July 2009

For there is no Jew or Greek, no slave or free, no male and female for you are all one in Jesus Christ.
-Galatians 3:26

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your mission co-workers here on the United States/Mexico border with the bi-national ministry Frontera de Cristo. 

In a world where racial and socio-economic status still are a source of division, it is exciting to be a part of a ministry where men and women from the United States and Mexico, rich and poor, worship together, discern God’s will together, and to try to be a living testimony together to the reality that we are one in Jesus Christ.

Frontera de Cristo, one of the first of six Presbyterian Border Ministries, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary of bi-national ministry this year. 

In the first 25 years of ministry, Frontera de Cristo has:

• helped start three churches—Lirio de los Valles and Casa de Oración in Agua Prieta and Manantial de Vida in Hermosillo
• provided preventative health and dental services to thousands of men, women, and children
• partnered with coffee-farming communities in Chiapas, Veracruz, and Nayarit to address root causes of immigration by creating the Cafe Justo network of coops. In its first six years, Cafe Justo has sold over 245,000 pounds of roasted coffee, provided stability for 120 farming families, created 10 jobs, and generated over $1.5 million of income that has had a positive impact on the communities as a whole
• facilitated the building of relationships and understanding of over 4,000 persons from the United States and Mexico through its mission immersion ministry
• worked with partners to establish the Migrant Resource Center, which has served 42,925 men, women, and children since it was founded on June 30, 2006
• Helped start up similar centers in Naco and Nogales, (adjacent border communities)
• Developed the Agua Para La Vida ministry with the CRREDA (a drug rehabilitation center) to provide over 100,000 gallons of life-saving water in the deserts east and west of Agua Prieta
• Created the New Hope Community Center that has provided a place of learning and gathering for hundreds of men, women, and children in the Nuevo Progreso Community
• Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve with this dynamic ministry!  We want to invite you to send a representative or two to one of the special celebrations that will take place in October:

The October 17, 2009, 25th anniversary celebration and bi-national worship in Agua Prieta, Sonora.  Frontera de Cristo will send more information soon. 

October 22-24, 2009, Mission Celebration. Frontera de Cristo is a sponsor and Mark is on the planning committee. Mark and Miriam (and perhaps Nathan) will be present along with their colleagues Angel Valencia, co-coordinator of Frontera de Cristo, and Adrian Gonzalez, director of customer relations of Café Justo/Just Coffee.

Let us know if representatives of your church can attend either of these special events. Also know that you are always welcome to visit us on the border (Nuestra casa es su casa!) and experience firsthand how you are in ministry here.

Peace,

The Adams Maldonado Family

The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 275