Mexico Update

Part 1

"The Lord hath done great things for us, wherof we are glad!" Psalm 126:3

Greetings from Linares, Mexico!
It has been an amazing journey this past week as we have trusted God to provide for this trip! Last week we were in Lenoir, NC enjoying a wonderful Bible conference where the Lord moved in a mighty way. Knowing that God was leading us to Mexico, we packed and prepared as if we were going, though we had no funds to make the trip. Our son, David, was making plans to take a 31 hour bus trip up from his home in Oaxaca, Mexico to meet us, and he kept writing and asking if we really were coming! The last night of the conference, God miraculously provided the funds needed to get on our way!! Did we ever have a family praise time that night! Friday we drove from NC to our home in Decatur, AL where we spent the night, and then on Saturday we headed to Denham Springs, LA. We ministered there on Sunday morning at the precious Mt Olive Baptist Church with Pastor David Robertson. After the service we began our long journey toward Mexico. We drove from 2:00 in the afternoon until 12:30 AM when we finally stopped south of Corpus Christi, TX for a much needed few hours of sleep! Monday morning found us on the road again and we drove right to McAllen, TX and to the bridge at the border to meet David, wondering how in the world we would be able to find him there in Hidalgo! Only God could have ordered our steps as we drove up as close to the bridge as we could get, and that very moment, David walked into view!! What a welcome sight! We joyfully "stuffed" him into the van and headed for our rendezvous with Brother Bobby Gates, our host missionary. After several trips to the airport to pick up the preachers, Brother Bobby finally showed up at the appointed meeting place, and we enjoyed a quick meal together before heading for the border. At the last minute, we were informed that we must have Mexican auto insurance, so we rushed off to the insurance office to take care of that little matter, and the rest of the caravan drove by and picked us up there. Our border crossing was a bit hectic. First off, our van got the red light and was supposed to pull over for inspection. As we pulled over, the Mexican officials took one look at our van and waved us on!! Praise the Lord! Now on to the border office to obtain visitor visas and permits! It was quite a feat to get all 8 Gilleys plus 7 or 8 preachers from the states through the border. We were never so glad to have David along! We finally got through the border at 3:00 PM, knowing that we had a 4 hour drive to Linares, and the services began at 7:00 PM!! What a drive that was! Mexican roads are quite interesting, especially when you are in a hurry. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery as it changed from flat land with small cactus and brush to majestic mountains and more green vegetation! We stopped at a small store for a short break and watched a little Mexican girl riding a miniature pony around the parking lot! Miraculously, we arrived at Battlefield Baptist Church in Linares at 6:58 PM......just in time to disembark and walk into the service! Weary but excited, we sang for the precious people there, and they were so receptive, even though they don't speak a word of English. Somehow, the Hallelujah Chorus seems to transcend all language barriers!! The service was entirely in Spanish, except for the American preachers who preached through a translator. The Lord is at work here in Linares. We have never met a sweeter congregation!! We finally made it to our beds around midnight, and awoke refreshed this morning for the breakfast and the morning service. We are constantly amazed at the faithfulness of God and the way that He guides our steps, and receives all the glory! Hopefully, we'll be able to continue this update later in the week. Please pray for revival in Linares, Mexico and in our hearts!! Praise His name!

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Part 2

Our hearts are full to overflowing with the blessings of God during our time in Mexico! We fell in love with the precious people there, and cannot wait to return next February. God's Spirit was so evident during the week, and He truly met with us. The morning services began at 9 AM and went until 12 or 1, with four or five preachers each morning. Usually there were several Mexican pastors who preached in the morning, as well as the visiting preachers from America. The local pastors preached with a fervency and a compassion that we don't often see here in the US. During the messages preached in Spanish, we praised the Lord for small earphones which enabled us to hear a simultaneous translation in English! On Wednesday morning, the last message was on prayer, and God came down in a special way! The altars were flooded with people weeping and praying, and many went to the men of God to ask them to pray with and for them. Our family asked Pastor Luis to pray for us, and we felt as if we were in the very physical presence of God as he prayed. Several of the sweet Mexican ladies asked Nancy to pray with them, and despite the language barrier, they shared such sweet fellowship as they came together in prayer! This prayer time lasted long into the afternoon, and lunch somehow seemed unimportant. What a blessing from the Lord!! On Thursday morning, Rick preached and David interpreted for him! How could we ever have imagined 21 years ago when we gave David to the Lord's service that he would one day be interpreting as his dad preached?! The response of the people after each service was so overwhelming. Rarely have we seen the altars full at every service. God is doing such a marvelous work there in Linares! The last night, a group of eight young men from the church sang and we were so blessed, not only by their beautiful music but by their godly lives which we had witnessed all week long. They each play the guitar, and sing for the Lord. We just wish that you all could hear them! They have recorded their first CD and we can't wait to get our hands on one!

We are so thankful and humbled by this great opportunity to minister in Linares!! We went to be a blessing and ended up receiving more blessings than we could ever give. Each morning when we returned to our rooms, we found them neat and spotless with each bed made perfectly, each room immaculate, and all the towels washed and folded. What servant's hearts the people demonstrated!! At the end of the week, they told us in our own special "sign language" that the Lord had used our family in their lives and that He had blessed their hearts. Only the Lord knows how THEY blessed US!!

Our family goal is to be able to communicate with the people by next year when we return to Linares!! Please pray that the Lord would give us diligence and wisdom as we endeavor to reach this goal!

We can't finish telling about our week without telling about the delicious food we enjoyed all week long! We told the ladies that they HAD to be the world's best cooks! Each morning we would awaken in our upstairs rooms to smell the wonderful aroma of their meals cooking on an open fire just beneath our windows! Breakfast was eggs, salsa, bacon, potatoes, and of course, tortillas! The other meals included tamales, sopes, tostadas, roasted chicken and vegetables, spaghetti, and believe it or not, T-bone steaks on the last day!! Even our pickiest eaters enjoyed these meals! All this was consumed under a huge tent behind the church building.

One thing we discovered is that Mexico is a land of contrasts. There are small alleys lined with huts and shacks, as well as huge, ornate mansions, often right next to each other! We found modern stores with small food stands set up right outside! As soon as we crossed the border, we were immediately approached at each stop light by beggars, jugglers with painted faces, and men who offered to wash the windshield while you are stopped! Crossing back into the US, there are peddlers offering you your last chance at their Mexican wares before you reach the border!!

Our last day was spent driving to the border town of Reynosa with David, enjoying lunch at El Pollo Loco, and shopping at the local market! We then dropped David at the bus station for his 24 hour ride back home to Oaxaca, and crossed over the border into reality! Our time in Mexico is over for now, but a BIG part of our hearts was left there with our brothers and sisters in Christ! Oh, how we long for that day when we will all worship Him together in Heaven, all speaking one language, and worshipping our Savior!! The Rapture is coming soon!! Even so, Lord, come quickly!!
Gloria a Dios! To God be the Glory!!