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Trip into the Past or Good Omen for the Future?
After eight years in a row, our annual Starfish Mission Trip to Juárez, Mexico ended in 2008 due to the ongoing violence. As the administrator of the Starfish Scholarship Program, I last visited the graduation at the Socorro Rivera Elementary School in the summer 2009 and then again around Christmas to get the Scholarship Program better organized. When I mentioned to Rich that I was ready to go back to Juárez again, he asked me to join him on his trip right after the 4th of July holiday, which coincided with the graduation party at the Socorro Rivera School. I accepted and here are my impressions of the trip.
Our first stop was the graduation ceremony at the School, which started for security reasons at 08:00 am rather than in the late afternoon. This was my fourth time attending the graduation and the second time sitting at the head table handing out the diplomas. It is always such a wonderful event, seeing the entire village attending, the lower grades doing their dances and the smiling graduates so full of hope for what the future will bring them. Thirty seven kids graduated from Elementary School; all of them want to continue their education by attending Middle School and have applied for a scholarship. What a success for our Starfish Scholarship Program!
After the graduation, we visited the nearby Rey de Gloria church and Pastor Luis. It is unbelievable what he and his staff have done in the last few years at this location. They currently run adult programs, such as getting certificates as electrician, plumber, or hairdresser as well as programs for children, such as computer classes, English classes, and music classes to just name a few. A visit to his orphanage is always heartbreaking but rewarding. Presently, 32 children - ages 5 to 14 - are in the orphanage, and most of them came over to get a hug from us. I did not try to hide the tears in my eyes. We receive so much more than we give!
Women's Sewing Ministry at Verdad y Redención
Our next stop was to visit Pastor Robelio and his Verdad y Redención church. The total reconstruction of the church - with a generous grant from First Presbyterian Church of Dallas - is almost completed. Other than completing their building, they are also focusing on outreach programs to the elderly and the youth.
We then went to our Toribio Ortega Family Center, which was opened in 2002. This always used to be our first stop on the annual mission trips after crossing the border. Being there again brought back fond memories. Pastor Felipe gave us the "sightseeing" tour and I was impressed with the day care center they are operating that currently serves over 60 kids.
  The last stop was our Tocando Puertas Family Center in Loma Blanca run by Pastor Jesús and his wife Lety. This center was completed in 2008, but was shut down in September 2010 due to the continuous violence and murders that occurred in this area. They just re-opened the center for a kid's summer camp. When the word got out about the summer camp, the community response was overwhelming. Initially, the number of children was limited to forty, but when we were there over seventy kids were participating. The activities were supervised by young counselors, some of them scholarship recipients. It so refreshing to see people at this young age already learning to give back.
After having to stop our annual mission trip due to the violence, I have to admit that I was a bit nervous when we first crossed the border. Happily, once we were in Mexico I felt safe and never had the feeling that it was dangerous. What helped was that all the military was gone. It was somewhat disturbing in 2009 when it seemed that we saw military personnel with their machine guns at every other corner. As conditions continue to improve, I am excited about the possibility of taking groups back down to Juárez in the very near future.
Bernd Braun
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Congratulations to Pastor Felipe
When Pastor Felipe and his wife Vicky first started working with Arrow Outreach 10 years ago he had already felt God's call on his life and was considering going to seminary. He and Vicky quickly became well known to all of us as they spent much of their time with each group who worked in Juarez and Felipe quickly became a vital part of our Juarez ministry. In time Felipe began seminary and Dallas First Presbyterian Church helped to pay his way. Studying has not been easy for him due to the many demands on his time. He was involved in Pastoring and administering the Toribio Family Center, being treasurer to the Chijuajua Presbytery, treasurer of San Pablo Seminary, serving Arrow and more recently he has been asked by Verdad y Redencion Church, where he has been an elder all this time, to help get their programs underway. It was a great milestone when earlier this year he graduated from San Pablo Seminary and in June he was ordained after going through a rigorous process. We congratulate Pastor Felipe and pray many years of service and blessing on him and his family.
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Congratulations to Pastor Jesus on his Graduation
In his own words from Pastor Jesus:
"Finally I have finished my Theology Degree. Seven years ago I paused my studies, and I have finally been able to return to seminary. Rich Mackey attended my graduation and stood in with me as my "padrino" or sponsor, giving me a new bible which is the Seminary tradition. I was commended for my grades, which was a real blessing. I hope to be able to continue studying. The San Pablo Seminary has invited me to teach some classes there which I am very excited about. This will allow me to include some of the Sausal Pastors who I have been training. I am grateful to Garden Valley Bible Church who has really encouraged this vision of pastoral training." |
We remember Aaron Flores with affection and joy.
 Aaron was born in Dallas but loved Mexico where he spent part of his childhood. He was extremely supportive and delighted when his home church, Dallas First Presbyterian, started to take groups to work in Juarez 14 years ago. He went to Juarez every opportunity he had and loved the fact that his daughter Eunice and grandson Samuel continued going to Juarez with the church each summer, once he became sick and could not go himself.
Aaron never tired of speaking about and sharing Jesus. His reservoir out of which he communicated his love for his savior was endless. Pastor Robellio and those at Verdad y Redencion loved Aaron as a close friend, kindred heart and fellow traveler. Upon hearing the news of Aaron's going home to be with our Lord, there was a deep and genuine sense of sadness and loss, but an expressed knowing that they will see him again. Our Juarez brethren would say with one voice "Thank you Aaron for being our friend".
Arrow Outreach is very grateful to Graciela, his faithful wife of 56 years for her request that gifts in memory of Aaron be made to Arrow Outreach. |
We are approaching the middle of the year and our organization has survived thanks to the prayers and contributions from all our friends and brothers in faith.
