Welcome to Faith Ministry - service along the Mexican border



February E-Newsletter Greetings, Faith Ministry supporters and team members, As 2011 begins we're praying for a good year of construction so that families in need might have a secure home to protect them from the elements. But even in the winter months, Faith Ministry staff and volunteers have been hard at work. At this writing the temperature is below freezing in the border region -- something the area is not used to. Already, David Rodriguez and Omar SaldaÒa have distributed blankets in the community. Just before Christmas, we held five small fiestas in Reynosa and Miguel Alem·n--at the Betty Clinic and the churches in Reynosa and Naranjito, and at the church and with refugees in Miguel Alem·n. Your support enabled us to provide 1,200 toys for children at Christmas. Many people are without jobs, and for them, buying toys is out of the question. Employees of the ministry got together for a New Year's gathering. After a hard year, the staff prayed for supporters and the families of Mexico. Before the end of the year, violence in the town of Mier caused a crowd of refugees to take shelter at a facility in Miguel Alem·n, and Faith Ministry staff began cooking meals for them. For awhile, the ministry provided 250 per day, before the government closed the shelter. At this point, we're cooking meals each day for 30 people who didn't want to return to Mier but had no other place to go. The meals are cooked at our complex in Miguel Alem·n, and delivered door-to-door. Three families have been "adopted" and are staying at our facilities. Construction Though troubles in the region hampered our construction efforts in 2010 we ended the year with 23 houses built-- 17 in Reynosa and 6 at Miguel Alem·n. Many teams who had to cancel their visits, sent money so that staff and Mexican volunteers could do the construction. As we begin 2011 some 60 families need houses and have filed applications. Our goal is to build at least 25 to meet the most urgent needs. Churches All three churches--Reynosa, Naranjito and Miguel Alem·n-- are growing. Deantin, Pastor Castillo and David are preaching once a month at each church, and the congregations are working to build programs for children and youth. Currently, the congregations number 50 at Reynosa, 60 at Migeul Alem·n, and 70 at Naranjito. P4FM Pray For Faith Ministry You may have noticed from our Facebook page that we're praying together-- in the U.S. and Mexico-- at the same time on the first Friday of each month. That time is noon, Eastern/11 central. Join us as we seek God's direction for the ministry and pray for each other. Alternative Giving Looking for a gift that will make someone feel good AND help a needy family? Look no farther than the Faith Ministry Alternative Giving page. Buy a shovel in someone's name; some cement blocks; a roof; even a house. There's something in every price range. We'll send the recipient a nice card notifying them of the gift in their name. Give it a try at our website www.faithministry.org. We realize there is much need, and Faith Ministry supporters are working hard to alleviate much suffering along the border. Your contributions truly go a long way. Please remember the ministry's day-to-day budget. And thank you for considering these other opportunities to minister. Together we can tangibly demonstrate God's love.

February E-Newsletter

Greetings, Faith Ministry supporters and team members,

As 2011 begins we're praying for a good year of construction so that families in need might have a secure home to protect them from the elements. But even in the winter months, Faith Ministry staff and volunteers have been hard at work.

At this writing the temperature is below freezing in the border region -- something the area is not used to. Already, David Rodriguez and Omar SaldaÒa have distributed blankets in the community.

Just before Christmas, we held five small fiestas in Reynosa and Miguel Alem·n--at the Betty Clinic and the churches in Reynosa and Naranjito, and at the church and with refugees in Miguel Alem·n. Your support enabled us to provide 1,200 toys for children at Christmas. Many people are without jobs, and for them, buying toys is out of the question.
Employees of the ministry got together for a New Year's gathering. After a hard year, the staff prayed for supporters and the families of Mexico.

Before the end of the year, violence in the town of Mier caused a crowd of refugees to take shelter at a facility in Miguel Alem·n, and Faith Ministry staff began cooking meals for them. For awhile, the ministry provided 250 per day, before the government closed the shelter. At this point, we're cooking meals each day for 30 people who didn't want to return to Mier but had no other place to go. The meals are cooked at our complex in Miguel Alem·n, and delivered door-to-door. Three families have been "adopted" and are staying at our facilities.

Construction
Though troubles in the region hampered our construction efforts in 2010 we ended the year with 23 houses built-- 17 in Reynosa and 6 at Miguel Alem·n. Many teams who had to cancel their visits, sent money so that staff and Mexican volunteers could do the construction. As we begin 2011 some 60 families need houses and have filed applications. Our goal is to build at least 25 to meet the most urgent needs.

Churches
All three churches--Reynosa, Naranjito and Miguel Alem·n-- are growing. Deantin, Pastor Castillo and David are preaching once a month at each church, and the congregations are working to build programs for children and youth. Currently, the congregations number 50 at Reynosa, 60 at Migeul Alem·n, and 70 at Naranjito.

P4FM
Pray For Faith Ministry
You may have noticed from our Facebook page that we're praying together-- in the U.S. and Mexico-- at the same time on the first Friday of each month. That time is noon, Eastern/11 central. Join us as we seek God's direction for the ministry and pray for each other.

Alternative Giving

Looking for a gift that will make someone feel good AND help a needy family? Look no farther than the Faith Ministry Alternative Giving page. Buy a shovel in someone's name; some cement blocks; a roof; even a house. There's something in every price range. We'll send the recipient a nice card notifying them of the gift in their name. Give it a try at our website www.faithministry.org.

We realize there is much need, and Faith Ministry supporters are working hard to alleviate much suffering along the border. Your contributions truly go a long way. Please remember the ministry's day-to-day budget. And thank you for considering these other opportunities to minister. Together we can tangibly demonstrate God's love.