WIDOWS, ORPHANS, THE ELDERLY, AND THE NEEDY

MARIA, 96 YEARS OLD, WITH HER HUSBAND OF 72 YEARS JUAN, 87.



Christmas time was fast approaching and I wanted to do something special for some very special people.  Many times in Scripture the Word admonishes us to look after the widows and orphans.  In Juarez, Mexico you don't have to look very hard to find plenty of them.  After several years of violence the City is filled with widows and orphans. There are so many that the thought of reaching all of them is mind boggling but that should not stop us from doing something.  So I asked Pastor Roberto and Pastor Lourdes to help me reach out to a few families that I knew. We would prepare something very special for these families. Something that they will never forget.

HAPPY FACES

PASTOR LOURDES AND HER 2 GIRLS

I know of two widows who are 31 and 34 years old.  Between the two they have 13 kids.  One of them is Celestina, who lives in a borrowed house that was big enough for a great outreach. I visited her and planned the event. She also knew of another widow, also very young, who had 4 girls.  I asked her to invite her. We set a date and I began to prepare with the help of Pastor Roberto and his family.  Missionary Susan Kirk, of Thru His Mercy Ministries, serving in the Cities of Matamoros and Reynosa, Mexico had given me more than enough presents to give to all the orphan children and the widows. Pastor Roberto and his family prepared all the gifts by separating them into the appropriate ages and gender.  They also wrapped them beautifully.

So we had three full hours packed with singing, Bible stories, face painting, animal balloons, hot food, hot chocolate, soft drinks, a clown, games, gifts for all, and haircuts.   



CELESTINA AND PART OF HER FAMILY

SWEET MOMENTS

Pastor Lourdes works as a beautician, so I asked her if she would be willing to cut hair.  Even though she has many financial difficulties she was willing to take a Saturday off, her busiest day, to go with us to cut hair.  The event was set to start at 2pm but I dropped off Pastor Lourdes off at Celestina's house at 10am because she had more than 20 haircuts to do.

Along with the food that we ate at Celestina's I left 100 pounds of rice, 100 pounds of beans, and 50 pounds of potatoes to divide up between the families. I also took plenty group and individual pictures to develop in El Paso, place in frames, and return to each family as another gift. 

Before we started at 2pm Celestina asked me if she could invite an elderly couple who lived close to her.  I fell in love with them the moment I saw them.  Their names are Juan and Maria.  When I first met them I asked how long they had been married.  Maria answered me. She said 72 years.  I thought that she misunderstood me so I repeated the question. I told them that I didn't mean how old she was, but how long they had been married.  Juan answered me this time.  He said that they had been married for 72 years.  My next question immediately was about their age.  Juan said that the "old lady" was 96 but he was only 87.  He accused her of robbing the cradle.  Later Juan danced with the children.  Maria clapped and smiled.  What an incredible couple!!

It was a very memorable day for the kids and the moms.  It was exactly what we wanted to do.  Thanks to the Lord and to all who support the work in Juarez. 



ELVIA AND HER 4 DAUGHTERS

SUSANA AND HER FAMILY

Almost 2 weeks later Celestina borrows a phone and calls me.  She asked me to please come over.  A man just up the street was having epileptic seizures and no one had money to buy his medicine.  I quickly got the medicine and brought it to Celestina.  But she wanted me to go with her to the man's house and pray for him.  I met and prayed for Armando, a worship leader at a church.  Then Celestina also wanted me to pray for another member of the family.  She was in the room when I prayed for Armando.  Her name is Conchita.  I asked them what Conchita's problem was.  They said that no one knew because she doesn't speak and there was no money to take her to the doctor.  Conchita stays in bed most of the day and sometimes she ventures out into the living room and just sits there staring at the floor.  Conchita's son is married to Armando's daughter but she lives with Armando and his wife.  No one knew Conchita's age or even her last name, because...Conchita does not speak.  

CELESTINA WITH HER OLDEST DAUGHTER

I went over and sat by Conchita.  She didn't look at me.  I put my right hand over her shoulder and prayed a simple prayer.  Then I took her by the chin and looked at her face.  Her eyes looked well.  I asked her for her age.  She clearly said that she was 52 as she turned to look at me.  I turned around to look at the ones who had just told me that Conchita did not speak and their mouths were hanging open.  I turned back to Conchita and asked her last name.  Clearly she said that it was Hernandez.  I turned around again.  This time the group behind me was crying.  I asked Conchita if she would go outside with me for a walk.  She agreed and so we went.  The group cried more as we headed out the door.  Conchita and I spoke of many things as I held her by the hand and walked slowly.  I asked her what her favorite food was.  She told me and I made arrangements to get it for her that day.  I told her that I wanted to bring her a gift next time I came.  She asked for a pair of sneakers and gave me the size.  We returned inside the house and the teary mob was still...crying.

Celestina got back in the car so that I could take her back home.  She stared at me with tears still in her eyes and asked me if I realized what happened back there.  I really wasn't sure but I knew that the Lord had worked a miracle in Conchita's life.  She wiped her tears and soon she was getting down off my car.  But I remembered that I had all the pictures of party we had at her house about two weeks earlier.  Many of them were framed and I gave her many extras.  She saw them and fell apart all over again.  Through her tears and with loss of breath all she could say over and over again was, "Oh, my brother, my brother, my brother..."  Her kids came out and found their mom weeping almost uncontrollably.  The became worried.  I reassured them that their mom would be just fine in a few minutes.  I left and went back to what I was doing before the phone call.  I drove very slowly trying to put all the pieces together and give thanks to our great God who cares about the poorest of the poor and the neediest of the needy.

A few days later I returned with a brand new pair of white and blue sneakers for Conchita.  She put them on and we went out for our second walk together.  This time I let her do most of the speaking.



AND FINALLY.....CONCHITA.

Many people feel sorry for me because I live in Juarez.  Two weeks ago I visited a friend who was visibly shocked that I was back in Arkansas.  He was very frank and told me that he thought that I would never return alive.  But I have not given up anything to be in Juarez.  I have gained so much!  Meeting people like Maria and Juan, seeing the happy faces of children who have been traumatized by life, seeing widows smile again, walking with Conchita and holding her hand, knowing that I have a team of prayer warriors behind me, and walking hand in hand with Jesus makes my life nothing but a pure joy. 

A great many thanks to all who make it possible for me to serve in Juarez, Mexico.  My prayer is that 2013 will be another great year for all as we experience God's blessings on our lives so that we may keep bringing the gospel message to the ends of the Earth. 

Happy New Year to all.


Daniel



P.S. Double click on the pictures for enlargement.




Daniel Torres
11985 Pellicano
Ste. G, Box 169
El Paso, Texas 79936

1-501-827-7679


For tax deductible contributions:
Covenant Fellowship
P.O. Box 8126
Searcy, Arkansas 72145









 




























 

 

 

 

 



WHEN THE SUPERNATURAL MEETS THE NATURAL

 

                   This will not be a course on casting out demons. I merely want to share another face to face encounter that I had with the powers of darkness this week. I have had these confrontations in the past and no two of them has been exactly the same. I will share some observations and personal opinions on the subject. But for now it is imperative that the reader understand that these things are real TODAY and they are to be taken very seriously.

 

Some people argue that demonic possession only happened during Bible times. We ARE still in Bible times (see also Mark 16:15). The book of Acts is still being written. It is in Chapter 19 of that same book that we read the account of the 7 sons of Sceva (verses 13-16). They attempted to cast out a demon from a man but they were unable to because they did not have the power of the Lord in their lives, nor did they know Him. The demon jumped on them and left them wounded and naked. So actually the demon did come out of the man but only temporarily and only to do harm to these 7 brothers. Rule 1: you must know the Lord, His promises, and be able to act in faith.

 

Today, it is fashionable, especially for young adults to dabble in the occult. Hollywood has helped to stitch this subject into the fabric of everyday life. The occult is portrayed as exciting, fun, new age, unharmful, and stylish. But it is real and it is not a game.

The Devil is recorded right at the onset of the Scriptures, but he was around long before that. He and his demons are out for destruction, while Jesus' desire is to bring us abundant life (see John 10:10).

Ephesians 6:10 teaches that our struggles and battles are of a spiritual nature and origin. Therefore the flesh and blood (the people, or the visible things) that bring these things on our lives are being used as the vehicles that bring on these spiritual wars. So as we understand that our "wrestling" is spiritual, we must know how to go into combat in a spiritual sense, not physical. Entire libraries can be written on this subject. For now here are the details of this week.

 

 

I was at Pastor Roberto Nuñez church working on some last minute

details for an outreach that I had planned for that afternoon. Just before I left we heard some screaming outside. We also heard many dogs barking. We went outside to check and just a few houses away there was a young girl laying on the sidewalk.

She was screaming. Her mom was with her. She also was screaming and crying. All around them there were about 6 or 7 dogs barking. The girl's 7 year old brother, Carlito, was also standing over his sister. Carlito was crying and very confused. Pastor Roberto and I went over and immediately knew that the girl was demon possessed. She was on the ground like a fish out of water. Her step dad came and helped us hold her down. We immediately began to rebuke the demon in Jesus' name but I began to realize that this one was not going to be an easy one. It was taking 3 men to hold her down and we were having a difficult time doing that. At one point she coughed up a centipede-looking animal about 4 inches long, about 3/4 inch wide and flat. It began to crawl away but the step dad put on end to it's life with his shoe. The demon spoke to us in a hideous and loud voice as white foam filled the girls mouth and she continued to bounce and squirm.

 

To the mom: "Why are you crying for her, you don't even love her"?

 

To all of us: "I am taking all of you to hell with me."

 

My response: "I am a child of God. You are not taking us anywhere, you are a liar."

 

To me, as the girl's finger pointed to me: "I am not a liar, Jesus is the liar."

 

Me: "So you admit that He exists. You are defeated. You have already lost".

 

To me, again pointing at me: "I have not lost. She is mine. She gave herself to me. She is mine. Jesus is the one who lost".

 

Me: "We will see who lost. You are defeated". He growls back.

 

We kept up with the struggle, the streets are filled with neighbors, and we decided to carry the girl inside the church. As soon as she crosses the threshold into the church she passes out. We continued to command the demon to leave, more squirming, more foam. After about an hour her face is filled with the look of peace, she is relaxed, and she smiles a bit. She sits up. Her hair is a mess. She looks slightly embarrassed. She wonders where she is at. We begin to speak to her and her family. Soon we are leading her to the Lord in prayer. She informs us that she can see Jesus standing inside the church. Her words: "Jesus loves me so much, oh, how He loves me. I will serve Him all my life". He voice was very tender and sweet. Just the opposite of when she had the demon.

 

In time I have to leave to get ready for the 5pm outreach along with Pastor Roberto and his family. The girl, her name is Yahaira, leaves with her family.

 

As it turned out when we got to the neighborhood where I was doing the outreach I find out that the President of that particular Colonia, neighborhood, had forgotten to announce to the people that I was coming that afternoon. I decided to head back to the Pastor's church. I was a bit disappointed but I also knew that God had everything under control.

 

Ironically we got back to the church at the same time that Yahaira's family were bringing back her home. As they began to approach their house Yahaira began screaming again. This time she was able to see demons in the house. We brought her to the church so she could rest. She was exhausted from the fight she had earlier. Again, as she crossed the threshold into the church she passed out. I felt that her spirit at this time was very sensitive to the spiritual world and the presence of God in the church was enough for her to fall under the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

The pastor and I went to her house to look it over and pray for it. The house was filled with idols. Idols are doors for demonic forces to operate. I showed all of them to the step father and told him that those things must leave. Later he started to remove them.

 

The next morning, Wednesday,  I had a busy day planned. But at the end of the day I received a call from the Pastor. Trouble was brewing again and he wanted me to come. I was on the other side of town and it would be a while before I could be there.

 

When I finally got there I was told that Yahaira had visited an 18 year old young lady who lived with her parents right next door to the church. Before long both of them began to manifest demonic activity. Yahaira was brought to the church and the 18 year-old stayed home.

 

Pastor Roberto found himself in a fix. He had two demon-possessed girls and he was alone. He stayed with the 18 year-old for a while but when he got back to the church Yahaira was dead. He mother was standing over her screaming and weeping. Yahaira was blue, she was getting cold very fast, there was no pulse, and had no breath in her lungs. But Pastor Roberto decided that no demon was going to do this in his watch. He got on his knees and breathed the breath of life back into her lungs. He blew into her nostrils... "In the mighty name of Jesus...arise".  Yahaira came back to life immediately. When I got there she was sitting with her family waiting for the Wednesday night services to begin.

 

The family next door got desperate and called in a professional exorcist, some people call the witches, to work with their 18 year-old daughter, but she just made things worse. And they are there to make a profit. Eventually Pastor Roberto was asked to visit them so that their daughter may be free from the demonic presence. And she was delivered.

 

Pastor Roberto has struggled recently with his church. One of the men in his church was killed and most of his 70 members left the church for fear. About a dozen of the 70 remain. I believe that this experience, that most of the neighborhood saw, will be used of God to restore his church. Pastor Roberto is close to my heart and he is a wonderful man and Pastor. It is in his church that I started the second lunchroom in Juarez. Last week 74 people were fed there.  

 

I will continue to visit with Yahaira and her family. They plan on coming to church when the doors are open and even when they are not. The Pastor told them that the doors are always open.

 

Pray for Yahaira, her family, and the other 18 year-old and her family. Also pray for Pastor Roberto Nuñez and his work in this community. And, of course, I always covet your prayers.

 

 

 

 

In closing I want to share another remarkable story that also happened this week: I had a 38 year old Christian woman on the fast to pass her gall stones. She was about to go into surgery but when I found out about it I offered her the treatment for the stones. Eventually she passed a few hundred stones, but she continued with abdominal pains. Her Doctor couldn't come up with an answer for the pain. Exploratory surgery would be an option. But then one day at work she had to go to the restroom and, after an extended stay in the restroom, she got up and was shocked to see what she had passed. It was a long animal. She called her mom, who works at the same place, and they decided to retrieve it and take it to the Doctor. The Doctor told her that the 1 inch in diameter and 32 inch long "thing" would have eventually killed her. But her fast for the gall stones caused it to be passed. He stated that it eats up the intestinal walls until the person dies. She has intestinal damage but with about a year of medication she should be fine.

 

 

 

I can't thank those who support me enough for keeping me in this ripe field. There is no greater blessing than seeing changed lives by the power of God. A million thanks to all.

 

 

 

 

Daniel Torres

11985 Pellicano 

Ste. G. Box 169

El Paso, Texas 79936

d_torres53@yahoo.com

1-501-827-7679

 

 

I want to continue to stress that there are various work opportunities for those who wish to come down for a few days or a few weeks. If you prefer to stay on the U.S. side and not go into Juarez there is plenty of work in El Paso to be done. We really need a lot of help to continue to bless and reach out to the City of Juarez and the rest of Mexico. I can help accommodate a small team or a family in very nice facilities in El Paso. Give me a call.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOUCHING HUNDREDS OF LIVES...ONE AT A TIME.

We only met a few times to prepare for a major outdoor event in Juarez, Mexico. There were 10 such events throughout the City of Juarez, Mexico last Saturday, November 17th. I could only be part of one of them. Pastors from the area around where we held the campaign, one of the ministerial alliances, and myself planned on a few thousand coming out to this outreach. Little by little, more and more things were added to make this event as special and productive for God's kingdom as possible.

We had a special program for children, free haircuts given by volunteers, free food to take home(out of my budget 100 lbs. of beans, 100 lbs. of rice, and 100 lbs. of potatoes were donated), free food to eat on the premises, a large table was set up for free legal counsel, free New Testaments and Gospel of John booklets, and free dental check-ups. We had face painting, which is a kid's favorite (before we left, the place looked like an old Indian movie).

 I was volunteered to do animal balloons for the kids. But before leaving the house that day I decided to take the reading glasses that I bring to churches to help those people whose eyes have become too weak to read the scriptures. The reading glasses also help some kids whose eyes have already began to fail and who are also failing in school due to poor eyesight. I brought the small table that I carry with the reading glasses and I set up immediately. But before the 2pm hour when we were due to start a line began forming for the glasses. I failed to think that I was not going to a church where 30 or 40 people would need glasses. This outreach was for a few thousand people. Suddenly I realized that I could not do the "promised" balloons for kids and the distribution of glasses. I needed help! I asked for assistance and immediately had 3 Pastors come to my aid. I gave them the basic pointers in handing out glasses and started with the balloons since no one else knew how to make animal balloons (I will hold a training session before the next outreach). It turned out that the longest line was the one for glasses. The line for food was the second longest. No less than 50 people remained on the line for glasses the whole 3 hours we were serving the community. I estimated that we gave out 500 to 600 pairs of glasses. One of the Pastors who worked the "glasses line" told me that he estimated about 1,000 glasses were given away. (I get the glasses at less than $1 each). If we gave out 1,000 glasses, then the Lord multiplied them because I did not have that many. I have witnessed the Lord multiply food before, this is a first for glasses. I always get watery eyes when I see a happy child with his new glasses and the contentment they feel to know that their school grades will soon change. I did the animal balloons right next to the reading glasses station, so I witnessed the blessings of the glasses. I was speechless when a lady, probably 40 years old, told me that she would not have to give up her factory job now because she could see the small parts she has to work with. Jobs in Juarez are very hard to get. Her joy reminded me of 84 year-old Maria who received a used pair of bi-focal glasses last year. Maria went to her daughter, then her grand kids. She would hold their faces in her hands as if she had never seen them before. She would tell them that she had forgotten how beautiful they were. Maria's world opened up in front of her, again.

BEFORE WE ACTUALLY STARTED KIDS WERE WAITING

CROWD BEGINS TO ARRIVE

I couldn't believe the excitement of many just to be getting a free haircut. We know that many go to bed hungry so it was specially wonderful to give out food. The smiles on children's faces who were getting a puppy balloon was priceless. Once in a while I would spot a teenager and hand them a balloon. They would be too embarrassed to get on line for a balloon. When I approached them with a balloon their whole face would light up.

THE FRONT OF THE LINE FOR GLASSES. I HAD MORE IN THE CAR

BROTHERS DECIDE OWNERSHIP OF THE BALLOONS

I witnessed many blessings that day. I was over-joyed to see Pastors from many different churches and denominations come together and work side by side. Love was the glue that held that wonderful day together(I am planning a re-union of those Pastors with a real nice meal on December 8th). Many children's lives were changed by the kids program. We had 39 people offer their lives to the Lord. And we had 600 people who registered for someone to visit them at their homes to tell them more about Jesus. Oh, My!!!

This is what the gospel is all about. Reaching lives for Christ and His eternal Kingdom. The church MUST get out of its four walls. How can we let our lights shine if we lock ourselves up? How can the world taste the salt of the earth if we remain inside the salt shaker? The Apostle Paul said, "I am not ASHAMED of the Gospel, because it is the POWER of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16).



LINE TO REGISTER TO HAVE MINISTERS VISIT THEM

LINE FOR GLASSES

The last blog entry that I sent out was about the impact that a small gift had on my life. We are trying to impact the lives of children as well as adults here in Juarez. We are harvesting many souls, in others we are planting seeds of love. A person, especially a child, who is blessed by our work will have a strong seed of the love of Jesus planted in their hearts. Nothing we do for Jesus is ever wasted, even if NO immediate results are seen. Maybe someday that child will will end up in jail as an adult, or walk down the street thinking about how destroyed their lives are. Suddenly the Holy Spirit will bring back a memory. A memory of when someone blessed them in the name of Jesus. They will see a church and remember that years before someone from a church blessed them to tears. They will remember a minister who simply gave them a penny balloon with a big smile. Or a plate of food, or a hug, or....whatever!!! 

SIDE OF THE TRAILER FOLDS DOWN TO A STAGE

WE LOST COUNT OF THE HAIRCUTS. ONE LADY DID 39.

This is the Power of the Gospel. We may or may not see fruits now, but the wheels of the Gospel have begun to turn. And fruit is always guaranteed wherever there is love shared in His name.

Many thanks to everyone who sacrifices to make all this happen. I can't thank you properly or enough. But there is One who promises that He will reward a cup of water given in His name. So how much more will He reward a greater sacrifice than water?

VERY HANDY STAGE. TRAILER BELONGS TO THE MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE. SEE THE DENTIST, FAR BACK.

Some say that Juarez is where the Devil abides. Hell itself. I live in Juarez. I am not ruled by fear because I serve The lord of Hosts, who is much more powerful than the Devil. Goliath walked towards David, but David ran to Goliath. Everyone thought that David's victory would be impossible. Yet, within minutes Goliath was on his back because a little boy believed in a big God. David said that the battle was not his, but that it was God's. The battle in Juarez is not mine. The victory is NOT impossible. We will be victorious here. We need fearless warriors to take part in this dream that God has given me to annihilate this little gi-ant. 

I want to close with a theme song that I have for Juarez. It is titled THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM. But the dream is only impossible to those who do not know my Lord and His promises. We need more men and women to become part of that dream. That Possible Dream.


God's richest blessings on all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGsYrpejAYw&feature=related

If the site does not open go to youtube looking for The Impossible Dream by Luther Vandross.




Daniel Torres
11985 Pellicano
Ste. G, Box 169
El Paso, Texas 79936

1-501-827-7679
d_torres53@yahoo.com




Double click on the pictures to enlarge.

THE LOVE OF A BUG

I want to share a story that I wrote for the Christmas issue of Searcy Living Magazine, in Searcy, Arkansas a couple of years ago. Many of you have already read this personal story but I wanted to refresh your memory because it will tie in with the next blog story that I will be writing.  

                                                                                        THE LOVE OF A BUG
                                                                                                                       By: Daniel Torres

We lived in a tiny house. The yellow tongue-in-groove boards on the outside could also be seen from the inside. We had no interior walls. Pictures were hung directly on the 2 X 4s that supported the little house. I often used the missing knots on the boards to spy on the outside world. It was an adventure that needed no props. I was barely five years old. The year was 1958. The town was Mayaguez, third largest city on the west coast of Puerto Rico.

We were dirt poor. The neighbors around us were dirt poor, also. Everyone did what they had to do to scratch out a living. There was no shame in being poor; we had plenty of company. Father was always gone working as a maintenance man at the University, so I would entertain myself for hours with a stick, kicking a can, or fishing. Yes, fishing. I would take a pin and bend it, take some thread, wrap it around the head, and dip it in the shallow creek that ran behind the little yellow house. I never caught anything but it kept me occupied. I saw others doing it. Years later I realized that it would have helped if I had put bait on my homemade hook.

The Spirit of Christmas was in the air. Folks talking about it and the music coming through the radios of passing cars were obvious hints. Our family did not have any money to spend on such luxuries. About the best that we had was a special holiday meal. But one afternoon my father came home and told me that he had registered my name in town, and that I could possibly be getting a Christmas gift. My world changed. The day that we were to drive into town to pick up my gift could not come soon enough. In those days, before the world became smaller with our current technology, Christmas was celebrated on January the 5th. We did not welcome Santa Claus, but the three Wise Men.

Children would go out the day before and gather grass, tie it in a small bundle and put it under the bed with a bowl of water. This would feed the camels while the jolly Wise Men dropped their gifts under their beds. Christmas had taken on a new meaning to a five year old. I hardly slept the night before. And finally the day arrived. My gift was not under my bed, but it had been left in an auditorium.

We drove into town. Father led me by the hand into a large auditorium that was filled with other children and parents. Names were being called out over a loud speaker. We sat down and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally I heard my name come across the thunderous speakers. It was my whole, entire name. I did not know what to do then, but father led me by the hand to the front where a lady reached behind her and pulled something out of a box. It was not wrapped. And I didn't care!! I believe Father went through the usual formalities of, "What do you say, son?" I'm sure I said something or it would have been the switch when I got home, but I was awestruck. In the palm of my hand was the most beautiful, brand new, shiny, candy-apple red Volkswagen Beetle a boy ever put his gaze on. It was my only Christmas present that year. But who needed anything else? It was my treasure. All mine. I couldn't have been happier if you had given me a real one. Life was good.

I can still close my eyes and see it. I can still smell the Three-In-One oil aroma that it gave. That gift was so special to a five year old little boy that it helped to forever stamp the memory of those days into my heart. I would spend hours just staring at it. It fit my hand from finger tip to wrist. Today, it would only sit on my palm.

Fifty-one years later, it still brings me joy and floods me with the memories of those simple days. Not a Christmas season goes by that I don't think about that particular part of my life. Many times I have sat in my living room staring at the bounty of treasures under the Christmas tree for my own three daughters and smiled as I thought of the greatest Christmas gift I have ever received. My little bug affected my adult life, too.

My life has gone in many directions since those simple days. When I was ten years old, my mother, who was living in New York City, sent my father a plane ticket for me and my brother to join her there. I grew up in the complexities of that major city. By the time I was out of high school, my family had decided to move back to Puerto Rico, but I decided to stay and continue my education. Yes, I was a young teenage man living in the big city without family, but I survived it, thank God. After joining the U.S. Air Force, I was stationed at Blytheville A.F.B. for almost four years. Eventually, I would take up residence in Searcy. Yet, with all those complexities of life, the simplicity of those early days never left my heart.

For the past five Christmases I have gone to Juarez, Mexico, to bring gifts to poor children, and even adults. Most of these children would not have anything for Christmas were it not for the generosity of folks from the Searcy area who help to make this possible. And, as usual, the gospel message is packaged together with their gift. It is the most important part of the gift. I always see in their faces the joy of what I imagine my face looked like 51 years ago. I guess it's my way of saying thanks to that wonderful stranger who in 1958 forever changed my life with a gift of love. Oh, and by the way, as I write this story, next to my laptop sits the a perfect replica of my Red Beauty. Life is wonderful. Merry Christmas, Everyone.

 

 

Daniel Torres

11985 Pellicano

Ste. G Box 169

El Paso, Texas 79936

 

1-501-827-7679

d_torres53@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A ROLLER COASTER...OF EMOTIONS.

MY NEW FRIEND CHUY

                  I have used the expression "emotional roller coaster" several times in my writings.  This blog entry may show what I mean by that expression.  There are usually times of extreme joy followed by times of hard pain.  Sometimes there is an emotional crash when the joy and the pain are experienced at the very same time.  It's a time when something absolutely wonderful and something very sad occurs at the same time.  What do you do then?  How do you respond? I am reminded of Jesus dying on the cross.  There was pain and sorrow like man has never known before, yet it was the greatest victory that Heaven and Earth could ever experience.  Life on the mission field is full of such emotions. Here are some examples:


A NEW ROOF



A HAPPY PASTOR ENRIQUE

OLD ROOF...NEW ROOF

NEW ROOF ALMOST FINISHED

Pastor Enrique Ramirez' church, Cristo Es La Repuesta, has been without a roof for a very long time.  The church needed $2,500 to put up the roof and a main entry door.  I mentioned that in a past blog entry and a young family in Arkansas decided to take on the project.  They sent money and I had the joy of announcing the blessing to the entire church, seeing the happy faces, handing the money to the Pastor, and watching the roof start to go up. I don't know if there's a happier Pastor and congregation in Juarez.


EATING PIG SLOP



CHUY STANDING IN FRONT OF HIS "DOOR"

CHUY, EUNISA, AND TITA

Just last week I met a man by the name of Mister Chuy ( Don Chuy in Spanish. Chuy is a nickname for those whose name is Jesus, a very common name in Spanish countries). Don Chuy is very poor.  He is also a diabetic. He lives less than 3 feet from a pig pen. I found out that he is so poor that when the pigs are fed, and the owner leaves, Chuy reaches in and helps himself to some of the pig slop. His tiny shack is made out of scrap wood and pallets. His bed is made of wood and his blanket is a blue plastic tarp. A neighbor lets him run an electric cord out to his place so that he can use his hot plate to warm up the slop. I saw a small bag of special flour for him to make his own tortillas. The shack is about an 8 X 8, the ceiling touched my head, and the floor is dirt. The shack has no door, but a small piece of wood to cover the opening which is only about 18 inches wide by about 36 inches tall. There is no heat in the shack (I thought about that last night as the temperatures in Juarez were close to freezing). The smell is very unpleasant due to the pigs. Chuy wears two different style shoes.

Spanish American Evangelistic Ministries (S.A.E.M.), in El Paso, has been giving me bread on a regular basis to take into Juarez. Chuy, and his neighbor, Eunisa, have been the recipients of some of the bread. Eunisa is also very poor and she uses a walker to get around. I plan to see them on a regular basis and help them as much as possible. I have some clothes and blankets to take to them next time. 

Something that always amazes about most people who are as poor as Chuy is their generosity. They know how terrible it is to be in their condition and they have compassion for others who are as needy. Last week I gave Chuy 3 coins of 10 pesos each (about $2.50U.S. total). He held them in his hands and handed me back one of the coins while telling me to give that to some of the other poor folk in the area. He wanted them to have assistance also. Chuy would never have a hard time tithing.


COLONIA GRANJAS UNIDAS

Colonia Granjas Unidas is a section of Juarez that I just recently have come to know. I consider it to be very lovely due to the hills in the neighborhood, but it is still very poor and trash abounds. The Colonia, or neighborhood, is in serious need of a church. I will be looking into that very closely. I have already spoken to the president of the Colonia and the Lord has given me favor with her. I have taken food to her at the Community Center and together we have handed it out amongst some of the poor. She has given me permission to hold services at the Community Center. I need to meet with her to make arrangements for that.

This past Sunday, on my way to another Colonia to preach, I stopped again by Colonia Granjas Unidas to visit Susana. I just met her last week. I found out that Susana and her husband were raising pigs in order to pay for a much needed gall bladder surgery. Lately she has been in extreme pain. I know how to get rid of gall stones without surgery, so I was bringing her everything that she needed for the treatment. While I was there her husband followed me out to my car and spoke to me about the Lord. He was very interested in the things of God so I told him that I would visit again soon and spend the entire day with him. He was very happy about that. God opens these doors all the time.



A COUPLE OF HOMES AT GRANJAS UNIDAS

GRANJAS UNIDAS

A couple of weeks ago I was allowed by the kindergarten teacher in this Colonia to come in and speak to the children about Jesus. As I was speaking I turned around to look at the teacher and she was in tears. I was able to minister to the kids, the teacher, and one of the moms that came to pick up her kids.


OUTDOOR SERVICE AT GRANJAS UNIDAS

In all, I have made a number of friends at this humble Colonia and it would be an ideal place for a team from the U.S. to come and spend several days ministering and enjoying this lovely place. I could say more about this Colonia, but I'll save that for another time. 


LUNCHROOMS

The two lunchrooms that I supply with food are going well. The kids are being ministered to as well as some parents. It's hard to believe that in 2012 there are still children and adults going to bed hungry. The stories about about the two lunchrooms are many. 

CARLITO



KIDS ENJOYING A FREE MEAL.

For now I will briefly mention a 7 year old boy named Carlito, who is brought by his mom to one of the lunchrooms. Carlito's mom spoke to me about Carlito's speech. His speaking skills are lacking for a child his age. Although Carlito looks very sweet and well behaved, he has fits of rage and anger. As with tens of thousands of children in Juarez and other Cities, Carlito suffered the loss of his father in the violence in Juarez. Some children have even personally witnessed the death of a parent. These kids, like Carlito, need professional psychological help, along with the remaining parent, and the new father or mother figure, if there is one. If left untreated, children like Carlito have a very bleak future.

BIBLES


PASTORS RECEIVING STUDY BIBLES

I still buy and hand out Bibles every chance I get. Recently, Bety Garcia, director of S.A.E.M. in El Paso (the same ministry that has given me bread, medical supplies, and clothing to take to Juarez) gave me 3 really nice study Bibles and asked me to give them to any Pastor that might need them. There are an untold number of Church leaders in Juarez that are without good study material so finding 3 would be no problem. At the last Pastor's meeting that I attended I announced that I would give out the Bibles to the first 3 Pastors to raise a hand. More than three hands went up but the first 3 got one. It was Pastors Lourdes, Agustina, and Dionisio. It broke my heart to see Pastor Dionisio's reaction when I handed him his new Study Bible. He cupped his face in his hands and began to weep. A few minutes later he raised one of his hands to the heavens and began to thank God for an answer to prayer. His new Study Bible was his new treasure. 


SATURDAY'S OUTREACH

This coming Saturday a group of churches is having ten separate outdoor outreaches in different parts of the City. I am strongly involved in one of them. For this particular outreach I am donating 100 pounds each of rice, beans, and potatoes to be given to the poor. I purchased small plastic bags to give out about a pound of each item. Someone also gave me money to purchase more beans and potatoes. I will also be bringing a team of medical students who will do blood pressure tests and other basic medical reviews. I have donated tracts and bibles for the outreach, plus I will be making animal balloons for the children. We will also be having free haircuts, legal advice, free cooked meals and drinks. The outreach will conclude with an excellent Church service.  


PERSONAL NOTES

On a personal note, the Lord continues to keep me strong and healthy. However my vehicle is not doing as well. It seems that more and more mechanical problems are accumulating.

I had another issue with someone climbing over my outside walls to come into my property to steal. This time they broke the small right rear window in back of my car. They took some stuff but left more than they took. Now I have tape on that window.

As a result of the burglaries, a ministry that I frequently visit and help gave me a 2 month old Rottweiler puppy so that I may raise him as a guard dog. I named him Samson. But it was not to be. Although Samson was the picture of health he died unexpectedly almost 2 weeks after I got him. I have to admit that I shed tears over his death. I don't know if it was because I had gotten attached so quickly to the cute little fella or because emotions in the field are tense and quick to respond.

LITTLE SAMSON: WONDER DOG

There is no experience like being a missionary. Yes, it is a roller coaster, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I get to meet and work with some of the most amazing people on Earth. I also get a front row seat to see what the Holy Spirit is doing and how He is still changing lives.

There is still no doubt in my mind that the Lord is changing the path that this Nation has been in. I believe that, in time, the teams from the United States and Canada that used to come to Mexico to bless this Nation will return. There's no better time than the present. I will be glad to assist any team that wants to be a part of what the Lord is doing in Juarez. The harvest in Mexico is white. We must not let it go to waste. The Macedonian Call is being shouted from Mexico. The Lord still says, "GO".

We wait with arms wide open.



Daniel Torres
11985 Pellicano
Ste. G, Box 169
El Paso, Texas 79936
1-501-827-7679

For tax credit:
Covenant Fellowship
P.O. Box 8126
Searcy, AR 72145



(To view the pictures closer, double click on them for a larger image).

AN UNFORGETABLE LESSON

          We all remember the events of September 11, 2001.  The world witnessed the destruction of the Twin Towers, or The World Trade Center, in New York City.  I not only saw the Twin Towers crumble down, but having been raised in New York City, I saw them go up, and up, and up over a span of a few years.  (There was even a time when I was sitting on the 110th floor looking at the horizon and seeing the curvature of our planet.)  We all remember the images of thousands of heroes who put their lives on the line immediately for the sake of people whose name they did not even know.  For those heroes there was no time for tears when lives were on the line.  There was only time for immediate action.  Strong emotional releases would have to wait. 

I'm not an expert on emotions but I have learned that they can be put on hold.  But the time comes when the emotional floodgates just have to be allowed to burst.   The time came when those brave men and women in New York City would have to find time to weep.  We all need those times.  We can't keep our emotions bottled up.  It's not healthy.  There's no shame in tears.  Jesus wept.   

The month of October has been another roller coaster month of emotions in Juarez, Mexico.  Today was the day when, in the peace and safety of my place, the emotional dam broke.  Today was my turn, and it was overdue.  The sufferings I have witnessed, the victories, the dissappointment, the wonderful God-moments, the pains, the eyes of hungry children, and the joy of the work that I do all converged on me in one moment. Those emotions have to be released. And the month is not over, there is still plenty to do, I am behind on some things, but I feel better.  

In this blog entry I just want to briefly cover one event. 

Many people had put in a lot of work into the 2nd crusade for the City of Juarez. The planning for the crusade started a few months ago.  This year the event was bigger and better than last year.  The purpose was to reach as many people as possible for Jesus and bring the message of hope and unity to the masses who have suffered for so long in a City with the reputation of being the most dangerous in the world.  

Benito Juarez Stadium, with approximately 23,000 seats, was the location of the 3-day crusade.  It seems that on every turn of the planning that the Lord was meeting every need.  The event was going to be a huge success.  Possibly over 1,000 volunteers were needed for this mass undertaking.  I was part of the Deliverance Committee.  We had about 60 people in this committee.  This committee was created to handle those people who would come to the crusade manifesting a demonic presence.  And, yes, those situations arose and the committee was prepared.  

We had people who came to the crusade from many parts of the U.S., Mexico and other countries to witness the event.  I met folk from Nicaragua, Venezuela, Peru, and Honduras. 

The dates for the crusade were October 19th through the 21st.  The first and second night of the crusade were unbelievable.  The stadium was far from full on those nights but the Holy Spirit's power moved so strong that many people wept uncontrollably over their sins. Hundreds of people were healed by God's power and we saw several walk out of wheelchairs.  The miracles could not be numbered. Very few times in my 36 years as a Christian had I seen such magnitude of signs and wonders.

Then the third night of the crusade arrived. It was to be the biggest night of the crusade. It was youth night and a very popular Spanish gospel singing group by the name of Tres Cielos would be performing. Young and old alike came by the bus loads. The lines waiting for the stadium to open were very long. I was at the stadium an hour early and thousands were already lined up. Then came the BIG mistake. And the night was ended in similar fashion to that of the Hindenburg or the Titanic. It was a lesson that I hope that no one will forget. Ever!!! 

It all started when the Mayor of the City of Juarez arrived.  Just prior to that we had some rain and there was concern for the tens of thousands of dollars of equipment that was sitting out. Most of us in the field ended up getting soaked but we prayed that the Lord would stop the rain for the sake of the many thousands that came to be ministered to.  The rain stopped but then the head Pastors on the field decided to pay homage to the Mayor.  They took time to parade him through the quarter-mile track, stopped to have pictures taken with him, took time to present him with a Bible before the masses, let him have the microphone so he could speak, and a few other things that many disapproved of.  After honoring the Mayor the hard rains continued and the equipment had to be saved. The event had to be cancelled due to the rain. 

Why did this happen?  I had witnessed situations before where we prayed for the rains to stop so that we may continue ministering and the Lord allowed us to continue as the rains did stop. But here we had 17,000 people (maybe more) waiting to be ministered to and yet the crusade had to be cancelled.  Besides that, Juarez is in desert land and it hardly rains here. Why would the Lord allow thousands of people to be returned home after months of preparation for this crusade? 

The answer is found in part in Isaiah 42:8, 48:11, and Galatians 6:7.  These readings speak about our God who will not share His glory with anyone, and a God who will not be mocked.  I think that the message was clear. The Mayor was receiving the glory and God had been put aside.  It was God's event, not the Mayor's or anyone else.  May God forgive us and have mercy on us. It was a very valuable lesson and we all need to learn from it.  Never allow anyone, including yourself, to glorify you and never give anyone the Glory that is due to God. God will not share His Glory.





Daniel Torres
11985 Pellicano
Ste. G, Box 169
El Paso, Texas 79936
1-501-827-7679




























   

FEEDING THE HUNGRY...

Have you ever seen or heard of a grown woman break down in tears because you handed her a loaf of bread? I have. As she prayed to God for food the bread was being carried to her door. Knock, knock..., Yes???, We want to give you this bread in Jesus' name. She weeps...she can't speak...finally is able to speak and mentions about her prayer for food. Her and her boys had been hungry for some time but there was no food. And there was nowhere to get any food. In no time the boys break into the bag and begin filling their bellies with bread. We had more bread to offer her. Back at the local church I had rice and beans for a new lunchroom that we were planning on opening in a week. We shared some of that food with her. We shared Jesus with her. She cried again. Heaven was moved. 

 

It's hard to believe that in the year 2012 there are people who go bed hungry, but many still do.  In the United States, in Mexico, and all over the world.

Kids here in Juarez, Mexico do not get lunch at school. If they don't bring something to eat they just go without.  Parents are struggling to feed their children and themselves.  Prices at the stores are the same or higher than in the United States, yet people are making less than $100US per week at work.  And that's only if they are fortunate enough to have a job.

I have been buying rice, beans, and potatoes and distributing them between to the two lunchrooms that I have opened up and a few other ministries.  Spanish American Evangelistic Ministries, on the El Paso, Texas side has been giving me bread which is donated to them for distribution.  The bread is outdated but still very good.  It's not just regular white bread, but good whole wheat bread with nuts. The bread is excellent and very nutritional.  I ask for continued prayer as I take this bread across the border.  I have not been stopped thus far but if they stop me they can take the food from me or they can be really nice and just make me go back to El Paso with it. 

At the two lunchrooms we feed kids and their parents.  The idea is to try to feed them one good meal a week.  It is amazing how much these kids can eat.  After a very full plate, most still want seconds.  And we let them eat until they are content.  Prior to the meal they have Bible study, songs, and games.  Many kids and some parents have accepted the Lord as Savior.  Hopefully in the future we can do this more than once a week.  But there are still tens of thousands going hungry everyday in Juarez.  I have been trying to encourage churches to open up a lunchroom in a similar way but many have a hard time taking that initial step of faith. 



                                                               TRIP TO EAST MEXICO



I recently went on a long trip to the East side of the U.S./Mexico border.  The invitation was made and I made a decision to go.  I know that the Lord will eventually take me all over the Nation of Mexico and it seems that doors are opening for me to do so.  I keep getting invitations almost weekly to go outside of Juarez.  Last week I visited Reynosa and Matamoros, Mexico.  Both are troubled border Cities.  They are located close to the Southernmost point of Texas.  Probably what caught my attention the most was that after an 800 mile trip to that side of Mexico things are the same, if not worse, than in Juarez, Mexico.  The violence, the dangers, the murders, the poverty, and the suffering still met me head on like a freight train. 

In Reynosa we visited a ministry just at the edge of a City dump.  The Pastor's wife greeted us and invited us in.  The dump was right behind their house.  From there you can see shacks built right in the middle of the dump with whatever material people can find.  Yes, families live there.  When the garbage truck comes they can sift through the trash and find things to recycle or eat.  I left there with a headache due to the smell.  

I got to meet some wonderful and dedicated servants of God.  One Pastor was walking on crutches.  Recently he was caught in the middle of a shoot-out and his knee cap was blown away by a bullet.  Initially they informed him that his leg would have to be amputated but God worked a miracle and he can almost walk without the aid of his crutches.  I heard stories like these over and over again. 

I could say more about what I heard and what I witnessed.  Maybe at some other point I'll do that.  But even now, days later, my heart is heavy as I think about that experience.  Mexico is a nation that is hurting, suffering, dying.  But God is moving and stretching out His ams to lift it out of the quicksand.  In prayer I ask God how He is going to change all this.  And I know that this WILL all change.  I just don't know how.  In the history of the world Juarez is 2nd as the City that is most prayed for.  Jerusalem is number one.  God is going to change all this but it will take miracles comparable to the ones in the Scriptures as God took Israel out of Egypt and brought them through the desert for 40 years.  Is God's hand too short that He can't do that any longer?  Of course not!!!  God will do it!!!  And when He does the entire world will know that there is a God in Mexico.  Yes, Mexico is going to be transformed.


Mexico needs your prayers, it needs your help, it needs men and women of faith who will step out and believe God for such miracles.  I know God is sending out the Macedonian call for believers to get involved.  If not in Mexico, then in other parts of the world.  Are you one them?  Do you hear His voice?  Take a leap of faith!!!





Daniel Torres
11985 Pellicano
Ste. G, Box 169
El Paso, Texas 79936