A letter from Chris McReynolds on the U.S.-Mexico border
March 2011
Amistad Prayer Update – Resurrection of a City
For many of the children, this was their first trip to the zoo.
This weekend a news story hit the national media about four gruesome drug cartel killings that occurred here in Nuevo Laredo, México, last Friday night — perhaps you read about it. The killings were warnings from one cartel to another in their fight for consumers in the United States. The following morning in this same city, 100 of our Club Amistad children came together at the local park, along with at least 40 of their parents, teachers and helpers, to visit the zoo for lectures on the animals followed by a day of olympics, a cookout and soccer matches.
Many report on the death of border cities, but partnering churches from México and the United States have a lot to be thankful for in these first months of 2011. These partners, working through Presbyterian Border Ministry’s Proyecto Amistad, now have four children’s programs, or Club Amistad’s, with more than 120 children being taught by volunteers at four churches here in Noreste Presbytery of northeastern México. The programs are using AMO® Program to enrich and enliven minds and hearts.
Club Amistad children of Nuevo Laredo meet at the zoo for lessons about the various animals.
In February, Victoria en Jesucristo, the first church to work with Proyecto Amistad, restarted its program after a postponement due to the drug cartel abduction of the father of two of the congregation’s children. Pray for Julio, who was abducted, and his wife Magdalena and their two daughters as they carry on in God’s strength. Magdalena is now teaching her daughters and 12 other children at Club Amistad.
Let’s give thanks to God and think about the amazing things he is doing in the lives of these children and in all our lives as well. We thank God for calling together the parents, teachers, helpers and supporters (including you) to serve as Christ’s workers in his plan for the future of these children and their communities. How much time and resources are wasted when we focus more on death than on the life and transformation — even Resurrection — that is happening in our midst? Also pray for God’s wisdom and discernment for us, Mexican and U.S. church members, as we respond to God’s call to work together across our borders and cultures. Please, contact us with any questions you may have or if you desire to become more involved in this work.
