Alyssa’s Story: It’s Jesus. It’s Reynosa.

My first trip to Rio Bravo Ministries in Reynosa was during a busy and relatively difficult season in my life. Work was pressing, I’d recently gone through a breakup, my heart was in all of a hundred different places. A children’s home in Mexico was one of the last of them as I loaded my bags in the Austin Ridge parking lot and began the five and a half hour drive in a car full of women and packed with supplies.

God had me exactly where He wanted me. 

Every day in Reynosa you go to bed tired, but fulfilled.

You wake up clear minded, oddly well rested after sleeping in a room with four to six other Christians (the Holy Spirit can be felt in those gentle, sleeping hours).

You walk into a warm kitchen to fresh, early morning coffee, bible time, quiet conversation, grateful laughter and prayer. 

Even though you are in the midst of incredible leaders in our society—doctors, dentists, pastors, entrepreneurs, executives, busy mothers, salespeople, owners of burgeoning Austin companies—there is no mention of email, meetings, even work.

It’s just Jesus. It’s Reynosa. 

Our single mission for the day ahead—to love people, and love Jesus. 

I was first introduced to Rio Bravo by Paul Rudzitis, our faithful and driven Executive Director.

A call from Paul always stems from a call from the Lord. 

He thought I would be a great fit to join a medical mission team. I had no experience, no medical background, but a promise to serve our sisters, brothers, and their children.

I was in. And, I have been ever since.

The Cornerstone team now visits Reynosa multiple times each year. 

As with any project with Cornerstone, there is a wide range of activities one can be involved in. We range from taping, painting, and touching up outdated buildings, to constructing full high schools from the ground up. There are jobs for men, women, and children, unskilled or otherwise. 

Days are started and ended in prayer. 

Afternoons often conclude with playing with the Rio Bravo children in their playground, basketballs flying through hoops, and children swinging in the arms of happy host families. I’ve never played more sweaty hide and seek in my life. 

God continues to use this once empty plot of land to impact the hearts of hundreds each year.

Children are raised from birth to college here. 

Parents are finally able to find respite, safety, and comfort in a good education for their kids. Many of these children stay on to serve through their twenties as teachers.

Fully established businessmen re-dedicate their entire lives in this spot and go from a family of 6 to a family of 60+ as Ray Hansen, the founder of Rio Bravo, did as he expanded the children’s home and school.

God does this time and time again. 

I have learned that He never stops pursuing us, his beloved children, no matter our age or background. 

There is many a Bible verse that can be recognized in Rio Bravo, but for me—

Psalm 37:18 rings ever true: “Day by Day, the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.”

If you have any hesitation in joining a quick weekend getaway to Rio Bravo, I am your girl to discuss it with. There is rarely a time in life that aligns perfectly to go on mission. 

The time is always. Especially to Rio Bravo in Reynosa.

- Alyssa N.