Joint worship service in Mexico shows
valley area churches ‘wonderful time’

By the Rev. Cindy Layton
Pastor of Christ UMC, Kingsville/Riviera UMC
On the morning of Oct. 27, my husband, Ian, and I were up early and on the road by 7. The reason for our early morning trip was the opportunity to participate in a joint worship service held in Reynosa, Mexico.
We left Kingsville and arrived in McAllen at about 9 a.m. When we drove into the parking lot of First UMC, McAllen, we met other members of valley area churches. There were members from First UMC and from El Mesias UMC, Mission. (Please forgive me if I left anyone out.)
We all met in the parking lot and then loaded into the church van and Southwest Texas Conference Volunteer in Mission/Disaster Coordinator Susan Hellums’ SUV to drive to Reynosa for worship. This was a joint venture with the Mexican Methodist Churches along the frontera (border) and the McAllen District Churches. We had a wonderful time.
We were warmly received at Iglesia Metodista El Buen Pastor in Reynosa by a group of church members. We tried to speak Spanish and they tried to speak English and all in all we got along just fine.The Pastor and lay people from El Buen Pastor were very gracious.
We worshipped together with music and the preached word and a presentation by some students from a school for those who are deaf and mute. As their teacher sang, the four young students signed the words for us. It was very inspiring.
Following worship, we were given a tour of the medical clinic that is run by the Methodist Church and told about all the future expansion plans. We saw with our own eyes the changes of the facility and the enlargement that is already taking place.
Many people are helped everyday by that clinic and the Lord continues to bless their efforts.
After the clinic tour, we went back to the church and were served a wonderful and filling meal. This was the best part of the whole day (for me) because we all were sitting together and sharing with one another. The language barrier was overcome, and the communion of the Saints took place.
I was privileged to sit next to a gentleman who works with the children from the school. We laughed and shared as he practiced his English skills on me and I responded to him in Spanish. It is always such a blessing to realize that with Christ there are no barriers. Wherever we go, when we encounter other believers, the Spirit of the Lord takes over and blessings overflow.
Though the day was long for my husband and me, we thoroughly enjoyed our time sharing with old friends and making new ones. I realized, once again, how small the world is and how much we really do have in common. I also thank the Lord for Christians who are serving faithfully all over the world and for the opportunity to work hand in hand with some of them. To God be the glory!