Alfredo TellezProfessional artist Alfredo “Bandito” or “Bandi” Tellez has become a fixture around the community centers working with children in the art classes. An old friend of Doris’s, he was initially reluctant to come to the community centers to work with the elementary aged children. He thought he would be better suited to teaching older students. He has discovered that he has a passion for teaching little children and has, in fact, gained a reputation in the area for being a teacher of children.
Doris teaches the children in the Amigos en Cristo community centers an art appreciation class and Bandito follows with practical art instruction. He says that “all that comes from God is inspiration” and that he always puts the children first in instructing them so that all his efforts will have a good outcome. Bandito’s involvement in outreach in the communities in southern Mexico in August 2012 was a key factor in Amigos en Cristo being invited to serve with the Lacandon tribe in Naha in the jungle. The most renowned artist in that area invited Amigos en Cristo when he heard that Bandito would be working with the children. Because of this invitation, Amigos en Cristo was able to operate a one day medical and dental clinic as well as provided classes for crafts and agriculture. The spirit of God was moving as evidenced by one woman receiving Christ as her Savior! We are thankful that Amigos en Cristo has been invited to come back again. During this mission trip to the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico, Bandito also taught painting to the children in the mission center belonging to a Baptist Church in Ocosingo. His passion to teach children was quite evident. Even before the rest of the team was set up in preparation for vacation bible school, the medical and dental clinics, and crafts, Bandito was already sitting in a little ditch in the shade painting with children. He was so focused on working with the children, he needed reminders to eat lunch. As part of the closing of the five day vacation bible school, the children’s artwork was on display for their parents and all to see. Bandi lives at New Beginnings Community Center and has three grown children in Juarez. |