It started a year ago by taking out the map of Mexico and looking for a pueblo any pueblo would do as long as it was close to the border. Vallehermoso leaped off the page and it became the town. Was it chance or was it pre-determined by God? Only he ultimately knows but it turned out to be one of the most exciting and enjoyable mission trip that I had ever been on.  The Spirit of God and his love was lavished upon us, all of us both the Americans and the Mexicans and the one Honduran, my wife of course. We relished his presence and we’re eager to share the gospel of Jesus, God’s only begotten son. Many responded to the gospel through raised hands and coming forward for prayers, we were busy, very busy. Many lives were touched, saved and some we pray were healed. And it was all because of God, his great love for this world that he wants none to perish but for all to be saved. So he lavished his love upon us, even though we’ve been marred and weakened by our own sin that we might become his instruments of righteousness here upon this world. What a blessing!

We (Iris, Philip, Tracy, Chris and me) went by means of Dennis and Brenda Danler and their ministry called Let your light shine.  The Danler’s were previously with Way of the Cross but now have started their own ministry yet still working closely with Ben Butler and his ministry (Way of the Cross). Dennis coordinated this mission with Ben and the Mexican churches crossing often into Mexico taking supplies and arranging the times and places of the meetings, food and lodging beforehand. He did a superb job and is to be commended for his effort. They have worked and are working under limited finances and even with this additional stress one never hears a complaint just a sincere trust in Jesus.

One of the events that occurred that I will always remember was with sister Goya. I first saw her at the first meeting (one of four) confined to a wheel-chair. I walked over to her and asked her how she was and what the nature of the problem was. She had arthritis and some type of problem with her hips so I began to pray. Nothing visible occurred and later the Lord prompted me to give her some money, money that had been set apart by our house church for some particular person whom the Holy Spirit might lead us to. That was that. The next day at the last meeting there she was again and I regrettably thought that she was just trying to get more money but the Spirit said no and that he wanted to heal her. It wasn’t a strong word just something real subtle. So I went again to pray for her and grabbed her hands and began to pray once again nothing happened so I backed off and stood behind her and then Iris and Don (another American who joined up with us at Way of the Cross) came to her and started to pray. I thought good this is really good. And then she stood up with their support began to walk. We all began to praise God and rejoice greatly in the Spirit. She had not walked in a year and half and her church that church had been praying for this. I decided that she was the one with whom the rest of the money was for so I entrusted it with her pastor.  Praise God for He is so good!

If this trip would have been left to me it would not have happened but the Lord brought Tracy our contact man, organizer, communicator and all round good guy, Philip a great source of support and strength and wisdom, Chris the faithful servant with a big heart, and of course Iris whose light was shining so brightly. We worked well together and had so much fun, it truly was a delight. Thank you Faith Community for all your gifts and support it helped out so much. May God bless you all.

Hermana Goya caminando  (walking)