I want to thank all of you who prayed for the Christmas party that Cruz de Gracia church in Juarez hosted last Saturday Dec. 4th for the a local high school that had been ravished by the violence in the city. Here is the report from Pr. Poncho Murguia. Be encouraged and keep praying!
It was a day of victory in all aspects!!! Victory in the lives of the members of Cruz de Gracia, "coming out of their four walls", taking the kingdom of God to where the kingdom of darkness was still entrenched. Investing beyond our local congregation to achieve transformation, expecting the kingdom of God to be manifested in this neighborhood. We had been praying for this day many days before the event. We had a beautiful warm weather; days prior to the event we had experienced very cold days. (Praise God it was a beautiful day because the festival was outside at the school yard!).The children, teachers and the principal were very blessed. We prayed for the school, for the neighborhood, for the children and their families. We blessed and claimed this neighborhood and school to God! You were all part of this work, even though you were not here physically, you were here spiritually. You were praying for us, for God's protection in our lives and our families. You were praying for these children and their families and teachers, for this neighborhood!!! You all blessed us financially sending your offerings so we could bless these families!!! We felt your support; we knew there were many praying for us. We felt protected; we felt God's peace, love and protection.Children were blessed, you will be able to read some of the testimonies. We will be sending pictures also. We are just getting everything ready. Thank you all very much and May our Lord bless you abundantly!!!
"Thank you so much for having taken into account this school for your Christmas Celebration. Our children were very happy and enjoyed the party so much!! For many of them perhaps, it will be the only gift they will have for Christmas. I wish to bring in our sincere thanks, please continue doing this kind of work. The city needs it so much.
"The parents of this generation of children are involved in drug trafficking, and are also addicted to drugs, violence and theft."
"You suddenly discover that serving others you grow. That in giving you receive. The festival was beautiful; it was a challenge going to a school in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Juarez. The faces of the children were of pure joy, very great blessing."
A success!! Much of the church members attended and served with love, mercy and grace. The tunnel of love was an opportunity to bless children and many of us were moved to tears. These children saw something different from the violence they are used to see on a daily basis. These children saw people who love God and expressed God's love to them.A first grade girl shared that her mother wanted to kill herself with a knife, her mom drinks too much alcohol and she takes drugs also. The girl (Valeria), asked for help the day her mom was trying to kill herself, the police arrived and took her mother to prison. Valeria lives with her father and grandmother. Mom is out of jail but still involved in drugs and alcohol. One of the teachers mentioned this is not the only case; sadly, they have many cases like Valeria's
The mayor mentioned, "This school is considered to have the highest number of orphans, for reasons of violence. This neighborhood is a hotspot for crime and violence! What made you all to go and make a Christmas festival to this neighborhood?"
Children were very touched, as they were coming out of the tunnel of love.
A mother of two children attending this school: "My children were at the Christmas party, they were very happy when they arrived at home!! They really enjoyed the prayer made for them, the tunnel of love, the games, play, candy, food and toys. I thank you from this gesture of love for the whole school community. God bless you all!!
