In December I had the opportunity to spend a week in the city of Acuña in the state of Coahuila, Mexico. Acuña has a population of approximately 215,000 and is one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico. The area encompassed by Acuña and Del Rio, Texas has a population of almost 300,000 and is the seventh largest binational metro along the U.S. / Mexico border. This area also includes Lake Amistad, a reservoir created as a joint venture between the governments of Mexico and the United States in 1969. The name “Amistad” is the Spanish word for “friendship.” After becoming acquainted with several Christians in the Del Rio / Acuña area back in September, I felt compelled to return and spend more time there getting to know the people and participating in humanitarian and church mission work.
Albergue Centauro Sifuentes is a shelter on the outskirts of Acuña organized by Victor Sifuentes to serve the needs of homeless individuals, primarily those suffering from serious mental illness. Albergue (translated “hostel”) is a family affair in which Victor, his wife and adult children work together in the effort. After Victor took the initiative to begin feeding and serving needy individuals on the city streets, the officials in Acuña granted to him use of an abandoned school campus which is gradually being transformed to meet the needs of the men and women in residence. Serving people of all ages, the Albergue is a labor of love which is a life line to the beautiful people who reside there. The transformation that these individuals experience from the street to the loving care of Albergue is truly remarkable.
My introduction to Victor was facilitated by José and Olga Verastegui of Mexico Missions. This was a providential connection for me because of my experience with the Jubilee House homeless ministry from 2001-2007. At Albergue, I was able to spend three days at assisting with several renovation projects (plumbing and electrical), working in the kitchen, and getting to know Victor and his family, their strategies of operation, and how they understand the needs of the organization going forward.
The week of work became a team effort as I was joined by Armandina Alfaro and a volunteer team led by Pastor Gustavo from a local church, Iglesia Fuente en el Deserto.
Later in the week, I spent two days working with a team from Mission Mexico assisting a coalition of three churches that organized a Saturday afternoon community Christmas event - Centro Cristiano (Pastor Carlos Rodriguez), Templo Dios Creador (Pastor José Morales) and Palabra de Vida (Pastor Lorenzo Ramirez). A team of approximately 50 volunteers served a gathering of over 800 children and parents that converged in the city park. A meal was served to all participants, and all of the children received toys.
The event included music, drama, and a speaker sharing about the message of Christmas, namely, the birth of Jesus and the meaning of his life. It was a blessing to see the joy of children and families gathered for a Christmas celebration, eating, singing, and “getting the piñata.”
With a desire to take something beneficial to the people that I would be working with, I spent several months gathering supplies for the trip. With the assistance of a few friends and my church group, I gathered a collection of sewing machines, portable bread ovens, small kitchen appliances and cooking supplies. Half of the kitchen supplies went to Albergue Centauro Sifuentes and half to Cristo Vive, a large addiction recovery ministry south of Acuña. Fourteen sewing machines were divided between Albergue and the two churches of Centro Cristiano (Pastor Rodriguez), with half of the machines to go to a needy community in Tabasco, southern Mexico. This collection will be ongoing.
I concluded the week by attending the Sunday worship of Centro Cristiano Trigo Limpio. I was inspired and moved by the Spirit filled singing, teaching, and prayer, as well as the godly counsel and hospitality of Pastor Carlos Rodriguez and his wife Kina. In my decision to travel to Acuña and serve with José and Olga and Pastor Rodriguez and his family, I knew that I would be receiving more than I could give, and this was what I experienced.
The blessings of this week were made possible also by the generosity of our missionary home host, Granny B, by Mission Mexico facilitators José and Olga Verastegui, by Armandina Alfaro who assisted as translator and liaison to Albergue, and by Carolita Sanchez who served on the Saturday event team and assisted with translation as I visited Centro Cristiano on Sunday. For me, to go and to give and to relate to friends in the faith that are busy in the work of life, love, and mission is a path for healing, growth and restoration. I thank God and I thank these dear friends for sharing this blessed time of ministry.
