Presbyterians to Mexico
Congregations in Dubuque are working in various ways with churches of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The first unofficial partnership began in 2001 when a planning team of people from Westminster, First, and Third Presbyterian (now named GracePoint) churches made preparations for a short-term mission trip. In 2003, a multi-generational group of 32 youth and adults traveled to the Yucatan Peninsula to help build a church and to share in children’s ministry. A larger group of 41 people returned in 2005 to help the same congregation.
The partnership has continued each year since 2005 in a variety of ways, thanks to the strong relationship of two visionary, mission-minded people—one in Dubuque and one in Cancun. Gilda Samuels (First Presbyterian Church) and Reverend Ramon Celis are the cement that holds us together.
During the week of July 11-18, 2010, GracePoint and First Presbyterian Church sponsored two Vacation Bible Schools in the Cancun area. Gilda Samuels and Beverly VanDerZyl packed some of the supplies and traveled to Mexico to help with both children's ministries. (See the Learn More link.)
A work group of 13 adults traveled to Cancun in March 2012 to help build a church with the congregation of Dios es Amor (God is Love), one of the churches that was visited last year. The power of prayer and the presence of God was evident. The group completed the anticipated amount of work in two days. With God's provision, there was enough money to buy more building supplies for the final three days of work. The congregation was encouraged to see the outside wall of their new church with the corners of each room formed along the interior of that first wall.
Please continue to pray for the increase of God's Kingdom and the building of the Body of Christ in Mexico and in Dubuque.
