Uriel, one of our college boys at the refuge in Reynosa graduated this last week with a degree from a technical college. We are so proud of these kids who go on to school in order to ensure a better life style for themselves. What an amazing role model they portray for the kids still in school at RIN - a living proof that they, too, can be whatever they want to. About a year ago we were saddened at the loss of 3 brothers from RIN as their mother, through devious plans, managed to pull her boys from the refuge back to the streets of Reynosa. But God had a plan in mind!!! This last week, all three boys returned to RIN, with the assurance that they would never have to go back to the living conditions that were way less than desirable. We don't know what took place in the period that they were gone, but the oldest boy was asked if he wanted to press charges against his mother. He declined to do so, thus proving that the loving care he received previously at the haven softened his heart, allowing him to forgive his mother, just as God forgives all of us. What a powerful message.
This week as we volunteered at Border Missions, there were 2 people who really impacted my life and proved that God is really alive!!! Jesse, a preacher from Pharr, Texas, presented his testimony, both in English and Spanish. At a young age, he was involved in a gang and as he stated it, fell further and further into sin. From what I understood, he was sort of the leader of a very bad gang in the area. Unfortunately (at the time), he was incarcerated and thrown into solitary confinement after being beaten by the authorities. His gang members also were put in jail, and looked up to him as their hero, certain that all charges would be dropped and they again would be free to terrorize the neighborhoods. While in solitary, Jesse cried out to the Lord, whom he had abandoned even though he been raised in the Word. He talked to the Lord, cried out to Him, and prayed for three days, asking, "Lord, you said You would always be with me. Why did you leave me?" After three days he got his answer, "Jesse, I did not leave you, you left Me". This statement really impacted me for some reason. I knew it to be true, but to hear it from Jesse really got my attention. Like when you read Scripture for perhaps the 10th time, then all of a sudden it hits you right in the face?? To make a longer story shorter, he went before the judge and jury to be sentenced for up to 25 years in prison. The jury all declared he was FREE - not to serve anytime in jail. That day, 25 years ago, Jesse turned his life over to God.
As we were waiting for the church service to start that afternoon, we talked to an amazing Mexican lady named America. She married a widow man with 6 children, and then they had 1 of their own. They lived in Reynosa (as they still do) and were very poor - raised all sorts of animals for food, such as chickens, pigeons, ducks, geese, pigs, and rabbits. In time they raised 10 more children - children from poor families who did not even have papers registering their birth. They did not know the name of one young girl whom they named Anna Christina. America and her husband managed to put all these kids through school, some even went to college. She said that even that they were indeed poor, she was rich in her heart!!!! What sacrifices they must have endured to see that all of "their children" found a better way of life. My life is so very insignificant compared to hers and my sacrifices minute.
One evening as I was walking later in the day, the sun was just setting. As I turned in the other direction, there was the Blood Red Moon. A truly magnificent sight - I was totally awestruck. It was a quiet evening - the birds were not singing, but just getting ready to settle in for the evening.
the sun setting in the palms
the moon is not as red as it was in reality, but it is still beautiful in the picture
a family of whistlers, taking their last swim of the day
a white egret, checking out the area before roosting
Pastor's Israel's sermon this morning was based on "How You Serve Matters". We have to see the need and have compassion (as in America's case), the power of God is unexpected (as in Jesse's case), and when God is at work, our needs will be satisfied, ( as I like to believe happens in our ministry). This is all based on the gospel of Mark 6:30 and following (as well as the in Matthew, Luke, and John) - the loaves and fishes. Keep your antennas up to see a need this week and compassionately fill that need. Do it all for God's glory and for none of your own.
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