The Church in Buffalo Gap felt empty this morning. The left front pew had only 2 people where often 8 are seated. Enrique, Anay, Eva, Juliet, Elaine and Kiki were gone this weekend worshipping at the Church in Three Rivers. It didn't feel right for us..

Our loss will bring blessings to the people of Mapastepec. I know that, but I am selfish... I want them to remain forever a part of who we are in Buffalo Gap. Oh yes, you are right they will always be that.....but words like that do not make December 7th any easier.

Plan to come worship next Sunday, December the 6th. Enrique will preach his final sermon before leaving the following morning. Enrique's sermon is titled "La Exelencia Hace la Diferencia" the text is from Matthew 11:28-30.

Sunday the 6th of December Enrique will preach at the Buffalo Gap Church of Christ. Certainly, this will be a special day in the life of the church family. In worship there will be set aside time to bless and affirm Enrique and Anay as they go forth in the Mission of God. Continuing in worship people will join in fellowship around tables of food sharing their lives with the Carrillo family one last time before they leave on their journey to Mapastepec. Please plan to attend this special day.The Carrillos will leave Buffalo Gap early on the morning of December the 7th. They will spend a short period of time in the El Paso / Juarez area dealing with last minute issues of travel and permits. Pray a safe journey.Many have come to know Enrique and Anay as servants of God and know they are looking forward to serving Him in Mapastepec and building His Church there. On the other hand they leave behind a very long list of friends that have come to love and adore them. The relationship the Carrillos have established through The Trails End community has been simply amazing. They allow the Spirit of God to use them to bring happiness to others---they have modeled Christ like servanthood to all of South Taylor County. The children love their school, their teachers, the involvement they have, be that as students, cheerleaders or softball players, or attending pep rallies. Eva is on the Honor Roll at Buffalo Gap Elementary, July, Elaine and Kiki amaze their teachers. The children's teachers tell of the difference they make in the classroom, the example they set. Pray a blessed Mission MapaWe will all very much miss our dear friends, the Carrillo family.

So the Carrillos are gone by this time next month. I don’t know how we go forth from here, but where God has taken us is good. There are so many things going on that have originated from the ministry of the Trails End, it would be wrong to not somehow carry it on. After services I visited a family that lives in Lawn. They came invited by the Carrillos. After church Enrique and Anay invited them to dinner. Thursday, Grace a lady from Tuscola and her husband brought several large boxes of food to the Trails End. I know Grace only through the Internet. Some weeks ago she sent an email saying how touched she was to read the unfolding story of the Trails End. Standing at the lectern today at the call to worship I felt I was in the wrong place, all the strange faces that were there. How we go forth I don’t have a good sense for and perhaps it looks entirely different. But, somehow we need to capture an understanding of where we are, and work out how we carry on. There is one thing I am convinced of and that is this is not all about having a "Food Pantry" that someone runs, it is much more than that.

Enrique and Anay ask what will happen to the Trails End when they leave? It is hard to imagine that place without Enrique and Anay. We know them as loving, caring people, but most of all they are the kind of people that to the stranger quickly become the friend that lives in their heart. Over the past 30 days 22 families have been helped with gifts of food. It is an interesting group these 22 families. They come not only from Buffalo Gap, but Abilene, Lawn, Tuscola and the surrounding communities. Three families live in places that have no running water, no utilities, and no income. Some are elderly while others just find the Trails End a welcome place a place to learn of the love of God.

Need your help

33 days from today Enrique and Anay will leave the Trails End on a long journey to Mapastepec, Mexico. There they will begin a new ministry; no doubt it will bear a few of the trademarks of the Trails End. We pray God’s hand to guide them on their journey as they seek to build His Church there. So what happens to the Trails End? It is hard to imagine that place without Enrique and Anay. They are loving, caring people, but most of all they are the kind of people that quickly become the friend that lives in your heart forever. So, one of the major hurdles is finding someone that can fill really big shoes. The second concern is funding, food and space represent money and as we all know money is not always easy to come by. Over the past 30 days 22 families have been helped with gifts of food. It is an interesting group made up from these 22 families. They come not only from Buffalo Gap, but Lawn, Tuscola and the surrounding communities. Some live in places that have no running water, no utilities, and no income. Many find the Trails End an extremely welcome place. Would you join with us in prayer that God would show us the way.