WIN ONE, LOSE ONE

Pepe, inside the parsonage.  He always wears his helmet in case he falls with a seizure.

Pepe lives near the church in Nuevo Progreso. He's a handsome young man who always has a smile on his face and a bicycle helmet on his head. Pepe has epilepsy.

Pepe carries his medicine in his pocket and when he senses the onset of a seizure, he quickly takes one of the little white pills. Donated by friends Scott and DiAnna, this medicine helps keep his condition under control.

In August 2013 Pepe's brother hung himself in the family home. He had been engaged to marry, but things had gone wrong. He must have seen no solution to the problems and found the only way he could see to escape. Pepe and his mother are suffering severe grief over this tragedy and really need prayer.

Pepe accepted Jesus into his heart in September and now he and his mother really enjoy attending church. Pepe likes the abundant love and attention he receives from the family of God.

DENGUE FEVER EPIDEMIC

Standing water causes mosquitos that can carry diseases such as dengue fever.  When the Nuevo Progreso drainage project is finished, the problem will be solved.

There's an epidemic of dengue fever along the northern border of Mexico with many cases reported in Nuevo Progreso. Pastor Gerardo's wife Miriam was tested positive for the disease in October and spent two weeks ill and on medication. She has recovered but is still weak. Their daughters Dana and Esly had light cases of dengue fever but have returned to school. Dengue fever is carried by mosquitos and the wet weather and standing water have increased the problem.

Victoria, the state capital city of Tamaulipis, has sent spray trucks to the border in an effort to kill the mosquitos. The critical situation has made it more necessary than ever for the government to complete the drainage project started years ago. There must be no more standing water! We are confident that God is able to resolve this problem, and we know that He is in control. Meanwhile, please pray with us for protection for the people of Nuevo Progreso.

"HE BEHELD THE CITY..."

This morning Pastor Gerardo stepped inside the door of the police department, opened his Bible with the police officers present and prayed for God's blessing, favor and protection on the police and on each person in the city. As part of a new program, each Monday morning a pastor goes to the Nuevo Progreso police station where he prays. This was outstanding news for us. We heard a lot of good reports from Pastor Gerardo and his new friend and helper Mario Belmares when we arrived at the church on November 20. There have been spiritual advances in city government! Also, each and every Monday evening there is an outdoor church service in the city plaza. There someone preaches a sermon and there is prayer for the sick. The pastors take turns conducting these meetings. There are approximately 20,000 people who live in and around Nuevo Progreso, making this another great opportunity for outreach. We are beginning to see spiritual progress from our many years of work establishing the church in Nuevo Progreso! There was a lot of activity on the church grounds. Several pickup trucks were parked nearby and a large piece of machinery was in action. That day was a work day, with some chopping away brush and others working on the road. Saturday has also been declared a work day, with plans for many hands to beautify the grounds in preparation for several activities and large crowds in the future. Lloyd's primary goal and prayer had been to see this specific work done; so it was greatly encouraging that things were already in motion. There is much work to be done at the church. But the most important thing for us to remember is that Jesus weeps with compassion when he looks over cities around the world. "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it." Luke 19:41

The driver of this piece of heavy equipment donated an hour of work moving a large pile of earth to a place along the church lane.

"A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES...."

Once again we made the long trip from Illinois to the south Texas border, arriving here on November 10, 2013. We've had several months to rest and regroup and now it's time to continue our work in Mexico.


Reports received from our church and mission established in Nuevo Progreso have been good since we left in June. Several events took place including a three day evangelistic campaign in the city plaza. That project involved our church and two others in Nuevo Progreso. We received reports of several healings in those meetings and other blessings.

From one year to the next we never know what to expect or what the Lord has planned for us to do. We've learned to remain flexible and try to go under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We do know there will be visits from volunteer doctors to our mission and that we have been given the use of the city's free clinic for examinations and treatments. Classes in nutrition have been planned along with the doctor visits. We look forward to our annual children's Christmas party at the church and hope to have gifts for every child who attends. If you would like to help with any of these projects, there is information on this blog about how to contact us or where to send your help.

Lloyd and I appreciate your prayers for the mission in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. There will be frequent reports and updates on this blog and without a doubt there will be challenges requiring much prayer. You are part of that great group of witnesses to this work!

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

CASA DE ANCIANOS

This handsome woman with the happy smile never left her bed in the casa de ancianos.

On one of our trips to Ciudad Acuña, Mexico we visited a casa de ancianos, home for the elderly. We had taken Bibles to churches in the area and had warm gloves to give away. At the home there were about 20 men and women sitting in wheel chairs on a broad tile covered porch and there were some in beds inside. They had just finished lunch and some of the women were knitting or doing embroidery while most of the men were napping. They were happy to have company, so we talked to them as we handed them each a pair of warm gloves. Although the day was not cold, they were all dressed in jackets and sweaters.

Two men were especially interesting and we stopped to share more with them. One whose name was Cleo told us he had been a cowboy who worked many years in Texas. Another stately gentleman told us his name was Antonio and he had been an army lieutenant for 18 years. We later learned that the silent gentleman sitting next to him was Felix who had once been a General in the Mexican army!

It was overwhelming to think of the combined history surrounding these fine men and women in the casa de ancianos in Ciudad Acuña.

IN THE NUEVO LAREDO JAIL

Ildefonso and Lupita pastor a church in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

The sun had set, but people were still milling around the office where we stood that day in December 2004. Some people had plates of food while others carried blankets. There was a look of sadness and trouble on many faces. We were in the jail in Nuevo Laredo!


Pastor Ildefonso and his wife Lupita had asked us to join them to pray for a young man from their congregation who had been arrested. His crime was that he was from Nicaragua and he had no Mexican papers. A judge was to hear his case soon, but meanwhile he was in jail and needed prayer.

Mexican jailers do not feed their prisoners and it is up to family and friends to provide them with whatever they need. Lupita carried a platter of tamales. I had four oranges in my hands and Lloyd carried some cans of cola. Ildefonso obtained the required permission and led us into a long narrow room that had several partitioned booths along one side. The young man, Joel, met us at the second partition and we all offered him encouragement and prayer. Lloyd urged him to take advantage of the time behind bars to tell the other inmates about Jesus.

Other families gathered at each window. On our left a young mother and child leaned as close as possible to the man behind the Plexiglas screen. When her time with him was up and she left, he leaned his head dejectedly against the screen. Lupita and I offered to pray for him. He pressed his hands against the Plexiglas to make contact with us. It was heartbreaking to see the young man respond to God's love. Please join us in prayer for the people who are held captive and need Jesus in Mexico.

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost". Luke 19:10

At another time, this man said he would like to accept Jesus, but he would not come to a decision.  He represents many who are lost in Mexico

RECENT ACTIVITIES IN NUEVO PROGRESO

A crowd is gathered for food and prayer.

This summer the church in Nuevo Progreso has been active while Lloyd and I are spending a few weeks back home in Illinois. The ministry continues under the leadership of Pastor Gerardo Estrada and his wife Miriam. They recently sent an exciting update and great photos of some events that have taken place.


One project has been to distribute food to nearby colonias. The church in Nuevo Progreso has recently been blessed with an abundance of groceries for this purpose. One of our early priorities in our mission work was to feed the poor before talking to them about the things of God. We're happy to see this continue to be a priority even when we are away. Along with gifts of food, Gerardo and Miriam have ministered to the people in music, prayer and the word of God. There are many poor colonias near the church that have hundreds of families with many needs. More and more it seems that the ministry of the church must be out on the streets instead of inside the walls.

Sunday School continues to be the backbone of the church. Each Sunday morning children come from all around the church to take part in Bible stories, music, handicrafts and even a hot breakfast! The children take their own colored pages home where they repeat what they have learned to their parents. "...and a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6

A Sunday School class of little boys and girls at the church.

Free music lessons are also offered at the church on various instruments such askeyboard, guitar and drums. Neighborhood teens really enjoy these lessons taught by Pastor Gerardo, and it gives him opportunity to mentor them while sharing his knowledge of music.

The pastor and his wife specialize in home visits where they spend time praying for the sick and reading the Bible to them. There are many who live too far away to attend the church regularly, but they are still considered part of the Body of Christ.

All of these activities remind us of what Jesus said, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." Luke 14:2

A sweet little girl who came to Sunday School.