MI CASA ES SU CASA

Gerson and Lloyd

Gerson came to Nuevo Progreso to pick up his school records that are needed for his university classes next year. In Mexico, it’s better to make the trip to get the papers than to have them mailed across country.  From one Wednesday to the next, Gerson stayed in the parsonage, and he helped us with many projects while he was here.

Lloyd and Gerson work together on a sign that says "Mi Casa Es Su Casa."

Gerson and Lloyd hung some wooden signs inside the church. One sign says, “Mi casa es su casa,” my house is your house.  Another over the parsonage door says, “Casa de pastor,” house of the pastor.  Gerson didn’t need a ladder to hang the signs over the door since he is 6' 3" tall!

Gerson, Joyce and Pelon the church dog.

Gerson is studying computer technology and graphic design in the university in Nayarit. He said when he finishes classes, he will be qualified to work anywhere in the world in his field. His commitment and dedication to his education is commendable. More than that, is his commitment to the Lord.

It was hard to say goodbye to Gerson when he left us to go to the airport in Reynosa. He’s a quiet young man, very serious and yet always ready to smile. Any time Lloyd or I started to pick something up or move something, Gerson was quick to jump up to help.  It was good to have someone there at the church and he’ll be greatly missed.

Before leaving, Gerson said he wants to come back to Nuevo Progreso next Spring during his vacation. It seemed like he enjoyed his stay in the parsonage. And Pelon, the church dog, enjoyed being with him too!

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”  Psalm 1:3

THE AMETHYST LADY

Brenda has several amethyst displays in their shop.

One of our favorite places to shop in Nuevo Progreso is Brenda’s Rock Shop. It is located in the Free Trade Market, Suite 3; 150 Benito Juarez Street.  Brenda and her husband, we call him Chief, sell beautiful rocks and other artifacts from Mexico. But they also sell down to earth jewelry that they make themselves. We love to stroll into their shop and watch them at work creating something new and unusual from something ordinary.

A favorite stone of ours is the amethyst, sometimes displayed in it’s natural form inside another piece of rock. Lloyd enjoys looking at necklaces made from shark teeth, bear claws and other such things hanging from leather thongs. All of the designs are theirs and are original.

Brenda and her husband come from a long line of family members who have worked with precious stones and rocks for generations. Centered in Mexico City, they travel around to gather materials and then they leave it to others in the family who are gifted in the artistry of jewelry making. They are blessed that their whole extended family assists in this business.

Brenda has three small children. Two of them are usually in school when we visit, but one is an infant. The baby stays with her in the store, playing in a playpen or sitting in a stroller.

This is a fine family of artists that we are proud to know in Nuevo Progreso. Truly talented, they are intensely committed to their business, and are even willing to locate quite a distance from the larger tourist crowd in order to do their work.  But even if it’s a long walk to their shop, it’s worth it.  And when we enter their shop, they know us and greet us like old friends.

Did you know the amethyst is mentioned in the Bible? It one of the stones on Aaron's breastplate and it's also one of the stones in the foundation of New Jerusalem, that great city we'll see one day!

"And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst." Revelation 21:19-20

One of Brenda's original creations.

"BELOVED, I WISH ABOVE ALL THINGS...."

Sunday service in Nuevo Progreso

The Lord’s day was refreshing and uplifting in both Nuevo Progreso and Rio Bravo. Brother Oliver Altamirano who is the pastor of the Church of God in Rio Bravo, first conducted a service in his church at 11:00 Sunday morning. He shared pictures with us of the children of his church as they sang choruses and recited scriptures on the platform.  He is proud of their Sunday School.

Sunday School in Rio Bravo

At 5:00 the same afternoon Brother Altamirano was at the church in Nuevo Progreso, filling in as pastor until our new pastor arrives. Azucena and her daughters Monica and Nancy led us in worship songs at the beginning of the service.

Brother Altamirano encouraged us to examine our faith, and he used stories from the Bible as illustrations. The widow gave her last coin to the Lord even when she was in great need. And the woman who had a small amount of meal and a little oil in her barrel gave it all. The New Testament disciples brought all their belongings to a central place and shared equally. Do we have enough faith to do as these people did?

Azucena and her daughters

The lesson was challenging to us. The final thought was that the Lord rewards those who seek Him and give Him their all.

Baby Alan seemed to enjoy the service

Anthony was with us last night for church. His prayers and worship added a lot to the service, and we welcome him to our congregation.  He is the son of Catalina and Ino and is Paola’s brother.

Anthony is Paola's brother

Alejandro is blessed to be in church with his entire family. His wife Azucena assists us in every area and is also treasurer. Their daughters Monica, Nancy, Dulce and Kimberly are beautiful young women they can be proud of.

Alejandro's family

The main theme of the evening was:

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”  3 John 1:2

RESURRECTION DAY

Easter bags were billed with toys and treats and stuffed with green artificial grass.

New life, children and the message of the cross. Those are things we all associate with Resurrection Day, or Easter as it is generally called. It’s a refreshing time of year when we are reminded that Jesus died for our sins and rose again with power, assuring us eternal life.

At the church in Nuevo Progreso, Pastor Oliver preached a message from John 20 about the disciples finding the empty tomb. He emphasized that the important fact from this passage is that nothing is impossible with God!  Nothing could stop Jesus, not even death. And that is our guarantee that we also will live eternally. It also means that there is no problem or situation that is impossible when we have a relationship with Him.  And it’s a sure thing that we will experience all kinds of problems in this life. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

After the service, the children were given gift bags filled with small toys and treats. Most of them loved the colorful bottles of liquid bubbles and soon they were outside filling the air with them. There were other treasures, including boxes of crayons and plastic eggs filled with M&M’s.

Pictures will be mounted on the wall at the church.

We created a “Wall of History,” including pictures of the beginning days of the building, former pastors and family groups. This will be great for members of the congregation and for the new pastor.  It is proof that prayers have been answered and that nothing is impossible with God!

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 

ANTONIO'S VISION

Antonio the goat herder.

Antonio watched his herd of goats Tuesday as they grazed in the tall grass at the church. It was obvious that he was excited and had something he wanted to tell us. Antonio then said he had a vision from the Lord and in the vision the Lord said that he is to come and join us and help with our church. He said, “I want to come and bring my people with me. And I want to bring all the children. I want to see them with their hands raised praising the Lord.” He swung his arm dramatically out over the nearby neighborhood to emphasize what he said. 

Then he took my hand and began to pray and praise the Lord. The Spirit was so strong on him that I could feel the Lord all around us there in the lane. 

“I will be at the church Sunday,” he said. “And I will bring my people and I will bring the children”

I don’t know if he referred to his family or people from his church, but he seemed very sure as if he had been touched and moved by this experience. He then hurried away to follow his goats and I went back into the church, and both of us were still praising the Lord. 

PERLA AND ROGELIO

Perla and new baby.

Rogelio spent over two years behind bars somewhere in Reynosa. He had to leave behind his wife Perla and their new baby girl. But now he is free and they are once again living with his parents Apolinar and Carla. Being in jail in Mexico is nothing like it is in the United States. Rogelio’s family visited him often, taking him basic necessities that he would otherwise do without.

Their baby girl is now almost three years old and Perla and Rogelio are also the proud parents of a new baby boy they named Rogelio. The little girl’s name is Stephany. About five years ago this young couple lost their first child and now Perla proudly wears his name in a tatoo on her arm. Little Eriberto was only two years old when he died of influenza.

Their first child's name is forever on Perla's arm.

Apolinar and Carla weren’t at home when we stopped to visit. They have a good business selling tacos and drinks to the many truckers who are sometimes lined up on the road that leads to the international bridge. Truckers who are forced to wait long periods of time before they can proceed are happy to have homemade lunches delivered by bicycle right to their trucks.  And these huge 18 wheelers go right past Apolinar’s house.

Estevan, Javier and Cynthia came running out of the house when we drove up. These handsome and lovable children call us abuelo y abuela, grandpa and grandma. They always like to help us carry in the things we bring for their family. This time besides the food, we included cold medicines and garden seeds. Estevan and Javier quickly plundered through the bags and found special treats for them, M&M’s and peanuts. We always like to emphasize to these special families that their help comes from the Lord. 

Estevan showed us his new puppy.

Perla is with Javier, Stephany and Estevan.

“My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121:2

A FISH STORY

Alejandro expertly cast his net on the water.

Many people in Mexico fish with nets as they did in Bible days. They are expert in casting a very large net across the water. Alejandro Canales Medina is an avid sportsman both with a net and with a rod and reel. He often fishes the Rio Grande River and participates in competitions to catch the biggest fish.

Lloyd showed them how big the turtle was.

Catfish are caught in the Rio Grande along with many other species, including Tilapia which can be found in small lakes near the border. Tilapia is similar to the type of fish that was found in the Sea of Galilee when the disciples fished along the shores.

One evening after church Lloyd told Alejandro that he had seen an extremely large turtle swimming in the waters near the church. Alejandro hurried home to get his fishing net and within minutes he returned to try and catch the giant turtle. He loves a challenge.

Alejandro is a true fisherman and a good sport.

All Alejandro managed to catch were tree limbs that had fallen into the water. Then he had to remove his shoes and wade into the mud to retrieve his net. But he was enjoying every bit of it.

The sun was setting and it was getting too dark to cast the net more than once or twice into the muddy water. But Alejandro said he would definitely return to that spot so he would possibly see the turtle. No doubt he would catch and release the critter after taking some pictures.

The time we spent that evening near the water was reminiscent of Jesus calling his disciples as they fished with their nets along the seashore. Having a greater purpose in mind, he said:
  “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”  Matthew 4:19&20