Mexico Missions with Bruce and Paula

Home completed and dedicated

Isaias & Ruby waiting for a new home

THE CARPENTERS CREW ON A MISSION

All during the day Saturday and Sunday, vehicles arrived from Illinois and Iowa as the Carpenters Crew invaded our house. By the end of the day Sunday, we had 19 people filling every bed and the R.V. too. It is always a joy to have so many willing servants to come and build a house in Mexico and build they did! Monday had us hitting the colonia and getting the whole house framed and the rafters up and ready for the roof. Tuesday the rain came on the way to Mexico and we prayed it away long enough to finish the roof and the porch before the rain came again. The wind and rain did some damage to a few houses and it wasn't long before they came to us asking for a new house where their families could escape the elements. So we tell them the same thing we tell all the families, "pray and ask God". Rain all night and rain this morning will probably keep us in the U. S. today bagging beans for the colonia. Paula and I are going to the hospital to ask for favor concerning my surgery bill last month. Pray for favor!!

COLD AND NASTY FOR THE NEW YEAR

After only one day of sun since Saturday, this cold damp weather is a bummer. With Alan, Lyneaa and Roger leaving today I feel like they got ripped off of our normal nice temps and golf weather. Oh well, we were able to get a lot of things done in spite of the weather. They guys were not able to coax the concrete truck driver to back down the hill to pour into the foundation because of the rain and muddy conditions, so they poured it on the ground and wheel barrowed it 150 yards to the floor. Lots of work, but on a cold day, it kept the guys warm. Jesus and Ortencia have all of the possessions outside after tearing down their old house to make room for the new one. The Carpenters Crew will start arriving today and we'll start building on Monday. These very cold temperatures are really taking a toll on people in the colonia. We have been buying and giving out propane heaters and yesterday we went to Progresso, Mx and bought several hundred dollars worth of blankets and then took them to Reynosa and gave many of them out as we drove through the colonia. There was a lady with newborn twins that we stopped in to check on them, and the whole family was just staying in bed and trying to keep warm with only one blanket. We gave her a heater and three new wool blankets. While in Progresso yesterday, we learned that Juanita died the day before. We built Juanita a house 3 years ago in Progresso with the Carpenters Crew as one of their projects. I think they said she had a bad heart, but rejoice! another soul in heaven.

BLESS THE CHILDREN

Friday, Paula and Lyneaa spent most of the day preparing the Christmas presents for the children. We packed up the last of the beans and rice, expecting a large crowd in spite of the cold weather forecast. Hundreds of donated gifts and food bags filled our house and the worship team from a church in Reynosa was also set to come. Roger felt much better and wouldn't miss this day for nothing. We arrived at the colonia at 7am and people were already waiting there. It was really cold, so I asked Ruth and the neighbor Elva to make some coffee and they gladly made as much as they could. The worship team arrived and set up their drums, amps, and microphones. We set up several tables of clothes, shoes and blankets. We had over a hundred coats and jackets given to us and we limited everyone to one each and they all quickly disappeared. The rule is no children present, no gifts will be given, so many parents returned home to get the kids, despite the cold temps. I almost wish we would have had it later in the day because everyone was quite cold. The played some worship songs and the leader gave a message followed by many coming forward for prayer and healing. After that, Pastor Molina gave a short message as well and then the fun began. Paula and Lyneaa handed out the gifts to the kids at the same time I was giving the food to the parents. It was pretty crowded and a little crazy, but by the time the last child came through the line, over 275 gifts and gift bags were given out and 170 bags of food. Boxes of knitted hats and beautiful gift bags donated by the Agape Christian school and Calvary Baptist Church made it a very special Christmas for all of the children. A lot of work goes into these outreaches, so thanks to all that donated time, gifts and money to make it a huge blessing for the people in the colonia. Every man and women also got a bottle of shampoo and a health kit, thanks to our two girls that donated their Christmas money that we would have given them, to the people in Mexico. It truly is better to give than to receive!

HIS STORY IN OUR LIVES

We moved to the TX/MX border in the Fall of '07 from Chicago, IL. We had been coming to Reynosa on short-term missions trips for over 10 years. Each time we left a little bit more of our hearts behind. Thru the circumstances of life Paula and I both agreed that now is the time to do that which gave us meaning and purpose in life. So we sold our home and came to the Rio Grand Valley at the southern most point of Texas. We have since joined with Mexico Missions Inc. to assist them with their childrens backpack programs in Mexico. Our mission is to reach the poorest of the poor in Mexico. We build homes, offer food and clothing to those in need, but most importantly we share the love and hope that is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. Living radical lives has expanded our vision and ministry from feeding hundreds of families to thousands.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP US REACH OUT TO THOSE IN NEED

Our ministry is totally supported by people like you.Since we did not raise our needed support before entering the mission field we continue to walk by faith that God will speak to the hearts of those of you reading our blog and joining us on short term trips to Mexico to help us help our brothers and sisters in Reynosa. If you would like to contribute to us personally, sponsor a child to attend school, give to the building of a home for a needy family, or even have us facilitate a food outreach, contact us via E-mail or send checks made out to MEXICO MISSIONS INC. and mail to our new address, P.O. Box 68 San Juan, Tx. 78589. If you would like to support us personally, put B&P in the memo column. If you would like to sponsor a specific outreach, list that as well in the memo column. All gifts are tax deductable. Child school sponsorship $400.00 per year per child, a newly designed home can be built with some help from the people in Mx. for a gift of $3800.00 or any portion thereof until enough money is raised to build one. Many houses could just use new roofing and some other fixes to make them more habitable. God Bless You as you give.