Mission Trip canceled due to violence in Reynosa

Pray for peace in Mexico. Yesterday morning I canceled our planned trip to Reynosa, MX due to the escalation of violence in and around Reynosa. A traffic stop turned into a 3 - 4 hour gunfight between police/military troops and drug cartel members. The fighting included automatic weapons and grenades. According to reports I have received at least 10 people died in the battle including 2 children who were running across a park trying to get away from the fighting. 15 others were shot. Some of the fighting apparently took place near the HEB/Soriano/Home Depot shopping areas near the baseball stadium and not far from Casa Mami, the orphanage we helped start several years ago. Some of the fighting took place near or at schools. All schools in Reynosa are closed until further notice. Sister Elma, the founder of Casa Mami, called me late Thursday night to say "Don't come. It is not safe." Therefore, I drove to New Orleans the next morning to meet with parents and mission trip participants to cancel the trip. We will reschedule the trip for spring break if conditions improve.

I talked with Elma today. She had crossed back into Mexico this morning with the intention of staying at Casa Mami for the next 2 days and nights. The fighting errupted again today. The children and workers are locked up in the orphanage and should be safe. They have water and food for 7 days. There are 115 people in the compound. Please pray for their safety and well-being! Elma is back in her home in Hidalgo, Tx. Those who have been with me to Reynosa need to know that much of today's fighting took place near the area where Pastor Filiberto lives. Please pray for our brothers and sisters at the Son of the Carpenter Church, Golgotha Church and Lily of the Valley Church. The violence has spread throughout the Rio Grande Valley from Matamoros to Nuevo Laredo. This is the first time in 16 years I have had to cancel a trip due to violence.

Thanks to many of you, we were able to purchase the materials to build a house in Vamos for the lady in our pictures. Brother Felix has contracted a team to complete the building even though we will not be there to help. Felix will also take the money we sent to buy outhouses and make sure they are installed for others in the village. Thanks to all who sent money and who are praying for us. I will post more info as it becomes available.