Independence Day

As we celebrate the freedoms this country has, always let us remember all of those who lost their lives to guarantee us those freedoms. We fought to be free of England’s rule and established the rules of our great country (the declaration of independence and constitution) and yet there are factions that want to take away those freedoms and rights. Continue to pray that this country, founded on Christian principles, returns to God – remember God did not leave our country, our country kicked God out – out of schools, out of public buildings, and is trying to kick Him out our daily lives.

Our park has a catch and release lake which many people use. Just recently a park resident caught this huge fish in the lake – we have been wondering where our baby ducks have been going – perhaps this guy is the culprit.

he sure looks happy (the young man not the fish)

We served over 130 folks in our Friday distribution and over 50 in our Wednesday one, many of them seeking clothing as well. God has provided so well that we had many boxes in storage to share with them. A lot of the people have heard by word of mouth that there are food supplies available and because of the flooding have come to the colonias to see if there is any available. A lot of the folks just go wherever distribution points are and receive all they can, as they have lost everything in the flood. Thankfully, our government has issued an additional $300 in food stamps to those already receiving them to help out. We are so blessed that we have had bountiful amounts to help these folks out. Our goal is to teach this people to help themselves – give them the tools to allow them to rise above their current conditions – if handing out food is an incentive, then so be it. But we need to instill a sense of self-worth -

Give them the paint to pint their homes, but also let them be a part of painting it themselves. Give them donated sewing machines, but show them how to sew in order to earn some financial means to support their family. Although we are just a few miles from the Mexican border, we are separated from them by miles and miles of cultural differences. The living conditions in Mexico are so different from ours that we cannot fathom their thoughts. When the Mexicans cross the border to the US, they put on their seat belts, hook their kids in their car seats, obey traffic signals, and respect our policemen. In Mexico none of these things are of importance or even exist. The local Mexican police are non-existent, as the cartels have overtaken them over – the country is taken care of by federal troops! When gun fights break out between the Mexican mafia and the cartel, both sides seeking to gain control, people just continue with their daily living, as these fights only seem to last a few minutes and then they are over. We would panic and run for shelter.  There are no prices on gas stations as all of the gas is owned by the Mexican government so all pricing is the same – you just pay the price or go without. Working all day for a few pesos is the norm – we work 8 hours a day and enjoy all the toys and entertainment we can ask for. School on this side of the border is a given, actually required.  – in Mexico it is a privilege.  We consider the week-end a time of relaxation and fun – in Mexico it is just another day, wondering where their next pesos are coming from. The manufacturing firms along the border have helped tremendously, but there are many more folks wanting these jobs than there are jobs as well as the fact that most jobs require a high school education, which most of them do not have.

What is the Great Commission? It is A Personal Instruction from Jesus. The Great Commission is one of the most significant passages in the Holy Bible. First, it's the last recorded personal instruction given by Jesus to His disciples. Second, it's a special calling from Jesus Christ to all His followers to take specific action while on this earth. The Great Commission is found in the Gospel of Matthew:

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Great Commission is the end of a Gospel and the beginning of faith in action for all Christians. 51% of all church goers do not know what the great commission is – 63% of those have heard about it but do not know where in Scripture it is or what it means. We all need to bear witness to Christ even though it is hard and causes us discomfort. The hardest people to witness to are our families – it is easier to witness to a stranger or acquaintance than to a child or a sibling. We witness to others by our actions as well – everything we do seems to be put under a microscope and analyzed. Continue to be bold for Christ.