| The gratitude and hope on the
faces of family members as they receive a completed home to take
the place of a temporary structure that has been flooded or is
no longer adequate for the family's needs is what makes all of
the effort of the groups worthwhile. The letters of the groups
back to Puentes emphasize their joy in being able to share their
gifts with deserving folks who live in another country, speak
a different language, and eat different foods, yet who worship
the same God and show their love for their brethren by joining
in the work and providing moments of joy and gratitude.
How we wish you might see the difference that these three years
with our neighbors in Reynosa, Mexico, has made very visible to
us. We have seen little undernourished girls become strong, intelligent
young women at the head of their classes in the government schools,
preparing to become doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, and leaders
in their community. The nutrition program of Puentes de Cristo
encourages proper diet, and the tutoring program emphasizes dedication
to scholarship. We have also seen how tiny babies are now born
at normal weight, brought into the world with the help of the
gynecologist who works with Puentes de Cristo, and helped to grow
strong and well because their young mothers have attended several
weeks of pre-natal classes given by Maria Medina, who is a registered
nurse and is the wife of the director of Puentes.
We have seen the congregations served by Puentes pastors increase
in membership and in spirit and it has been a joy to worship with
them and to share in their activities. The faith and commitment
of the members of the Presbyterian churches in Reynosa is very
real to them, and they give of their time and of their resources
as they can in the midst of economic stress because their church
is important to them.
We shall miss the contact with these wonderful Christian people
and their bright smiles and welcoming arms. It has been a wonderful
experience and we only hope that our miniscule help has been effective
and useful.
Thank you for allowing us to be your volunteers in mission during
these three years. May the Lord instill in all of us a desire
to be used in the ongoing of His work, wherever it may be.
Yours in Christ's service,
Juliette and Jack McClendon
The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page
253. |
