Happy Easter from Linares, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

back to Our Walk of Faith

Tuesday night: Selene met us as we rode into Montemorelos. It's hard to explain unless you've experiences something like it, but it was difficult to tell Sergio and Chris (the mom) goodbye. They were so nice to us...it really was incredible to spend time with them. They treated us like family eventhough we were strangers. (Much like the Sánchez family...and here we had been worried about what would happen when we got to Mexico...ha! God is the same no matter where we are!! Praise the Lord!!)

Selene shared that both she and her husband, Pajaro (not his real name, but what they call him), are both teachers. Again we just smiled...Pajaro was on his way home from fishing with his cousins from Miami, FL, so we chatted with Selene. She wanted to show us around the city...she took us up to the overlook so that we could see the city. Four streets are lit up to form an "M" for Montemorelos. (Click the picture so that you can see the "M".) We also saw the statue of Morelos...we learned that both Morelos and Allende are such popular names for towns because they were leaders in the revolutionary war here in Mexico against Spain. All of the towns (no matter how small the village) in Latin America have at least one plaza where the people gather on the weekend. But Montemorelos has various...one for the kids, one for the teenagers, and one for the "old people." We just laughed as she explained the plazas to us. She also took us by the 3 main Meat markets in Montemorelos...they are all owned by her family...this one belongs to her uncle...her parent's shop is painted like a cow on the outside. Pretty funny, huh?!

We got back to the house just after Pajaro and his cousin, Mario got back from fishing. Mario caught 30 fish that day, and they all had a great time together. Chris and I were able to share a little with Mario before he left, and we shared quite a bit with Parjaro and Selene. They have quite a testimony...they had virtually stopped attending church about 2 years ago, and they had been trying to have children for 5 years. They realized that the only way they would find happiness was to start seeking God. They started going to church again and trying to learn...they began laying their desire for a child at His feet. After 7 years now of trying to get pregnant, Selene is now 2 months along!! They praise God and give Him the credit for this miracle. We encouraged them to raise this child in God's Word!! Please continue to pray for them as they seek God.

Wednesday morning, Pajaro and Selene gave us a ride over to Hualahuises, Nuevo Leon. It's a small town, but it's only about 7. 5 miles from Linares which is a large city. We decided to work a bit on loading pictures/checking e-mail before we walked on. (The sun is very strong, so we try to walk either early in the morning or later in the afternoon.)

We ate a late lunch and started walking around 3:30...our plan was to get into Linares, change clothes, and find a church. We really wanted to find a service since we couldn't go on Sunday. After we'd walked about an hour we took a break in this little shelter near a children's playground. Before we knew it, a lady brought us each a plate with tamales and a bottle of water. (I guess we should have just waited a little for lunch!!) We walked on, and it started to sprinkle a bit...thankfully God provided a shelter just in time. We sat our packs down and the storm started...a downpour all inclusive with dime-sized hail!! We were so thankful to have shelter. When it stopped raining, we thought the storm had passed, so without praying, we continued on. About 20 minutes later...the downpour started again...and this time, no shelter. We were soaked, but we had to keep walking until we found shelter. Finally we found a leaking tin roof and put our stuff down. We thought it would pass quickly...we had walked 5.5 miles, so we knew that we were almost to the city. Well, the longer we waited the colder it got...I was about to freeze...finally Chris gave me his poncho so I could change my shirt, but I was still cold. We started praying together, quoting scripture and singing because after an hour or so, it didn't look like we were going to make it to church. About 30 minutes or so later, this car stopped, and I walked over to explain our situation. He said that he'd be back in a few minutes to take us to a hotel. Chris and I prayed and sang a little more until they returned.

Marco Antonio, Amparo (his wife), Tania (their daughter), and an older gentleman came back after just a few minutes. When we were putting our packs in, he noticed the scripture and asked me what it said. I told him "For we walk by faith, not by sight."--2 Corinthians 5:7. We got into the car and told him, we'd really like to go to a church service and not a hotel. (I was still freezing, but we really wanted to go to church.) He was more than happy to take us to a church. He asked with one, and we told him that we had gone to a Baptist church at home, but on our journey, we had gone to anyone that preached the Bible as God's Word and believed that Jesus was God's only Son sent to this earth to bring salvation to all people. He said, "We're Pentecostal, but we know just the church...the pastor is from Tennessee." As we were driving, Marco Antonio explained that God had healed him many times from grave illnesses, and now he was God's errand-boy...he went where ever God sent him! He found us right in front of the school where he teaches...they are out of school right now...he wasn't sure why he was going to the school other than he knew that he was supposed to go. And there he found us!!! We were amazed at the God connection!!

He took us to the church that he first thought of, but it was closed...one car was there and two ladies got out. They exchanged a greeting and explained that everyone was at camp, but that "Fuente de Vida" (Fountain of Life) was having services. Then the lady, Hna Olga, invited us to stay the night with her. Her son, Carlos, was at church and would bring us to her house. So off we went to find the other church.

We walked in the door, set our packs down, and found a seat. As I sat down, the preacher said "If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you." I almost passed out...that verse is from 2 Corinthians 5..."our theme chapter" for this walk. Carlos handed me the Bible, and I found the passage before he even had a chance to show me where they were. I mean...there are times when you are in the right place and there are times YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE! I could barely sit in my seat because I was so excited to see God's hand...another Godcidence because there's no such thing as coincidences!!

After church, we met Carlos, Lupita, and Carlitos (who carried our packs to Hna Olga's house) and another of Hna Olga's sons-Beto and his family--Nora, Joshua, and Alessandra (who gave us a ride to Hna Olga's house). We finally got out of our wet clothes, and Hna Olga fixed a delicious supper to help warm us up. Then we met everyone else at the house. First, we met Marcela, who was with Hna Olga when we saw her at the church that was closed. She and her brother, Michel, live with Hna Olga's oldest child, Mayoli, because their mother passed away about a year ago. Marcela works full-time to help pay for her brother to finish school. Then we met Alan, Mayoli and Gene's son, who is staying with his grandma while his parents are at camp.

Thursday morning, we chatted with Hna Olga and Marcela and learned a little of the testimony of how God gave them their church building. We also found out the reason they were over at the church that was closed...Alan has two turtles that have to be fed daily. They had been going each day to feed the turtles, but they decided on Wednesday that they should bring the turtles to Hna Olga's house. They had planned on going earlier, but because the rain, they couldn't go. So they waited out the rain, and went when it stopped...I'm telling you...God's timing is amazing!!

Carlos stopped by to tell us it probably wasn't wise for us to leave because they were calling for rain and more hail. Beto stopped by to ask if we wanted to stay at his house until the Lord led us to move on since they had an empty bedroom. We looked at our still soaking wet boots and the weather forecast and thought that it might be a good idea to stay put until after Easter. We had been praying about being part of a sunrise service on Easter Sunday, and this church, Fuente de Vida is going to have one (their first in about 5 years)!! So we felt this was an answer to prayer...normally we don't like to change houses once we stay the night with someone, but Hna Olga was really excited about our staying with her son and his family!! (We learned later that Beto, Nora and Joshua stayed up until 2 am getting their house "ready" for us to come stay with them!! We were soooo touched! We felt right at home!)

Before lunch, we went with Marcela to the grocery store to pick up a few items for Hna Olga and a few toiletries for ourselves. Linares is a pretty good sized city...there are quite a few grocery stores. Guess who "just so happened" to be there at the same time as us...Hno Marco Antonio who had picked us up the day before. Talk about a Godcidence...we were pumped to see him...just a little more confirmation that we were in the right place at the right time.

Thursday afternoon, we dropped off the packs at the Cruz Escobar household, and then went to see a little of Linares. We went up to the overview of the city...we're finding that many cities have an overview just like the plaza. We also visited the museum and learned a little history...Coahuila (a state in N. Mexico) is known for producing coal...Nuevo Leon (a state in N. Mexico) is known for it's citrus production. As a matter of fact, Montemorelos (a city in Nuevo Leon) is the world's capital for orange trees. (Let me tell you how sweet they are here!!) Linares (a city in Nuevo Leon) is known for a candy called Glorias made from leche quemada (similar to carmellized milk) and pecans. After a little taste-testing session, we went to meet Beto's dad. He makes saddles, belts, and cupholders out of leather, so he showed us the process and all the different kinds of leather. I had no idea that so many different types of leather existed! We learned a lot, and Mr. Cruz is a pretty funny guy, so we enjoyed his company as well.

Friday morning, we went exploring a little more to see the Presa Cerro Prieto...a dam that has formed a huge lake...4 rivers flow into the area and it helps provide water for a large part of the state Nuevo Leon. (CE with Joshua throwing rocks to make a big splash! Beto and Joshua climbed up on a rock for a better view!!) From there we went to a seafood restaurant for a late lunch.

Friday evening, we had our first Pirata...a HUGE flour tortilla filled with grilled beef and cheese. Very tasty!!! (I'd walk here again to eat another one!!) Hna Olga has a taco stand where she sells Piratas on Friday and Saturday nights. She's struggled to make ends meet at times, but she believes the Lord is going to help her with this business...please pray that God will use this business to bring in the income that she needs.

After we ate, Gene and Mayoli arrived with the kids who had been practicing the drama for Easter. Gene is from Tennessee, and Mayoli is from here in Linares, and the Lord brought them together. They have a beautiful story of God's bringing them together. They lived in Tennessee for 3 years, but the Lord called them to the mission field. They are here supporting several churches and planting others. We had already chatted with Alan, their son, but we finally met their youngest daugther, Jasmine, as well. We haven't met the oldest, Sarah, yet. (We met Sarah on Saturday...she's in the picture.) We enjoyed sharing with them!!

Saturday morning, we woke up and ate and we had devotions together with Beto, Nora, Joshua, and Alessandra. Beto read from Hebrews 13, and then we sang a ton!! It was great!!! We've been missing Christian fellowship like that, so it was good to sing and read the Word together!! (It is still raining here...I'm pretty amazed at all the rain...I had no idea that it could be like this here! But praise God for it...we wouldn't have stayed otherwise...and we would have been out and about instead of having devotions!!)

By Saturday afternoon, it was freezing cold outside and still raining! Nobody could believe that the weather had made such a change. We stayed in for a little while...Beto and Nora took out a box of photos and we got to see pictures of Joshua and Alessandra and others in the family. It was so fun! Then we went to church to watch the kids practice for the Easter drama and the teens practice a song they were going to sing for the church. We really enjoyed ourselves...the kids are adorable, and we can't wait to see them perform! Seeing the Passion of Christ presented by children is going to be really moving...we are praying that many lives will be touched!! We continue waiting on the Lord and His timing to leave, but for the time being we are looking forward to celebrating Easter here in Linares!!!

Easter Sunday...the alarm clock rang really early to get us (Beto, Nora, Joshua, Alessandra and Mallolhi--Nora's niece who was staying with us as well.) up and ready for the 5 am Sunrise service, but it was well worth it!! We sang and praised the Lord. Pastor Fausto brought a message of resurrection...we must believe that Jesus died and rose again or our faith is in vain!! The teens sang a special they had been practicing. Then Gene invited us to come up and to share what we were doing and to give testimony to God's faithfulness. After we finished, Gene gave people an opportunity to stand and tell how God resurrected them from their old lives to their new lives in Christ. One told of being raised in a Christian home, so he thought he was a Christian because his parents and siblings were. He realized at age 13 that he had to make a decision for himself. Another told of making a decision to follow Jesus because she was afraid of going to Hell...she realized at age 18 that she needed Jesus not just as her Savior, but as her Lord and Master. Next a man shared of going to church and even helping to lead the youth group, but no one ever asked if he had accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord...they just assumed that he had because he seemed like a good person. Just 6 months ago, he realized that being a good person wasn't good enough...he needed Jesus to pay the penalty for his sins!! Finally, we heard from a man who grew up in a dysfunctional family...his parents and he went to church the first time to make some people who were "bothering them" about going to church leave them alone. Instead of just going once and never going again...they wanted to learn more and more. The three of them ended up surrendering their lives to the Lord, and he's a missionary now!! As the sun was coming up, the service was coming to a close...It was awesome!! (Still freezing cold though! Thankfully Nora had given me a long skirt just in time for the cold weather!) After the service, we all went upstairs for coffee, hot chocolate, and toast!

When we got back to Beto and Nora's house, we all went back to sleep for a couple of hours!! Then we got up and got ready to go back to church...this time for the drama!! It was soooo touching! Although it wasn't their intention, please notice the backdrop of the cross! Pretty awesome, huh?!! Jesus's last words after His resurrection were "Go unto all the world and preach the Good news to all Creation" Mark 16:15...exactly the verse at the top of the map of the world!! Pastor Fausto brought a message after the drama of Jesus's 2nd coming and that we needed to be ready because it will be soon. He and his nephew sang several songs during the message to help emphasis the points Pastor Fausto was making. Two people accepted the Lord, and several others were moved...seeds were planted! Please pray with us that many more will come to know the Lord this week as they think about what Jesus did for them!

By the time we got home on Sunday night, Chris was feeling pretty bad...when we woke up Monday, he still felt bad, so we didn't end up going anywhere. Chris slept all day, but he's feeling better now (Monday night). Please pray for a quick recovery. I went over to Gene and Mayoli's house and nearly the entire Cruz Vega family was there...I really enjoyed fellowshipping with them! I showed them the pictures that we have taken and shared a little more testimony with them.

Monday afternoon, Mayoli took Nora, all the kids, and me back to Beto and Nora's house. By then Chris was getting a little hungry. Once he ate a bit, he felt better, so we went out to play with Joshua, Malloly, and Jasmine. After we played for a little while, several of the kids from the neighborhood came up and wanted to play too! We played until it was almost dark before heading over to Hna Olga's house to eat supper.

Mexico in the spring...even the cactus have beautiful flowers. Praise God for the reminder of new life in Him during the Easter season...even in nature!! Chris thinks he'll feel like moving on tomorrow if that's what God has planned. So we'll see what happens! God bless you and keep you! We love you tons!


Scenes from the Easter Drama












































































































1) Several of the kids after the drama. 2) Joel and CE...they are both big Cruz Azul fans.










3) RE enjoying a little play time with Mallolhi, Jasmine, and Joshua. 4) Obed was giving the little girl a few lessons.