Back in El Paso today, first time in two weeks since arriving here on February 14, Valentines Day.  Last night we had a great night of preaching at a new church God lead me to in Juarez and by invitation shared the Word of God with the help of my new interpreter friend who not that long ago was a member of the major cartel here and who was actually a hit man for them.

He admits he killed and tortured people during his time with them but God miraculously intervened in his life and he is now a born-again Christian on fire for the Lord.  He preaches and sings and has a great Christian spirit and he is now aiding me as my interpreter.  I have also invited him to share his testimony at our upcoming conference just two weeks from tomorrow; Juarez Vive !  Friday and Saturday, March 15, 16, 2013.

Here are some photos from last night and my bridge crossing this morning.

Here's one way to make sure nobody drives off with your car here in Juarez.

                         Preached last night here in Juarez in this new church called - Esperanza

Crossed the border into El Paso, TX this morning.  Going back later today.

Preaching Again in New Church here in Juarez

Things appear to be going well here in Juarez as we continue to plan for our 2 day conference we are calling Juarez Vive ! ( Juarez Lives ! )

Today I am moving around Juarez on foot and bus taking care of business.  Was able to retrieve Damaris's guitar for her which she left behind in the orphanage that she was taken from and placed in another.  She will be happy to see it again when I bring it to her on Saturday.

God is doing amazing things here and divine appointments happen daily.  Met a long lost friend from here in Juarez on the bus just this morning. photos I took this morning will be added later.

Juarez Vive ! Coming Together

Last night we Pastor Javier and several other pastors and myself got in a big white van and drove for 40 minutes or so to the location of a big pastors meeting here in Juarez.  Had a great night with them and shared the vision of the conference.  Hoping for their help in filling Benito Juarez Auditorium on March 15th.

Visited La Vid Orphanatario

Re-united with Damaris and Diana Saturday, Feb. 24, 2013 God is good, His mercies new every morning.

Damaris and Diana

Diana

Me and Damaris

In front of sign on side of building

                                                              At Front Gate Entrance
                         La Vid means "The Vine" as in I am the vine, you are the branches...

God Continues To Direct My Steps As Our Conference Date Approaches

God has been putting this conference together since the dream was placed in my heart a couple of months ago back in Buffalo.  I have been here a week now having arrived here by train from San Antonio, TX. after flying there for part of one day from Buffalo, NY.

After going back and forth in our minds concerning the location of this event trying to decide whether to hold it in a large gym here that seats 6,000 people or to hold it in the location I felt God leading me to do it in; the Benito Juarez Auditorium, we have decided to hold it in the auditorium.

                                 Our Conference location: The Benito Juarez Civic Auditorium

We have the papers they are waiting for us to sign and return with a check for the amount they are asking but something that only God can do is happening as we speak.  I will share more about that as it happens.  We are praying that somehow God will reduce the price they are asking to something we can afford since we are less than one hundred dollars short of the amount they are asking for the 3 hours that we will be holding our conference meeting called Juarez Vive ! in the auditorium on the evening of March 15, 2013.

Yesterday was an exciting day as I watched God move me into position at a local meeting of a large union of over 40 pastors that meet every 15 days to encourage each other.  I was given the opportunity to share with them the vision of this conference.  With my friends Pastor Julio and Pastor Javier's help I was able to tell them about our conference and invite them to participate with us.  We were well received and I was pleasantly surprised to be offered another opportunity 15 days from yesterday to attend another such meeting with Pastor Henry who has agreed to fly in from San Antonio.

The very next day on March 6th there will be another meeting with pastors associated with the ministry called Casa por Cristo.  They have also invited me to come and share the vision with them.  I have asked Pastor Henry to come to both meetings and he has agreed.

We are now looking for over night accommodations for him and his traveling assistant for those two nights.

Here are some photos from the pastors meeting.  We were also given the opportunity to share a video that Pastor Henry and I put together back in San Antonio in which he shares the vision for Juarez Vive! You can see the video as it is being shown on the big screen behind the podium of the church known as Vida Neuva where this pastors meeting took place.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

This is my 4th day in Juarez, Mexico.  First chance I've had to get on the internet to connect to write this update.

Had a great time of fellowship with Pastor Henry Becerra in San Antonio, TX, one of our key speakers for the event we are planning in Juarez.  Flew there from Buffalo on the 13th of Feb.

Early the morning of the 14th Pastor Henry dropped me off at the San Antonio train station where I boarded a 2:30AM train for El Paso.  I was really tired that night and inadvertantly left behind my jacket with my passport in it.  What a way to being a mission into another country.

Had to decide what to do.  I decided to enter Mexico without a passport and trust the scripture that says,  "God will put His angels charge over thee."  He did.  I'm here.  But no way out until my passport is retrieved.  It was found praise God back in San Antonio and last I heard it was in the mail heading this way.

Since arrival I have been working with a couple of pastors trying to solidify our location.  Trouble right off the bat.  Found out for the first time that another conference similar to the one in my heart was on the drawing boards for a date "2 weeks after mine."  This was a day event too and the worse part is that the same pastors I was counting on to help me with the event in my heart are already working together to make this conference come to pass.  They are calling their conference Victory for Juarez.  The one God gave me to do is called Juarez Vive !.  They have scheduled 9 American Pastors and all day both days.  I am looking for 3 hours on Friday night and 3 hours Saturday morning.

I have a meeting on Wed with 40 Pastors to share this vision and attempt to get them on board to help me with what I am here to do.  Right now it looks like a big mountain to climb.  I need all the prayer and help from God I can to see this through.  It will be by His grace alone if this happens and I am still believing it will.

Gimnasio Josue Neri Santos

Juarez, Mexico

Here are photos of the location of the other event.  And a new problem.  I talked with the people of this location and their is an opportunity to get this place too for our event.  It holds 6000 people vs the 1000 our first choice location.  I am working with and praying with local leaders here trying to decide which course to go.  Prayers are needed and appreciated.

Arrived in El Paso - February 14, 2013

I had a great time of fellowship and meeting new people at Pastor Henry and Jacqueline Becerra's church in San Antonio yesterday, even spoke a little in there, was able to spend several hours around the Alamo and I am here now in El Paso at their library getting ready to leave here to cross the border on foot into Juarez.

That was the good news.  Now here is the bad.

2:30 Am is not a good time to board an Amtrak train from San Antonio to El Paso especially when you are dead tired from lack of sleep.  The night at the airport in Buffalo before leaving did not  help.  So by the time the train was leaving I could hardly keep my eyes open and inadvertantly left my jacket with passport there.  The result of trying to negotiate two bags, a jacket, a suit coat with my passport and papers in it and a styrofoam cartoon with fruit slices in it that was given to me from the church to snack on.  Won't be able to get back to USA after crossing over this evening until I retrieve my passport.  Pray friends, that my passport is found and I am reunited with it.

We are still short of the funds we need for auditorium by almost $200.00 not to mention other related expenses.   

Well anyway, it happened it's over with and here we are with the results.  So with no passport my plans have changed as far a building a home with Casa por Cristo which I was going to do these first few days in Juarez.  I called them and explained what happened.  I a little comforted to be told that the number of people signed up for their team went up from 6 when I volunteered to add to that number to 16 people now who are officially going to work together to build that home - that's more than enough people.  So I was given the option of staying in the agreed upon motel for an early morning rendevous with the rest of that team to cross the border and build a home without having to pay a team fee to join the team or to just pass on this time.

I have decided to pass on this time and I will walk across the bridge in a couple of hours and make my way to sister Klarita's store, say hi to her and then go over to Adopho's hamburger place.  When he closes up tonight I will bus it with him back to his house across from Julio's church where i will be sleeping tonight in Julio's church- Lord willing.  

Me at the Alamo yesterday.

Well that's the plan.  While writing this I received a call from Pastor Julio.  He knows I am here now and will be meeting once I cross the border.  I will be able to go in but not back out until i retrieve my passport.

Continue to pray for me and this conference mission and for more finances so we can pay our auditorium fee and move on with other much needed things to happen before March 15, 16, 2013.  Juarez Vive !

Arrived Safely In San Antonio, TX - An afternoon at the Alamo

Departed snowy cold Buffalo at around 6:00 AM this morning, flew to Atlanta, changed to another plane and flew two hours and a little more that forty seven minutes because of a 175 mile per hour head wind and landed in warm San Antonio, TX.  Had a nice bar-b-que beef lunch with Pastor Henry then a great afternoon exploring the Alamo.  Watched a nice little History channel presentation inside of the Alamo about the Alamo.  Off to church tonight and then train ride a couple hours after mid-nite for El Paso.  Need to find out where the Amtrak station is.

After Mid-night so it is Wednesday, February 13, 2013

At another  Tim Horton's donut shop across the street from the Buffalo Airport typing and doing Facebook and blogging on the computer here, talking with a couple of friends in Juarez.

Soon I will be leaving here and crossing the street to spend the rest of the night at the Air Tran seats at the airport along the wall as we await boarding time for a flight to San Antonio, TX where I will be meeting with local lead pastor Henry Becerra.  Just found out they have an evening service tomorrow evening which i am now looking forward to also.

i believe God has orchestrated this down time now to help me transition from life in Buffalo to life in Texas and ultimately Juarez, Mexico where I plan to be for at least the next five weeks.

Tuesday - 11:00 PM Update

After a day of preparations I am now at the airport.  It is 11:05 as I write this.  I took a bus up to the airport and went inside and printed my boarding passes off of their computerized kiosks. So I am all set to board tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM after I go through the screening process.

I thank all those who supported me for this mission and will be praying for them as they pray for me, including; Rev. Pat Lavery, Pastor Bill Tobin and about 15 people in his church, including Young Hee and Carmen at The Word of Life in Buffalo, Glen Orser from my church; the Tab, Ray Smith from the Tab,  Jean Driscoll from the Tab, Jean Suto from the Tab,  Dorothy Lovulis, from the Tab, Leadlay Ogden from the Tab, Ray Knutsen from the Tab, my Tab home church missions committee, and Pastor Al Baun from my church, The Tab.

Missions is a team effort - those who can't or won't go help support those who are willing and do go, because they will also be sharing the victory and reward of what is accomplished as a church team effort.

Doesn't always happen that way folks but God somehow still provides, if not through a friend or brother or sister in the Lord, then He will do it through a stranger.  Thank you God for the faith to keep trusting you for all that will be needed for this mission to Juarez to succeed.

Last Day in Buffalo - Flying To San Antonio Tomorrow AM

I'm at a Tim Horton's Donut shop early this morning at 8:15 AM with a full day of preparations ahead of me before heading to the Buffalo-Niagara Airport this evening where I will spend the night waiting for an early 6:00 AM flight.  I've chosen to do this instead of dealing with early morning racing to get to the airport at 4:30 AM which the airlines recommend you do these days, reminding you to get there at least 1 1/2 hrs. before your flight.

I will be there several more hours before my flight with time to pray and go over necessary planning for the conference i am traveling to Juarez to bring into existence.  As of today it is still a dream in my heart.  We are moving toward that dream and doing what we can and depending on God to do what He does to make it happen, in Jesus Name.  Amen.  Here is our "Juarez Vive !" vision statement;

Juarez Vive !  Viernes & Sabado

Marzo 15, 16, 2013

It is time for the Christians of Juarez to rise up and declare their city alive in Christ. 

This event will be a spark that we are praying and hoping will begin the transformation of a city, turning the hearts of the good people of Juarez toward God, beginning first with those who know Him best; the pastors, leaders and saints of Juarez who are hungry for more of God and our understanding of the reality of His kingdom on earth.

Our goal is to fill this auditorium on Friday night, March 15, 2013 with Christians from around the city of Juarez for an anointing and equipping rally. 

Our special key note speakers will include; Pastor Henry Becerra - Lead Pastor of the dynamic City Church International located in San Antonio, TX and 

Pastor Steven Brewer - Director of Tapestries of Life Ministries in Fabens, TX and Director of Casa de las Gemas Children's Home in Guadalupe, MX,  which when completed will be the largest children’s home in all of Mexico and Latin America

Bishop William Dockery of Memorial Temple Christian Ministries in Buffalo, NY

Plus several locally chosen  of Pastors from the city of Juarez.

This is where, Lord willing, it will take place on Friday night with  3 hours praise & worship/a concert of prayer for Juarez and anointed preaching by our guest speakers and then the next day, Saturday morning; teaching sessions by the previous evenings speakers teaching  their individual classes till noon, in a location to be announced for the further equipping and instructing of the saints (believers) of Juarez,  to be the light that God has them to be and to reach their city for Christ.  

We are hoping this conference,  with the involvement and participation of the pastors of Juarez and their churches will turn the tide of this city and that the great city of Juarez, Mexico will LIVE !  

Juarez Vive !  is the name that God has given us for this event and our vision is from Ezekiel Chapter 37 

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’”

We are depending fully on God and the pastors and their people of Juarez to bring this event about for the Glory of God and for the people and City of Juarez.

We will be coming soon, in person several weeks prior to these dates and hope to be talking with many of you and sharing this vision with you personally.  Until then please pray with us for God to visit Juarez during this season of the resurrection of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,  the Risen One !

Sincerely -Your Juarez Vive ! Committee

New Mission To Juarez, Mexico Has Begun

The day after tomorrow early Wed. morning, February 13, 2013 I will be boarding a plane for San Antonio, TX to meet with a local lead pastor there named Pastor Henry Becerra.  He and his wife co-pastor a dynamic church in the San Antonio area called City Church International.

Pastor Henry has agreed to be one of our key note speakers in the event we are planning in Juarez to be called 'Juarez Vive" ( Juarez LIves ! )   In addition to Pastor Henry, Pastor Steven Brewer of Tapestries of Life Ministries in Fabens, TX has also said yes to being a key note speaker.  Looking forward to hearing him speak about his faith in a God who has been providing the resources and work force for the building of will soon be the largest children's home in Latin America.  And we will also have Bishop William Dockery, pastor of Christian Memorial Temple Ministries in Buffalo, NY. as well as several local Mexican pastors and worship bands. Your prayers and support for the needs of putting this together are greatly appreciated.  Join with us to bring this event to Juarez.