TWO HOUSES DEDICATED YESTERDAY

Yesterday morning we had a meeting with the Human rights director in Reynosa. We had a great meeting, sharing about the various ministries we partner with, and the frustration at the border trying to bring food and supplies across to help those in need. Jaime, Macedonio, Shawn and Carla Estes, Paula and myself will be flying to Mexico City next Monday to meet the National Human rights director. We pray for God's Favor to get the necessary permit to cross stuff unhindered.
Yesterday afternoon we dedicated two houses with great joy and the presence of God. The guys built both houses while we were in Florida upon hearing that the group that was coming, cancelled. 6 people accepted Christ as Paula and Jaime shared the Good news of the Gospel. Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters all hot saved. It was awesome. The two families got together and made tamales, carnita and green spaghetti. A beautiful time, indeed.
Our monthly food outreach was held Saturday and 185 families came for food, the Word, and Worship. Counting kids, there was probably 300 people. Many came forward for prayer for various reasons. Another great day.

A CALL TO PRAYER

I should have posted this yesterday, but today, would you join us in a time of prayer for peace to overtake Reynosa. The evil one is really messing up missions work again. When violence escalates people get afraid to come and serve. Personally, I believe that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, peace and a sound mind. So if you feel let, skip lunch and pray during that time.
The warehouse was empty until a huge donation of 40,000 lbs of beans and rice we're delivered Monday by Rick Caywood Ministries.Our faithful servants built two house and poured another foundation while we were gone. With groups cancelling their trips here, I have to pay the guys to build the houses, so your continues support allows the building to continue.
Many of you know Raul, the faithful servant that lived with us for 9 years. He is in the presence of Jesus after suffering cardiac arrest on Monday. He will be missed.

BLESSINGS COME AFTER BLESSINGS OTHERS

We have been so refreshed and relaxed this past week in Florida, that our hearts are full of Thanksgiving. Our kids and Lea joined us for the last week, and it was such a joy to spend actual quality time with them all.
We had the opportunity to speak and share about the ministry Sunday at Naples Christian Church. Four friends from Chicago we're in Florida and joined us at the service, including the couple that arraigned our donated condo. They bless many missionaries with a retreat condo every year. They bless OTHERS and themselves are indeed blessed. We were able to get together with them a couple nights this week.
We connected with several people at the church after the service, and look forward to an ongoing relationship with them.Hopefully we answered any questions they had, or calmed any fear of traveling to Mexico. One of their members is treating Paula and I to a round of golf at one of the most exclusive clubs in the area.
The kids lest yesterday and we head home tomorrow. We could stay for another week, because the recent violence in Reynosa made the group cancel their trip. We still need to build the house for Victors family as we committed to do, so we must go home and leave this time of blessing to go and bless others. It has been a great time here and a great 60th birthday celebration, Mothers Day and Family celebration. Thanks to those that kept the ministry going while we've been gone.

GOD IS SO AWESOME

Since we arrived back last week from our great and fruitful missions trip to central Mexico, we have a refreshed heart. It's good to do something different in ministry. When we arrived back, we found someone building on the vacant land next to the community center. They said they bought it from the President of the colonia. We told them that she said we could have it for a playground for the kids. Long story short and God's intervention, we bought the land back from the family and they purchased another property.
Also while we were gone, the guys finished our bathroom in the colonia. Man is it beautiful. 9 years without our own bathroom. We spent the week organizing upcoming building projects, the guys are building a house in Mexico now, and we have another planned for the team from Moraine Valley Church on the 17th. A family lost thiers house and all thier possessions last week in a fire, while they were at church. They saw the flames from across the canal, but couldn't put the fire out. We gave them a bed, some clothes, and food. We'll plan on building them a house in a few weeks, Lord willing.
We're packing up again for a trip to Naples Florida and speaking at Naples Christian Church on Sunday. They are sendiyng a team here in August, to "spend themselves " on behalf of the poor. I think its ironic that we get invited to share about our ministry with a church that doesn't really know us, and our church in Texas, not once in 9 years attending there.
Anyhow, a supporter has given us use of a family Condo in Naples, our kids and precious Granddaughter Lea are coming down for a few days, to celebrate my 60th birthday on the 10th. What a great Birthday gift.
Trying to get things done around here, Paula watered all the trees and flowers, I dropped the taxes off at the accountant, picked up a skid of water at Sams Club, got some $ from the bank, packed the golf clubs, oh yes, there will be some golf in Florida, and now we're packing our suitcases. Love you all, thanks for the prayers and support. Paula threw an early surprise party for my birthday and lots of people in our Mexican lives came. David Garcia gave me his old guitar that I loved playing. Blessed to be a blessing.

UH OH, I FEEL A NEW PASSION

Over the last 8 days, Paula and I drove over 2000 miles throughout Mexico, joining in outreachessence in 5 cities with 26 passionate brothers and sisters in Christ. It was so refreshing to witness so many people getting saved because of the Love exuded by those that came to serve.
We loaded up the van with beans and rice and headed to Puebla Mexico to join Phil and Marianne Chain and the doctors, dentists and young adults from Chiapas Mexico. We spent 3 nights in Puebla and held open air outreaches in two different colonia. Hundreds of families came and scores got saved, adults, children.
Wednesday we drove 5 hours to a town up in the mountains next to the state of Mecheocan. Paula and I left the team to drive south 3 hours to visit Paula's family. They were all grieving the loss of Paula's half sister Leona. If even for a 36 hour visit, it was well worth the drive. We bought several hundreds of pounds of beans and rice to take back to remaining outreaches.
We returned to meet the team as they were just giving out the backpacks to the kids. We were happy to be able to get back in time to witness all the joy on the kids faces. Paula had been helping Marrianne with fitting people with glasses, and led over 50 people to faith in Christ.
After Saturday's outreach, the local church family made us lunch, and in ano emotional goodbye full of hugs, tears, and pictures we headed to Queretaro to spend the night and put 6 team members on flights back home. Phil, Marrianne,Paula and I made the 12 hour drive back to Texas. Some Friday night violence in Reynosa had us a little concerned, but all was clear when we came through. Thanks for the prayers and support that allowed us to go where God wants us to go, and do what God wants us to do. Your part of every Blessing, and salvation that God orchestrated. GRACIAS.
We're already planning on going back, maybe during Christmas this year. Lord willing, except the next trip is way down to Chiapas.

THE MOTHER OF ALL OUTREACHES

The last two days, we have witnessed the move of the Holy Spirit touching hearts and minds concerning Jesus Christ. Servants from Cancun,Chiapas,Puebla, Mexico, Oklahoma,South Carolina,and Texas, all came together in one according to share the Gospel.
A huge tent was set up for the first days outreach. Yesterday we were able to use a school. The youth team from Chiapas set up the sound and stage for the children's programs, while everyone else set up booths for the doctors, dentists, medicine, eye glasses. Prayer bathed the team every morning.
Paula helped translate for Marrianne at the glasses station. They led over 50 people to faith in Christ in two days. Scores more saved as well. A great time serving.
Paula's sister Leona, and my Uncle George passed away in the last two days. We leave this morning for the State of Mexico for three more out reaches 5 hours away.

AND WE'RE....DRIVING

As if we don't spend ourselves enough on the border in Mexico, today Paula and I are heading to the mountains in Puebla,Mexico to join our directors Phil and Marianne on thier outreach to the least of these in Mexico. They're doing medical,dental and vision out reaches as well as backpacks filled with toys for all the kids.
We have always wanted to join them, but our group schedule didn't allow us to. I know God orchestrated this year's schedule for such a time as this. Please pray for us as we travel and minister until we return next Thursday.
We joined the Garcia family in the colonia Wednesday night to celebrate David's birthday at Pastor Antonios church. The Church was full of members and well wishers. 2 years ago it was a congregation of 5 to 10 people. Now there is over 40 in regular attendance, and we're praising God for the hunger in the hearts of people to know God better.