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

BUÑUELOS MEXICANOS

Buñuelos Mexicanos served covered with cinnamon and sugar.

New Year’s Eve celebrations are different in Mexico.  One of the main ways of celebrating is by shooting firecrackers on the streets.  For at least an hour before midnight on December 31st there are continuous explosions and loud pops and crackles.  It almost sounds like there are a few gunshots in the mix.

There are traditional foods served during the holidays and one such food is buñuelos, Mexican fritters. These delicious thin deep fried rounds are generously sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and served warm or cold.  We enjoyed our first buñuelos after a dinner at the church in Nuevo Progreso.

Lloyd and I are on the left side of this group of people. This is just a few of those who attended the dinner. The gift of food is on the altar.

A small group gathered at the church, each family bringing their own special dish to share with everyone.  Pastor Gerardo roasted pieces of chicken over an open charcoal fire, Catalina brought mashed potatoes, Paola brought a rice dish, another family brought grilled sausages and we provided a mixed garden salad.  At the end of the meal, Miriam brought out a large basket filled with buñuelos, crisp and freshly made by Lupita.  They were a real treat!

Later some of the young people brought in a large box of groceries, a gift to the church.  This is another nice holiday tradition, blessing the pastor and his family with food.

It was late when we all said goodnight and left the church.  It was a great night for families and for the keeping of traditions.  One of the highlights of the evening was when we were all served those buñuelos Mexicano.

RECIPE FOR BUÑUELOS

3 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons lard or Crisco melted and cooled
2 teaspoons vanilla
vegetable oil for frying

Cinnamon sugar:

1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

For the buñuelos,  mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Set aside. Mix milk, egg, lard or Crisco and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Gradually add flour mixture, stirring constantly to form a slightly sticky dough. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Incorporate additional flour, a tablespoon of flour at a time, until dough is no longer sticky. Divide dough into 16 equal pieces. Shape each into a ball. Place in bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let dough rest 30 minutes.

Mix sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl. Set aside.

Roll each ball of dough into a 6-inch round on lightly floured surface. Stack dough rounds between wax paper or plastic wrap. Let stand 10 minutes.

Pour vegetable oil into heavy large skillet or saucepan to depth of 1 inch (about 2 cups oil). Heat oil on medium-high heat to 365°F to 370°F on deep-fry thermometer. Fry dough rounds, 1 at a time, for 2 minutes or until golden and puffed, turning once using tongs. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle each fritter with 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar mixture.

"MORE THAN A VICTORY..."

“In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.  I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future,  and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!”  Romans 8:37-39 CEV

Pastor Gerardo and his family Christmas 2016.

It has become our tradition to take a picture of Pastor Gerardo and his family every year at Christmas. In this way for the past nine years we have established a record of their growing family.  Not only that, but we’ve recorded the faithfulness and commitment of Pastor Gerardo in the good times and in the bad.

Sometimes the church takes one step forward in progress and then problems come along and the church takes two steps back.  

The Bible tells us that many things will challenge the body of Christ - life and death events,  angels or spirits, things of the present or the future,  and powers above or below.  But it also says in Romans 8: 31 - “What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?”

Progress and growth of a tree can best be measured by the fruit it bears.  Many people have been touched and blessed by Bethesda Church of God in Nuevo Progreso, and that makes it very special. Visitors are welcomed as if they are part of the family, the family of God!

Pastor Gerardo and his family nine years ago when they arrived in Nuevo Progreso.