It sincerely breaks my heart when I hear reports of drug cartel violence in Mexico. Particularly the reports regarding one of my favorite places filled with some of my very favorite people, Piedras Negras. Piedras Negras (The Black Stones) is a border town located across from Eagle Pass, Texas and is about 150 miles southwest of San Antonio, Texas. It has a population of approximately 150,000. Throughout the years it has been a somewhat quiet tourist town and is famous for being the place where nachos originated. ;
Piedras Negras and its people stole my heart in April 2004 when my daughter and I drove all night from Cartersville, Georgia to Lake Charles, Louisiana; then the next day through seven tornadoes in Texas forcing us to have to stop for the rest of the day to seek shelter; and finally, almost two and a half days later we reached the border town. ;
This was my first trip to Piedras Negras and my daughter’s second. (The God-driven events leading to the trip will be shared at another time). The purpose of our trip was to aid in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts with Hands and Feet Ministries after a flood destroyed parts of the city and killed over 70 people. We were transporting medical supplies so we were very cautious at the border. Before crossing, we stopped at a convenient store in Eagle Pass to let our contacts know we had arrived and would be crossing the border. The prayer request for our safe and hassle free passage went out. With God’s help, ;and due to the circumstances surrounding our trip, the border on Mexico’s side was empty. Not a military soldier, policeman, or border patrol in sight. It was very surreal – like a ghost town.
We wasted no time heading out to the flood-ravished areas. For me, it was overwhelming. The devastation was so completely overwhelming. Yet in the midst of the destruction I was impressed with how the people of Piedras Negras responded. There were no angry protests or violent outcries for justice. No demands for food, shelter, or water. No, there was a stunning sense of peace and compassion. Peace as neighbor helped neighbor with much needed shelter and clean up efforts. Compassion as one comforted another. The people were also very eager to share their stories with us as we walked by. “El agua se elevó a aquí”, “Nuestra casa estaba alli’”, “Estábamos dormidos cuando la inundación llegó a través de las paredes”. With each step the pain in my heart grew more and more intense as we handed out food, water, cleaning supplies, tarps and linens. All items were received with gracious smiles and enduring words of appreciation. It was very humbling. ;
During our lunch break on our fourth day, one of the Mexican mission volunteers, Bascilio, told us the story of how his father-in-law had bought a new pair of Nike tennis shoes for $125.00 but never wore them for fear of messing them up. “They just sat in the closet tormenting me.” explained Bascilio. He laughed as he told of how he convinced his father-in-law to give him the shoes because he would wear them everywhere and all the time. At that moment he held up his feet to model his new Nikes. We all laughed. (“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:” Proverbs 15:13a)
The next day we went to a community that had been basically wiped out. Only a few structures remained. The people, however, stayed on their property. It was as if they feared someone would come and claim it if they left. Simple lean-tos were propped up on lots against trees and pieces of remaining structures. Clothes lines were hung everywhere with all sorts of items hanging from them to dry.
Though the barrier of language was tough, so many women would hold my hands and weep as I prayed with them. Yet, after the prayers and weeping came the smiles and hugs of gratitude. I must admit, I cried a lot too.
One particular memory is burned in to my mind and it is one the Lord uses often to remind me of my purpose and His direction for my life. It was one of those moments we Christians refer to as a “Divine Appointment”.
We had stopped to help a lady and her daughter who were frantically sweeping mud and muck out of their once beautiful stucco home. All that was left of their belongings was in the front “yard” drying in the sun. The structure of the home was still solid even though the house had been covered in water all the way up to the second story. The woman was a proud woman and refused our offer to help. I asked her if I could at least pray with her. She just smiled. So, I prayed. As we turned to walk away she grabbed my hand and prayed for me! Then she told my daughter, “Immitate su madre…..Tan dulce, tan hermosa… como luz del sol”, which the translator told us meant, “Be like your mother, so sweet, so beautiful, like sunshine.” Wow! I thanked her and gave her a hug and then both of us cried.
Out on the street, I had taken all I could possibly take. My knees buckled under me as I cried the hardest cry I could ever remember up to that point in my life. The pain in my chest was unbearable. Just as I thought I was about to collapse under all the emotional pressure I felt the sun’s rays on my face and then the warmest hand on my right shoulder. At that moment I heard the voice of God speak quietly in my soul, “Now, you know what you have to do. Go and do it.” At that moment my tears dried and my broken heart felt restored. I turned to find a man from Georgia standing there. He said, “Hi, my name is Jim and I’m here to help.”
Along with our Interpreter, the three of us walked along the street looking for people for whom we could give supplies and a little hope and encouragement. A few blocks later, I discovered a Spanish Bible in the middle of a pile of washed up rubbish. Inside the Bible were family photos. I prayed for the family and stuck the photos back in the Bible. I still have them today.
Meanwhile, back at the truck and designated meeting point, three other folks from Georgia who came with Jim met up with Bascilio and were awaiting our return. (Timing is everything!) As we approached, we witnessed Bascilio trading his prized Nikes for an old man’s torn, over-sized, rain-soaked, non-matching boots. I saw Jesus right there in Bascilio’s actions. I saw Jesus!!
Later that evening, I opted to stay in my hotel room while the others took daughter to eat and for ice-cream. I needed to be alone with God. Once again, the tears flowed and this would now become the hardest cry I had ever cried. There would be short bursts of prayer, Scripture reading, singing of old hymn songs, screaming at God, and then begging Him to forgive me. Then I would start the whole process over again. This went on for about two hours until (BAM!) the words the lady and God had spoken earlier made their way back into my heart. I knew right there in that moment exactly what she and God were trying to tell me.
I may not be the best writer or the most eloquent speaker. I may not have lots of money or any amazing talents and I am not abundantly educated in meaningless matters. But one thing I do have is compassion for the hurting and lost. I believe the smile God gave me was given to me to express a heart filled with His love and His compassion for all of His children. God sent me to Piedras Negras to show me His purpose for my life was so much more than being a good Christian with near perfect church attendance. He created me to be so much more than a wife and a mother. He did not create me to be just a “willing” servant, but also a “doing” servant. He called me to be a lover of His children. He created me to be His hands outstretched and ready to hold others up and comfort them in good times and bad. He created me to be His feet ready to run in to battle to fight and protect those who are in need. He created me to be His Ambassador equipped to share His message of hope and eternity.
How He chooses to use me is uniquely suited to how He created me for His purpose. For years I tried to fit the mold of what others thought I should do and be who others thought I should be. What a wonderful, glorious wake-up call! He created me to be so much more!
Over the years I have been questioned and even criticized for my involvement in missions both foreign and domestic. I have been asked, “How can you leave your children?” or “What kind of mother leaves her children like that?” My personal favorite is, “Does your husband really LET you go?” Even a backwoods pastor told my husband, “She left the mission field when she went to Nicaragua and left her kids at home. That’s her mission field.” One of the most worn out questions is, “How are you going to get the money to go?”
This journey has not been easy but it has been very rewarding. With each obstacle, objection, and doubt, God has cancelled out the enemy’s petitions to hold me back.
For those of you who want answers to the previous questions, here they are:
I can leave my children because I trust my husband, my family, and my friends – the body of Christ – to care for them by the grace of God. I can leave them because God gives them and me peace. It is the first thing I ask of God when He calls me to go.
My husband “lets” me go because he trusts that I only go where God sends me and in Rob’s words, “Who am I to tell God, no, You can’t use my wife?”
My mission field is where ever God places me. Period.
God is the provider of all my needs. If He is truly calling me, then He will supply the money and supplies needed for me to go. He does this mainly through gifts and donations from fellow Believers. He even used an unexpected IRS return for my first Piedras Negras trip!
I’ve returned many times to Piedras Negras since 2004. Each time God has opened up Himself even more to me and me to Him. I could write many blogs just on my first trip alone. Each trip is a unique and one-of-a-kind experience tailored made for that particular moment in time. I have even been blessed with a Mexican daughter named Lucy whom I love dearly and loves me the same.

Today, many missionaries and missions groups are turning away from Mexico out of fear due to the territory war between the drug cartels. Now, more than ever, our neighbors to the south need to be reminded of God’s great love, provision, and protection. We must demonstrate our faith in action. We must continue to walk in the faith we have professed. “JesuChristo es El Señor de Piedras Negras!” God is not finished with missions in Mexico. The devil is a liar!

;At a time when many US missionaries are pulling out or refusing to return to Mexico, we trust that God is sending us in. My daughter and I will be returning to Piedras Negras and Nava June 30-July 6. Your prayers are very important as we *prepare and go.

Now, please cover us, Hands and Feet Ministries, and the beautiful people of Mexico in prayer.

*We are gathering school & cleaning supplies, as well as 125 new or gently used backpacks. (We already have 75) We will not be taking toys, (with exception to soccer balls), food, clothing or shoes. I’m not asking you for money or supplies. That’s the Holy Spirit’s job. But I am asking for prayer. ;

2 Tim 4:16-18
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen