IBB Graduation

The Burgos Bible Institute (Instituto Bilblico de Burgos) graduated its first class on February 24th. The 10 Graduates shared briefly about the experience, education, and impact the Lord had made on them through the curriculum.

Each student invited family and friends to the graduation ceremony and dinner hosted by The Institute which operates as a ministry of Burgos Missions. The graduates were joined by the mayor and his wife, local pastors, and Maria Tellez to celebrate their accomplishment. Tellez, who has been doing mission work in the region for 25+ years, presented each graduate with their diploma.

A highlight of the event was what each student had to tell about what the 2 years of study had meant to them. One graduate in her 50's shared a text from the Bible and some remarks, then broke into tears as she explained, "This is the first thing I have ever graduated from." A younger graduate shared many details of her two year journey as well as events from before the school but related to the ministry and impact of Maria Tellez and Burgos Missions. She is now leading the children's programs at 3 churches. The valedictorian's address was powerful. Shyly but powerfully presented, the graduate encouraged those present to know that each of us has a purpose and giftings that the Lord wants to use in His kingdom. Despite feelings of inadequacy and reservation, we should take courage in God and pursue serving Him with the abilities we have.

New classes will begin in March using the International Curriculum of ISOM. The Institute also offers Bible classes and studies for those not seeking a diploma. English and Music classes are available along with a library serving adults and children. Please contact us for more information.

Click here to see photos from the graduation.

New Playground

Thanks to the Greater Paris Rotary Club, the Burgos Plaza now has a new playground.

In cooperation with Burgos Missions, Cristo la Roca Church, the DIF and Mayor's office of Burgos, the Rotarians of Paris, Tx have provided for the building of two new playgrounds. The first is about complete in the Burgos Plaza and is being used daily.

Visit the slideshow of the progress to see the change that has taken place. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10022403@N08/sets/72157613558274236/show/

The broken swings and slide are now replaced by a playscape. Phase 2 of the project will be to install a smaller version playground in El Charco next month.

The construction was done by two good friends of Burgos Missions, David Garza and Peto Rodriguez. Both are leaders on our music team and work in many aspects with the ministry.

In March, a group from Paris will be coming to Burgos to do some final touches on the playgrounds, attend the inauguration of the Burgos playground, and meet the community and its people. The group will visit several areas of the county and investigate opportunities for further partnerships. This relationship has already been a huge blessing to the families of Burgos.

We are extremely excited about this progress and new relationship. (but not quite as excited as the children who have already begun to enjoy the new play area). More info is available on the web at http://www.burgosmisisons.org/

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/