Honorable Mention. Today a humble man, who has gone through lots, stopped by the shop. He shared some of his life and death status of what he went through for the past 6 months in the hospital; yet it changed his family to draw closer to God. He is not at his best right now, but is up and going, and God has supplied for all of his needs; even some medical services for which he did not qualify before. He thanks God by continuing to study His Word, reading Christian books, listening to recorded messages, helping out at a substance-abuse rehab ministry (volunteer), and getting ready to attend a conference with that ministry. Praise God!

Honorable Mention. Sunday evening I went to a fast-food place. As I was finishing my meal, a man parked his little truck outside the window of where I was eating. He made his way into the fast-food place wearing a summer hat and short-sleeve button-down shirt, dressed very sharp. Then I looked a little closer at him and I saw that he was carrying a Bible with him. He looked into the sitting area, as though he was looking for a familiar face, to no avail. So he walked passed me and found a table where he could set-up his Bible. Then he got up ... and then went back to his sitting place; where he began to open his Bible and fan to the desired place.

I can only speculate, but this man, even in his older age, appears to still go out in public, meets with a person or perhaps a group and has a Bible study! We can all learn from the boldness of the heart of this man. I hope I will be a little like him when I am around his age. Witnessing this man brought joy to my heart; I am still smiling as I write about him. Thanks God.

I went out to several places today. One of the places was a little Christian bookshop ... I did not even know it was there! "Librería Emmanuel", 2702 Market ST, (956.508.7209); it is run by a short elderly lady "Hermana Ayala".

She has had it going since 1990. Basically, she had her garage converted into a room. So she brought in some shelves and counters and what not, and she finished with a little store. I am amazed she is not even on the digital grid, yet people still know about her and buy from her. Her best products are Bibles; she has some good ones in stock. Her little Spanish Christian bookstore left me with a greater impact than two others I visited this week ... plus the one I work at! I could sense it in the air that she is proud of her bookshop and she tends to it with a cheerful heart. God bless this Sister in Christ Jesus!

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Update: "Hermana Ayala" passed away in the late fall season of 2017.  She stayed true and faithful to the bookshop as long as she could do so.  Her son helped manage it to the end.  Thereafter, it was closed down. My she rest in peace with our Lord Christ Jesus, we need more people like here in Laredo, TX.

Honorable mention: At my work place, I finally met someone I've heard about for quite a while from a discipleship instructor/ pastor I work with from time to time. The person and I began for a search for "the right" Bible and ended-up sharing spiritual backgrounds as well as resources we use ... between two to three hours time!

It was a neat experience that fueled the fire of my soul because I enjoy meeting, working, and conversing with people who share a similar fire or desire for the deeper things of God. The experience was like picking-up on a conversation with someone I saw a few weeks ago; yet, I've never met them in person before. Its these encounters that can stir my fire for weeks, if not months on end with an inner fullness of joy.

The person ended-up taking several study Bibles as well as a discipleship book and a few other books. For the record, I don't try to sell anything ... I really don't know how. Yet, I simply present to the customer(s) the Bible or book that best matches that which they are seeking. Its up to them to decide on what to purchase.

Today the Rendon's ministered to me through fellowship and prayer at BRIDGE. Ray prayed a prayer of a blessing, affirmation, and word of knowledge for the future of my life.  At the end of his prayer, my soul was at peace, refreshed, filled once again by the Spirit of the Living God.  Truly this day, the Spirit of the Lord was upon this man ... and I am grateful for His submission to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Ray and Lisa Rendon are a great married couple with children who minister to people in Nuevo Laredo, Tamps. Mexico. I have had the honor and pleasure to get to know them and learn about about how God is blessing them and their ministry: Salt and Light Ministry Center.

To learn more, please visit their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/SaltAndLightMinistryCenter