built on the ground. In this heavy pan they rendered the fat from cut up pieces of skin, ears, etc. This created chicharrones that in the United States we call cracklings, crisp bacon flavored bites. And the fat will cool and harden later creating lard. When the pieces of skin browned and shrank and floated, someone took a board and lifted them a few at a time out of the hot fat and into a large pan. The men around the fire were taking samples from the pan when they were cool enough to handle. Lloyd and I were encouraged to try the hot chicharrones and we had to eat them the Mexican way, sprinkled with fresh lime juice. In their lean-to kitchen Carla stirred the contents of a large full pot. This pot contained a stew from other usually discarded parts of a pig. The activities were all surrounded with a feeling of celebration, for a little while there would be plenty to eat.

The picture shows one of the men stirring chicharrones in Marcelino's specially made pan with legs.

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

Feliz Navidad and other holiday songs were playing on the radio when we visited Marcelino on Christmas day. The sun was shining but there was a chill in the strong northerly wind rattling windows and doors. We had gifts for each of them, including a large pring leather Bible for Marcelino. He told us it was difficult for him to read the small print in his Bible. That was when we decided it would be the perfect Christmas gift for him.

Marcelino and Griselda have four children and one granddaughter. He told us proudly that all of them now attend church together as a family. The kids sat around the kitchen table happily checking out their gifts while Griselda served us traditional holiday tamales and hot coffee. The red salsa she offered us was very spicy, but Marcelino laughingly recommended the green salsa which he said was much hotter!

Lloyd and I stopped at Cristela's house next where we were served her specialty, cups of hot fruit punch. The rich dark sweet drink contained chunks of fruit that tasted like peaches. Every year Cristela prepares a huge kettle of her Christmas punch to share with anyone stopping for a visit.

PRESENTS FOR THE PASTOR'S FAMILY

Pastor Gerardo and his family received their presents from THE POWER COMPANY on Christmas day. The Power Company, the children who attend Bethalto Illinois Church of God, purchased, wrapped and shipped presents for everyone in the family. We also had bagged gifts that had been donated for the children by the Mutza family and the Haas family from Bethalto Church of God. There were several other children present and no one was left out when gifts were distributed.

HAPPY CHILDREN

A happy little group of children gathered on the porch to play with the toys and games in their gift bags. Life is difficult in Mexico and the economy is very bad. Most families have few if any presents for their children at Christmas, mainly they emphasize family and their traditional foods. We are especially grateful for friends who generously show their love for Mexican children by purchasing, packing and sending these much appreciated gifts. Many times we heard "Gracias! Thank you!" And we responded by saying, "Gracias a Dios! Thanks to God!"

SOY LIBRE! I'M FREE!

"Soy libre, I'm free!" Marcelino kept shouting to us when we stopped at his house. "I no longer want to smoke or drink or go back to my old life. I'm free and I'm so happy!"

Marcelino accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior over a year ago and had changed a lot, but 2 months ago he had an even more drastic and life changing experience. He had an encounter with Jesus, received the Holy Spirit and made a complete commitment to Him. Now he can't stop talking about his "big father" in heaven. He tells his neighbors about his experience, he and his wife pray for people, together they lay hands on the sick and they are healed and now he wants to find more people who need to know what God can do in their lives. Marcelino is a miracle!

A slightly built but tough little man, Marcelino lives next to our church in Nuevo Progreso. For years he has watched over the project, saying that he always waits for us there. Many times he slept on the roof of the building so he could keep watch over materials delivered to the site. But when Lloyd would talk to him about Christ, he would always say he would serve Him some day.

Now Marcelino is so happy that he can barely stand still. "I waited for you so I could tell you what has happened to me," he said. "I feel so much power and boldness to tell people and I'm so happy! It's in my heart! Everyone needs to know about it!" He said he remembered us telling him so many times that nothing is impossible with God.

When I took this picture of Marcelino before we left, he was saying over and over, "Dios es grande! Con Dios si se puede!" God is big, with God we can do it!