Visiting the “Puente de Dios “

There were lots of steps.

There were lots of steps.

Miguel and Gladis smile for the camera.

Miguel and Gladis smile for the camera.

Galdis, Elias, Celo, Gabriela and Miguel at Bridge at God.

Gladis, Elias, Celo, Gabriela and Miguel at the Bridge of God.

Tonyia and I went on a purely tourist-type adventure with our neighbors on Sunday. Elias, Gladis, Gabriela (oldest girl), Celo (younger girl) and Miguel (boy) were excited to go with us when we asked. We drove about six miles on a rough dirt road into the mountains north of Galeana to see the “Puente de Dios” (Bridge of God).

It is where a mountain stream flows through a solid rock wall, forming a natural bridge over the water. The road actually crosses the creek on top of the rock wall. There is a park at the top just before crossing the bridge that has steps, lots of steps, into one of God’s natural wonders. The kids were thrilled and we all went as far as we could go. There is a nice observation deck where we got a close-up look at the attraction.

Elias, Miguel and Stephen even went a little further to check out some caves inside the natural bridge. It was fun. But the climb back up all those steps was a bit of a challenge for us older folks.

After getting hot on the climb we decided to find where the creek crossed the road to get a little wet. We played a while in the cool water. Elias is a police officer and speaks good English. He has to work a lot and it was a great time for him to get away and for us to get to know them better. It was a fun time for all! Praise the Lord.

Stephen in front of the Bridge of God.

Stephen in front of the Bridge of God.

Into the cool water.

Into the cool water.

The rocks were kind of hard on the feet.

The rocks were kind of hard on the feet.

Wading in a clean mountain stream is always refreshing.

Wading in a clean mountain stream is always refreshing.

Gospel on the Move: Adults Healed, Children Believed, All Blessed

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me,” said Jesus (Matthew 18:4-5 NKJV). We experienced this Saturday, June 11 in a special service that started out for children and grew into a time of blessing and healing for all. One elderly man was pushed into the service in a wheel chair, but walked out pushing his own wheel chair.

The Galeana Team for the Day in El Tepozan…

Sandra and Lourdes lead the songs for the kid's.

Sandra and Lourdes lead the songs for the kid’s. (click on a photo to see it bigger)

Stephen, Tonyia, and Martin, True Path Ministry team,  joined with Juan, wife Sandra, Pastor Reynaldo, wife Lourdes, their three children and evangelist Ramiro rode down from Galeana to spread the Gospel to the people of the desert village of El Tepozan. It is Reynaldo’s home town and it was fun to meet his parents. We began services with the children, under a tree, beside their home.

Kid’s time

Martin read from the Bible and told the kid's two stories.

Martin read from the Bible and told the kid’s two stories.

The kid's seemed to learn and have some fun.

The kid’s seemed to learn and have some fun.

Tonyia used signs as Martin and the kids sang "Jesus Loves Me."

Tonyia used signs as Martin and the kids sang “Jesus Loves Me.”

Some kids tried their hands at sign language.

Some kids tried their hands at sign language.

All the chairs were moved to the equipment shed for the everyone service.

All the chairs were moved to the equipment shed for the everyone service.

Lourdes played the acoustic guitar and Sandra sang several songs with the children that included motions. Tonyia went forward and as the group sang Jesus Loves You This I know she signed the words. Then she taught everyone the motions for “Jesus loves me.”

They were all smiles as the joy of the Lord filled the place. I told them we were from a city in the USA far away and that they were now our family. Martin read from the Bible and told them two stories, one about how to love everyone,even if they are from places they do not know. His second story was about how wonderful it is to be part of God’s Kingdom. He finished the time with prayer.

Ramario prepared for his sermon as a member of the local church prayed.

Ramiro prepared for his sermon as a member of the local church prayed.

New Shoes for many kid’s

Sandra and Juan are part of a ministry called New Heart Galeana branch. It is part of a group in Monterrey. They brought many brand new little girl’s shoes. It was so joyful to see the little girls proudly walk around in their pretty shoes.

Service for all

As mid-day came the service moved under an equipment shed as more adults in the village joined us. One elderly lady asked if we could help get her ill husband to the service. Martin and I drove with her to her house. He was in a wheel chair and getting him in and out of the car was difficult, but his condition would soon change.

Sandra sings as Juan plays his electric guitar.

Sandra sings as Juan plays his electric guitar.

Remeio preached a powerful sermon.

Ramiro preached a powerful sermon.

Juan began to play his electric guitar as everyone sang several hymns. Tonyia and I went forward and with Martin’s help I told them how the Lord had brought us to Mexico to live as a result of a dream Tonyia had. Then Ramiro began to preach, read from the Bible and give glory to Christ in a powerful spirit-filled sermon. During pray time twelve children came forward to make a first time confession of faith! Also, two adults committed their lives to Christ!

As the kids came forward to make a profession of faith Pastor Reynaldo (back right) prayer with them.

As the kids came forward to make a profession of faith Pastor Reynaldo (back right) prayed with them.

Several people prayed with each lady that wanted to be healed.

Tonyia and Sandra prayed with this lady who wanted to be healed.

This lady had hearing problems and said it was much better after prayers.

This lady had hearing problems and said it was much better after prayers.

Joy filled this lady who could barely move her arms before.

Joy filled this lady who could barely move her arms before.

This man came in wheelchair bound, but left walking by himself!

This man came in wheelchair bound, but left walking by himself!

We pushed him into the service, but he pushed the wheel chair home!

We pushed him into the service, but he pushed the wheelchair home!

Pastor Reynaldo's Mom was one who found relief through prayer.

Pastor Reynaldo’s Mom was one who found relief through prayer.

Martin presented one of our big print Bibles with an inscription to this lady. She made a first time profession of faith.

Martin presented one of our big print Bibles with an inscription to this lady. She made a first time profession of faith.

Tonyia presented this new believer a Bible with a personal inscription. It was an intense time for her as the spirit moved her.

Tonyia presented this new believer a Bible with a personal inscription. It was an intense time as the spirit moved her.

We wrote down the names of the children making a public profession of faith.

We wrote down the names of the children making a public profession of faith.

Pastor Reynaldo and others helped pray with each of the children. Some of the kid’s had tears in their eyes and one boy in particular, had an especially powerful experience.

He pushed his own wheel chair home…

But, the Lord was not finished with the service as four ladies asked for a special touch from God for healing prayers. All reported a significant improvement in their conditions after the prayers. Several raised their arm or walked around with smiles on their faces.

But, the last of the prayers were for the man in the wheel chair. After an intense time of prayer Ramiro asked him to get up and walk around. He did! It was slow at first until he realized his condition had changed. Later as we were fixing sandwiches for everyone we saw him pushing his wheel chair home. His wife also saw him and joined him as they walked down the street together. Praise the Lord!

We took the children aside who made a confession of faith and recorded their names and took a group picture. We plan to return to the village in a few weeks to hand them certificates, hold a baptism and give them pocket Gospel of John booklets. We gave the two adults who received Christ in their hearts each a Bible. Martin wrote a special message to them in the front of the Bible and gave them some guidance on where to start reading.

We had taken enough sandwich fixin’ to make sixty sandwiches and all of them were eaten. There were about 35 children and another 25 adults in the service. The Galeana crew returned home as if we were floating on clouds. It was a blessing beyond measure for us to understand how God had used each of our spiritual gifts to bring His gospel to the people in this dusty desert village. Our God is an AWESOME God!! To ONLY HIM be the glory!

The shoes were for little feet.

The shoes were for little feet.

A pair of shoes fit this beautiful little girl.

A pair of shoes fit this beautiful little girl.

Sandra and Juan brought a bag of new shoes to giveaway.

Sandra and Juan brought a bag of new shoes to giveaway.

The shoes were popular with the girls.

The shoes were popular with the girls.

We gave out over 50 sandwiches.

We gave out over 50 sandwiches, chips and drinks.

The sandwiches were a good treat the kids enjoyed.

The sandwiches were a good treat the kids enjoyed.

Proud of their new shoes.

Proud of their new shoes.

We gave Pastor Reynaldo's Mother a donated homemade apron.

We gave Pastor Reynaldo’s Mother a donated homemade apron.

This sweet lady got a new apron too.

This sweet lady got a new apron too.

It is a remote desert village off a rough dirt road.

It is a remote desert village off a rough dirt road.

Pastor Reynaldo was happy to see his family and to bring the gospel to his home village.

Pastor Reynaldo was happy to see his family and to bring the gospel to his home village.

Pastor Reynaldo and Loudes wife have a delightful family.

Pastor Reynaldo and Lourdes have a delightful family.

Sandra and Juan are a fun couple who love the Lord.

Sandra and Juan are a fun couple who love the Lord.

Juan's used bailing wire to repair the control arm on his F-150. He added "new" a few days later for the 20 mile trip to El Tepozan.

Juan used bailing wire to repair the control arm on his F-150. He added “new” wire to the fix, a few days later, for the 20 mile drive to El Tepozan.

 

 

Santa Cruz Salvation & Healing

Tonyia handed out balloons and candy before the service.

Tonyia handed out balloons and candy before the service. (Click on photo for a larger view)

What a great night worshiping the Lord in the village of Santa Cruz in the mountains. Several people gave their hearts to Jesus, some were healed and everyone was blessed by a Thursday night service under the stars. It was more like a revival than a regular service. A four piece band brought their converted horse trailer full of equipment from a neighboring village. Their bass player was a young lady – unusual in Mexico.

Our friend Juan from Galeana also joined the band. He switched between the accordion and acoustic guitar. He also has a habit of pausing between songs to quote a Bible verse. He has memorized many (some of you may recall we recently wrote about his amazing testimony).

Tonyia, Stephen and Martin were part of the Galeana group. Pastor Reynaldo and several members of his church from Galeana rode along too. Juan and Sandra hauled a bunch of folks in their 1993 Ford F-150. They were much later arriving than we expected. As he was driving it seems the ball joint  failed on the control arm that allows him to steer. It took him some time to fix it. He used some bailing wire to hold the control arm in place. We heard later they had no problem with it when they were driving back at midnight.

Santa Cruz is just six miles northeast but it took us 35 minutes to get there due to challenging roads. Ramiro, a

The village pastor Peter also spoke at the event.

The village pastor Peter also spoke at the event.

The band was very good.

The band was very good.

powerful local evangelist, delivered a strong sermon. The band had set up huge speakers and played and sang hymns for over an hour before the sermon. The sounds of God’s word and His people praising Him echoed through the canyon – everyone in the village heard it.

During prayer time a number of people came forward to commit their lives to Christ. One young woman who was pregnant was one of the people coming to Jesus for the first time. Plus, she asked for healing for her unborn child. She had been told by doctors that the umbilical cord was around the baby’s neck. As the preacher and several others prayed for her she said there was a tremendous amount of movement in her stomach. She believes the baby is now safe. Brother Ramiro has a strong gift of healing. Several others reported having their conditions improved.

Tonyia, Stephen and Martin along with three others left about 9:30 PM. We were worn out. The next day we heard the band and people continued to praise the Lord well into the night. All for the glory of God!

The band included a young lady bass player.

The band included a young lady bass player.

This young women received Jesus and prayers for healing her unborn child.

This young women received Jesus and prayers for healing her unborn child.

Our friend Juan often quote Bible verses between songs.

Our friend Juan often quotes Bible verses between songs.

All the benches were full as others stood to praise the Lord.

All the benches were full as others stood to praise the Lord.

Juan's used bailing wire to repair the control arm on his F-150.

Juan used bailing wire to repair the control arm on his F-150.

Juan stands beside his trusty pick up truck.

Juan stands beside his trusty pick up truck.

Reynoldo's wife Loures and three kids came along too.

Reynoldo’s wife Lourdes and three kids came along too.

See True Path Ministry’s May Newsletter

May was a very busy month for True Path Ministry. Select the link below to see a PDF file with our May Newsletter.

Maynewsletter2016b

You can see more details and photographs about each of the stories mentioned in the newsletter in the Latest News section of this site.

 

Blessings in the Mountains: San Jose Del Rio

Juan played the music for the service

Juan played the music for the service

It was a wonderful day serving the Lord in remote San Jose Del Rio! We had a great worship service, fed about 40 people, gave away ten Bibles and handed out over fifteen pair of reading glasses.

The True Path Ministry team followed up on going with Juan, his wife Sandra and daughter Patricia today (Saturday June 4) as we discussed at our Wednesday night dinner. But the number of those joining us on this adventure grew. Twenty one people traveled with us on the hour long trip south of Galeana to San Jose Del Rio. It is a remote village on a dirt road in a canyon by a creek, deep in the Sierra Madre mountains.

We took our Ford Edge with six people and Juan took his 90 something Ford truck with the remaining 15. Yes, that’s right there were 15 people in his truck including Pastor Reynoldo and family (you may recall we posted a story about him recently),  Yessi and her two small children, plus several members of the Getsemani church in Galeana. It was truly an adventure in serving the Lord.

San Jose Del Rio has a great little church building, however their pastor recently died. We Galeana folks facilitated the Worship service. Juan played the guitar, Pastor Reynoldo’s wife, Lourdes kept the service on track, Tonyia signed, I told how we came to be in Mexico, Martin preached and  Pastor Reynoldo closed with a powerful prayer. The alter filled with people seeking special prayer.

Martin preached a powerful sermon from Romans.

Martin preached a powerful sermon from Romans.

The ladies of San Jose Del Rio sang a hymn during worship.

The ladies of San Jose Del Rio sang a hymn during worship.

After the service we fed everyone sandwiches made on the tailgate of Juan’s truck. We handed out four big print and six regular print Bibles. Plus, we had also brought a bunch of reading glasses from the Dollar Store in the USA. They were very popular – several of the local folks smiled broadly when they realized how much better they could see their Bibles.

As we were finishing the rain started. We rearranged who was to ride where so that the small children could be out of the rain. Martin and I joined Pastor Reynaldo and six of the older kids in the back of the pickup for a wet ride back to Galeana. But we poked fun at each other, sang hymns and turned what could have been a difficult ride into a fun adventure. The Lord had blessed us so that the rain did not dampen our Spirits.

All in the name of Jesus for the glory of God.

Stephen told how the Lord brought us to Mexico.

Stephen told how the Lord brought us to Mexico.

These two brothers belong to Yessi.

These two brothers belong to Yessi.

The reading glasses we had brought to give away were very popular.

The reading glasses we had brought to give away were very popular.

We handed out both big print and regular print Bibles.

We handed out both big print and regular print Bibles.

We fed sandwiches to everyone present.

We fed sandwiches to everyone present.

Tonyia checked out the Avacodas on a tree near the church.

Tonyia checked out the Avacodas on a tree near the church.

Avacadas grow well in the area.

Avacadas grow well in the area.

Pastor Reynaldo and son rode in the back of the truck.

Pastor Reynaldo and son rode in the back of the truck.

These two girls were part of the back of the truck crew.

These two girls were part of the back of the truck crew.

Martin borrowed a kid's coat to try to stay warm on the return trip home.

Martin borrowed a kid’s coat to try to stay warm on the return trip home.

It was a wet ride home.

It was a wet ride home.

We tried to use a tarp to keep dry, but it did not work.

We tried to use a tarp to keep dry, but it did not work.

Our Ford Edge had to travel some difficult roads.

Our Ford Edge had to travel some difficult roads.