We still have a few months and some hard work to do before the year ends, but 2012 is shaping up to be a turning point. The Board of Directors met last weekend and opened up Reynosa to youth groups and Miguel Alemán to small teams. This bodes well for 2013 as we work among the “poorest of the poor” in the border region of Mexico.
Here’s the latest:
Construction
We’re excited that we can once again show young people what it feels like to be used by God in His work among less fortunate families. And of course, we need their muscle and enthusiasm to build houses. Board president Renie Mills shares the details:
Dear Friends of Faith Ministry,
The Board of Directors and the staff of Faith Ministry have good news to share! The violence in Mexico has stayed away from the areas we serve. The Board and the staff have been and continue to monitor activities on a daily basis. We feel that conditions are safe to re-open Miguel Alemán to small adult or intergenerational groups (5-10 people) and to re-open Reynosa to youth groups.
Procedures and guidelines have been established and are available to any interested work teams. Projects and accommodations on the USA side will be available in case conditions should prevent a work team from working in Mexico.
In Miguel Alemán last year, 7 houses were built. Plans are for 7 houses to be built this year as well.
Make plans to come next year. We miss you! Our staff and Mexican families are ready to work with you. Please contact David at david@faithministry.org or call Faith Ministry’s office at (956) 631-3567 if you have any questions or if you would like to make plans.
Our prayer is that God will give us the opportunity to work together – in His name and for His glory.
Peace & blessings,
Renie Mills, President
Matching House
Meanwhile, we’re hoping to get two houses for the price of one.
Board member Eric Sapp explains: “In June, one of our funders offered to match donations for a new house. We had an overwhelming response, and the result is two new families – the Hernandez and the Arevalo families from Miguel Alemán – now have homes. It also led another funder to come forward with a second challenge, which would bring our total to four new homes if we can meet it by October 1. We’ve currently raised $1,800 of the $6,000 needed to meet the second challenge. These third and fourth homes will go to two families on our waiting list. We need your help in getting them into homes this year.”
All we need is 50 people willing to donate an extra $100 to meet our goal, and even a $10 or $20 donation can get us closer to our goal. Please prayerfully consider answering this challenge and send a payment marked “matching challenge home” to Faith Ministry by October 1. You can also contribute on the website at www.faithministry.org.
Nutrition Program Expanding
We’re going to try to build on the success of the Reynosa nutrition program and add sites in Miguel Alemán and at Naranjito. Currently 25 to 30 children have breakfast at the Betty Clinic each morning during the week. Many of them depend on it. The Board and staff believe the need is great at the two other locations. Your gifts to Faith Ministry enable us to feed these children and, of course, provide services at the Betty Clinic.
Churches Celebrate
The three churches of Faith Ministry got together in August in Reynosa, and some 150 members attended. In a little friendly competition, Miguel Alemán won first place in a Bible study test. Reynosa won first in singing.
VBS
More than 80 children attended the annual Vacation Bible School at the Betty Clinic this year. They learned, prayed, sang, ate and worked. The theme was “Good Manners Are Great To Have.”
David on the Road
Executive Director David Rodriguez traveled to North Carolina to visit six churches – First Presbyterian in Lumberton, First Presbyterian in Fayetteville, Raeford and Antioch Presbyterian in Raeford, and Grace Community and Saint Andrews Presbyterian in Raleigh. He met with old friends and made some new ones. He’s encouraged that former teams may be able to return in 2013.
Board Meets
The Board of Directors met last weekend in Reynosa. The Board dealt with issues that ranged from repairing the roof at the Betty Clinic to improving the quality of houses. They also prayed and rolled up their sleeves to pour a roof.
Thank you from everyone at Faith Ministry for your support. Please consider a monthly donation. They’re tax deductible and can be made by sending a check to Faith Ministry, PO Box 756, McAllen, TX 78505 or online at www.faithministry.org.
Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us there. We’ve been updating the progress of the teams as they visit, and we’ll continue to do that. And don’t forget to P4FM (pray for Faith Ministry) the first Friday of each month. We take this very seriously and set aside time for staff and volunteers to meet and pray at noon ET. We hope you’ll join us wherever you are.
Also, check us out on the web at www.faithministry.org.