Sunday, January 31, 2016
It Happened Again This Year - Thankful for another birthday !
And for the friends and family I have that sent me greetings. Blessings back to you today for your well wishes. Thank you Lord for another year and the grace I need to continue serving You as you lead.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Free By Divine Decree by Rev. Paul Johannson This Evening
Another great night of ministry presenting our course on the Book of Romans here at Restoration and Adoracion Ministries in Juarez, Mexico.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Many Salvations Tonight After our 4th Libros Romanos Class !
I felt lead by God to give an altar calls after the conclusion of Class #4 of our Book of Romans Class tonight. These men that you see here and a couple that didn't fit in the photo frame all repeated the sinners pray that Pastor Jorge Lugo led them in after I preached a little and told them the story of the two thieves on the crosses next to Jesus. Whatever I said worked. They responded by coming forward to my invitation to do so if they wanted to be sure they would be with Jesus as the one thief did.
Of course Rev. Paul Johannson's teaching on salvation by grace in this lesson had a lot to do with bringing home their understanding that salvation is by faith and not by works. These men used their faith to come forward and boldly declare their belief in Jesus, now their personal Lord and Savior, To God be the glory. Amen.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Friday, January 22, 2016
Riding The Buses in Juarez Again
Well, I am back to riding buses again, an experience worth writing home about for those who have never been blessed by the opportunity to do so.
The bus system in Juarez is mostly made up of American school buses that have served their purpose back in the United States of transporting boys and girls to and from school and are now down here living out the remainder of their days transporting the citizens of Juarez, Mexico all across this city.
Today, and until my mission financial situation improves a little bit, I am among the bus travelers.
Bus fare has increased from 6 pesos per ride to 7 pesos per ride. I guess you can chaulk that up to cost of living increase. That extra pesos will add up for the bus company that gives thousands of rides each day to people who have to get from one place to another here and who would prefer not to walk. I am one of those.
The buses are always packed and standing room only is the norm rather than the exception. When you get on the bus and hand your 7 pesos to the driver you make your way behind the line and stand. As I mentioned the seats are already occupied.
The problem begins almost immediately. With anticipations of getting off soon after a mile or so I resist the idea of moving back more each time the bus driver makes a stop to pick up new people. Reason being is "I'm getting off soon." So why would I want to go farther back into the bus ? But that's the way it goes.
The driver is continually making stops and more people are continually added to the already packed bus. Soon you find yourself somewhere in the middle or even past the middle of the bus and guess what ? It's time to get off at your intended stop.
So you begin fighting your way back to the front so you can get off where you want to get off before the bus arrives there. Otherwise you will go past your stop and have to walk back to where you really want to be.
More fun happens when the bus makes a stop at points where vendors of all sorts get on the bus and start offering what they have to sell to the passengers; everything form sodas, to juices, water, candy, cd's, games etc. Whatever the entrepenuer can think of.
I don't know how he or she does it but they have no problem navigating the standing aisle that separates the right row of seats from the left. They manage to work the whole bus from front to back before the driver decides it's time to move on and puts the bus in gear. The vendor hops off the bus with a few extra pesos in his pocket and a few less candy bars in his bag and then he is ready to do the same thing on the next bus that comes along. He does this all day long. It's his job.
Not only do these sellers of things make their way to the bus passengers all day long but also any person with a need. It happens on almost every bus ride. Someone will get on the bus and start telling the passengers why they need money; an operation, lost my wallet and need to get back to my town, my kid needs diapers etc etc.
After their speech the make their way up and down the aisle just like the vendors do with their hand out, palm up and the bus passengers who feel sorry for them drop some much needed pesos in their empty hand. They also get off the bus a little richer than when they came on and then they hop another bus and do the same thing, again, all day long. It's their job.
Yet another kind of entrepenuer makes his way on the buses every day. He is the musician or musicians. These folks bring their guitar or whatever contraption they have that they can make music with and they will make their way to the back of the bus and start playing their songs and making music. When they have sufficiently entertained the passengers for a little while they too walk up and down the aisle with the hand out, palm up and people put pesos in their hands too.
Riding the bus in Juarez is an experience everyone should have, at least once. You meet humanity face to face, feel the needs people have and relate to them in a way you don't from the solitude and separation from them, in the comfort of your own vehicle.
You get to feel what they feel, share some of the experience of being human and having human needs is all about. We are all on the same bus. I have have been blessed more than once by this experience during my time here doing missions work for the King. It's my job.
The bus system in Juarez is mostly made up of American school buses that have served their purpose back in the United States of transporting boys and girls to and from school and are now down here living out the remainder of their days transporting the citizens of Juarez, Mexico all across this city.
Today, and until my mission financial situation improves a little bit, I am among the bus travelers.
Bus fare has increased from 6 pesos per ride to 7 pesos per ride. I guess you can chaulk that up to cost of living increase. That extra pesos will add up for the bus company that gives thousands of rides each day to people who have to get from one place to another here and who would prefer not to walk. I am one of those.
The buses are always packed and standing room only is the norm rather than the exception. When you get on the bus and hand your 7 pesos to the driver you make your way behind the line and stand. As I mentioned the seats are already occupied.
The problem begins almost immediately. With anticipations of getting off soon after a mile or so I resist the idea of moving back more each time the bus driver makes a stop to pick up new people. Reason being is "I'm getting off soon." So why would I want to go farther back into the bus ? But that's the way it goes.
The driver is continually making stops and more people are continually added to the already packed bus. Soon you find yourself somewhere in the middle or even past the middle of the bus and guess what ? It's time to get off at your intended stop.
So you begin fighting your way back to the front so you can get off where you want to get off before the bus arrives there. Otherwise you will go past your stop and have to walk back to where you really want to be.
More fun happens when the bus makes a stop at points where vendors of all sorts get on the bus and start offering what they have to sell to the passengers; everything form sodas, to juices, water, candy, cd's, games etc. Whatever the entrepenuer can think of.
I don't know how he or she does it but they have no problem navigating the standing aisle that separates the right row of seats from the left. They manage to work the whole bus from front to back before the driver decides it's time to move on and puts the bus in gear. The vendor hops off the bus with a few extra pesos in his pocket and a few less candy bars in his bag and then he is ready to do the same thing on the next bus that comes along. He does this all day long. It's his job.
Not only do these sellers of things make their way to the bus passengers all day long but also any person with a need. It happens on almost every bus ride. Someone will get on the bus and start telling the passengers why they need money; an operation, lost my wallet and need to get back to my town, my kid needs diapers etc etc.
After their speech the make their way up and down the aisle just like the vendors do with their hand out, palm up and the bus passengers who feel sorry for them drop some much needed pesos in their empty hand. They also get off the bus a little richer than when they came on and then they hop another bus and do the same thing, again, all day long. It's their job.
Yet another kind of entrepenuer makes his way on the buses every day. He is the musician or musicians. These folks bring their guitar or whatever contraption they have that they can make music with and they will make their way to the back of the bus and start playing their songs and making music. When they have sufficiently entertained the passengers for a little while they too walk up and down the aisle with the hand out, palm up and people put pesos in their hands too.
Riding the bus in Juarez is an experience everyone should have, at least once. You meet humanity face to face, feel the needs people have and relate to them in a way you don't from the solitude and separation from them, in the comfort of your own vehicle.
You get to feel what they feel, share some of the experience of being human and having human needs is all about. We are all on the same bus. I have have been blessed more than once by this experience during my time here doing missions work for the King. It's my job.
Another Door Opens For Our LIbros Romanos Course
Yesterday I met with the Pastor of this church here in Juarez to talk to him about the opportunity for his people to be blessed by our 10 week course on the Book of Romans by Rev. Paul Johannson. He agreed and tonight we will be having our first class. We will be starting at 7PM each Friday evening for the next 10 weeks. Thank you Lord for opening yet another door of opportunity for our on going missions work here in Juarez, Mexico. By Faith.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Old Esmirna 1 Church Building Made Available to Instituto Biblico Jaurez
The other day I was entrusted with the keys for this church building for the use of another location for our Bible School here in Juarez. I will be using this location for our new Trimester 1 class which will be starting in a few days on Monday, January 25, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Sunday Go To Meeting Day Here in Juarez !
After a relatively warm night's sleep in my great brand new sleeping bag (purchased at the well known Dick's Sporting Goods in Buffalo, NY) with the retail name of "Furnace", ( it's certified to keep you warm at 35 degrees, very light and fits into a small bag) a recent gift and a blessing to me from a good friend back in hometown Buffalo, NY, it's almost time for church.
Winter is cold here in Juarez contrary to popular opinion, although thankfully this season it short, only a couple months.
I'm thankful for the "Furnace" that God sent me to keep me warm at night, through my friend and brother in Christ back in Buffalo. May God return a blessing he will also appreciate and enjoy to him as well, is my prayer.
We may not get snow like the folks up north but you know it's cold inside when you can see your breath while shaving, not to mention taking showers with no hot water in the house because theirs no hot water heater. (too expensive to buy let alone operate).
We try to avoid high electricity bills. So we burn fire-wood, and use propane. But you can't have the propane heater on while you are sleeping because of the fumes which could cause to sleep permanently.
So after warming the room up and turning off the heater or placing the last piece of firewood in the wood burning heater, it's time to climb into the sleeping bag and zip her up. Kind of like camping. Only indoors.
God didn't promise me the Hilton Inn if I did missionary work for Him but He did promise to provide. And He has by His grace. Something from nothing is what I have experienced as a missionary who has traveled here "light" on more than one occasion.
He has provided me with shelter, food, transportation, and Gospel work, school locations and many friends here and I know their are missionaries in far worse conditions and situations than I have ever experienced. But I do live as the people God has called me to minister to live. They live in similar and some, in even more humble circumstances. I am guessing that more than a few would wish they have what I have.
One thing I do know as a full time missionary is that we (other full time missionaries) are all trusting the same God to meet our needs on the mission field that He has chosen for us in the way He choses to. As Christains, and not just missionaries, we are all called to "live by faith." And that is what we are doing here in Juarez, Mexico.
This morning I will be attending the church of one of our Bible School locations here in Juarez, called Esmira 1. Their are 12 churches in this family of churches founded by my friend Pastor Jose Selgado.
Today I am hoping to find some interest for our new Trimester 1 set to begin Monday evening at 7:30 PM on January 25, 2016.
Winter is cold here in Juarez contrary to popular opinion, although thankfully this season it short, only a couple months.
I'm thankful for the "Furnace" that God sent me to keep me warm at night, through my friend and brother in Christ back in Buffalo. May God return a blessing he will also appreciate and enjoy to him as well, is my prayer.
We may not get snow like the folks up north but you know it's cold inside when you can see your breath while shaving, not to mention taking showers with no hot water in the house because theirs no hot water heater. (too expensive to buy let alone operate).
We try to avoid high electricity bills. So we burn fire-wood, and use propane. But you can't have the propane heater on while you are sleeping because of the fumes which could cause to sleep permanently.
So after warming the room up and turning off the heater or placing the last piece of firewood in the wood burning heater, it's time to climb into the sleeping bag and zip her up. Kind of like camping. Only indoors.
God didn't promise me the Hilton Inn if I did missionary work for Him but He did promise to provide. And He has by His grace. Something from nothing is what I have experienced as a missionary who has traveled here "light" on more than one occasion.
He has provided me with shelter, food, transportation, and Gospel work, school locations and many friends here and I know their are missionaries in far worse conditions and situations than I have ever experienced. But I do live as the people God has called me to minister to live. They live in similar and some, in even more humble circumstances. I am guessing that more than a few would wish they have what I have.
One thing I do know as a full time missionary is that we (other full time missionaries) are all trusting the same God to meet our needs on the mission field that He has chosen for us in the way He choses to. As Christains, and not just missionaries, we are all called to "live by faith." And that is what we are doing here in Juarez, Mexico.
This morning I will be attending the church of one of our Bible School locations here in Juarez, called Esmira 1. Their are 12 churches in this family of churches founded by my friend Pastor Jose Selgado.
Today I am hoping to find some interest for our new Trimester 1 set to begin Monday evening at 7:30 PM on January 25, 2016.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Friday, January 8, 2016
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Monday, January 4, 2016
A Day of Returns
Today was interesting in that first of all it was very cold here in Juarez. It is costing me money every day to keep warm; firewood and propane. So what little money I have is temporarily going up the chimney so to speak, until it warms up a little which myself and many people here hope will be soon.
My steering wheel has been shaking a lot lately and I discovered what the problem was today. A used tire that I bought last week seems to have slipped a belt. It was concave in the part visible to me. My friend Julio and I decided to go back to the place that sold me the tire and see if their was any chance in them replacing it at no charge. It was a long shot but guess what it worked.
They took the bad tire off and replaced it with another used tire on the condition that their guarantee would only be good for 10 days. I was happy to get the tire replaced with or without the guarantee as long as it didn't cost me anymore for replacing it. As I mentioned money is tight right now. Last week I was able to pass motor vehicle inspection in El Paso but I still have to pay for vehicle registration.
I also found myself returning to a flat tire fixing place called Disponchadoras, here in Juarez, of which their are many, where I visited last week also to fix another tire on my car that was leaking air all last week. Had to keep putting air in it every day.
Turns out after they repaired the tire and put it back on the car they forgot to put one of my lug nuts back on. I went back today and pointed out the problem and they were happy to replace the missing lug nut. And off we go.
Well one more return. Last week I bought a cd of oldies songs that when I got into my car and inserted it into my cd player it didn't work. So next on my list was to go back to where I bought it and see if I could get the cd replaced hoping again that it would not cost me. It didn't. He was happy to give me another one. And that one worked.
So today was a day of "go back where you bought it" and have them fix the problem. It all worked for the good.
My steering wheel has been shaking a lot lately and I discovered what the problem was today. A used tire that I bought last week seems to have slipped a belt. It was concave in the part visible to me. My friend Julio and I decided to go back to the place that sold me the tire and see if their was any chance in them replacing it at no charge. It was a long shot but guess what it worked.
They took the bad tire off and replaced it with another used tire on the condition that their guarantee would only be good for 10 days. I was happy to get the tire replaced with or without the guarantee as long as it didn't cost me anymore for replacing it. As I mentioned money is tight right now. Last week I was able to pass motor vehicle inspection in El Paso but I still have to pay for vehicle registration.
I also found myself returning to a flat tire fixing place called Disponchadoras, here in Juarez, of which their are many, where I visited last week also to fix another tire on my car that was leaking air all last week. Had to keep putting air in it every day.
Turns out after they repaired the tire and put it back on the car they forgot to put one of my lug nuts back on. I went back today and pointed out the problem and they were happy to replace the missing lug nut. And off we go.
Well one more return. Last week I bought a cd of oldies songs that when I got into my car and inserted it into my cd player it didn't work. So next on my list was to go back to where I bought it and see if I could get the cd replaced hoping again that it would not cost me. It didn't. He was happy to give me another one. And that one worked.
So today was a day of "go back where you bought it" and have them fix the problem. It all worked for the good.
Here's where I had my tire replaced today.
Also today, I heard from my friend Pastor Abel, who's church I spoke in yesterday and I am encouraged to hear that several people from his church, including Pastor Abel himself, are interested in starting our
new Trimester 1 Class at our Bible School - Instituto Biblico Juarez beginning January 25, 2016.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
I Preached Today - 1st Sunday of the New Year 2016
God provided a preaching opportunity for me today in a church close to where I live here in Juarez, Mexico. It was a blessing to share the Word of God with the brothers and sisters at Monte Sinai Iglesia pastored by my good friend Pastor Abel.
I also presented them with our Bible School opportunity of the beginning of a new Trimester 1 starting January 25 @ 7:30 - 9:30 PM.
I also presented them with our Bible School opportunity of the beginning of a new Trimester 1 starting January 25 @ 7:30 - 9:30 PM.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
First Saturday of The New Year
Just wishing the temperature here in Juarez was about 10 degrees warmer to be a little bit more comfortable here. But things are slowly returning back to the way things were before the holidays arrived. The kids are still out of school but it's been too cold for them to be running around having fun like they would be if it was warmer.
Today I made a wrong turn on a street here in Juarez where I have been living since returning here this past October. Their was no way out of this street except to turn around and go back but as I was doing that, my eyes were opened to this house with a For Sale sign in the window. "What a nice home this would make," I thought to myself. Is it for me Lord ?
Only time will tell. All things are possible, even though in the natural, this is not. You need money to buy houses and that is something we don't have. But a measure of faith, we do. Whether it is great enough for this, remains to be seen.
Today I made a wrong turn on a street here in Juarez where I have been living since returning here this past October. Their was no way out of this street except to turn around and go back but as I was doing that, my eyes were opened to this house with a For Sale sign in the window. "What a nice home this would make," I thought to myself. Is it for me Lord ?
Only time will tell. All things are possible, even though in the natural, this is not. You need money to buy houses and that is something we don't have. But a measure of faith, we do. Whether it is great enough for this, remains to be seen.
Friday, January 1, 2016
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016 !
Well all that is behind us now. It is 2016 and on the first day of the New Year I have once again had the privilege of waking up as a missionary for Christ in the city of Juarez, Mexico, where I have been since early October, 2015.
I am a full time Christian Missionary from Buffalo, NY here in Mexico in response to the call of God in my life to "go into all the world and make disciples."
I am making disciples through a Bible School I started here a couple of years ago after doing short-term missions here of anywhere from 10 days to 9 months over the past 16 years, starting back in November of 1999 when I formed a 10 person team from fellow believers back in Buffalo and we came to Juarez for the first time to build a home for a poor Mexican family through an organization who's mission is to do that called Casas por Cristo.
Now after all those years, the focus is spiritual maturity, the making of mature believers in Christ, through the study and understanding of the Word of God.
Our curriculum consists of 5 Trimesters of courses that lead to a 2 year Associate Degree in Biblical Studies.
Our courses are taught by a host of very gifted and anointed instructors who present their courses via bi-lingual DVD.
We have mid-term and final exams that each student must pass before moving into the next Trimester. ( 12 weeks )
Our students will walk away after graduation, fully prepared to do the work of the ministry, using what they have learned with us, to make a difference in their world here in Juarez and perhaps beyond.
The vision here in Juarez is for more students and more schools and by faith, I am continuing to trust that God will give the increase in his time as we continue to be faithful in the small things, the beginnings we have here with the 14 students who are currently making progress in the various Trimester groups that are running consecutively here under my direction and facilitation each week.
I am living and operating here totally by faith trusting in God's provision. This is "my job". I have no guaranteed income. I don't get a check every Friday for the work I do all week long like you do, those of you who are employed in other lines of work.
Missionaries trust God for their support. And missionaries have financial needs on the field just like you do where you live and work:
* gasoline for the vehicle each
* car insurance payments each month
* propane and firewood for heat and cooking
* rent for living accommodations each month
* rent for Bible School building
* food each day
* additional finances for other needs...
And that is what I have been doing since I have been here (trusting God to provide providentialy through others ) , not just on this mission but on every previous mission to date, which you can read about in this blog, namely doing the work and trusting God to provide for my needs as I do.
I have made Christ and His work, my priority and I am trusting in Him to provide for my needs through the brothers and sisters who come alongside me and say,
"Nick I believe in what you are doing and I want to be part of it. I cannot personally go to Juarez, Mexico and do what you do but I can help you financially to do it."
By saying and doing that, you will be sharing in this work that God has begun and blessed and I believe will continue to bless here in Juarez.
If you would like to partner with me in this work of making disciples beginning here in our border city of Juarez, Mexico - our "neighbor" to the south you can send your support via the US postal service to my USA mailing address across the border from where I am actually sleeping every night and working every day. My mailing address in El Paso, Texas is:
Nick Pukalo
P.O. Box 835
El Paso, TX. 79945
Thank you for helping me continue the work that has, by the grace of God, been started here in Juarez.
Dios le Bendiga,
Hermano Nick
your missionary in Juarez, Mexico
Recent Highlights of this current mission
What a blessing it was to give away 98 pairs of brand new shoes to some of the kids here in Juarez this Christmas season. All this was made possible by the generosity of 3 of my friends who provided the finances for these gifts for the children here in Juarez at this time. Here are some photos.
Also, while following God's lead here my good friend Pastor Julio from Juarez and I were able to gather men from 3 different rehabilitation centers here and form a Baseball League of sorts.
A very good friend of mine in Buffalo, New York provided us with used but still in good shape; baseball jerseys, bats, balls and gloves and shipped them down in boxes to us here in Juarez.
With that equipment God continued to lead us to find players and a baseball diamond right across from where Pastor Julio and I live, across the street from a school here. A school with a baseball diamond that we are free to use. No charge.
Each Monday morning for more than few weeks before it got too cold here we played baseball with the men and afterwards we sat them down each Monday and presented Gospel messages to them, trusting that God's Word would not go out void and would begin to transform and shape their minds for the things of God and help them recover what was lost in their lives that were lived without Christ in them.
As soon as the weather breaks we plan on continuing with this baseball ministry by searching out and recruiting new teams to join us ! Who knows what God will do with this. Our job is to play baseball with the men and preach the Word !
Also, while following God's lead here my good friend Pastor Julio from Juarez and I were able to gather men from 3 different rehabilitation centers here and form a Baseball League of sorts.
A very good friend of mine in Buffalo, New York provided us with used but still in good shape; baseball jerseys, bats, balls and gloves and shipped them down in boxes to us here in Juarez.
With that equipment God continued to lead us to find players and a baseball diamond right across from where Pastor Julio and I live, across the street from a school here. A school with a baseball diamond that we are free to use. No charge.
Each Monday morning for more than few weeks before it got too cold here we played baseball with the men and afterwards we sat them down each Monday and presented Gospel messages to them, trusting that God's Word would not go out void and would begin to transform and shape their minds for the things of God and help them recover what was lost in their lives that were lived without Christ in them.
As soon as the weather breaks we plan on continuing with this baseball ministry by searching out and recruiting new teams to join us ! Who knows what God will do with this. Our job is to play baseball with the men and preach the Word !
In The Photos Below
Some of our Bible School Classes This Trimester
at
Instituto Biblico Juarez
We are holding classes in our two locations here in Juarez. You can see them in the last few photos here.
We have 4 different Trimester groups with different students in each, going simultaneously each week on different days of the week.
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