Pan Dulce

One Week + KidsHeart Volunteers = Lives Transformed

Today,  I have asked Dexton Shores, Director of Boder and Mexico Missions for Buckner to write about the results of a great week in the valley.

Last week, 429 volunteers representing 15 churches and two Baptist Universities converged on the Rio Grande Valley to form 14 teams. They worked 11,696 hours to transform communities by serving the needs of 3,196 colonia residents. It was KidsHeart Spring Blitz week and what a week it turned out to be! Teams ministered to the needs of poor families by building ten new houses, painting nine houses, repairing two houses, and helping with two church construction projects. They distributed clothes to over 3,000 people, food to 1,517 people, 573 pairs of shoes to children and ministered to the physical needs of 94 patients. Through evangelism projects they shared the Gospel of hope with 475 children in VBS/Backyard Bible Clubs and Sports Camps. 1,528 residents attended block parties, 142 saw the Jesus Video, 605 Bibles were distributed and at least 104 people gave their lives to Christ!

KidsHeart is a collaborative effort between Buckner and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship that allows individual families, small and large churches alike to do together what they might not be able to do individually to impact the lives of children and families living in poverty stricken border colonias with a message of hope.

The Longoria family was one of many families that experienced God’s love through the loving actions of His people. A couple of months ago, they returned from selling items at the flea market to find their house had been completely destroyed by fire. Buckner responded by immediately providing food, clothing and humanitarian aid. Last week, a team from The Crossing Baptist Church in Mesquite, aided by a family from Flatonia Baptist Church began construction of a new house for the Longorias. This family’s lives have been significantly transformed by the loving actions and generosity of God’s people.

A Native American family left their home in the valley to work as migrant workers in Washington eight years ago. When they returned home eight months ago, they discovered their house had been significantly damaged by Hurricane Dolly and thieves had stripped their home of all valuables, including windows and electrical wiring to sell it by the pound. More than 20 family members living in the house had no running water, no bathroom, and no electricity. FBC San Isidro and Buckner came together to serve this family with a new roof, water service, new electrical wiring, sheetrock and a new restroom. They were so happy and thankful expressing they had been discriminated for their traditions and said “this is the only help we have received”. They profess to be Christians and said that the light of God has come to our house.

The Olmedo family has worked on their house for eight years, but still had no stove or beds for the family of nine. FBC Plainview improved the living conditions of this family with sheetrock, insulation, electrical wiring, siding, an electric stove, a sofa and bunk beds. The dad said: “It is so hard to believe that people that don’t even know us would come and do this for my family. I do not have words to express my gratitude to God and this group. This has changed my life and the future of my children.”

What a difference a week made! You can make a difference too – contact us at bordermissions@buckner.org to see how you or your church can impact a needy border family’s life.

Go Somewhere, Be a Voice, Do Something…Missions Conference, April 25, 2009

I am writing to invite you to a missions conference coming at the end of April at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. The Buckner Go, Be, Do Missions Conference is designed to connect you with real live missions opportunities right here in Texas, along the border, and abroad.

At Buckner, we are redefining what it means to be on mission with God in the 21st century. We have a vision for taking the whole gospel, from the whole church to the whole world. We plan to showcase ministries that augment church planting and evangelism mission efforts. We will feature sessions on community ministry, adoption, business as ministry, and humanitarian aid and support, to name a few.

In a world with more than 130 million orphans in the world and issues such as poverty, disease, famine, human trafficking, and hunger, we have an enormous opportunity to preach the gospel through our actions and of course, we will use words when necessary. This conference will show you ways you can get directly involved with orphans, at-risk children, and families to make life better for them and open multiple opportunities to share the gospel.

The conference will feature concert artist Geoff Moore and Dr. Mike Stroope, professor of missions at Truett Seminary. The cost is $20 that includes lunch. The Student rate is $5 that also includes lunch.

There are two easy ways to register:  Register online at www.bucknerevents.org or call us at 800-442-4800 x8026. For more information, please visit www.buckner.org or www.itsyourmission.com .