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Pastor Jesus - God's Hands and Feet
A few months ago I had the opportunity to sit down with Pastor Jesus and listen to him talk about his ministry in Mexico. We sat in the comfort of my home in East Texas, a relaxed atmosphere that is not common for someone who lives in the embattled city of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Nevertheless, Jesus spoke with great passion about his ministry "back home".
More than 10 years ago Jesus was actively working with the community where his church was located. He believes the church is an integral part of the community; the church is not there for itself. Some years ago Jesus responded to God's call to focus on community outreach and development, rather than pastor a congregation. Tocando Puertas grew out of this call and became a spring of hope for many people in Loma Blanca (a community on the east side of Ciudad Juarez). Earlier this year Jesus was chased out of Loma Blanca by warring drug cartels. He had to temporarily shut down Tocando Puertas because it was simply too dangerous for his parishioners, adults and children, to be out and about in that area. A drug-related gun battle just beyond the property of Tocando Puertas was the final straw.
 But, those of you that know Jesus know that he is not easily thwarted from doing God's work. Almost immediately he was asked by the community of Sauzal (a few miles west of Loma Blanca) to establish a community outreach there. He and Lety live in Sauzal, so this gave him an opportunity to serve his "home" community. The mayor of Sauzal offered him plenty of space to "set up shop". So, the equipment and supplies were moved from Loma Blanca to Sauzal.
The Sauzal community is an older, more stable community. Loma Blanca sprang up when the nearby manufacturing facilities were bustling operations, but with most of them now either shutdown or running skeleton crews, a significant number of residences were vacated. Now, in Sauzal, Jesus is ministering to people who have a strong sense of community and who provide a strong volunteer base. Jesus commented to me that, "In Sauzal the people protect us, but in Loma Blanca we protected the people".
 
In Sauzal Jesus is providing similar programs to those he had in Loma Blanca - feeding program, thrift store, sewing, education, etc. He told me that his biggest need is with the feeding program. Currently he only has funds to provide 50 meals a day, but he said the need is much greater than that. He told me that additional funds would make a significant difference in the basic needs of so many in the community.
Finally, I asked him about the future of Tocando Puertas in Loma Blanca. He told me that his heart is really there, in Loma Blanca, and that someday in the future when the violence subsides he wants to get Tocando Puertas back in operation. He also recognizes that he cannot shut down what they now have going in Sauzal. He is encouraged that he will have a strong volunteer base in Sauzal who can help in Loma Blanca.
Pastor Jesus has a unique combination of God-centeredness, vision and a "let's get it done" attitude. He is a tremendous blessing to the communities where he lives and works. He and Lety, his wife of two years who rolls up her sleeves and works side-by-side with him, are making a difference and are active models of being God's hands and feet. He would ask you to pray for their ministry. I ask you to consider what you can do to help him meet the basic needs of more people in Sauzal. |
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Verdad y Redención
In June of 2008 Pastor Robelio and his church members were starting construction on what they hoped would be a new church. As with everything we have been part of the past eighteen years, faith and action preceed provision. 
They had no funds, but believed that the Lord was leading them to begin the project. Very shortly thereafter Dallas First Presbyterian Church sent word that they wanted to help them build a new church.
These past few years have been filled with anticipation and lots and lots of construction! Rich Mackey was present to participate in the dedication of the newly constructed church on Saturday, July 2nd. Pastor Robelio is the senior pastor at Verdad y Redención. He and his wife, Flor, have worked closely with Rich in Ciudad Juarez since our "early" days there. Many of you know Flor from the great lunches she and her kitchen crew prepare at the Toribeo Family Center.
 
Verdad y Redención is a beacon of hope in the midst of a drug war zone. The expanded facility will give Pastors Robelio and Felipe the opportunity to reach more and more people in that area of Ciudad Juarez.
 
Many thanks to Dallas First for their commitment and dedication to this effort. |
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Graduation and the 2011-2012 Starfish Scholarship Program
 
Socorro Rivera continues to be a model of what great things can happen when the church teams up with the community. This school has grown each year since we've been involved with it. While other areas of Ciudad Juarez are shrinking (many people have left due to the violence and high unemployment rate), the community that surrounds Socorro Rivera Escuela is maintaining its population in part because of the outstanding education opportunity there.
Each year Rich attends the graduation ceremony, and this year was no exception. The graduation was held on Monday, July 4th, but for the first time it was a daytime event because of the dangers after dark. 400 students and parents were gathered there to celebrate with the 38 new graduates. As in years past, the graduation included a lot of festivity and ceremony, making it a memorable experience for the graduates and their families.
All 38 new gradudates will move onto the next level of education, and each and every one of them needs a scholarship in order to do this. These kids and the many that were on scholarship this past year are depending on each and every one of us to reach out and help them achieve their potential.
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