PICO DE GALLO SALSA

Pico de gallo salsa.

The tastes, colors and smells of Mexico are blended in a wonderful fresh salsa called pico de gallo or beak of the rooster.  It's also called Mexican Salsa because it's colors are white, red and green, the same colors as the Mexican flag. Whatever it's name or origin, this fresh salsa brings back memories of our times in Mexico.

The correct ingredients make the difference, not the amount of each one.  Chopped red tomatoes are primary along with white chopped onion, preferably sweet Texas onion.  Then the mild jalapeno pepper contributes it's dark green color and spice to the mix.  Fresh green cilantro is a must!  In any quantity, according to your taste.  Cilantro can be found in most grocery stores today and is very inexpensive.  At last in order to make pico de gallo complete add the juice of one lime.  Little key limes have the best taste and smell, and have the most juice.  Key lime juice has a sweet perfume that is so familiar in Mexico.   Don't forget a generous pinch of salt!

Pico de gallo is not only great with tortilla chips as a dip, but it adds a Mexican flair when a generous amount garnishes a hot bowl of chicken soup or a spoonful is tucked inside a taco or burrito.  It's great with everything!  Every time we smell and taste pico de gallo, we once again experience the many happy times we've had in Mexico.

If you need a more exact recipe, here are the basics:

1 tomato chopped
1 sweet onion chopped
½ jalapeno pepper chopped, or more to taste
few springs cilantro chopped
1/8 teaspoon of salt
juice of 1 lime, preferably key lime

Mix and serve chilled.  Pico de gallo is best when served the same day it is made.

Psalm 34:8 "O, taste and see that the Lord is good.  Blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

GERSON

Gerson, son of Levi and grandson of Jacob. His name meant that he was an alien, a stranger in a foreign land. He lived many years ago at the beginning of the history of Israel. His father was a priest, which meant that he followed in his father’s footsteps and would also have been a priest.

Our Gerson had his 17th birthday August 6th. His father is the pastor of the Church of God in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. And it’s possible that our Gerson will follow in his father’s footsteps and become a pastor.

Gerson has great character and has the markings of a future leader in the church.

Gerson is over six feet tall and is a handsome young man full of talents. Musically inclined like his father, he plays the guitar and the drums during worship services. He has a gift for anything electronic, isn’t afraid to take the computer apart and put it back together again, likes to repair items such as irons, fans and even works on the family vehicle. If something doesn’t work, Gerson can fix it!

Pastor Gerardo has taught Gerson to play guitar with him during services at the church.  As is evident here, Gerson is much taller than his father.


Gerson also enjoys sports and of course basketball is one of his favorite pastimes. He also excels in soccer and baseball.


A very quiet and serious young man, Gerson is loyal to his family and to his church. He has plenty to keep him busy, so he won’t be found getting into trouble or causing any difficulties for his parents. We are very proud of Gerson.

Drums are a great addition to the church and both Gerson and his brother Nahum love to play them.


It is very possible that Gerson will attend seminary and he most likely will become a next generation church leader. Will he be like his namesake from the Bible and be that stranger in a foreign land carrying the gospel?

Lloyd enjoys being measured alongside Gerson.  This picture was taken 3 years ago and now Gerson is at least 3 inches taller.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV

NAHUM'S GRADUATION

Nahum in his cap and gown on graduation day.  From left to right are:  Pastor Gerardo Estrada, Gilbert Belmares, Nahum, Norma Belmares and Miriam Estrada.

Nahum recently graduated from school in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. In the fall he will enter the next part of his education which in Mexico is called "prep" or preparatory school. Equivalent to high school in the United States, prep school includes occupational training, computer training and classes readying the students for college.

Nahum is the second son of Gerardo and Miriam Estrada, pastors of the Church of God in Nuevo Progreso. Quiet and mannerly, Nahum has many skills and interests including computer science, plants and animals and music. He can always be seen sitting at the drums when church service begins, while his father plays the keyboard and his brother Gerson plays the guitar. We were privileged to be present when Nahum was baptized in water last May 2014.

It’s too soon to say exactly what Nahum plans to do with his future, but he certainly plans to extend his education into college.

Pastor Gerardo and Miriam are very proud of their son Nahum, and so are we. Congratulations Nahum! Well done!

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:1

Nahum's graduating class.  It is quite an accomplishment for a young person in Mexico to continue their education and then to attend college.  Please pray fr this fine group of boys and girls!

YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN MEXICO

A group of young people met recently at the church for a Bible study and then a game of soccer.

 Some of the young people from various local churches meet regularly at the church in Nuevo Progreso for activities along with Bible study and prayer. There is a large area where they can play soccer, called football in Mexico. This is their favorite national sport.

Their recent games included some adults who couldn't resist the fun. What better way to spend a Saturday evening! After dark there is usually a large bonfire where individuals are encouraged to share their testimonies between worship songs.

Future activities are being planned by the group, but it's certain that soccer will be their main game. From their earliest years in school, children are encouraged to play this fast and competitive game which means they are usually very skilled. Even first grade children in Mexico can win trophies for scoring the most points in school games.

Boys and girls play together on the field next to the church.

Young people have a great opportunity to not only make new friends, but find future husbands and wives by attending these activities designed especially for them. With a spiritual emphasis at the center of each meeting, these boys and girls will grow in the Lord and become great Christian leaders in the church.

Strenuous games require serious rest times!  This group is working up a big appetite for campfire food!

"For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth." Psalm 71:5

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Miriam took great delight in wearing Lloyd's cowboy hat.

Happy fortieth birthday, Miriam, July 17th! And may God give you many more years to serve Him.

Miriam is Pastor Gerardo’s wife at the church in Nuevo Progreso. Always happy and full of enthusiasm, she shares her faith in God with everyone she meets. Her testimony is a dramatic and powerful one: at four years old she wandered alone into a church near their home in Mexico. She had heard the music and was fascinated by the happy sounds. Since she was left at home alone many times, she returned to the church at the bottom of the hill often and it became a haven for her.

Miriam worked her way through school and then through college, mainly selling baked goods to neighbors, stores and people on the street. She learned to be independent and strong, always serving the Lord. She and Gerardo met at Bible College and July 13 was their wedding anniversary.

The picture was taken at the city wide Mothers’ Day celebration. Miriam took great delight in grabbing Lloyd’s hat and wearing it for a picture. We are proud to be Miriam’s adopted parents and are extremely proud of her.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1



Miriam and Gerardo celebrated with a beautiful birthday cake.  Picture courtesy of DiAnna Olsen.



HANDCRAFTED GIFTS FROM MEXICO

Paper flowers, handmade and decorated with glitter and ribbons.  The flowers are on long, green wrapped stems.

Parting gifts, handmade and from the heart, given to us on our last visit of the season to the church in Nuevo Progreso. They are reminders of very precious times with fellow believers, brothers and sisters in Christ, until we meet again.

On our arrival for church that Sunday evening, we were handed bouquets of sparkling paper flowers, so skillfully made that they looked real. Large tin foil butterflies graced our places later at the dinner table.

Many of the women used their talents and gifts in the kitchen, serving us favorite Mexican dishes and their specialties. The tables were decorated with unusual placemats, also handmade. A lot of artistic talent went into this special event.

A hand painted clay tile is made to hang on the wall.  The wooden plaque has three dimensional flowers made from foil.

Another gift was made from a clay roof tile that had been embossed with the design of a basket of flowers. The jewel like colors on the tile were outstanding. Then we received a wooden plaque upon which a three dimensional flower had been fastened. The petals and leaves of the flower were separate and shellac covered the surface. This project had taken a lot of time.

These gifts had been made with items our friends could find around the house, bits of foil and paper and small pieces of wood. This made them even more special to us.

This handmade picture is skillfully made from foil.  It says in Spanish:  "El pan nuestro de cada dia, dánoslo hoy."  (Give us today our daily bread.)  Matthew 6:11

One of our friends handed us a glossy sign made to hang on the wall. Spanish words graced the sign, along with the symbolic silhouette of praying hands and a loaf of bread. The words were from Matthew 6:11 - "Give us today our daily bread."

Now, when we look at the items we received that night, we really believe there’s nothing more priceless than a gift that is given from the heart.

MIRIAM RESUMES DENTAL TRAINING

Miriam, Pastor Gerardo's wife, received her equipment to work as a dental apprentice in Nuevo Progreso.  Here she is with the dentist who volunteers one day a week at the free clinic.  The big green muppet is used in the public schools to demonstrate proper brushing of teeth.

"Learn a profession! Be able to make your own living!" This was the advice Miriam heard over and over from her mother years ago. So Miriam chose to become a dentist, working her way through many years of schooling by baking and selling fruit filled empanadas and other foods in her home state of Nayarit in Mexico. She completed all but a few months when she put the project on hold to become a wife and mother. But her dream of becoming a dentist was never forgotten. "Some day when our children are grown, I’ll finish my schooling," she said.

Now almost twenty years later, Miriam is working as an apprentice alongside a dentist at the free clinic in Nuevo Progreso. This makes it possible for her to earn the remaining credits toward her dental license while working with the people who come to the clinic for help. She will spend one day a week working alongside a dentist. Also, Miriam was asked to visit the schools periodically with a big fuzzy green muppet with a very large mouth and enormous teeth. Using an oversized toothbrush, Miriam demonstrates proper daily dental care to the children. Judging by the twinkle in her eyes when she said this, Miriam will use this opportunity to find a way to tell the children about Jesus and invite them to Sunday School!

When we asked Miriam why she had chosen dentistry as a profession, she said she loves to talk and she can tell her patients about the Lord and give them her personal testimony while they are in her chair. She always thought she could use dentistry as a way to minister to the people.

It’s amazing to think that the Lord has not forgotten Miriam’s commitment all those years ago to this profession. And against all odds, Miriam’s dream is now coming true!

"O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?" Psalm 89:8