REMINDER
MTM has found a resource in Mexico where we can purchase full sized blankets for $5.50 each.  On our October trip, we hope to distribute 650 blankets to our families in the colonia for a total of cost $3,575.00. Every donation is appreciated; no donation is too small! See link to right to donate online or to send donation by mail.  Thank you for your support. 

Contact Rachel Fannin for more information at
rachel.fannin@mtmaustin.org. 
Gracias!

A Reflection by Claudia Valdez
I am part of the MTM  team in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo. I order, purchase and coordinate delivery of groceries for 650 despensas for every mission trip. In August, I also transport the backpacks and school supplies for our 900 children. For our October trip, I am working on getting 200 coats across the border for the kids in our sponsorship program. We also hope to raise enough cash donations to provide 650 blankets for our families.
 
I joined MTM team in 2013. To be honest with you, I had no clue what I was getting into! Out of work due to a car accident injury, I was taking care of my elderly mother, and looking for something to do with my “ free time”.  Rachel, Melanie and I met to see how I was able to help with the mission. Needless to say, every word sounded like flowers and bunnies on a sunny spring day, like camping and fishing….yes!!... nice and beautiful!! So without hesitating or thinking too much, I said YES!!
 
The mission has not been any of the mentioned above; but it has been the most rewarding “YES” in my life, and I don’t regret it at all. I thank God for choosing me to do His work at this end of the chain. I’m no hero or angel, I’m just one more link on this chain of love and compassion to help our brothers and sisters in La Colonia in Nuevo Laredo. Everything is possible with God’s constant presence.
 
While doing this hard work, I have the closest encounters with God. I see Him and feel Him by my side, so close that I have no doubt He exists and He is real. During this time is when I realize the tasks I do are priceless. When things have seemed impossible, He has shown me, that through Him, all things are POSSIBLE....we just need to believe. My faith has grown. I have bent so many times but never broken; He has always been there for me! Every NO, becomes a YES!! Every closed door opens wide; and always in perfect timing.
 
I have cried tears of pain, frustration and joy during this journey. God always holds me in His loving arms, comforts me tenderly and softly whispers....”Stop the whining, wipe your tears and keep going, you are not done yet!!  We still have lots of things to do, everything will be alright”.  And indeed, at the end of every mission, everything has fallen into place.
 
How can I not see God after distributing 650 despensas at the colonia? A family is fed for at least a month. It is a “fishes and loaves” kind of experience...we always have enough! 

How can I not see God in the smile of every child receiving their school supplies?

How can I not see God when the word is shared with the elderly; and their big ol’ smiles when they receive their wheel chairs and walkers?

How can I not see God in the happiness of every volunteer from la Colonia? No matter how hot, rainy or cold it is, they are always ready to lend a helping hand.

How can I not see God in each one of you who shares your blessings with the most needy?  
 
I can’t thank you enough for all you do for our brothers and sisters at the Colonia. I pray to God to continue blessing you abundantly so you can continue making this mission possible. There is more work to do, and every hand, every penny, and every prayer is needed and well appreciated. I invite you to shout  “YES”!! to Mission to Mexico.
 
God is good...always.
Blessings!
Claudia

MTM Sponsorship Report from Melanie Fannin
The August mission trip is always a busy one! Multiple activities require coordination in a small space; and amazingly enough, our fabulous MTM volunteers pulled it off once again!  While volunteers were packing over 900 backpacks with school supplies, other volunteers were meeting with the sponsored children to gather their final grades for the 2014-2015 school year and distribute their new school uniforms, shoes and backpacks.  As things wound up on Saturday, thanks to our generous and caring sponsors, we had distributed uniforms, shoes and school supply filled backpacks to 181 sponsored children.  And, that meant that all of those children and their parents had taken on the responsibility of providing final 2014-2015 grades.  What a wonderful gift to the sponsors of these children: concrete evidence that the sponsored children ARE IN SCHOOL, PROGRESSING IN THEIR ACADEMIC STUDIES, and in many cases, WITH GRADES AVERAGING ABOVE 80%.
 
We could not succeed in the Sponsorship Program without the generous support of each of our sponsors.  If you sponsor one child or many, please be assured that your generosity IS making a difference in the life of that child and that child’s family.  As we witnessed the gratitude of the parents we gave thanks for each of our sponsors.  Without your and God’s help, we would not be able to assist these children in learning skills that will enable them, and hopefully their families, to escape poverty.
 
YOU, OUR SPONSORS, ARE A BLESSING TO MTM  AND ITS VOLUNTEERS, AS WELL AS TO THE CHILDREN.  We literally could not do it without you. 

Thank you and may God bless you for your caring and generous hearts and spirits. 

Melanie

SPONSORSHIP RENEWAL LETTERS
WILL BE  SENT NEXT MONTH