Reynosa, Mexico

July 8-14, 2007

Thanks to First Presbyterian Church from the 2007 Mexico Mission Team for the prayers and financial support of the 2007 mission. Twenty-four individuals ages 16-76 spent a week working and worshiping with the members of the Presbyterian Church outside Reynosa, Mexico. During the week we built the walls, floor, and support structure for two houses and poured the roof for two additional houses, thus directly impacting the lives of four different families. Through our work and worship, we forged new relationships with our Mexican friends and one another.

We often question the impact of our support of this type of mission work. I told the group in Reynosa about one family I have know for eight years. Esther is the mother of four daughters; Erica - 15, Angelica - 12, and twins Paula and Paulina - 8. When we met Esther the twins were only a few months old. She was breast feeding all four children as the only way to feed them on a consistent basis. The family lived in a shack that was 8'x10' with a tin roof (full of holes) and a dirt floor. Whenever it rained, they all were wet. While I looked forward to seeing the children, it was difficult if not depressing to see Esther. She was a person living without hope.

About five years ago, our church was able to assist Esther with the purchase of her land where she lived, a pre-requisite to having a house built. She began working through Faith Ministry (and Mr. Deatin Guerra) and became active in the church and soon she had a house built. She is currently working on an addition to the house. As I visited with the family I could not help but notice the smiles on all of their faces that have replaced the often drawn looks and tears they previously carried. Our conversations were filled with laughter, concerns about children's grades, and planning for a daughter's 15th birthday party rather than a leaky roof and questions about the source of their next meal. This family now has hope and a better understanding of God's love for them.

This is just one of many stories of how God is using this church to change lives, not only the lives of those we serve, but also the lives of each one who serves. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to go on a mission trip, prayerfully consider the experience. Whether it is a trip to Reynosa, Haiti, The Care Clinic, or our own clothes closet, I can assure you that you will receive so much more than you give. May God bless you richly as you seek His will in your life.

Local

The Care Clinic

Cool Spring Mission

Family Life Center

Green Street Shelter for Women

Habitat for Humanity

Urban Ministry

Salvation Army

Love Lunches

Contact Helpline

City Rescue Mission

Radio Outreach

Stanton Hospitality House

Operation Inasmuch

Better Health of Cumberland County

Save the Children House of Refuge

Hispanic Ministry

Faith Ministry

Regional & National
Presbyterians for

Renewal

New Church Development

Wee Kirk Conferences

French Camp Academy

Presbytery of Coastal Carolina

Hurricane Katrina Relief

Montreat College

The Outreach Foundation

Thornwell Home for Children

Portuguese New Church Development (New Jersey)

Arabic Speech New Church Development (New Jersey)

Arabic-Speaking Missionary to the USA - Mr. Joseph Faragalla

Missionaries

Leon & Jacky Dorleans: Haiti

leojac@direcway.com

Rodney & Sharyn Babe:

At-Large

Letter from Missionaries

http://haitifundinc.org

Donald & Laurie Marsden: Russia

Charles & Diane Wonnenberg:
Native Americans (South Dakota)

George & Gail McBane: Pakistan

Bill & Nancy Warlick: At-Large

Ted & Sue Wright:

Southern Africa

Don & Marta Wehmeyer:
Merida, Mexico

Alan & Ellen Smith: Russia

International

Seminario Evangelico de Telogia,
Matanzas, Cuba

Youth Ministry Merida, Yucatan

Holy Cross Hospital, Haiti

Blanchard School Construction, Citi Soleil, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Support of Evangelism Training and Church Growth - Ethiopia

Ben Lacy Rose Chair of New Testament Theology, Justo Mwale Theological College, Lusaka, Zambia

Haiti Outreach Ministry

L’Acul Mission Support, Haiti

Children’s Street Ministry,
Harare, Zimbabwe

Sister Church, Mucheke, Zimbabwe

Missionary Support: Yucatan,
Zimbabwe & Mozambique

Mission Trips: Mexico, Cuba, & Haiti

San Pablo Seminary, Merida, Yucatan

Namumu Orphanage Center,
Siavonga, Zambia

House of Moses Crisis Nursery, Lusaka, Zambia

Noodle Food Factory, North Korea