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.