Reynosa, Mexico is just across the border from McAllen, Texas and is one of the cities that have suffered greatly from the drug wars between the Mexican government and the cartels. I was invited by Pastor David Martinez to come and do a concert on Friday evening November 5, 2010 and to preach to the leaders on Saturday and help them celebrate their 20th anniversary as a church on Sunday.

The concert was held outdoors in a courtyard with several hundred people in attendance. The audience was a mix of young and old and I sang everything in Spanish. Although I felt I challenged through the language barrier, the feedback I got from everyone was very positive. When they invite you back you know you connected!

Saturday morning I woke up and had breakfast and opened my apartment window to the indoor courtyard. After a few minutes I heard what I thought was firecrackers but it soon became apparent that it was gunfire. It was heavy and sustained and very close. I got down between the two beds in the room and called my wife. I asked her to pray as the bursts got closer and louder.

Later I received a call from Pastor David and he informed me that there had been a shootout the night before in the neighboring town of Matamoras. The Mexican government had executed the leader of a major drug cartel and the battle outside my window was retaliation by the cartel’s army. It ended after about 30 minutes by the sound of a bazooka or a rocket propelled grenade fired by the army.

The church in Reynosa is still shining brightly in the darkness and holding out the hope of Christ’s love. The believers in America needs to remember our brothers and sisters in Mexico in our prayers as they stand courageously in the face of death and hatred. The Kingdom of God will prevail.