Remember the Alamo

I'm a Texan. And for us Texans, "Remember the Alamo" is a significant phrase. It calls to mind those great men who held fast for thirteen days before succumbing to Santa Anna's army in the defining battle for Texas' independence. After this week, however, the phrase has taken on for me a new meaning.

I write this after only recently returning from the Alamo Navajo Indian Reservation, about 30 miles north of Magdalena, New Mexico. It is an isolated place -- about 60 miles from the nearest Walmart and 260 miles from the main Navajo Reservation. Described in some sources as America's most impoverished reservation, its people are, for the most part, a gentle people. And simple. Things many cannot live without, the Alamo Navajo have never known. Yet despite the isolation and poverty, as a community they work hard to assure a better life for those coming behind them.

Well last week I spent five days among them, in support of a mission team from Oakshade Baptist Church, Cleveland, Texas. While the team led VBS and performed community service projects, I worked to foster relationships with the members of Alamo Baptist Church. I discovered a pastor, Jonathan Vicente, who truly has a heart for Jesus, and many wonderful church members continuing a work that has been in place since President Teddy Roosevelt gave the land for the church in 1913.

The heroes of the Alamo fought for 13 days to assure Texas' freedom. But the heroes of the Alamo Navajo have served faithfully for 95 years in order for their people to know freedom from sin. Pray for them. Pray for pastor Jonathan as he leads the church past a series of recent issues. Pray that God would raise up partners to help them become all that He wants them to be. And pray for me: that God would grant me wisdom to help this church as they continue to represent Christ. Remember the Alamo!

To His Glory!
Bro. Jim