Jesús Alberto López Chevez (mechanical engineer) and Brenda Ovando Torres (industrial engineer), are a young couple who are joining their talent and their efforts to cover the urgent need to produce protective masks for medical personnel, free of charge.

The couple who are a part of First Church of the Nazarene in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico, were inspired by the parable of the talents to serve others through their profession. “They are very compassionate young people and it has always been clear to them that their vocation is a godsend.” Edi Montejo, from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) of Mexico, said.

After observing stories on social media and the news that there was a shortage of basic protective equipment in the hospitals, they were able to ensure that medical personnel received urgently requested face-masks. This is how they offered to make face-masks for free, with the only request that they provide them with the materials, and that the medical staff provide proof of their official credentials from the Ministry of Health.

Each face-mask has a production time of 1.4 hours, it is a process that requires patience and careful care. The materials used in the production of one of them are: an elastic band, PETG or acetate sheet and PLA filament (biodegradable plastic material).

A few days ago, Silvia Santiago, district coordinator for the southern district NCM, put the couple in contact with the medical personnel of the Ministry of Health for the municipality of Independencia, Chiapas. Positive cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the Health Center of that city and the lack of protective face-masks indicated an urgent need. Silvia, with the help of other women in the church, obtained the material for the assembly of 15 protective face-masks, which are already in the hands of health professionals. “Without a doubt, in these moments of health crises, it will always be a pleasure to hear testimonies from young people who help society and share the love of Jesus Christ through his vocation, that is, to live compassion as a way of life. Let us continue to pray for this situation that is affecting many nations, let us pray for health professionals and their families. In the midst of this pandemic, our good God is in control; let’s make the hope of Jesus Christ contagious, not fear…not fear,” Edi Montejo, from the Mexican NCM said.

Source: Edi Montejo, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Mexico