When you first arrive in Matamoros, one thing you will notice is the poor condition of the roads. Many are uneven and full of pot holes, while others are dirt roads that turn into mud lakes when it rains. It is easy to get frustrated and bogged down with all the extra trouble the mud causes. However, I am beginning to learn that God can use even something as challenging as the mud streets to bring glory to His name.

   Many of you have heard the story of how we met Rufino and Graciana two years ago because our ride had gotten stuck in the mud. God used that to open a door for ministry, and they have become a backbone to the church here. When many others have become discouraged with all the changes in the past year, Graciana and Rufino have proved faithful. God gave Rufino a dream that one day the church would be full, and he is committed to working to see its fulfillment.

   In addition to this, last week Katie and I were able to become better acquainted with Carolina, a girl from Granjas. We have known her mother for years, but Carolina has not always lived with her. This past Thursday Katie and I were visiting in Granjas, and Carolina wanted to come to a Bible study with us, so we all jumped in the jeep and headed to the next neighborhood over where it is held... but we never arrived. Since it had rained in the past week there were still large muddy sections in the streets. As we approached one, Carolina told me not to try to go through it, but I said, "I have a jeep and can get through anything" (in Spanish of course). Always be careful to say something like that! We ended up stuck in the mud for about half-an-hour until two men came and helped push us out. 

   It made for an eventful evening, and stories like this are always more fun when you tell them later than when you are living them out. Katie and Carolina ended up covered in mud (I got out clean only because I was driving the jeep), and we all had a lot of laughs along the way. Even greater than a fun story, we now have an open door to visit Carolina and bring her to church. Please pray that the Lord's will would be done in her life, and that this relationship would be for His glory. God bless!