March - Corona Virus in the news

Carnisimo Burgers

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In the beginning of March, business started to pick up as we were coming out of winter and it was warming up. The community was going out to eat more and we were excited to see our customers again … but then the threat of Corona virus hit and changes took place quickly.

In response to local and state authorities “Quédate en Casa” (stay at home) and the declaration of a “state of emergency”, many food establishments in Magdalena, including Carnísimo Burgers, have implemented extra cleaning precautions. Many have adjusted their services to carry-out or delivery service only. Carnísimo Burgers has closed the patio and indoor dining for the time being.

 

Carnísimo

Carnísimo is a meat supplier for restaurants in addition to selling meat snacks to convenience stores. Since customers are not going out to eat and the economy is uncertain for such “luxuries”, business in dine-in restaurants is slow due to the Corona Virus. Thus meat sales to these restaurants are down significantly. On a more positive note, the pizza toppings sales to local pizzerias are up. Carnísimo supplies salami to two pizza places in Magdalena.

 

Rancho Agua Viva

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Work at the ranch in the mountains continues. Ranch employees have been busy building and fixing fence and updating the corral system. Also, the cattle have been rounded up for preg checking. Corona Virus has not impacted the ranching community health-wise yet, but area ranchers have a real concern with what is going to happen to the economy. It looks like it’s going to be a tough year financially, and many are wondering what will happen to the cattle market. With this in mind, there may be less people interested in buying bulls.

 

Our Missionary Community

As Mexico practices “Safe distancing”, businesses, schools, and churches are affected. Thanks to technology, schools are operating online and churches are finding creative ways to keep connected. Our church in Magdalena has a “WhatsApp” group in which messages are sent to our congregation with announcements, prayer requests and pre-recorded devotions and services.

We are blessed through the Word, fellowship, and singing at our mid-week activities and services on Sundays. As we are unable to gather during this time, we appreciate prayers to keep discouragement out.

Please join our congregation in praying:

For believers, that instead of weakening and isolating ourselves at this time, that we can grow in our relationship with God, mature and unite in prayer asking God to use this crisis to reach more souls for the Kingdom.

We ask that God raise up a strong Church to faithfully face the difficulties of this day and prepare us to be an instrument to reach those who do not have the security and peace that is only found in Christ.

And, pray for the unconverted, that the insecurity of this time can create in them an awareness of their spiritual state and a strong desire to seek God.

We ask that God give us opportunities, the words, and the power of His Holy Spirit to lead unbelievers to the Truth of Christ.

We ask that God use this virus to ignite a spiritual rebirth world-wide.

“ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4: 6-7

February - Ranch day, Celebration, Expo Planning, Cheese fries, Safety training

day at the ranch

Joel Leman, manager of Rancho Agua Viva, hosted the staff and kids from Casa Vida y Esperanza at the ranch in the mountains. There was a bonfire, horse back riding, hiking, singing, relaxing, Ranger rides, and relationship building.

 

Reunite in celebration

Casa Vida y Esperanza celebrated their 15th anniversary the end of February. Many former and current staff, residents, and missionaries attended the event. Working alongside CVE, The Fatted Calf’s mission to provide job opportunity and career training has allowed many teen-agers and young adults to gain employment with any of the 3 business entities of PCLM while they live at CVE or after they are out on their own. Many current and former employees returned for CVE’s celebration.

L to R; Maria, Nere, Jackie, Joel, Edy, Ramses, Miguel, Gonzalo, Axel, Zach, J, Duane

L to R; Maria, Nere, Jackie, Joel, Edy, Ramses, Miguel, Gonzalo, Axel, Zach, J, Duane

 

Expo planning in progress

Expo Esperanza is scheduled to be held August 6-8, 2020. In preparation, Internship applications have closed and offers have been made. Tho changes are in store for this year’s Expo, the anticipation of another great event is met with excitement. Sadly, Conde, a horse used for Expo passed on. Many horse participants were able to walk with him through his last days, giving all an opportunity to grieve his loss. To give continued support to the Expo Horse project and the CVE Horse Program, TFC donated funds to purchase one of 2 new horses.

 

Carnisimo Burgers

Two new products are added to the menu at Carnisimo Burgers. Customers can now add cheese or cheese and chorizo, a traditional spicy sausage, to the already delicious french fries. Meeting the requests of customers is a high priority in providing good customer service and mentoring all PCLM employees.

 

Safety training

Carnisimo Burgers and Carnisimo closed early 2 afternoons this month so that the employees from the restaurant and meat plant could complete a safety training course. They received training on fire extinguishers, CPR, and evacuation. A simulation of a kitchen fire was done where both businesses were evacuated and met outside on the street.

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”
— Acts 6:14

God opened Lydia’s heart to the Gospel. Our prayer is that God opens the hearts of our sellers of burgers, sellers of meat snacks, and sellers of bulls.