And, since some of you have *still* not been involved in a short term mission project ... the following is a link to some articles about groups who have come. This is just to give you a feeling of what Bud means when he says "Never a dull moment".
LATEST UPDATE Fri, 2/16/09, Here we are again, back in Pharr. I had to come back for jury duty. I have to appear tomorrow at 2:00 o'clock. We have so much pending in Altamira. It would have been nice not to have to come back, and I offered to come on the bus. But, Bud wanted to bring me, and believe me, I appreciate it. Tomorrow or Wednesday we will find out if I have to serve or not. I am sure this will be another adventure in my life if I am called for the jury. And if I do have to serve, it will be one in Bud's life too, considering how much he will need his "right hand man" when our next group starts arriving on campus the 26th. But then, our life together has always been one adventure after another. A week ago today we headed for Altamira, loaded down as usual, with all kinds of things we had collected for the Bible Institute and the 2nd little house that is under construction. We pulled through the gate of the campus about nine. When we parked the truck the students were still in the library. As soon as someone looked out and discovered that we were back they began trooping over to see us. I heard them coming and went out to greet them. "Hola Abuelo," rang out, as they trooped in. ("Hello Grandfather.") It was Dec. 12th when we left campus. Most of the students had already gone home for their semester break. When classes resumed on Jan. 26th, we were in Alabama. They were all anxious to see us and find out all about our trip. And, we were anxious to see them and hear how their plans for ministry during their break had turned out. Roberto and some friends had organized a youth retreat in the city of Pachuca to take place between Christmas and New Years. They arranged for musicians and speakers. He said he would be in charge of getting the Bibles. Thanks to a generous donation from the Southeast FWB Church in Tulsa, we just happened to have several boxes of Bibles on hand, right at the precise moment when he needed them. He happily reported that 16 young people accepted the Lord during that conference and everyone in attendance received a Bible. Martha told us, with broad smiles, how her mother-in-law, who had been so hard against the Gospel, has started reading her Bible and is turning away from the many traditions and superstitions she has clung to for her whole life. The mother-in-law has even begun to speak to her daughter about what the Bible says! This is a major breakthrough. It is only through your faithful prayer and support that we get to be a part of all this. God bless you richly for what you do.
Following protests at several international bridges and a shootout in Reynosa: --- Wed, 2/18/09, Just a note regarding the violence in Reynosa yesterday. It appears to have all started with a protest at the bridges either over the price of diesel, increased taxi fares, or who knows what else. It is suspected that a drug cartel hired the protesters as a diversion. There have been some large drug busts lately. President Calderon has made that his goal in life, to stop the drug traffic. There is terrible drug traffic all along the border, especially in the large cities. There are two or more drug cartels that fight for territory in those areas. Any major highway from the interior out to the border is heavily traveled. One sees lots of Federal police along the way stopping and searching suspicious looking vehicles and individuals. There are known drug dealers that stand across the street from the elementary, junior high, and other schools. I believe that is also a problem in Tulsa. Be that as it may, we are not afraid. We try to use good judgment. We certainly avoid the protests. We try to avoid traveling at night. When we are out on the streets going to and from church we have a van load of students with us. And, of course, none of this stuff happens in church. Just keep us in your prayers and we will try to be wise in our travel. If this keeps one group from crossing the border to bless God's people in Mexico Satan will have won another victory. Please do pray for my little mother Mrs. Willie Gage, she worries about us. God bless you as you serve in your own dangerous field. Ruth
And, since some of you have *still* not been involved in a short term mission project ... the following is a link to some articles about groups who have come. This is just to give you a feeling of what Bud means when he says "Never a dull moment". 
