Sister Maria - 25 years

Maria de la Luz Tellez began doing mission work in Burgos with little experience and education, but with a great love for her Lord . She would sell tamales and BBQ plates to raise money to buy gas and food items and then head from her home in McAllen, Texas to Burgos. She had been invited by a young lady in her church to "come and see if you can help the community where my parents live." Twenty-five years later, she's still helping.

Maria is the visionary behind Campamento Cristo es la Roca. It serves as a church, mission and outreach center, and can be used for disaster relief and housing. We met Maria while we were still teachers in Lockhart. Our church began to partner with her in 2001 and in 2002 we made our first mission trip to the region. We didn't know it then, but God would move us in 2005 to begin Burgos Missions and partner with Maria and her work.

This fall we held a special anniversary / birthday party for Maria at the Camp. "70 years old, and 25 years working for the Lord," Maria said to many as she was planning the event and inviting people from both sides of the border. Several hundred people came to honor the Lord's work through his servant.

Affectionately known as "Sister Maria", Maria has been involved in hosting outreaches, building churches and houses, and bringing help in the form of food and clothing to families throughout her ministry. At age 70 she shows no signs of slowing down. Besides her work in Burgos, she has a mission in Veracruz, Mexico and is involved in mission work in Chiahuahua, Mexico.

We are blessed by Maria's input into our lives and ministry, her example, and her faithfulness to our Lord.

Hear the word of God

Miri is a joy to all who know her. Her smile is heartwarming. Since she is unable to hear, she was denied school attendance and has only learned to communicate by reading lips. Now she is getting a chance to hear.

This past summer she met Kelly Miller and her son Collin, while they were visiting Burgos on a mission trip. Collin also has little natural hearing, and the two immediately connected. During her 3 week stay, Kelly became friends with Miri and her family. Her heart ached to help Miri in some way, so on her return she used her family's experience to locate help for Miri. Shortly, Miri's family was off to Monterrey, Mexico for an exam.

In the fall, we visited Kelly's church and talked to her and her husband, Kenneth, about Miri's progress and the hearing specialist's opinion of Miri's condition and plan for help. After church that weekend, Kenneth handed us a check and said, "Tell Miri that God loves her and wants her to hear His word." Today, Miri is learning to hear with her two new hearing aides. She is active in her church, and she is working part time for Burgos Missions. We can't wait to see what God has in store for her in this new chapter of her life.

Miri's family is amazed at God's help to them through the Miller family. At one appointment they were talking to the hearing doctor, telling the story of God's provision, and the doctor could only say, "to me this is a miracle for this young lady."

We're Back...kind of

I am embarrassed. Our website and blog have been extremely neglected. Thankfully, work in Burgos is progressing at a rapid rate and much is being accomplished. On the other hand, some things have taken a back seat for a moment (or a few months) such as our updates, blog, and sleeping.

We hope now to be somewhat caught up and to be able to communicate with you more frequently with updates and our website. Thank you for your patience. We've missed you.

Highlights, which we will deal with in more detail in the near future have been...

Back to School Outreach, Maria's 25th Anniversary, El Lobo's children and youth, Christmas Outreach

These have been detailed somewhat in our monthly newsletters which can be accessed on the news page of the Burgos Missions website.

Christian Worship Church

One of the best things about serving in Burgos is the relationships - relationships we've made with people in Burgos as well as people from other places that somehow find themselves connected to Burgos in one way or another. Some of those people are from Christian Worship Church in Hidalgo. We began our relationship with them during the first part of this year.

A group from the church came to Burgos and held a service in the plaza and led our Saturday morning Children's Program. The music team also spent a couple of hours working with our musicians. We were very encouraged by the various talents and abilities the team members used to minister to the community.

One example was the music team. Because the evening service was outside, the music carried through several neighborhoods and attracted more to the service. One family came saying they had heard the beautiful music and came to see what was happening. Without going into their personal details, by the end of the service it was obvious in many ways that God wanted them there.

The drama team's presentation about many things that war against our souls was a highlight of the trip. The drama touched on many issues including suicide which is relevant to Burgos. We have friends in Burgos who are dealing with these issues at different levels and it was wonderful to see God minister to them through the drama. The ministry and prayer time that followed was very important in the lives of many who attended.

Isn't it amazing, that God would send a team from another place, another country, to speak into the life of someone in need and communicate His love and concern. It is amazing and wonderful to watch.

New Hope Youth Mission Trip

Youth from New Hope Church in McAllen, Texas, came to Burgos at the beginning of the month to help with construction and minister to families. The group arrived on the 1st and began their trip with an evening visit to El Becerro, a small ranch of a just a few families. The youth led the 3 children that were home in a lesson and some crafts while the adults visited and prayed with the parents and grandparents of some of the kids. Later, the kids took the group on a short walk to the river for a swim. El Becerro is an out of the way place, seemingly unknown or forgotten, but with beautiful people and a beautiful view.

Mornings were spent working on the dorm floors, leveling and preparing them for cement. Others spent time cleaning the church, painting, and preparing for services. A normal afternoon on a mission trip to Burgos is spent at Los Chorros, the local waterfall and river. The evenings consisted of family events in local communities outside of Burgos proper. In El Charco and Labores de la Paz, the New Hope team taught Bible lessons, did puppet shows, set up jump houses, and gave gifts to the children. These evening events make a great impact on the adults of the communities as well, as they watch their children's smiles and see the love of God displayed through the mission team.

Friday night was different in that the group hosted our third Youth Night of the summer. Youth from New Hope gave testimonies and helped lead the music in the service. The youth nights, called Mi Generacion, have been well received with between 30-40 youth at each meeting.

Saturday morning there is a weekly Children's Program at the church, Cristo es la Roca. The youth led the program and the kids really enjoyed the activities. Last year, New Hope led VBS at the church, so several of the children remember them and were glad to see their "teachers" from last summer.

New Hope Church is the home church of Sister Maria Tellez. They are a great support to us and their youth are a blessing beyond words every time they visit. Photos from the trip are available at the following link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10022403@N08/sets/72157606237343346/show/

friends-family

One day while Jesus was speaking and teaching in a house, he was told his mother and brothers were outside asking for him.

Jesus asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!" Matthew 12

To me this speaks of the supernatural family bond between those who follow Christ as Lord. Two families, family to us in Christ, came to visit Burgos and us this week and I was reminded of these verses because of the closeness I feel to people I rarely see and have known for a short time. It is other-worldly.

Jorge and Martha Maisonet and their three daughters live in Reynosa, Mexico. They lead Iglesia Oasis en el Desierto and Missionary Crusade, a religious association consisting of several churches in Mexico. Jim and Nancy Hester live in Auburn, Alabama with their 4 sons and daughter. They pastor the Tabernacle Church and direct Lamplighter Ministries, a mission organization with works in North Africa, Uganda, and Mexico. Follow the links below for more information.

http://lamplighterministries.org/
http://lamplighterministries.org/subpage.html


The families "stopped by" Burgos (a little off the beaten path) to visit with us for a couple of days and get to know the area. We enjoyed catching up and talking about all the Lord is doing in so many places. We toured Burgos, swam at Los Chorros, and ate ice cream from the Nieveria next to our house. Our family is blessed to have these leaders in our lives as mentors and friends. We would ask the partners and friends of Burgos Missions to remember the Maisonets and Hesters in your prayers.

Jesus said he would never leave us or forsake us. His followers are also called the "body of Christ." I felt the Lord with me and my family this week as we hosted these special members of His body. I am sure someone is feeling the same way about your presence in their life this week.

CCC Mission Trip - pt. 2

Covenant Christian Church spent their trip in 3 different phases. (see June 20 post.) First, they worked at the Camp, Cristo es la Roca, and the Mission House in Burgos. They cleaned and began leveling the dirt floor in the dorms so that they will be ready for cement later in the summer. The Mission House needed work inside and out, so the ladies began organizing the Library. Others painted and cleaned. The work projects were very successful.

Click the following link to see photos of the trip. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10022403@N08/sets/72157605969536369/show/


Afternoons were spent resting, visiting families and sponsored children, or swimming.

The evenings were spent working with children. Below is a video of the night in El Charco. To end the evening of games and bounce houses, the children sang to their parents and to the Mission Group who joined in Spanish and English.

Chi Alpha Mission Trip : pt.2

The Chi Alpha Mission Trip to Burgos (part 1 posted on june 9 ) also included ministry to families, youth, and children. The college students from Texas State University traveled nightly to communities surrounding Burgos to present their puppet show, dramas, music, and crafts. Each night was a huge success.

The first program was at the Burgos Plaza. Over 100 kids and members of their families came out for balloon animals, face painting, and much more. Trinity was especially excited to get to help blow up balloons with a special pump and translate what animal or object the kids were wanting. The following day the group traveled to El Charco. It was impacting for all involved. As usually happens with mission work, the one going somewhere to be a blessing, ends up being blessed. The final night program was in Labores de la Paz. The moms had as much fun as the children making necklaces and getting their faces painted. On Saturday morning, the group moved to Cristo es la Roca church and hosted the normal Saturday AM crowd of 40. The drama and puppets were well received and the children enjoyed the interaction with the mission group.

On Sunday, the Chi Alpha group led the entire service at Cristo es la Roca. From the music to the message, from testimonies to dramas, the morning was powerful and many were blessed to have been there. Sunday night church was back in Labores de la Paz. The prayer time was very powerful, including prayer for the pastor after the service.

Back to School Plans

School just got out in Burgos and surrounding communities. That means we are preparing for the second of our 3 annual outreaches. The Back to School outreach will be August 16th and we are expecting 200+ kids. We are so thankful for the past help of churches and individuals in sending school supplies. We are again asking for help. Photos from last year's event can be seen at the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10022403@N08/sets/72157601944290484/show/

Below is a list of supplies which can be purchased and sent to First Assembly of God Lockart on or before July 20. Another way to help is to send Wal-mart gift cards and we can purchase the items. The cards would need to be received by that same date in order to purchase and transport supplies. Addresses for drop off or mail are as follows:

mail to
Burgos Missions
PO Box 537
Lockhart, TX 78644

drop off
Lockhart First Assembly of God
2715 U.S. Hwy 183 North
Lockhart, TX 78644

visit our contact page for questions or info. http://www.burgosmissions.org/contact.html

Each year this outreach has grown and increased our ablility to minister to the families of the region. Your help is making a difference in Burgos. We are also able to use "lightly" used supplies that are sometimes left over at the end of the school year. If your child, school or church has older supplies that could be useful, please don't hesitate to send these also. Besides the Back to School Outreach, we also supply area Sunday School classes and the Children's Programs of Burgos Missions with various items for lessons and crafts.

School supplies are as follows:
regular paper
spiral notebooks
folders
pencils
pens
construction paper
crayons
glue
pencil sharpeners
graphing paper
map pencils
markers

Rally

The Campana in the plaza ended Wednesday with a tremendous time of prayer and ministry. I was able to get this video as the service started. (check back if video is not loading correctly)

Thank you for your prayers. The first night seemed difficult and "heavy". However, the last 2 services were more than I can describe. Many people received prayer in a powerful way. Many pastors attended and some great things were accomplished towards unity. Several individuals and families were encouraged and ministered to during the extended prayer times. Several people made decisions to follow Christ as their Lord; several were told specific things about their lives and future during prayer. Each night the crowd grew as did the expectancy and joy of those in attendance.

I have seen God do a lot, but this was more than we were expecting and hoping for. God is doing great things in the lives of people here in Burgos. Thank you for praying.

3 Nights of Glory

We are asking you to join us in prayer (and in person if able) for a 3 day Rally in the plaza of Burgos. Arnie, who has been interning with us since the beginning of May, will be preaching and leading the music team. Word of the "Campana" has spread as far as Nuevo Leon, the state to our west, and we are excited about what God has planned for these "Three Nights of Glory".

The past 7 weeks have been very exciting and at times surprising. We have seen the Lord ministering to people through prayer, preaching, and healing. We are well aware that we are unable to see all that God is doing, but what we are able to see has been more than we asked or imagined. We are believing for these services to be life changing for many.

Please pray for those who will attend. Pray for Arnie and the musicians. Pray for all that God has for this place and people to be poured out on them and for Burgos to never be the same. What happens tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday will change the future for many. Our God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Because we are taught that from the Bible, we know He is still working today like He did when Biblical events were recorded. He is healing, saving, changing people and events even today. You are able to participate in what God is doing here through your prayers to the Living God who transcends time and space. Won't you join us? We need you.

There are families here in Burgos that are desperate for help and hope. Children who need love and purpose. It is no different than where you live. We believe God is visiting us here and we are wanting to miss none of what He wants to do.

Thank you and God bless you.

Matt

CCC Mission Trip - pt. 1

Today marks the end of an incredible week of missions in Burgos. The group of 15 from Paris, Texas arrived Monday to work for, minister to, and enjoy the people of the local communities. This is the 5th trip for Covenant Christian Church. The Summer Family Trip is in its third year and the church's relationship with the community is growing as well. The inflatable water slides and jump houses that the church brings have become famous. CCC also visits Burgos during spring break for its Youth Mission Trip.

The evening Fiestas were a highlight of the trip. On Monday, CCC set up its "traveling show" in the Burgos Plaza. With music, inflatables, face painting and more, the neighborhood kids had a blast. The group moved the fiesta to El Charco on Tuesday. The parents in both communities enjoyed the activities as well. The smiles of the children are infectious. We could feel the pleasure of God as we watched the families enjoy a couple of hours away from the stresses and pressures of life.

Child Sponsorship Program - May

In May, 84 children received new outfits from their sponsor families in the United States. The program has grown in every way. We are very encouraged by what the Lord is doing through this partnership of families on both sides of the border.

Children in the CSP also attend "Children's Programs" which include Christian education, music, games, crafts, and other activities. From these programs relationships are developed with the children and their families.

We are so thankful to the many sponsors for their faithfulness and love to these children. God is taking little and making it much. For example, Maritza was not allowed to attend any of the programs when we first began ministering in her community. A year and a half later, she is not only at the programs, but her and her brother, and mother are also attending church services.

Currently 15 children are without sponsors, but are still receiving the monthly help through the general fund of Burgos Missions. For more information visit our website at
http://www.burgosmissions.org/childsponsorship.html
or contact us at childsponsorship@burgosmissions.org

You can see the children pictured above singing at one of the Children's Programs on our homepage... http://www.burgosmissions.org/

The Painted Houses and their Owners

Click on link below to see more photos from the mission trip.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10022403@N08/sets/72157605328747505/show/

Chi Alpha Mission Trip : pt.1

Texas State University Chi Alpha

May 13- 19, 2008

What an awesome group. Their trip included a variety of activities which we hope to share with you in the next few posts.

Thursday and Friday morning were spent painting 5 houses in 2 communities. They included the homes of a widow, a pastor, an elderly couple, our neighbor, and a young mother of 2 whose husband is gone 9 months at a time for work. The Chi Alpha group provided all the paint and supplies for the work which was a huge blessing to each family. It didn't take long for the buzz to spread through the communities that some Texans were in town painting houses.

After painting, the group ate lunch with a couple of the families. It was a wonderful time to build friendships and experience some "new" food. (we won't mention the chicken feet to Kelly) The painted houses serve as a constant reminder of God's love and care to all who see them. A sort of daily testimony that God cares and works through His people.

Sister Maria Tellez

Maria Tellez had surgery Thursday in McAllen, Texas and was released from the hospital early this afternoon. She is doing well and recovering at home with her son, daughter in law, and granddaughter to care for her.

The surgery went well and Maria said "thanks to everyone for their prayers and to our Lord for His help."

Sister Maria, as she is affectionately known, grew up as a migrant worker and never attended school. Twenty-five years ago she began doing mission work in Mexico and the Burgos region. Those years are filled with more stories than can be told, including the building of several churches and missions. Maria used to sell tamale plates for weeks to save money to pay for gas for her mission trips and to buy food and clothes to take to the families she ministers to. There were always a few toys tucked away for the trips due to her strong love for children.

Maria continues serving the poor; making long, hard trips into the mountains of Chihuahua, the coastal communities of Veracruz, and overseeing the ministries in Burgos. It only takes a few minutes of conversation with Maria to get a sense of her zeal and passion for God's work and people. Her life reminds me of Jesus' parable of the talents in the New Testament. One man was given five, (which he doubled into 10), one man two, (that he worked into 4)...whatever Maria started with , she has turned it into millions. If you haven't, I hope you get to meet her someday.

Waiting : Ready

The plaza of Burgos is used for many community events. It has become very important to our ministry, especially when mission teams come. This picture shows several of our young friends waiting for a "fiesta" presented by Chi Alpha of Texas State University. (stay tuned for more info on that mission trip)

Because of its central location, we easily gather 100+ kids for movies, games, fiestas, etc. The groups that come from the U.S. have become well known and highly anticipated. We are asked often, "When is the group from (this town or that town) coming back?" Our events have been so well received that we have been asked by the local government to assist in some of their community activities. It is something to watch the plaza come to life as the hot sun begins to set and some group arranges tables and speakers and begins to share the love of Christ.

What do you see when you look at the boys in this picture? Of course the future....future leaders, future husbands. But these guys, like you and me, are very concerned about today as well. The Bible says that "today is the day of salvation", "don't worry about tomorrow, it has enough trouble of its own". Of course it also encourages us to plan, to save, to prepare...but when I look at these boys, I see today. What a precious and urgent opportunity we have to speak into the lives of people, young and old, today. To bless and encourage; to pick up and build up.

With the help of our Lord and our partners, we are going after the opportunity called today. Jesus taught his disciples saying, "let us work (do the work of God) while it is day, for night is coming when no one can work." With a sense of urgency, we strive to follow this instruction.

Some look and see children, some see trouble, hopelessness, poverty; some see lack of direction, opportunity and education...I see a dream. A dream whose inception is from before time began.

A dream that originated in the heart and pleasure of God.

and I see it when I look at you.

2 corinthians 6:2, matthew 6:34, john 9:4, jeremiah 29:11, psalm 139:13, john 10:10

Celebrating the Family

The first Sunday of May we celebrated families at Cristo es la Roca church with a special service and child dedication. 5 children were presented to the church and to the Lord by their parents who committed to raising the children in the ways and teachings of Christ. This ceremony was a first for our church.

We invited the entire community and took photos of each family in attendance. The photos were framed and given to the family two weeks later as a blessing and memory of the celebration. We were please to have several visitors. Several of our church members had other family members present with them for the first time. Our hope was to bless them, encourage them in the Lord, and invite them to join our services in the future.

The photos turned out great and the families, especially children, were excited to receive them. How blessed we are to have our family and the opportunity to be adopted into God's family. Take time today to thank God for the awesome gift of being called His child and for the blessing your family is to you.

New Blog & Update Page

In an attempt to keep our partners and friends better informed, we have a new blog and a new hope of bringing you news from Burgos frequently. We have plenty to report from May, so check back daily to see what has been going on.

April 30 is Dia del Nino (day of the child, children's day) in Mexico. The schools have celebrations as do many communities. Annually, Burgos Missions hosts an outreach in conjuction with the holiday. This year, we partnered with Gerardo Garcia and Esperanza Gonzales to host the celebration on May 3rd. The children of these two pastors' churches presented a drama about Noah's ark and several songs to make up the majority of the program.

Of our three annual outreaches, Christmas is the largest and most attended. However, we were suprised at the Dia del Nino fiesta, when over 240 children showed up. After finishing off 6 pinantas, bags of candy were handed out and amazingly, there were just enough to go around.

These numbers encourage us that the efforts of Burgos Missions and our partners are impacting the region.