This week has been somewhat calmer in comparison to the last couple of weeks. The temperatures are getting back up to the norm, which is in the high 90's and low 100's. The rains have added humidity to the heat. Wednesday was the official beginning forties days of what they call canicula (the dog days of summer named after the star constellation “canine”) or some also call it calorones or the hot season, which runs until the end of August. We hit the end of it when we arrived here the first part of September last year. It's hard to believe that we've been here almost a year. Attendance at the temple has picked up a bit but still not back to normal. With many of the main roads having limited access it makes it harder for the members to come. Those living in the border areas, such as Nuevo Loredo and Reynosa, are having the added problem of flooding along the Rio Grande and the continuing drug-traffic violence. We haven't had anyone come from those areas. They are basically cut off from travel to Monterrey for the time being.
Monday we had FHE at the Niels. The Riggs mentioned that the Hidalgo Branch, which they help with on the weekends, was hit pretty hard by the flooding of the river that runs close by it. There were about 30 homes that lie along the river, three of which members live in, which were all destroyed when the bank collapsed. The branch leadership took some supplies to them to help.
Friday night was a bit interesting as we had a bus load come from the Bermejillo Branch, which is located north of Torreon, which is abut 250 miles to the west of Monterrey. They arrived at the temple after about a four hour ride and spent the whole evening. Luckily, they brought some temple workers with them so that helped. This branch has quite a history. One family that has been a great strength to the church in this area is the Castañeda family. Several of the temple workers that came were part of this family. Someone mentioned that this family and the branch had been mentioned in conference several years ago so I did a little research and found the Castañeda family and the Bermejillo Branch mentioned in the following two talks:
Victor L. Brown, “The Remarkable Example of the Bermejillo, Mexico, Branch,” Ensign, Nov 1978, p. 79.
“The strength of this small branch rests in the Castañeda family. The mother, her six sons, and one daughter accepted baptism when the gospel was first brought to Bermejillo eight years ago [which would have been in 1970]. Since that time, the boys have married and brought their wives into the Church. The family is currently making plans to be sealed in the Arizona Temple.”
Julian Castañeda has served as branch president for the past five years and has given direction to the temporal and spiritual affairs of this branch.”
Bishop Brown;s whole talk was about the members of this branch and how they were able to rise above the great poverty and unhealthy circumstances they were living in. He showed slides along with his talk. I wish I could see them but they aren't available.
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Testimony,” Ensign, May 1998, p. 69.
“Let me tell you a story that I heard recently in Mexico. In Torreón I was driven about in the fine automobile that belonged to the man of whom I speak. His name is David Castañeda.
Thirty years ago he, his wife, Tomasa, and their children lived on a dry little run-down ranch near Torreón. They owned 30 chickens, 2 pigs, and 1 thin horse. The chickens provided a few eggs to sustain them and the means whereby to earn an occasional peso. They walked in poverty. Then the missionaries called on them. Sister Castañeda said, “The elders took the blinders from our eyes and brought light into our lives. We knew nothing of Jesus Christ. We knew nothing of God until they came.”
She had two years of schooling, her husband none. The elders taught them, and they were eventually baptized. They moved into the little town of Bermejillo. They were fortuitously led into the junk business, buying wrecked automobiles. This led to association with insurance companies and others. They gradually built a prosperous business in which the father and his five sons worked. With simple faith they paid their tithing. They put their trust in the Lord. They lived the gospel. They served wherever called to do so. Four of their sons and three of their daughters filled missions. The youngest son is presently serving in Oaxaca. They have now built a very substantial business and have been prospered therein. They have been taunted by their critics. Their answer is a testimony of the power of the Lord in their lives.
Some 200 of their family and friends have joined the Church due to their influence. Over 30 sons and daughters of family and friends have served missions. They donated the land on which a chapel now stands.
The children, now grown to maturity, and the parents take turns going to Mexico City each month, there to work in the temple. They stand as a living testimony of the great power of this work of the Lord to lift and change people. They are typical of thousands upon thousands throughout the world who experience the miracle of Mormonism as a testimony of the divinity of the work comes into their lives.”
Among the temple workers coming from Bermejillo, that helped on Friday were members of this family, Tomasa, the wife of David Castañeda, mentioned above, and a couple of her sons and their wives. There is also a son that has just recently left to serve as mission president.
Nicolas Castaneda, 42, and Blanca Estela Cepeda Castaneda, five children, Mexico Villahermosa Mission; Alamos Ward, Gomez Palacio Mexico Stake. Brother Castaneda serves as a stake president and is a former counselor in the Mexico Torreon Mission presidency, bishop and counselor, stake mission president and missionary in the Mexico Guadalajara Mission. Manager, family business. Born in Bermejillo, Mexico, to David Castaneda Pantoja and Tomasa Ruiz Munoz Castaneda.
Sister Castaneda is a former ward Primary president and counselor, counselor in ward Young Women and Relief Society presidencies and missionary in the Mexico Hermosillo Mission. Born in Torreon, Mexico, to Fausto Cepeda Hernandez and Jovita Santos Garza Cepeda.
I love to learn about and witness the faithfulness of the members of the church here in Mexico. They are a great example to me.
Well, I guess that's it for this week. Hope you have a great Pioneer Day.
Amamos a ustedes,
Elder & Hermana Nelson (aka Lynn & JaAnna, Dad & Mom, Grandpa & Grandma)
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