On Saturday, December 14, Cactus
Nazarene Ministry Center (CNMC) hosted the first official CNMC event – the FREE
MARKET. In early November, we received a trailer load of clothes, household
items, and toys from Nazarene Border Initiative. This began a dream to provide
a Christmas outreach event for the people of Cactus offering clothes, toys, and
more for FREE! Many more donations came in and the local YMCA graciously
allowed us to use their building to host the FREE MARKET. Colorful advertising
posters in four languages were posted around town, and a flyer went home in
every school backpack.
One of our prayers lately has been
for God to provide a way for begin building relationships with the Burmese
refugees here in Cactus. Well, God had a great plan! The FREE MARKET was
scheduled to open at 12:00pm. At 8:30am, we had our first customers—a Burmese
family. We allowed the children to pick out a few toys and gave them some
cookies. As the mom was leaving, she turned to Jenni, and in broken English
said, “You. Me. We work together. I help you.” By 11:00am, we had multiple
Burmese families waiting for the doors to open. Once the doors were opened, we
were flooded with people—Burmese, Hispanics, and Americans. In the first 30
minutes we had close to 150 people come through the doors and ALL of the toys,
Christmas decor, and household items were gone! Throughout the day, we served
at least 300 people and gave away nearly everything!
Perhaps the most touching part of
the day was when a young Burmese boy by the name of Asura came in barefoot. By
the time he left the FREE MARKET, he had on a pair of snow boots. Asura’s feet
will be warm this winter thanks to the generous donations received and the love
that was shared with everyone, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
A huge THANK YOU to the many
volunteers who came from Cactus, Amarillo, Pampa, Dalhart, and even Mineral
Wells to help on Friday and Saturday! Relationships were built, needs were met,
and the love of God was shared—To God be the Glory!
-- Vito and Jenni Monteblanco, CNMC
Directors
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