April 15, 2009

This morning started out a little bit on the chilly side. The cool morning breeze was a delightful change from the intense heat that we have become accustomed to this week. We were scheduled to cement a roof that a family had been waiting for a little under a year for. Most of the roof had already been prepped before we arrived. After about an hour of patching holes we were finally ready for the “organized pandemonium” as Jim Hooks would say. The bucket brigade was underway at about 9:30 and didn’t stop until about 12:30. Sometimes the buckets came too fast and cement was to be found on all parts of our bodies. The roof was a 20x50 foot area. Jim Hooks predicted the flattening of one of our wheelbarrow tires and sure enough on the next pour it went flat. We were then stuck with only one wheelbarrow in the rotation. Rob Price, Jennings Johnson and Jim Hooks had stadium seating on the roof for a Mexican brawl between two young boys that started with a disagreement and led to a confrontation in the dirt street in front of the work site. It took two men to pull the two youngsters apart. We seemed to have plenty of workers for the job, but it took longer than anticipated.
This afternoon we traveled across town to Pastor Alfredo’s church for an ice cream party for the kids and makeovers for the women. Pastor Alfredo told us about his work on his masters of psychology in Monterey, 3 hours away. Now it’s time for another yummy meal prepared by Petra, the wonderful Mexican cook. Jim Hooks and Jennings Johnson have been working diligently on their devotions for their assigned night tomorrow. It is in my opinion that it will be an idea of religion that is beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. Jim and Jennings are really looking forward to sharing their idea of Christ to the group. Nervous but excited, they are pretty confident that they will get their powerful point across to the other people of the group. Until then they have been praying for God to guide them and speak through them to enlighten the group of his plan for us. We have also been diligently praying for the recoveries of Jon Lloyd, Robbie Barr and Charlotte Allbright’s father, Dr. Don Nance.
Posted by Jennings Johnson with the assistance of Rob Price and Jim Hooks

April 14, 2009

Today was a very productive day. We poured the columns and the floor. It is amazing how they use every resource. Even the bags from the concrete mix were used to stuff the cracks so the concrete mix wouldn't leak when the columns were poured.

Rob was sick from some delicious Mexican food and unable to go with us today. When Pastor Lino came to the job site, I told Pastor Lino (of 1st Pres in Reynosa) that Rob was staying at the compound due to sickness. They prayed for him when they returned to the compound and Rob experienced immediate relief. His prayer was very powerful.

After lunch we attended the church service here at the compound where we are staying. We sang songs in Spanish that were familiar to us, such as, "We Are One in the Spirit" and "This is the Day." The sermon by Deantine, founder of Faith Ministry, was translated into English. He has a beautiful story about crossing the border, being stopped, and ministering to the soldiers.

We have been praying for you and for Robbie Barr, Principal James Hunt, and Jon Lloyd.

Gloria a Dios!
Linda Price

Monday April 13, 2009

Morning began with a cool breeze - something rare in Reynosa. As we rolled out of bed to get ready for the day, we were excited, and some apprehensive, about our day's work. After a yummy breakfast of coffee and cereal (yes the coffee was made with purfied water - no worry), we gathered in the church for a prayer.

We piled in the vehicles and headed over the bumpy road to our casa. We were greeted with a bright smile and a welcoming "Hola!" by Teresa and her family. Teresa was the mom of the house and the dad was off at work in Monterrey. Teresa was decked out in her work clothes and ready to get her house built.

And - boy - did we get a house built! With all the hard work of our work team and the Mexican workers, we put up ten courses (rows) on all the walls. It must have been amazing for Teresa and her family to see this house built. And she can say she built her house with her own hands!

4 p.m. brought welcomed showers and rest. Petra once again made a stellar meal. Tomorrow, we pour columns and the floor.

But do you want to know the best part of the entire day? The smiles on the faces of the children. The little boy who followed me around showing me his dog, Paloma. The welcome we received to enter the home and hearts of our Mexican brothers and sister. Praise be to God for this amazing opportunity and for the new relationships we are building.

Charlotte Allbright

Sunday April 12, 2009

Today was a day you would not believe. We got up at 6AM and attended an Easter sunrise service where the minister spoke, spoke, and spoke some more for 42 minutes, believe it or not. So what?

After breakfast with the Mexican friends and family, we commenced to place Easter eggs for children in places that they could find them and also Jim Hooks had to place several on car tires and on the suspension and also in the outdoor cooker. Believe it or not, each egg was found! Seeing and observing adults was worth viewing.

After this event, most laid down under fans with a 99 degree temperature outside and tried to rest. This we did.

Later in the afternoon Rob Price, Jennings Johnson, Mike Mills, and young Jim Hooks made a trek of walking down toward the east and among dilapidated homes, talking among ourselves we could not believe the poverty and good nature of the individuals along the way that addressed us with a wave.

Around 4:30 PM we drove through Naranjito with twelve people in an 11 passenger van and with potholes. My kidneys are still intact. We arrived at Third Presbyterian Church and met again Pastor Alfredo Castillo. It was very good and a spiritual feeling to see this person again. We arrived for an Easter service and it was beyond the ordinary imagination. For the first time we were asked to get on our knees and pray for Robbie Barr's complete recovery of his injuries sustained in an automobile accident. This was indeed a different and unique expression to pray and one that puts you in the presence with our Creator.

The evening was capped off with a delicious meal prepared by our "hermanas" Petra and Soneida and with devotions lead by Michelle Johnson and Charlotte Albright.

Gloria a Dios!

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Hooks

Saturday April 11, 2009

Bien Venido a Mexico! We arrived in McAllen safely in late afternoon and headed to an American meal before shopping for supplies and heading for the border. After making 2000 pounds of "stuff" and twelve "missionaries" fit into a van and small SUV, we made it across the border with only one small visual inspection by the Mexican border patrol. It helps when we can't speak Spanish and can't answer their questions-jajaja.

We send our prayers for our families, friends, and everyone at home. We especially send prayers for Jon and for a quick diagnosis and recovery. And, Happy Easter to everyone!

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