NEW BEGININGS

Today Paula gets to perform her very first wedding as an ordained minister. Andres and Goyita have worked along side of us for 5years. We have known them for many more than that. 3 years ago they got engaged 💍 and today they exchange vows. They have been together 20 some years, so it's time!! The Community Center is decorated and we're heading over at 1 for a 3 o'clock wedding. 

  Our daughter Kelly came to visit a few days at the same time Cody, Marc, and Ben were here from Power Ministry. We all went to Melodys Orphanage for breakfast one morning,  and showed them the amazing facilities God has provided this special family and the orphans they have been entrusted with. President Trump was at the border that day and made a mess of traffic. We took Kelly to Top Golf ⛳ that night before she headed to Florida. 

  I had fly to Oklahoma last week to see my dentist. One of my implants didn't take to the bone and had to be removed. A few more months of healing before I get my teeth. Paula has been seeing a dentist 😬in Mexico for some work.

  Ministries are still coming for food for thier churches and communities almost every day. We are privileged to be here to meet the needs. We need to go to Illinois next month for Leas birthday and to pick up several hundred shoe box gifts collected by LaHarpe Christian Church. Several churches in the area. They usually have a team come down and bring them, but this year no one is coming so we're glad to go see them. 

  We sent out our annual giving statements last week, so if you donated and didn't get one, or it's inaccurate,  let us know. In spite of Covid-19 keeping groups from  traveling,  it was still a good year financially for the ministry. Helping the orphanages with our resources, as well as purchasing lots of food for those in need has really been a great transformation for us. I don't miss building houses, but we do miss the groups. 

  Be blessed and thanks for the prayers and support 🙏.

  

I'M GLAD WE'RE NOT CITIZENS OF THIS WORLD.

  If I was a citizen,  I'd be bummed right now about the political climate. But because I'm a citizen of heaven and a child of the Living God, this election only shows how close we are to the Kingdom of God coming to rule and reign on Earth. As an Ambassador of Christ, were not to be concerned about what happens,  knowing that God is orchestrating everything according to His will. However, the free 7 day trial of 2021 almost wants me to say" no thanks". 

  But on the bright side of things, the warehouse is full of beans and rice, and some other food products. Muscle milk, granola bars, vegetable chips, and 3 pallets of water. Donations were made to buy 20,000 lbs of rice and we thank you for responding to the need.

  My last post was about God's Favor during a year of craziness. I added up the amount of beans and rice that went through our hands, and it was enough to feed 3.5 million people one meal. If God can get it through you, He will get it to you!!!! I plagiarized that, but it's so true. Those of you that support the ministry are the best, and we surely appreciate you. 

  So as we head into a new year I am going to focus on the eternal,  instead of the temporary things. Its easy to get sucked into the things of this world. Paula and I are not getting any younger,  but as we joined 13 other missionaries from our home church on a Zoom meeting,  I was encouraged to see God keeping all of us healthy and safe. We have all made some huge changes to our ministries and God continues to grow and use us all in different ways. 

   So let's trust God with 2021 inspite of the godless people who are leading our country. To coin a sermon I heard,  " It had to happen", to fulfill all of the scripture.  Look up, our redemption draws near.

  

  

THE YEAR OF THE LORDS FAVOR

  As we close out 2020, I would ask you to take a look back. You've probably heard it said that there's 2020 vision in hindsight. As I look back, I see God's favor in so many ways. We thought the pandemic would cripple the ministry, but instead God blessed it. We thought we would be limited in our outreaches but God blessed them. We thought our finances would dry up, without any groups coming, but God blessed them!

  We never let fear grip our hearts, over covid. We kept believing that the favor of God was still with us, even when our thoughts tried to tell us a different story. Faith overcomes fear every time. Eliminating the fear is only found in faith in Jesus Christ. Many think that the vaccine will eliminate fear, or will it? Many think government handouts will eliminate financial fears, will it? The real matter is, in what, or whom do you trust? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 

  I remember when they first said we were all going to get $1200 from the govt back in March. Before the money even came, we decided to give that same amount to 2 families we knew would need it more than us. I believe that act of obedience opened the windows of heaven to provide for us all year, and it has. The Bible says, that God will cause people to be good to us, and He has. Unexpected,  unique and totally God moments of favor,, gave us the ability to be a blessing to orphans, orphanages, widows, and other ministries along the border.

  So even though we have had some struggles this year coping with the pandemic,  not going to church, not being with our family during the holidays, not seeing our kids and grandchildren as much, its been a great year of favor in spite of circumstances. A bucket list year in some regards, a banner year in other, and definitely a different year.

  So may The God of Heaven Bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand, may His face shine upon you and give you peace. Thank you for your prayers, partnership, and financial support. We look forward to another great year of opportunities to be a blessing to anyone that God brings across our path.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS INDEED

  Even though we were not able to spend the Holidays with our family,  our Mexican/ Texas family filled the void. It was a huge undertaking to prepare hundreds of gifts for the families in the colonia. Thankfully we had 150 shoe box gifts donated. About 90 girls and 60 boy gifts. We purchased eight hundred soccer balls for different events, we needed one hundred for today. Paula rolled up 120 towel sets, complete with a shirt and 5 new masks. Andres, Goya, and Dulce helped prepare 150 bags of food. Beans, rice,  oil. Sugar, and a can of jalapeños. 120 bags of mixed candy for the kids. All was ready by Thursday. 

  Christmas Eve day we went to the colonia for a few hours and the stopped at Melodys Orphanage.  Macedonio was preparing a gourmet dinner for Jaime and his immediate family. All the orphanage children went to be with family for Christmas. What a feast!!! We sang a few songs, exchanged a few gifts and each of us shared a 2020 Thanksgiving story.

  Christmas day was another day of feasting as Bob Brown, and Herb and Carol Moering joined us for dinner. Today, Saturday,  we headed to Mexico 🇲🇽 for our annual Christmas celebration in the colonia. We split the colonia into 2 shifts to keep social distancing in place. About 50 families came for shift 1. We sang a couple songs Feliz Navidad,  and Te Doy Gloria. Jaime gave an emotional Christmas message while some servants brought coffee and cake to everyone. 

  Everyone passed through the community center,  got thier food, a coat, and thier gifts, and then we repeated the whole process for the next families. Whew!!!! It was a total team effort to make it all happen, and that includes all of our supporters, without whom none of this would be possible. 

  Paula brought out leftovers from Christmas dinner, and we experienced a miracle of loaves and fishes as 32 people had a full plate of food. We're tired, but refreshed and thankful. 

PLAN B, A HUGE SUCCESS

  After the big event at the baseball park was canceled,  Jaime and the team planned the events at several churches around Reynosa. We joined them yesterday for 2 of the 3 outreaches. First we decorated and loaded up the truck,  vans, and cars and drove through town to our first church. Everyone sprang into action and set up the tables, chairs, and all the toys and food they had prepared on the street where the Pastor had permission to close the street.It got pretty warm as the people surrounding the church came and sat down. 

  There was a clown making balloons for the kids as we waited for the Evangelist/ Ventriloquist to start the program. The kids were all engaged as he gave his message. Though Clay and I didn't understand everything,  the laughs and applause were all we needed. Clay and I were in charge of giving out the soccer balls as the kids all came through the line with their hands full of food, gifts, cupcakes, and a juice box. A great time indeed. The team is holding 2 more events today. 

  Today we attended a Church in Alamo, TX and the Pastor was familiar with Moraine Valley Church and knew the former Pastor  Bill Johnson, it's a small world after all.

  In the event I dont post again before Christmas,  we want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and trusting God for a Healthy and Happy New Year. The prayers and support we receive is still so overwhelming and we are truly grateful for your partnership. 

   I had to put the picture of our beautiful granddaughters,  G.G, GABBY, AND LEA. We will miss being with them this Christmas. 

DRIVING MY LIFE AWAY

  In the last 7 days, we have made the round trip drive to Norman, OK. Two times. I need some extensive dental work and a friend of Phil and Marianne Chains wants to help. I had some of the needed surgery done Tuesday. One extraction,  and 4 implant posts installed. Not much pain, thank God. Enough about me!

  We have been busy crossing gifts, coats,  rice, and bibles for the outreaches scheduled for this Saturday and next Saturday. The big event this Saturday was supposed to be at the huge baseball stadium in Reynosa.  But Covid-19 crushes that plan. Jaime Mayorga Melodys Orphanage has plan B in effect. We purchased 1000 soccer ⚽️ balls, 400 dolls, blankets, and have rice and beans for the adults. 

  We wanted to go to Illinois for Christmas 🎄  but again, Covid screwed that up. We got most of our Christmas cards and newsletter mailed out. If we forgot anyone,  don't be offended,  just rejoice in the Christmas season.  I'll, try to attach the newsletter on the blog here this week.  If not, it basically says MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BETTER 2021.