Texas Baptists River Missionary Requests Prayers and Donations

On June 16,  Hildalgo County residents experienced another setback with COVID-19 related curfews and regulations limiting non-essential travel across the Texas-Mexico border. 

Vanessa Quintanilla-Lerma, a WMU of Texas Board Member and Texas Baptists River Missionary feels the brunt of these new measures each day as she serves families and churches in Texas and Mexico. 

“Visa-holders are now able to cross the border until July 22,” Vanessa said “but Mexican officials have implemented strict restrictions at the crossing. Some days we’re able to cross the border, and other days, our travel is considered non-essential.”

While new measures were put into place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, they have also affected families and pastors in need of supplies across the border. When asked how Texas Baptists can support the ongoing ministry efforts in South Texas, Vanessa answered, “prayers and donations.”

Prayer Requests: 

• Pray for the families along the border as needs are met. Families with and without work are struggling financially. 

• Pray for the safety and needs of children restricted to their homes. 

• Pray that we can continue to share God’s hope and love in a special way, as we connect and build relationships with families. 

• Pray for the immigrant families waiting for court dates. 

• Pray for the Quintanilla-Lerma family as they continue to minister. 

Donation Requests:

“We would like to give each family food boxes and packages including coloring pages, activities, crafts, family devotionals, Kids Bible stories, and New Testaments in English and Spanish. Also, as the start of school approaches,  we would like to donate 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies.” - Vanessa Quintanilla-Lerma

• Financial assistance to help pastors and their families

• New underwear and socks for children and adults (all sizes)

• New or slightly used bras

• Sandals and tennis shoes for children and adults (all sizes)

• Laundry detergent (powder only)

• Pediasure

• Ensure

• Pedialyte

• Tents (size: 4-6 people)

• Rice

• Beans

• Cooking oil

• Dishwashing soap

• School supplies

• Backpacks

For additional information or shipping instructions, please contact Vanessa Quintanilla-Lerma at rgv.riverministry@gmail.com.