Amistad Prayer Update

Amistad Prayer Update April 21, 2008
Note: This last Saturday I joined a few members of the Presbyterian Church of Mexico on a one day excursion to see some sites, which, included a small Mennonite community in Coahuila. We identified ourselves as Presbyterians to the Mennonite store keepers and asked about some of their customs of worship and family life. They were very reserved but, answered our questions politely. On the trip home we discussed how strange their lifestyle is and then laughed when we realized how strange we, as a group with all shapes, sizes, and colors, must have seemed to them! - Chris McReynolds

"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:21

Please join us in giving thanks for:

El Divino Redentor mission of Cd. Anahuac, Nuevo Leon, which reopened as a mission of Noreste Presbytery in January. Roberto and I visited and worshipped with the small congregation on Wednesday of last week. Pray for Missionary Laura Osorio May as she leads this congregation and reaches out to others in the community.

Victoria en Jesucristo mission gives thanks for Rev. Pablo Torres, father of Missionary Anita Torres, who has been visiting and preaching/teaching at the mission for the last six weeks. Pablo is now returning home to Vera Cruz. Please, pray for his safe travel.

The progress made on the pastoral house at Fuente de Vida Church in Cd. Acuna. Mission teams from FPC Moorestown, NJ, and FPC San Antonio, TX, have joined with the church in recent weeks and made great progress.

Please, join us in praying for:

Healing for Maria Elia Nava, mother of Yesenia Andrade of Fuente de Vida in Cd. Acuna. Since the last Prayer Update Maria Elia has returned home from the hospital but her health is still delicate and she is undergoing weekly dialysis.

Join Fuente de Vida of Cd. Acuna as they pray for upcoming changes in the near future. Pastor Felipe and Rebecca Tovar and family will be leaving Fuente de Vida this summer for a new call at Iglesia Presbiteriana "Getsemani" in Cd. Zitácuaro, Michoacán.

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8

Dear friends,
Amistad Prayer Update - Dec 20th
 
"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a Loud voice she exclaimed: 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!'"  Luke 1:41-42

On behalf of everyone at Proyecto Amistad of Presbyterian Border Ministry, we wish you a Merry Christmas!  Feliz Navidad y Dios le bendiga from the Medina family - Roberto (Mexican Coordinator), Kassumy, Roberto Jr., and Ruben. And from the board of directors: Rev. Iram Campos, Fred Paschal, Rev. Gabriel Chuil, Jim Ritchie, Norma Roberson, Rev. Eliseo Villanueva, Rev. Victor Gonzalez, Earl Dishman, and US Coordinator Chris McReynolds (see attached photo).

Note: Please, continue to support the people of Tabasco with your prayer and financial donations during the holidays. Here is a note from Dave Thomas. Read the report - at the website - and be blessed.

From Dave:

"Good evening!
 
Click on this link for an update on the flood disaster in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. Sue and I were there earlier this month and we're now working to coordinate the visits of short-term mission delegations from U.S. churches.
 
http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07823.htm
 
Hasta luego,
Dave T."

Please, join us in giving thanks to God for:

-  This time of year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. As disciples of Christ we are especially blessed to know the true significance of the birth of Jesus Christ.

-  The birth of a new baby to Pastor Esau Reyes de la Cruz and his wife Yvonne, of "Casa de Dios" mission in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.

-  The choir "Maranata" of Victoria en Jesucristo mission here in Nuevo Laredo. The choir gives thanks for the opportunity to witness to Jesus Christ through their cantata and asks for your prayers that city officials would grant permission for them to sing in two of the city plazas. Permission was denied for one other public area.

Please, join us in petitioning God for:

-  Peace and consolation for Pastor Ucan and his family, of Sinai Presbyterian Church, as they mourn the recent death of Pastor Ucan's father who lived in the state of Campeche.

-  Pray for a woman named Odalis, a friend of Gloria Hernandez, member of Victoria en Jesucristo church here in Nuevo Laredo. Odalis, who has cancer, has expressed a desire for Christian counseling and fellowship with Gloria and others but, has difficulties with her husband not allowing it. Pray for healing for Odalis and for God to lead her husband and family into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

-  Pray that the many church celebrations (including the Noreste/Amistad Gift Giving events) going on in Noreste Presbytery and elsewhere would be an invitation to many in the communities to join the church and begin following Jesus Christ.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."  Colossians 3:2-4

December 6, 2007

Note for the week: I didn't know what I was getting into! The local Presbyterian mission church of Victoria en Jesucristo, here in Nuevo Laredo, formed a choir for the Christmas season and invited me to join. Having had no experience in choir, I had in mind a "hay ride" type of Christmas caroling group. Instead, we have a skilled choir leader – Missionary Anita Torres – evaluating our tone, what voice we should sing in, where we will stand, how to breathe, etc. etc. It's been a challenge but, it's also been fun. See attached picture of some of the members "receiving their orders." Churches throughout Noreste Presbytery and the rest of Mexico are busy making preparations for "la Navidad."  - Chris

Please, join us in thanking God for:

Amistad's board of directors, coordinators, and Pastor Tamay Ché met at the Pastor's church for a regular meeting last Saturday. At lunch, we celebrated Christmas and gave thanks to God with an excellent meal prepared by Kassumy Medina, Roberto's wife. Please, join with us and the board of directors of Amistad in thanking God for all his many blessings this year, the work he has called us to, and the provisions he has made for that work. We are thankful for the many provisions God sends through friends of Amistad who pray for this ministry and the churches of Noreste Presbytery, for those who send donations to support the work, and for the churches of the United States and Mexico who partner together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
Give thanks for and pray for the new mission church that Noreste Presbytery will re-open in January of 2008 in the town of Anahuac, Nuevo Leon, located about 40 miles from Nuevo Laredo.

We ask you to petition God for:

Strength and provisions for the families and those working in the recovery efforts after the flooding in the state of Tabasco (an update on this will be sent soon).
 
Healing for Fannie, wife of Rev. Victor Gonzalez of Monclova, Coahuila. Fannie has been suffering migraines and is now beginning a new treatment.

Pray for God to provide pastors for Nueva Jerusalen and El Buen Pastor, both are mission churches in Castanos, Coahuila, and also for El Divino Salvador of Sabinas, Coahuila. Pray for Noreste Presbytery's missionary, America Hernandez Pena, as she continues to serve El Divino Salvador as they search for a pastor.
 
The safety of the many holiday travelers throughout Mexico and the United States this season. Many Mexican citizens are now returning home for the holidays after having worked in the United States during the year.

Please, pray for God's guidance in the developing scholarship program that will involve greater partnership between Amistad and the churches of Noreste Presbytery.

 "Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24