A Special message from the director of SWGSM                       

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS --- 2009

“For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son.” (John 3:16)

Jesus Christ is the Spirit that shapes Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries.  Christ is born again and again bringing gifts of hope, joy, peace, freedom, healing, dignity and love! Through His Spirit, we are ever thankful for the helping hands, generous donations, and loving angels who have been sent to assist God’s work at SWGSM in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Christmas happens daily at SWGSM.

In 2009, for all those who share in the work and witness of SWGSM—the staff, the 559 mission group volunteers, the Board members, the congregations, the districts, the areas, the regions, the national church, the faithful who have sent financial support, and the prayer warriors who have kept us in their prayers, we truly know that Christmas comes each and every day.  All volunteers and recipients have been blessed, and there are no other words than to thank our Lord for the generous blessings of this year.  The Lord has sent His angels, and many people [the homeless, the hungry, the refugee, the victims of loss, and the needy children] have benefited.  Humble and grateful are the two words that come to mind for Christmas.

JOY is in the writing of this Christmas greeting as there are so many stories of love and sharing as follows:

• There were 23 families in Matamoros, Mexico, who received the gift of a completed casita during 2009.
• Over 152 refugees began a new life in the United States with relocation to family and legal assistance.
• School tuition, uniforms, and supplies were distributed to the Casa Bethel orphanage in addition to weekly
•   gifts of food.
• 100,000 pounds of rice and 2,000 pounds of beans were donated and distributed on both sides of the border.
• Clothes, furniture, and donated items were shared from the Ride for Refugees and distributed where needed in
•   October.
• Clothes, toys, and food are present and given from the Mike’s Kids’ Project during December/Christmas.
• The Dental Clinic with donated materials and equipment is being readied for use in 2010.
• Week of Compassion and Church World Service are assisted during emergencies.

As the end of 2009 arrives and the 2010 begins, we ask for continued blessings on all who have assisted SWGSM.  Such glory is God’s work now and in the future.

Blessings, honor, and glory at this Christmas season to all who are our “angels”,


Feliberto Pereira,

SWGSM Director  

Bluebonnet Area’s The Chalice spotlights Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries

The October newsletter of the Bluebonnet Area/Lower Rio Grande Valley District of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) carries two wonderful articles on the work of our ministry. Our dear friend Rudie Stallings tells a wonderful story about the members of First Christian Church of San Marcos who generously “opened their hearts and their wallets to fill a trailer to overflowing with new and used clothing and school supplies for delivery” to our ministry for distribution to the poor and needy school children on both sides of the border. Another newsletter article tells how to order the new DVD program called The Many Faces of Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries. A big thank you to the Bluebonnet Area/Lower RGV District for all you do “for the least of these” our brothers and sisters! Click here to read the complete October issue of The Chalice.

Feliberto Honored by The Daughters of the American Revolution

Founder and Executive Director Feliberto Pereira has been honored by the Daughters of the American Revoultion with a prestigious Americanism Medal. DAR Americanism Medal recipients must have demonstrated the outstanding qualities of leadership, trustworthiness, service and patriotism. They must have actively assisted other foreign nationals to become American citizens or displayed outstanding ability in community affairs, preferably with emphasis on the foreign-born community. The Medal presentation was made on Sept. 11 in Whitney, Texas, by the Fort Graham Chapter of the DAR, which arranged a ceremony at Whitney High School. Feliberto's national recognition was the subject of a news story by KUVN-TV (Channel 23), the Univision affiliate in Dallas. The story may be viewed here

Please consider our ministry for your Outreach efforts

Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries offers life changing opportunities for adult and youth Mission trips. Our ministry relies on “angels” who are able to raise funds for needed building projects, such as casitas for the poor who are eking out a living in the colonias of Matamoros, Mexico. We also seek support for our many other ministries.

As your church or group considers Outreach budgets for next year, would you please consider underwriting support for a project or a ministry with Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries?

We’ve prepared a presentation for you to review and share with your Outreach department or group. Please contact us if we can provide any additional information. Thank you for your consideration!

Download here (Requires Powerpoint)

Order your copy of the documentary on Feliberto's life and ministry

More than 125 people attended the premiere of a new video documentary entitled The Many Faces of Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries on Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Indiana Convention Center. The half-hour program, shot in high-definition, tells the inspirational story of Feliberto's life and those served by Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries.

The video presentation, produced by Dallas Digital Studios of Dallas, Texas, debuted during the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Individuals, churches or groups may order a copy of the documentary on DVD by sending a $10 check (to defray shipping and production costs) payable to:

Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries

28259 Pereira Compassion Rd.

PO Box 273

Los Fresnos , TX 78566.

Please be sure to include the address where the DVD is to be sent.

Casita program reaches milestone

Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries has completed 50 casitas (small wooden homes) for families living in the colonias of Matamoros, Mexico. The 50 new casitas milestone was reached at the end of July. Three additional casitas are scheduled to be built by work groups this fall. Our goal is to build 25-30 new casitas in 2010.

“The ministry will continue to build casitas as long as we have groups and funds to build them,” said Les Hodson, moderator of the Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries board of directors.

Volunteer construction leaders are being sought to oversee construction of casitas, which provide clean and newly constructed shelter for extremely poor families who are now living in shelters made of tin, plywood, roofing paper and cardboard. Construction leaders should be bilingual self-starters in good health who have construction skills, budget management experience and able to drive stick shift vehicles. A valid passport and driver’s license is required. Recommendations will be required. Please contact us if you are interested in serving in this vital role!

Groups interested in raising funds and constructing a casita will find helpful information in the Plan Your Visit area of the site.

Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries launches new Web site