Francisco Madero

One of our great privileges while in Mazatlan was to visit the feeding program in the colonia of Francisco Madero. 10 years ago, Madero was the worst of all neighborhoods. It was considered to be the "tolerant zone" meaning anything goes. Gangs, violence, drugs, you name it! Police did not patrol or enter the neighborhood and it was home to the red light district. 10 years ago our pastor Jose was visiting Mazatlan and checking out how our church could get involved in the work there. He happened to meet another Californian who had a vision for reaching this community. Our Pastor Jose was able to join the efforts and help raise funds for building one of the first feeding centers/churches that La Vina has (there are now 13!).

La Vina began by feeding the children of Madero weekly, then offering a Sunday School program. Soon these children of prostitutes were bringing their moms along and the church began ministering to them. Then a weekly church began as well as other programs, and Madero has become transformed by the Love of Christ!

Years ago when our church took a team to Madero, they helped lay the concrete for the building. During the trip 3 years ago they helped run the Children's program. This time it was running like a well oiled machine, and there was little for us to do aside from loving on the kids! It was amazing to see the ownership the people of Madero have taken for this church.

We walked in to see 120 kids running around the church (imagine a big concrete gym). We interacted with them and watched them horse around (we really need to loosen up on rules in our Children's ministry!). It was so cute to watch the kids immediately go to their seats and began to pay attention as the pastor's wife, Lolita, began the program. The kids participated in games, worship, prayer and a lesson.

Afterwards they were served a hot meal. We wondered why the plates were placed inside plastic bags, with the food on top of the bag. Some kids gobbled their food down in seconds, others barely picked at it and turned their bags inside out to keep the food to go. One team member saw a mother pulling left over bags out of the trash can to take home.

The volunteer mom and grandma cooks served our teams a plate. It looked so good, but we were told by our missions coordinator that if we didn't eat it, it would be used to give to the volunteers so we had to politely return our plates.

It was so sweet to watch this children's program. To see this many children listen to a Bible message and receive a meal was so special. To see their moms crowding in and waiting to hear more was amazing.