New Names Written in Glory!

Last night was a special night for Taylor Community Center.

John and Gianetta Wright, a retired couple who is teaching at Taylor Christian School, had the idea several months ago to show a movie based on the life of Noah to the community. They did a lot the preparation to make it happen -----getting permission to show the movie in public, making posters and fliers for publicity, and praying that the Lord would bless their efforts. We were excited that they asked to use the gym of TCC.

They asked Debbie McKelvey if she would be willing to do a Bible Club for the children while the adults watched the movie. Debbie graciously agreed, and then she asked me if I would help! Of course, I was excited to do so! About 100 free tickets were picked up for people interested in watching the movie.

So, last night was the night of the movie! Debbie and I had about 15 kids in our Bible Club during the movie. Debbie shared a Christmas story with the kids, emphasizing the REAL reason we celebrate Christmas. Then we played games with the kids. After that, we helped the kids do 2 crafts ---- one was a snowman ornament, and Debbie shared with them how when we ask Jesus to be our Savior, he cleans us so we are as white as snow. Then the kids had the option of also doing a cross ornament, as well.


Cynthia showing her snowman and cross
ornaments at the end of the evening.

While we shared the Gospel with the kids, about 75 adults were hearing the Gospel clearly through the life of Noah that they were witnessing on the big screen. When the movie was over, John Wright shared briefly and gave an invitation. About 14 people stood up to receive Christ as their Savior! Praise the Lord!

God is doing great things! Praise Him with us as we celebrate the new names written in the Book of Life!

Following HIS Heart

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."


Matthew 9:12

Although many may not believe it, following God is not always easy. Since He desires a very intimate, personal relationship with us, He often calls us to do things which are beyond ourselves, beyond our comfort, and beyond our means. That way, we learn to depend on Him and grow deeper in our relationship with Him as we trust Him.

In many ways, coming to McAllen has been challenging for me (Betsy). I know God called us here; I know He opened the doors for us to be here. However, it has been harder than I had anticipated.

When I was a single missionary (and even when I was a newlywed), I had many opportunities to minister. I was a teacher, so all day long I was used to being busy, investing in students' lives. During part of my time as a single missionary, I led a women's Bible study as well as a youth Sunday School class. I was busy, busy, busy . . . working for the Lord.

Now, however, I have children and things have changed drastically! Instead of finding myself busy, busy, busy with other people, I find myself busy, busy, busy with my kids and in supporting my husband in HIS ministry. For a long time I struggled with my identity. Could I still be a missionary AND be a mommy?

The Lord really challenged me last week with my way of thinking. The one ministry (outside my home and besides Bible Club) in which I am involved is a local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. I requested to be on leadership and I have the privilege of leading a small group of amazing women. Although I saw this as a ministry, I was still frustrated, feeling I wasn't really making a difference. I was also having a pity party, although I hate to admit it. I wanted to be connected and develop deep Christian friendships. I wanted to have a local support group. But, I realized that it takes time to connect and build those deeper relationships.

One morning, as I was sad about all my life WASN'T, the Lord reminded me of all my blessings! He also reminded me that I could be a blessing to others who have it much worse off than I. He challenged me to look beyond myself and my needs and look for the needs all around me.

Now, you know the Lord. When He challenges us, He provides a way for us to ACT! That same afternoon I got a call from one of my mom's in MOPS. She said she was going to look for a babysitter because something had come up and she was needed at her son's school for a couple of hours. (She is a mother who is has no family nearby --- just like I am. I understand how hard it can be to find a babysitter at the last minute when you have no family to turn to!) The Lord convicted me and said, "See ---- be a blessing to her. Be the friend you so desire." I said, "Why don't you bring them over here? I'll watch them!" She was thrilled I had offered, and before too long I had 2 toddlers and 2 babies in my care. What a joy the afternoon turned out to be!

The Lord gave me another opportunity to act at the end of the week. A local Christian school had "Colonial Days," which is a great family outing and similar to a carnival. I wanted to take Jayden, but Gerson was tired from a long day on the soccer field, so he decided not to go. The Lord reminded me of a Facebook post I had read about another mom from MOPS, whom I didn't well. She had had a hard a week and was feeling lonely and depressed. I promptly called her and invited her and her son to go to the carnival with Jayden and me. She was THRILLED! Again, I had a wonderful time BEING a friend to someone in need.

If you know anything about MOPS, it's an amazing way to reach out to young moms. Some of the mothers are Christians, but some are not. Pray for me as I continue to open my heart to the changes and challenges of ministry with small kids. The Lord will continue to provide opportunities to reach out, if only I will be open to them. Pray for the moms in our group. Some have husbands who work far away and the ladies are like single moms. Some are having financial problems and are under a lot of stress. Some don't understand who Jesus is and how much HE loves them. Those of us who know Christ have the opportunity to share His love with them.

Is it easy? No. It would be much easier to surround myself with people who know Christ, who have the same background and philosophy of life as I have. It would be easier to surround myself with Christians and not reach out to the lonely, the distraught, the hurting. Too often we Christians become our own clique. We are so happy keeping the joy of the Lord to ourselves, not wanting to reach beyond ourselves and our sphere of comfort to share the love of Christ with some who hasn't heard the Good News.

But, that's not what Jesus did, is it? He loved the sick, the lonely, those unloved by society. He didn't stay where it was comfortable and easy. He chose, instead, to follow His Father ---- all the way to the cross and death.

That's my desire, too. Although the type of ministry changes, the needs are all around me. Pray for Gerson and me ---- that God will give us eyes to see and hearts that are open to see as Christ sees. Even when it's not easy, may God help us to continue to follow His heart.

Saturday Soccer

Bright and early last Saturday morning we arrived at the newly completed soccer field! Now that it is November, it's actually cool most mornings, so we were all bundled up and ready to see what God had in store for us.

Gerson had found this little machine in the shed that he used to spray paint the lines on the soccer field. He had completed that task on Friday.

It was time to take care of all the other little details for the morning. Gerson put the recycle container out by the field for the kids to put their plastic water bottles in after their water breaks.

Then he got out the soccer balls and air pump.

Next he prepared the sign to put out on the road to remind people, as well as to let them know where the practice would be held.

As you can see, he used florescent colors as well as balloons to draw attention. It worked, too! One man was just driving by and stopped to ask us what we were doing. By this time Gerson was already on the field with the kids, so I talked to the man and explained that Gerson was doing a soccer school each Saturday AM at 8:00. The man was excited because he wife left him and he has 3 children to take care of. They are all going through a rough time, and he is looking for positive things for his children to do. Only one of his boys falls into the age range for the soccer school, but we signed him up right away and his little boy's face just perked right up at having something to do. Pray for this family who is going through a rough time. What a joy it is to be able to offer something positive for the kids to do on Saturday mornings, where they not only get to have fun but also hear the Word of God!

The reason I went along with Gerson was because he needed someone to be in charge of signing up the kids, getting the parents' signatures on permission forms, and answering questions families might have had. I was happy to assist! That way, as kids arrived, they went right out to play soccer with Gerson while I did the paperwork with the parents!

Because both Gerson and I went, our kids went with us! What a joy it was to have Berta's help! She is the secretary at Taylor Christian School, and her son loves soccer! He wanted to play soccer, so Berta brought him on Saturday. She was able to stay and keep me company all morning. She loves babies and was happy to give Edson some TLC that allowed me to have my hands free to sign up kids and talk with parents as they arrived. What an unexpected blessing!

And our dear Jayden is happy as long as he has a soccer ball. We gave him a ball and he went to the soccer field and kicked, kicked, kicked and kicked the ball! He had a hard time understanding at first why Daddy wasn't playing with him, but he adjusted.

Of course, as the morning progressed, he got more creative with HOW he used the soccer equipment!

Thanks for your prayers. Tomorrow morning Gerson will be out on the field again. We had 7 children last week, but only 4 of them signed up with parental permission. Pray for the three whose parents' weren't involved. (Gerson knows where the live and plans to visit them.)

I won't be able to help Gerson tomorrow since I have a TCC rummage in the gym. However, Berta's husband may be able to help on the soccer field tomorrow, which would be a tremendous blessing. Pray for Gerson as he ministers to and plays with the kids, and pray for me as I organize and run the rummage with 2 kids in tow! Thankfully, I do have a teenager from our church who will be helping me with Jayden and Edson!

We are so thankful for each of you and your faithfulness in participating in this ministry. We feel loved, supported, and backed by your prayer. YOU are a part of each life that is touched through our ministry here in McAllen. Thank you!

FINALLY!

Dear Friends,

It's with much excitement that I tell you that TOMORROW Gerson will have his first practice on the new soccer field! He has put in weeks, days, and many hours into getting this field built. Today he has put in a 15 hour day tying up loose ends in preparation for tomorrow morning. I will be helping him with signing up kids and talking with parents. Please pray for us! We are thrilled the time has finally arrived! We couldn't have done it without the many of you who have given financially to this special project and prayed for us. Thank you!

We'll let you know how it goes --- hopefully with pictures! :)

With a Thankful Heart,
Betsy Tejeda

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Dear Friends,

In the fall of 2003, I left for Bolivia, South America as a single missionary. I had no idea what the Lord had in store for me! I asked my family members (specifically my sister) to print off my emails so I would have a record of my early missionary days. How thankful I am that now I have those memories in notebooks to help me remember God's faithfulness!

I've been reading over some of those emails recently. I'm amazed at how much I've forgotten! I'm also amazed at how much those emails have encouraged me as we serve in a different place in a different ministry.

Gerson and I have been in McAllen just over a year. I remember before we came we had talked about the reality of "starting over" in a new place. I had told Gerson that it had taken me a good year to build relationships in the city of Trinidad, Bolivia after arriving there. It just takes time to build relationships and earn people's trust. The same has been true here in McAllen. Now that we've been here a year, we are just beginning to feel like we have begun to form lasting relationships and have the community connections to do what we feel God has called us to do.

However, there are still many discouraging days ---- those days that don't go as planned. On those days, what is my reaction? To be honest, some days I cry and allow the frustration to ruin my day. Other days, I take it to the Lord and allow Him to take away the frustration and carry my load.

I want to quote something from the email I wrote after one year in Bolivia. What I wrote was true then . . . and its truth encourages me today! I won't write the whole story (for it was 4 typed pages long!), but only what my conculsion was.

Sept. 4, 2004

So, what seemed to be a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad day, ended on a wonderful note, with me realizing that the Lord has blessed me with some incredible friendships here in Trinidad and Bolivia. He IS faithful, and He DOES care. Right when I get to the point of wondering why I am here, He brings a blessing and confirms this is where I need to be.

In all of this, a BIG prayer was answered. Remember when I mentioned earlier . . . that I PRAYED? What I DIDN'T tell you was WHAT I prayerd. I prayed that God would bring something good out of the whole mess. And why am I surprised that that is EXACTLY what He did? He used the whole thing to bring me much-needed encouragement, both from a fellow missionary and the youth from my church. Praise the Lord!

I share this with you as testimony of God's love and faithfulness. Many times (especially on the mission field), things don't turn out as we have planned them. In those changes, God can work and bring blessings even bigger than we could have imagined. I thank the Lord that He is bigger than anything I face. I trust He will continue to give me widsom and encouragement and remind me of His love in the days to come. . . There will be challenging days ahead, and I need special wisdom and guidance that can only come from Him."

That ---- from a rookie missionary! I never knew that God would use those words (and the whole story!) 7 years later to encourage me in the new place and new ministry to which He has called me. I'm so thankful we serve a BIG God who knows WHAT we need right when we need it the most!

Jesus Loves the Little Children

I'd like to introduce Debbie McKelvey to you. She recently transferred from the American Indiana Field in Arizona to work here with us in McAllen, Texas. Gerson and I had been wanting to get a Bible Club going in TCC, but we knew we needed help to get it started. Shortly after she arrived, Debbie mentioned to me that she had been involved in Bible Club on the American Indian Reservations. That was music to my ears! Before to much time passed, we began planning a Bible Club for TCC. I am so glad God brought Debbie to us and for her willingness to step right into ministry alongside of us!


I am learning a lot from Debbie about Bible Club, since it is a new ministry for me. We start the afternoon with a Bible story. So far, Debbie has shared the Creation, the Fall, and the Flood with the kids. She does a great job, allowing the kids to interact with her as she tells the story.

For the story of the Fall, she took us on an imaginary train ride through the Garden of Eden. The kids had a blast with that!





At this point, we have about 8 children who have been coming every week. These 8 kids are from Taylor Christian School, and although they have already heard the Bible stories, they are anxious to participate and it is a great time to reinforce the truths they have already heard.

We are currently holding Bible Club from 3:30-4:40, but having talked with some of the neighbors we now realize most of the neighborhood kids don't even get home from school until 4:00 or 4:15. We will taking that into consideration as we plan for the next Bible Club. We believe that is one of the reasons we've had such low attendance from the community kids. We have had 5 local children attend during two of the weeks, but they arrived late and missed the Bible story time.


After the Bible story, Debbie works with the kids on memorizing Scripture.












Then we sing songs! Since most of the kids are from TCS, they already know the songs and motions.

The Bible story, Bible verse, and song time are all held in the TCC chapel.









Then we head to the cafeteria for art and snacks. Martha, pictured to the right, works at TCS and has graciously volunteered to help with art and snacks. We're thankful for her help!










We have 4 more weeks of Bible Club --- 3 weeks with the kids and 1 week that is for the parents to hear what their kids have been learning. Please continue to pray the TCS students who are participating, for us as we plan and share with them, and for our neighbors who need to hear about God's love. We will continue to reach out to the neighborhood, planting seeds and praying for God to help those seeds sprout and grow.

Neighborhood Walk

Good morning,

It's a beautiful morning here in McAllen! Maybe fall has decided to arrive? We can hope!

It is Wednesday again ---- time for Bible Club! Yesterday Debbie and walked through the neighborhood around TCC and reminded families to bring their children to TCC at 3:30 today to participate. It was a joy to go back and revisit the families Gerson and I had met three weeks ago. One family said they couldn't find us and drove around last Wednesday looking for us. I reminded her of the address (a short 2 blocks away from her home!) and described the building to her. She said she'd bring her kids today. Pray that the Lord reminds her and that her kids will join us this afternoon.

Another family came last Wednesday, but said they walked into gym and there was no one there. Once I talked with the mother a little bit more, I realized that the kids get off the bus around 3:30 and if the bus is late at all, the kids will show up a few minutes tardy. So, I told the mom I would wait outside the building until 3:45 or so, just to make sure her kids knew where to go.

A third family had simply forgotten. They still had the flier we had handed out, but like many of us do, the mom had forgotten the date/time of Bible Club because of the craziness of life. She said she would send her kids today.

Please pray for each of these families. Pray we can connect with them today --- that they will remember and there will not be confusion about where/when Bible Club is. Pray for the kids as they hear about Adam and Eve's decision to disobey God. Pray they can understand and see how disobedience has immense consequences -- especially when we disobey God. Pray for Debbie as she will be sharing the story in a super creative way. Pray for good attention spans for the kids during the story. And pray that we can show the love of Christ in all we do and say.

As always, we so appreciate each of you. Thanks for your prayers!

Love, Betsy for the Tejedas