Shining a LIGHT in the Rio Grande Valley

Update from leaders, Curt and Janie Rolf:

April 4, 2009

Re: 2nd Jackson St. Table Ministry – Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Dare we think the 2nd could be better than the 1st? Well, indeed it was!!!! Not only did a little girl return with a colored picture from her “Bible Story” coloring book (what a marvelous blessing) but let me tell you about Maria. One of MANY blessed individuals that God brought to the ‘Table’.

Maria came to the table in search of “Truth”. She said she went to her Catholic church; said there was singing, etc. but she felt something was missing. I asked what she might be looking for. The conversation quickly came to “Truth”. I asked if she had a Bible. She said, "Yes, a very old one." She accepted a New King James version as well as the copy of “The Gospel of Jesus Christ”, and a couple of other materials, mostly pertinent to Catholicism. She was so desperately receptive!!! She asked for prayer; I asked “for anything in particular?" She said “just every day living."

When I think of the verse about being “down-trodden”, I think of Maria. I pray God will release her from this apparent heavy bondage and one day I’ll see her again, filled with His peace and joy. What a “heavy” blessing of having the opportunity to converse with Maria and prayerfully be an encouragement.

Many shorter, similar conversations took place and we pray “NONE of God’s words will return void”, both for kids and adults.

Many Bible Story coloring books went out, opening many doors of opportunity to talk to kids and adults about creation and Jesus.

We were at the very end of the 4-block area. One, actually two ladies commented, “Isn’t it nice that the best booth was saved ‘til the last?"!!!!

Many more materials were taken from the table than last month including 6 Bibles + 2 Gideon NT/Psalms-(large print). Many more conversations were stirred. Could it be that we are a little more aware of the genuine spiritual needs and a calmness in Spirit within ourselves?

We are so grateful not only for the materials and the funding, but for several bilingual adults from our church willing to give of their time to “share Christ and Truth” with us (and the CANOPY!!)

We started and we ended our day with “this is the day that the Lord has made, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!!!

P.S. Our very first visitor from last month returned today and graciously thanked us for the case of Bibles that were given to her through the ministry God has blessed us with. She explained, through our bilingual Pastor, that she was so grateful and that the Bibles went to a friend starting a church in San Fernando, MX, a town we go through when making a ‘3-stop delivery’ to Aldama, MX. Perhaps our next trip to Aldama (Lord willing, in a few weeks) will be a ‘4-stop delivery’.

Curt and Janie Rolf
Rio Grande Valley - Texas