It’s Just A SIM Card …

It always seemed like it was ‘just a matter of time’ before my journey would return me to San Luis Rio Colorado. Over the past four years that reality has been more than an itch, it has become a determination. And that determination came to fruition in February of 2019

After two deployments with Team Rubicon in Southern California, I continued south through the border at Algodones and then the short distance onward to San Luis.

In preparation for this trip I had decided on three primary goals. One, for it to be a trip of Spanish immersion. Two, to bring baseball equipment, coaching baseball clinics. And three, well three is whatever or however the Lord might direct.

Angel & Luis - an hour before my departure

So why San Luis? For five years between 1998 and 2002 I had the privilege to join and co-lead teams, mainly composed of youth, to this city about the size of Salem, Oregon. During those years we were able to accomplish many projects including VBS, and building a church, named Betania, as well as a few homes. Typically we would arrive on Sunday afternoon, with our building supplies not far behind. Though in the year 2000, we never saw them until Tuesday afternoon. So, the obvious question was, what do we do now?

With the Vega Family - 2002

A key goal for Jon and I during those years was ‘relationships’. It would be one thing to build a home, but without building relationships in the process, well, would we not be missing the point. One such relationship was with the Vega family. Heriberto, Gudelia and their six beautiful children had already a special place in my heart. So, it was natural to ask Heriberto if there was anything that needed repair or that we could assist with on their home. His reply, priceless! “No necesito nada, yo tengo mi salud, mi familia y Jesuscristo es mi salvador”. That is, “I don’t need anything, I have my health, my family and Jesus Christ is my savior”.

Heriberto & Gudelia y Nietos

The following two mornings, with our supplies still delayed, I would ask Heriberto the same question and he would give the same response. Finally, late Tuesday morning I decided to attempt one more time. This time he relented. Melody, one of our youth, and I went over in his Ford Bronco. What happened next has never left my memory. Might I just say that I was glad that I was wearing dark sunglasses as his quote echoed in my head. His simple and humble life overwhelmed me. Right then I mentioned that I would love to build him a house one day. To which he repeated, “No necesito nada, yo tengo mi salud, mi familia y jesuscristo es mi Salvador”. In March of 2002 we were able to fulfill that commitment.

Moving the story forward to February 2^nd, 2019, I went to the most logical location in which I assumed might be just the place to set up my tent. You see, I had the baseball gear, I had my own clothing, I even brought some food for just in case. But, where I might actually stay, and what, exactly might I be doing, these things I did not know.

Sister Ylda Praying For a Worker

Before my arrival to Betania I decided that I better replace my SIM Card with my Mexico card and charge it with minutes at an Oxxo (the main ‘7-Eleven’ store of Mexico). There was but one small problem. I could not get the SIM Card out of the phone. After nearly an hour, three stores in an attempt to find even a paperclip, finally a cashier asked if an earring might work. “Absolutely, I said!”. With the card exchanged and the phone charged I continued the few blocks to the Betania/Bethany church.

Now nearing dusk and no one at Betania, I decided to drive past Templo Berea. How this church even becomes part of the equation is quite providential. You see almost four years to the day I concluded a three month stay in Jalisco Mexico with my last night in San Luis. Through a series of events I was able to find my sister-in-the-Lord, Ylda, pastora of Betania. That late afternoon in February 2015, we drove to a couple of the comedor’s (food kitchen’s) that she had set up. And finally to Templo Berea, where I would enjoy a brief visit with the Vega’s outside of the church before they went in for the evening service.

Now one picture you must set in your mind before I continue is that most of the homes and churches in this area are guarded by fence and locks. Betania had such and Templo Berea the same. As I arrived a man and women had just stepped out of their house adjacent to the church. Now recall, that I would have driven past about an hour prior if I had been able to exchange the SIM cards. And with the fence, well, it's unlikely that I would have even stopped.

Chuy, Andrea, Lupe & Family

I stepped out of my Nissan pickup and walked up to the fence saying, “Hola, me llamo Ricardo Williams yo soy un amigo de Heriberto y Gudelia Vega”. That is, hello my name is Rick Williams, I am a friend of the Vega’s. Before I could say anything further, the wife (Andrea) motioned to her husband (Lupe) and said something. Being more than thirty feet away I could not hear what she had said. Andrea then continue to her van and was off to run an errand and Lupe escorted me to a lovely studio apartment, with a full bathroom, on the second story of the church.

Baseball Clinic #1

What had just happened? How had I gone from most likely setting up camp in my tent to sleeping in a ‘castle’. Well, as providence would have it, Andrea is the baby sister of Gudelia. She had heard the story of this gringo who built a house for her sister over a decade and a half ago. And she even seen my picture many times. You see, in the living room of the Vega’s home are placed six pictures. Five of their family and one of yours truly in front of their newly built home in 2002 with the entire Vega family.

Orfanato with Abraham & Alan

Sobrina Rita, Miguelito & Players

Oh, and Templo Berea, just happens to be a block and half from the only baseball field in the area. Over the next two weeks I would have the privilege to have some Spanish immersion, enjoy six baseball clinics, come to build a new and lasting friendship with many, most notably Lupe, Andrea and Chuy and that “whatever or however the Lord might direct”, well, it was changed to “Por amor de Cristo”. That is, “For the sake of Christ” in our English bible. Found in Philippians 3:7 where Paul says, “I count all things to be loss for the sake of Christ”.

Bethel Orfanato

And if you need more evidence of our Creator’s providence, perhaps being in San Luis exactly at the time that they had planned to visit and assist one of the local orphanages. Or perhaps the discovery of the ‘Algodoneros’ baseball caps. Having searched three different times at multiple stores and coming up empty handed, I went out one last time. While nearing downtown, I could see in the distance the light poles of their stadium. As I approached there was one remaining player, who had just placed his gear into his truck, and was about to head home. Speaking in Spanish I asked if he might perhaps know where I could find baseball hats for the local team. In perfect English he says, “We can talk in English if you’d like”. And, “Yes, I know exactly where you might purchase them”.

All With Algodoneros Hats & Evelyn With Her New Uniform

So, a trip, in planning for more than three years had just been concluded. The lessons learned, much more than what one blog can hold. Suffice it to say, travel slowly, listen deeply and wait for much more than one can even imagine.

Ephesians 3:20-21 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The song was one that I heard while waiting the three hours in line to enter back into the United States of America. 'Gracefully Broken' sung by Matt Redman and Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Powerful!