July News: Joy is back in Mexico!

What a JOY!

We are already halfway through 2022, and God is at work here on the border. For all of us, the past two years have been filled with challenges, grief, and disappointment. But the morning has come, and joy has arrived!

Since the start of the year, we have had close to 100 people come down to Reynosa to volunteer with us, to lay blocks on a house side-by-side, to worship together, and to show God’s love to their brothers and sisters. We are finally seeing each other’s smiles again, embracing each other with hugs, and only one word can describe it: JOY.

We are on track to build 30 houses this year, which is an amazing increase from the 18 we built last year. It’s yet another indication of the life-giving joy that has returned to the ministry in the form of church groups and volunteers.

As you can see, these are exciting times at Faith Ministry, and we thank you for being a part of it. Without the support of people like you, the stability and growth that we are experiencing would not be possible.

We need your help to keep this going. God has many more plans ahead for Faith Ministry, and we know that He will work in wonderful ways through the rest of the year and into 2023. Join us for what’s ahead – physically here on border, financially, through prayer – and let’s continue to make a difference together.

Read more from our mid-year newsletter, and click below to see how you can help!

Youth Groups Galore

This month, we had two youth groups from North Carolina down in Reynosa, building a combined four houses and pouring three roofs, plus distributing grocery packages and helping at the children’s nutrition program. It is such a pleasure when youth come because they bring so much energy and laughter with them, and we love the friendships they build with our staff, volunteers, and families.

We are already starting to schedule teams for 2023, so if you’d like to bring a team, visit our website to learn more, view our calendar for available dates, and email Colleen for more information or to book a week!

Dr. Joaquin’s Retirement

Dr. Joaquin, who has been our doctor on staff at our Reynosa medical clinic since 2000, officially retired from Faith Ministry this month. We are incredibly grateful for his 22 years of service and wish him nothing but the best in this next stage of his life.

So, what’s next for our medical clinic?

For the remainder of 2022, we will be working with our staff nurse Juliana to continue certain medical services, such as glucose and blood pressure screenings, as well as our infant feeding program. We are also planning to start health education activities with the kids in our children’s nutrition program, as well as regular educational activities for adults geared toward health prevention for conditions like diabetes and hypertension, as well as other topics. In the meantime, we will be looking for a new doctor and hope to have that spot filled by the beginning of next year.

Click to watch a message from Dr. Joaquin. We cannot thank him enough for his years of service and dedication!

Spreading the Blessings

If you’ve been around for the past couple years, you know that we started a grocery package program in March 2020 as a direct response to the pandemic. We’ve kept that program going and made it a permanent part of the ministry, and one of the areas that we serve through this program is the rural outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico. Our partners at the Berea Bible Institute package the groceries and deliver them to families most in need.

We are so thrilled with the support we’ve received for this program that’s allowed us to keep it running. It costs us around $3,500 each month to distribute around 150 grocery packages, and you can donate online or by check (PO Box 756, McAllen, TX 78505) directly to that program. We couldn’t do it without you! ❤️

Prayer Requests

We believe in the power of prayer, so please join us in praying for:

Dr. Joaquin, as he moves onto a new stage in his life. Pray for his well-deserved rest and guidance in the steps ahead.
Vicky, the mom of our executive director David, who had emergency surgery this month. Pray for her speedy recovery and her overall strength and health.
The wife of one of our Board members, who was in a car accident this month. Pray for her healing and recovery ahead.
The health of our staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and friends around the world

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12

In Case You Missed It

Over on our social media, we’ve been introducing you to our staff every Wednesday! Over the next several weeks and months, you’ll see a staff spotlight every week to be able to get to know each of the amazing people who work here at the ministry.

Stay tuned on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about the people that help make this ministry run smoothly each and every day!