Greetings from Mexico in the righteous name of Jesus Christ. I pray that as you are reading this, the Lord is blessing you with His peace that passes understanding and strength for each and every day. He is our peace. (Ephesians 2:14)
"For He himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility."
In our current world of challenges on every side, this scripture is a beautiful reminder that only Christ can bring us peace. The world has nothing to offer when we are searching for answers in the midst of chaos and unrest.
I have been enjoying Max Lucado's book, "Anxious for Nothing" for about the 3rd time. It is an encouragement to me in trying times, and I hope you will consider reading it.
It has been a busy time in many ways for me the past few months. In March, I spent two weeks with my two granddaughters in Fort Worth. My son and his wife went on a vacation for her birthday, and I had the privilege of cooking and decorating cookies, drawing and painting, playing games, sewing, and just enjoying each other's company after nearly 6 months apart due to the pandemic. God blessed our time in prayer and I am so grateful for that precious time with my family.
Our little church family at Agua Viva Rehabilitation Center in Centinela recently stopped services for about two months due to one of the "muchachos" living at the rehab testing positive for Covid19. He is fine, and was without symptoms but kept testing positive long after he felt better. We are thankful .nobody else got sick, and it was hard for him to quarantine and be alone for so long. But yesterday at church he shared about his experience and was thanking God for bringing him through it after all that.
 |
| Melting ice on my heater |
As many in Texas and beyond experienced snow and ice during February, we also had the same here in our part of Mexico. Many, like myself, had broken pipes and no electricity for days around February 14th. It was and unusual Valentine's Day, with snow and cold like we haven't had here in nearly 30 years, the locals tell me. I took lots of pictures, as it reminded me of my childhood in Northern California where winters often were accompanied by lots of snowfall.
I still have yet to repair all the broken pipes to get running water at my house, but am so grateful for the windmill nearby that I can fill buckets of water for my needs here. Life is certainly simpler here. I am so grateful to God for His mercies, lovingkindness and provision.
Last week, we celebrated Hermana Mari's birthday at the church with pastel de tres leches. It was a sweet time and we were thankful for all she has been to that ministry since the beginning when Pastor Alejandro first took over there 15 years ago.
About a month ago, I was travelling on Hwy 57 between Pearsall and Eagle Pass. It was about 9:30 at night and I saw a car upside down in the bar ditch, with the engine on fire. I parked and got out, and two other vehicles were stopping there. I called out to the see if someone was in the car and there was a woman in the back of the vehicle. I crawled through the mesquite and brush and tried to get her out through the window nearest the hiway. She couldn't get through the window but another man went around the barbed-wire fence and helped her out of the other back window about two minutes before the car exploded.
As we walked her up the hill to the side of the road, I told her how blessed she was that God had protected her life from that accident. I got to pray with her as she was in shock after the accident. I found out that her name is Desiree and she asked me to call her husband. He was farther up the road and turned around to meet her there. We waited for the police to arrive and she was taken by airflight to San Antonio, and gratefully released later that night without serious injuries. God is so good and I am so thankful to have been there for that opportunity. Her husband has called me and asked me to come visit them in San Antonio. I hope to be able to visit them one day soon. This picture is of her car after she was extracted.
Earlier this year, one of my neighbors came to my door at about 9 at night and said her mother's church van was broke down near Zaragoza and they needed a ride to Acuña. I took her and her young son and we drove to where the old school bus was broken down on the side of the road just outside Zaragoza. The men stayed with the bus, and all the women and children got in my van and we drove them to their church in Acuña where their cars and families were waiting for them. It was a sweet time with precious women and I am so grateful for the van and the ability to help when needs like that one arise.
After they unloaded, I asked the ladies if it was okay if I took their picture. They were happy to comply.
May the Lord Jesus bless you and encourage you as you seek His face and His will for your life. I appreciate your interest in this blog and this ministry, and hope that you find peace in every area of your life as you serve the King of kings.
