Getting To Know Matamoros, Mexico

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”- Mark 16:15

Matamoros, Mexico is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across from Brownsville, Texas. The city of Matamoros has a population of 450,000. The city can be found about 621 miles away from Mexico City and 355 miles from Houston, Texas.

It is the largest city in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The presence of maquiladoras (assembly plants run by the U.S. or other countries) accounts for a rapidly growing population as workers migrate from the interior to the border region looking for better jobs. Most will settle on a small plot of land, building a makeshift house for their family in a colonia, or neighborhood. Many will not find work or will be grossly underpaid. The city is at an important geographical location and acts as U.S.-Mexico border town. Unsurprisingly, the crossing is easier coming from the US to Mexico, where car searches aren’t as frequent as in the opposite direction.

During the summer, the temperature often reaches 100 degrees or more. In winter and spring, the weather is milder with daytime highs around 75 degrees. Matamoros has a long and rich cultural tradition, and wonderful downtown markets. The refurbished Teatro de la Reforma hosts an annual cultural festival in October that is regarded as one of Mexico’s finest. The people of Mexico speak Spanish, and various regional Mayan, Nahuatl, and other indigenous languages. Half the population in Mexico are living in poverty. In Mexico, 89% of the population is nominally Roman Catholic, with 6% Protestant and 5% other religions.

This is just a small amount of information on the area. I am not sure exactly what ministries I will be involved in, but I do know I will be working with the First Year Missionaries that are currently there serving for 9 months. I am looking forward to seeing this group of young people again, as I met some of them at training camp in September. I’m excited to see how the base is run and the daily struggles that they face. I know God is going to bless this time He has given me in Mexico.

Please pray for the following:

• Traveling safety as I leave from New Orleans, fly to Houston, and then on to Brownsville, TX where I will be picked up and driven over the border to the base in Matamoros.
  
• Please pray that the Lord would keep me healthy while I am gone so I can be used to my fullest for Him.
  
• Pray for those to whom we will be ministering that God would use us to impact the area for Him.
  
• That this would be a good time of renewal and encouragement as I serve Christ by pouring out His love to those around me.

Thank you so much for all of you who will be praying. I know God has awesome things in store! I will be updating as much as I can. Be blessed!

For His Glory,

Caroline 🙂

Ps. 56:3