I don’t have any pictures from Saturday, since it was just a lot of flying around. So I’m going to put a few pictures of people that we met on the trip that could use some prayer. I’m not saying that none of the others need prayer, but these people were particularly special to me, and I would appreciate it if you would join me and our team in praying for them.
Jeff Cates, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Libre in Weslaco, Texas
Jeff also works with Berea Ministries, and is often across the border, working in Northern Mexico. He has an enormous ministry there, working with the seminary (which is free to students, meaning that part of Jeff’s work is gather funds), and with the Free Will Baptist churches in Mexico (some of which are poorer than Sendero de la Cruz). Jeff also brings in and works with nearly 20 groups, like us, each year. His wife, Sandra, works alongside him.
Whitney, Heather, and Alyssa
Whitney and Alyssa are Jeff and Sandra’s daughters. Whitney is the pianist at her church, and has just begun a new job. Alyssa, who is too young to work (at least for a business), still works with the groups that her dad brings in. Both are as involved as they can be in the ministry. Heather is in her second year of college and just getting accustomed to groups like us. She experienced a lot of firsts this week, along with our group.
Rosa, wife of Eric, pastor of Sendero de la Cruz in Reynosa, Mexico
Rosa and Eric live in no more than a shed while they wait for their apartment to be finished. It is above the fellowship hall, which is next to the church. They don’t even have a shower; they use the sinks in the bathrooms. They have no Bibles to use in the church, have to use posterboard to write down songs, as they have no hymnals, and yet, they are some of the most joyful people that I have ever met in my life. Rosa never stops smiling, and it’s obvious that Eric is very devoted to the people in his community.
Lee, Youth Ministry student at Hillsdale College in Oklahoma, and Jeff’s assistant this summer
Lee is so much fun to be around; he livens up the room. He knows how to keep youth having fun, and yet can switch into a spiritual discussion whenever the opportunity arises. Lee has decided to get a quick Tech certificate to be able to work to pay for school, but needs financial aid for it. As of this past Saturday, he hadn’t received any confirmation about it. He’s also not sure what to do after school, as Free Will Baptist youth ministers don’t make much money, which I think is a complete shame (not that my salary could help much!).
So guys, that was our trip. I hope that these pages might inspire someone else to continue the work, through finances, through prayer, or through actually going. If you’ve been on my pages before, you know that this was my fifth trip, and I am already itching to go again, whether back to Reynosa or somewhere else. I hope you can experience something like this. It’s a life-changing experience, every time. Dios te ama. Adios.
