RESCUE SOULS!

A gentleman in Mexico who needed prayer.

"Lord, direct us to the right place at the right time." That's the way we pray before crossing the border into Mexico; and one day we met a man from Guatamala at exactly the right time.

Because of extremely heavy traffic, we drove home by way of a different international border crossing. It was late and both of us were hungry, so Lloyd suggested we stop at the La Fe Cafe in Los Indios. And that's where we met the man from Guatamala.

La Fe was closing for the day and we were the last two people to be served when a man knocked and asked if he could come in. He then asked if anyone knew where he could find a church. There was a look of despair on his face, his shoulders drooped and deep lines were on his forehead. "I need to get right with God," he said emotionally.

Before long we were seated at the table talking with him. He had been to a doctor in Mexico because he felt so bad, but the doctor told him his problem was only depression. His name was Edwin.

Lloyd urged Edwin to repent and commit himself to the Lord right there in the La Fe Cafe. Holding hands and with heads bowed, we prayed with Edwin while he cried and begged the Lord to forgive him. There was a new look on his face after he had confessed his sins and prayed. "Now I know that if I die, I'll go to heaven," he said with relief. "Now I need to begin to work for Him, I can't go back to my old life."

Edwin said that he and his wife had separated and he had become involved in sinful things. Recently he had felt a hunger inside for something more satisfying and he had an urge to attend church. He felt sure that God caused our paths to cross at the La Fe Cafe that day, and that gave him a new assurance that God was in control. Edwin expressed the desire to take God's word with him into Guatamala, so Lloyd gave him some gospel tracts and urged him to begin sharing his experience with others.

Even after all the delays and all the heavy traffic, the Lord led us to Edwin at exactly the right time!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IN MEXICO!

Large crowds of children showed up for VBS, Vacation Bible School, each day.

Music, stories, fun and games!  This always attracts the children around the church in Nuevo Progreso and they came daily to Vacation Bible School.  The church was decorated with colorful balloons and artwork that went along with each day's theme.

Pastor Gerardo teaches a group of students a lesson from the Bible.

Every day there was a lesson from the Bible.  There were prizes and games to help them in the learning process.  The word Fe, which is faith in Spanish, is highlighted on the pulpit as the basis of these important lessons.

FAITH!  That was the theme for VBS!

The children acted out stories of faith from the Bible.

Even the smallest children got involved in acting out the stories, such as The Walls of Jericho.  Using his artistic abilities, Pastor Gerardo created many cartoon characters to illustrate the stories.

It's great to see children learning about what a great God we serve!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."  
Proverbs 22:6

PRAY FOR THIS MISSION TRIP TO MEXICO!

A small child in Mexico.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS MISSION PROJECT:

Join a mission trip!  Everyone has a skill to offer.  There will be medical and construction projects.  Hep A and Enhanced Drivers License or Passport needed.  Must be 21 or over.

TIME IS LIMITED:  The trip is planned for October 11-18, 2014. $350 deposit due at registration and $350 due October 1st.  Lodging will be in Mission, Texas.  For more information about volunteering or donating to this project, contact LIFE ON THE BORDER, P. O. Box 33, Champlin, MN 55316.  Telephone 612-269-6895.  Or you may contact us for more information through this blog.

Be a part of something bigger than yourself!

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