Brenda's Journal

Joe's Journal

We arrived last night in Harlingen, TX.  They had supper ready for us when we arrived (yay!).  We had not had time to eat, as our plane was delayed and they had to hold the plane from Houston to Harlingen for us.

This morning after breakfast, we visited the hotel complex where many of the 117 full-time staff members live. 

The church service was held at the Way of the Cross Training Center where they have a chapel.   The service was interesting, with a variety of music, Mexican, worship choruses, and Mike Russell from Oklahoma did a bit of Bill Gaither.   It was fun hearing the service in two languages.  What a challenge for Annette to interpret her husband’s (Salomon) sermon.

I was the first one up this morning.  Ran 5 miles in the humid dark.  Had chapel, breakfast, and a tour of motel.  It is run down, but now being restored. – about 90% done.  Then we had chapel, lunch, and unloaded roof material.

 Way of the Cross has about 117 full-time staff.  No one receives a paycheck,  from the founder to the newcomer.  They are 100% debt free.  They own several 18-passenger vans and busses, and one large motorhome for hauling people over the border.   They are based in an old school. 

We toured warehouse, and put together care packages for Padilla citizens.  Package contents were rice, toothbrushes, toothpaste, gospel of John & Romans in Spanish.  Personal items package contained pads, underwear, markers, gospels, and hand lotion.  We loaded the van and returned to base camp.  Then we unloaded the rest of the motel roofing materials.

Brenda's Journal

Joe's Journal

This morning after breakfast, we started loading up the vans.   We have 2 vanloads of people and a huge trailer load of stuff – luggage and supplies.

We prayed shortly before reaching the border.  It took a little time to fill out all the paperwork, get our visas, and have the vans inspected, but we were back on the road in a little over an hour.

Nancy and I worked on some signing of songs and learning some of the Spanish songs.

Mexico is definitely a different country.  There are no government programs to help the poor.  There is a lot of garbage along the roadside, and house are small.   Many buildings are abandoned and falling down, or unfinished.

Departure preparation day.  I rose @ 6:30 a.m.  Ran 5 miles in the humidity again-2.5 miles up the road, 2.5 miles back down.  Had chapel, ate, readied 2 vans and car hauler trailer (roofing materials had filled this day before).  The  15 passenger van had 267,000 miles, and pulled the overloaded trailer.  There were two vans with 200,000 miles, loaded down with people and supplies.  Departed Harlingen at 11:00 a.m.  Arrived in Padilla at 5:30 p.m. 

Brenda's Journal

Joe's Journal

Nuevo Padilla is a beautiful little town.  Santos jumped out the back of the van he was so excited to get home and see his family. 

Everything is so different.  Even though this is a city, every yard has roosters and a dog.  I’ve even seen a turkey.  The house is really neat.  It was once a market with the home in the back.  It has a nice courtyard area for tables.  The ladies dorm is upstairs, and the men’s is downstairs.

So far, the strangest thing we’ve had to get used to is not throwing paper in the toilet.   There is not enough water pressure to wash it down.  We have to take trailer showers for water conservation (turn off the water between washes), and don’t flush unless there are solids.

This morning, we saw the strangest sight.  The street was filled with school children, all in uniform.  We found out a 16-year-old girl had committed suicide, and they dismissed everyone early.  Salomon said over the last two weeks there have been many tragedies.  A girl was raped and burned.  A man killed 5 teens.  There are a lot of hurting and hopeless hearts here.

A group of us went to the funeral of the young girl.  It was held in the cemetery.  The casket was carried in the back of a pickup truck, a police truck because the girls’ father was the police chief.  The pall bearers carried the casket to a platform in the middle of the cemetery to be opened for viewing.   As the family walked away, Salomon got permission from the family for us to pray for them.  We surrounded them, and Joe led in prayer.   It was the most heart-wrenching funeral I’ve every seen. 

We met with the director of the school while at the cemetery.  God arranged for us to have 4 trained grief counselors in our group, and we’re trying to make arrangements for them to meet with some of the grieving school children.

In the afternoon, we visited a small village called Conrada Costillo.  We broke into 3 groups, and went door-to-door inviting people to the service.  We met the most beautiful woman, Josephina.  She is 84 years old, and lived all alone.  She had broken her knee while trying to shoot the raccoons and hawks that were killing her chickens.  We brought the van over so she could attend the service.   It was so exciting, she accepted Jesus at the service.

The service started with music and testimonies.  We all went behind the van and prayed during the preaching.  Then there was an “altar” call.  Many accepted Christ, and some came forward for special prayer.  Irene and I prayed for an elderly woman (her name was too hard for me to pronounce, and she got quite a kick out of that).  She was having stomach trouble, and her husband was sick.  Though she couldn’t understand a word of our prayers, she was in tears.  It was amazing.   Then we distributed toys and candy to the kids, and bags of rice, toothbrushes, and personal items to the women.

Nuevo Padilla

Population about 5,000, very poor, main source of income is farming,.  Many people crammed in a very small space.  The mission is, as far as I can tell, in the near center of town.  It is located on 4 small lots, each lot 70’ x 50’.  The whole town is made up of these lots.  The roads are about 25’ or wide, and are dusty gravel.  Their news is spread by an old car with a loudspeaker on top broadcasting the daily headlines.  Sadly, like 15 year old Amilia taking her own life.  You may also purchase a newspaper from this “news car”.  I did!  $5.00 pesos (50¢).   The occasional smell of raw sewage is frequently interrupted by the burning of garbage.  There are many stores all over town, most unlike American stores.  There usually found in the front of a private home.  You can find hardware, grocery, pop, candy, tacos, shoe repair, etc. - most anything you can imagine.

Had a peaceful night’s sleep.  It is a cool morning.  My quiet time was interrupted by all the school children walking home.  A school girl had committed suicide, and school had closed for the day because of it.  Many children were weeping.  Amilia (the deceased) was 15.  She was the daughter of the local chief of police.  During devotions we talked and asked how we could help.  I felt God laid Amilia’s whole family on my heart.  Eight of us went to the cemetery.  Over 1,000 mourners were gathered there.  In the group that went, we had 2 grief counselors, 1 native missionary, 1 interpreter, 2 who dealt with suicide in the past, 2 prayer warriors (+6).  God, at the last viewing, lead Amilia’s family right over to us where we were praying, standing and mourning.  Our native minister asked if we could pray with them.  They said yes.  Our interpreter grabbed me and called us around them.  He said “OK Joe, pray”.  There was such sobbing going on, and we were surrounded by the pain of the people.  I hurt for them so much, “But for the grace of God” Amilia could have been my daughter, Tiffany.  My first prayer was quick and silent, “Lord give me/them strength.  Give me words.”  I was so dumbfounded.  I wrapped my arms around them, and as I prayed Gods’ comforting words, I cried with them.  My interpreter, Salomon, not only kept up with me, but he probably even helped me.  Such heavy stuff.   Later I told Brenda this was a bit more than I bargained for.  Who would have thought I would have been involved in a funeral in Mexico?  On we go, back to the mission, PTL!   

We had lunch.  I and 3 others went for a walk to the other side of town looking for some rope for illusions.  After 4 stores, we found some “long enough” shoe laces.   Everyone here is so poor.  Yet, what a shock I received when we went out to the village of Conrada Costillo.  Now the citizens of Padilla seem pretty well off.  Here in this village, some 30 minutes drive away, live approximately 200 people,  all hungry for the Word and food.  They have a school, Mayor, store, football field and a volleyball net.  These are very happy people.  We went from door to door in 3 groups of 6.  We would walk to the edge of their property and shout “Buenos Tardes” (good afternoon), then maybe “Hola”.  Someone would come out, usually toting the whole family.  Others would join them.  Cultos a la quarto y media in campo de futbol (There’s a church service on the soccer field at 4:30).  Over 50 showed up for that, and 15 accepted the Lord.  What a blessing!  We met Josephina, 84, a very lonely woman, living in a 2-room dirt floor shack.  She invited us in – a most humble dwelling.  A single lightbulb hung from a roof timber.  On her table she had a shotgun.  She used this for chicken steeling hawks and raccoons.  She allowed us to take a picture of her holding  the gun.  So many more stories about Josephina, but the most important one was her praying the sinners prayer and receiving Jesus as her Savior.  She cried several times as she was so happy - now, happy in the Lord, and the happiest she’d ever been!  Many of us gave her gifts of money for more chickens.  She cried again.  What an emotionally packed day!  Later, circled up, I shared the day with the group.  HEAVY EMOTIONS!

Brenda's Journal

Joe's Journal

Wednesday morning, I spent some time painting windows for the new chapel.  All the doors and windows are metal.  I worked on a window with Justin and Santos.  We had a lot of fun.   The boys are good friends.  It was fun to see them cutting up, and I had plenty of opportunity to practice my Spanish!

In the afternoon, we went to an area called Bonfil.  The people there were squatters.  They have nothing.  They move into a field that is not being used and put houses up overnight.  Many men were arrested.  Pastor Margarito was able to get paperwork put through to allow them to stay on the land.

It seems that many of the people are Christians.  Teresa and I were buddies soon after we arrived.  She is 16 years-old.  She has 2 sisters, Juana and Francisca, and a few other relatives I can’t remember.  Alicia’s husband I believe is their uncle.  Alicia lives in Padilla and has 14 children.  Way of the Cross just had a group build her a house last December, but not before her baby died from the cold.

We were invited into their house.  It is basically 1 room made out of sticks, with mud plastered in the cracks.  There is no solid door.  There is a tent inside the house with a cot for their mother, who was not well and couldn’t walk easily.  I don’t know if the whole family slept in the tent.

We held a service under a stick structure with tarps over it.  I had taken my pennywhistles, and Mike played backup on the guitar while I played Amazing Grace – after I gave my testimony.  Many others did also.  We prayed with many people after the service, and distributed candy, blankets, rice, and toys.

It was a cold day, and it was difficult to leave those beautiful people knowing they didn’t have a warm place to go.  But they are the most wonderful, caring people I have ever met.

We arrived back late, and everyone was hungry.  But the director of the school was there, and another family with their son that needed counseling.  Joe was kept busy doing magic for the director and for the young man, who has some kind of mental illness.

It is amazing how incredibly God has worked out all the details of this mission trip.  He certainly hand-picked everyone who was a part of our group.

Looking for a somewhat quieter day today.  We had devotions and prayer as we did everyday.  The news car drives by every morning and afternoon.  Good news I pray!  We also have chapel every morning and evening.  Joseph preached, and Mike, Justin and Westin led in praise and worship songs.  Mike sang a solo.  He’s most interesting, soft-spoken and sure.  He tells of his mother complaining about singing to fast.  She said to him, “When you sing, it’s just two chords and dust!”  He always plays the guitar as well.  He would reply to his mom, “If you’re going to kill a song, you might as well run it to death instead of drag it to death!” 

A team of us went out soul-winning door-to-door in Padilla.  We saw three conversions and prayed with several.  I’ll return this afternoon to a young man’s house and hopefully pray with him and lead him to the Lord.  One of God’s new conversions was a grandma mixing and baking bread outside.  Not much for anything inside here.

Bonfil – what an experience!  It is miles away, and hours through fields, hills, woods and rocks.  Squatters have settled here in the middle of nowhere.  They have risked death by starvation, being shot and wild animals to find and settle a new home.  We presented the gospel as God led.  Six accepted Jesus, PTL!  We prayed for many with needs.  After service, some went for a donkey ride.  I and Brenda visited a home.  I was able to carry a heavy box of food for them.  We sat in their home and visited for a moment.  As usual, we had to leave all too soon.  Such happy people!   They found hope in the Lord. 

Brenda's Journal

Joe's Journal

We had our chapel time this morning down by the river.  Today is a beautiful day.  It has finally warmed up!  I played Amazing Grace on my whistle while Mike accompanied me on the guitar, then everyone sang along.

Salomon took Joe and I to a taco stand for lunch.  Joe didn’t want to eat the grilled cheese because of his cholesterol.   They made their own tortillas.  I had shredded beef with beans.  Yum.  Then we stopped at the Panaderia (Bakery) and picked up some sweet breads and donuts.

Margarito had hired the man with the P.A. on his car to drive around in the morning and announce we had counselors available.  This is how they share news.  I got out my face paints, canjo and whistle to entertain the children who might come with their parents.  I believe only one woman came, but I did face “stamping” on everyone who wanted it.  The guys even liked it cause I had a stamp of an old mustang car.  We played some music, and let the little girl color.

The school director was supposed to announce to the school children today that we would have counselors available at 3:00 p.m.  He had to go to a meeting, and the announcement was not made.   Salomon told a few of the kids as they were walking home from school hoping they would spread the word.

In the afternoon, some of us went to tour “Old Padilla”.  The town had been in an area that was flooded around 1970 when a dam was built.  The government gave them new land for their town.  The school and church were the only remaining buildings, and both and been underwater.  But because of the draught, you could now walk into these.   They buildings were of beautiful Spanish architecture, but slowly crumbling from age and water.  I was surprised there was still a lot of floor tile left, but the roof of the church was gone.  The cement of the town square was still there. 

As God had all things worked out, there was a man and woman there looking for bird migrations.  Many of the group had conversation with them, and they had both given their hearts to the Lord before we left.

When we returned, there were a lot of people at the house.  Some had come for counseling.  Annette said some were there because they heard there was food.  The supper was wonderful – grilled chicken fajitas on homemade tortillas.  Then we had birthday cake for Melissa, whose birthday is tomorrow.

After devotions, we found out that Santos’ family had been cooking all afternoon, and planned to feed our group – the whole group.   His father had caught fresh fish that day.   He even had to borrow a boat because his was not working.  We didn’t get out of our evening devotions until 9:30 p.m., but their evening meal is not until 9:00 p.m.  We all trooped down there.  They had tables set up on their driveway.  There was a fire pit in a covered porch where they were cooking the tortillas.  They were dishing the soup out as I came up.  Boy, were we surprised to see fish stew.  There were whole fish heads in some of the bowls.  Talk about a cultural experience!  It really was very tasty.  I wish I had been hungrier.  I’m not much of a fish eater, but it was so fresh, it didn’t taste fishy.  Santos was just grinning the whole time, and running errands.  I’m not sure if he was more excited that we were all down there at his house, or if he was secretly enjoying the fact that he knew we’d all be a bit surprised at seeing eyeballs looking at us from our bowls.  Justin actually ate the eyes.  Said it was like being on “Fear Factor”.  I really don’t like that show.  I really enjoyed meeting the whole family.  They are all so sweet.  Santos has come to be a special friend to me this week.  I pray we will be able to see them all again. 

It came and went so fast!  We had our morning chapel service down at the rivers edge. We progressed downstream as we partook of the Word.  Today we’ve invited grieving children over for a meal, counseling and fellowship. 

Afternoon came and several (most) went to Old Padilla.  The government closed the old town when they built a dam and flooded it.  Since the drought over the past years, the old town (about 15 min away) has been exposed.  The group was able to walk through several buildings, including a church.  I was unable to go, as there were several children, youth and adults who needed counseling.  I put on a program for them which all seemed to enjoy.  For over an hour I did illusions, a Bible story and I prayed with them all, that God would bring comfort to them.  All knew the Lord but one.  Before she left, she accepted the Lord.  Praise God – Gloria a Dios!!!!  We had such a blessed time.  They all stayed and ate with us.  I helped serve dinner.  There were many, many people!  After evening chapel, Santos’ family invited us down for another supper.  A real experience!  Fish stew, heads and all!  Pictures speak loud here.  They are a family full of love and hospitality. 

I gave all but what I needed for travel clothing away today.  The local pastor, Pastor Margarito, was so thankful to receive them.

Brenda's Journal

Joe's Journal

I was awake at 5:30 a.m.  Mike wants to be on the road by 8 a.m. to head back to Texas.

Gabriella skipped school this morning to come and say goodbye.  She said she didn’t have any important classes.

Santos came also, and his father.   He has such a tender heart.  He told me it was difficult to make so many friends, just to have them all leave again.

We’re on the road now.  We will stop at the border and turn in our visas.  Then we’ll drive to Progresso and walk across the border there for lunch and shopping, then will head back to Harlingen.

Progresso was quite an experience – much different than Padilla.  I much preferred Padilla.  But we wanted to take some things home, especially for the kids at the school where Joe works.  I can’t believe how low the prices are.  But someone told me the average daily wage in Mexico is about $4.  Joe found a pair of Oakley sunglasses for Adam for $5.  Adam said they usually run about $100.  If you take too long to look at something, the vendors will just keep lowering their prices just to sell you something.  It’s heartbreaking to see the young children panhandling, and some sitting on the sidewalks singing with a bucket in front of them.  Many in our group gave out a lot of money.  Joe went through a couple of Pepsi’s, because after a couple of drinks, the children ask for them.

I was early up this morning. Our departure is planned for 8:30 a.m.  Several locals came to bid a farewell.  It was good to see Pastor Margarito wearing a turtleneck shirt that I used to wear.  Gabriella skipped school to see us off.  She had helped her mom cook the fish stew for us.  She is Santos’ sister.  I walked over to Alicia’s house – came to take her 2 loaves of bread and candy for the 14 children and 6 grandchildren, and husband who is a newborn Christian, PTL!

We loaded up 2 vans, 1 car hauler trailer.  267,000 miles on one.  Now 209,000 on the other.  They’re tired, but only half spent as they get ½ million miles on these gasoline engines.  Lots of prayer and God’s touch are the only thing that makes this possible.

As we head back to the U.S., I reflect on our trip.  Such a rich experience.  I encourage anyone to do this.  It’s been so rich and full.  There’s no reason why I wouldn’t return, except if God does not call!