Church Comes Alive at Canon de Vacas

Sandra sings as Juan on the accordion and the guitar play.

Sandra sings accompanied by the accordion and  guitar (click on a photo to see it larger).

As the music echoed down the canyon on Saturday, August 27th, the people began to come to the old Christian Church building. When the day was over two new souls had come to know Jesus, all were prayed for, nine people got reading glasses, sixty got new clothes, all the children got milk, the kids got candy and toys, everyone was fed a sandwich and most important of all – Jesus was celebrated in worship and through love.

Canon de Vacas (Canyon of the Cows) is a small village tucked away between giant mountains in a glorious Pecan tree filled valley, beside a flowing stream. It took us three hours of driving from Galeana to finally arrive at the Christian church building. It had been built by members of the Church of The Nazarene of Central Florida in 1975. It was evident that it had not been in use for some time. We soon found out the pastor had died several years ago.

Accordion player Juan and his guitar playing friend set up the big speakers and started singing Christian songs. A few folks who lived close by arrived and cleaned a spot outside. Martin, Tonyia and I moved several benches under the majestic Pecan trees. The people began to arrive a few at a time but soon the benches were full. We continued to bring benches out of the church and they also filled up.

This thirteen year old could see to read after we gave her donated prescription glasses.

This thirteen year old could see to read after we gave her donated prescription glasses.

Before the service started we gave out some Bibles and noticed one woman straining to read the words. We pulled out the reading glasses and several came wanting a pair.We worked thru the different strengths to find the best fit. One lady asked us for prayer as her vision was so bad she believed she was going blind. We had some old prescription glasses that were strong. She put them on and smiled broadly as she easily read from the Bible. Her 13 year old daughter had the same vision problem and we found another set of prescription glasses that worked for her too!

After a time of singing and prayer Martin began to preach in the power of the Holy Spirit. It was a compelling sermon focusing on preparing our hearts for Jesus. The people were stirred and several came forward for a special time of prayer. A young man and a middle-age woman made a first time confession of faith. As the two musicians played Martin, Tonyia, Stephen and Sandra went from person to person laying on hands and praying for them. 

We began to make sandwiches and hand them out. Tonyia gave the kids a small bag with some candy, a balloon and a blow-out toy. They were overjoyed. Sandra spread a tarp and laid out clothes, many of them new, that had been donated to her Nuevo Corazon ministry. Virtually everyone present found something they could wear.

One lady asked us to go with her to her home and pray for her ill husband. He is in his 80’s and spends most of his time in bed. He has had bad headaches and his legs were not functioning.  Tears flowed as we prayed for him and as hope returned to an old man. We told this Christian brother that his job is to pray for his family and those around him. “Si gracias,” he said.

We loaded up to start home but we were informed one of the church members wanted to feed us. Juan was trying to back the truck up the road towards the house and he accidentally got one wheel stuck in a ditch. The truck was in danger of turning over. We left it there and walked on up to the house to eat. After we ate several men tied ropes to one side of the vehicle and steadied it as Juan drove it out with not problems. Thank you Jesus!!

Wow – what a wonderful day serving Jesus! It reminded us again why the Lord has called us here. Keeping our eyes focused on Jesus as He continues to open doors!!

If you would like to contribute financially visit our “support” page on this website. Also, we want to thank those who pray for us faithfully as this too keeps us going. Its all for Jesus!

The people arrived in small groups.

The people arrived in small groups.

These ladies sweep to area for the service.

These ladies swept the area for the service.

This young man prayed to receive Jesus. We gave him a Bible and asked him to start in John.

This young man prayed to receive Jesus. We gave him a Bible and asked him to start in John.

This woman found some lasses that worked.

Checking out the glasses.

She was overjoyed to be able to read her Bible.

She was overjoyed to be able to read her Bible.

New glasses for these two ladies.

New glasses for these two ladies.

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This lady could not read but wanted to be able to see to sew.

This lady could not read but wanted to be able to see to sew.

We had fun with the kids. Many had never know a person from the USA.

We had fun with the kids. Many had never seen a person from the USA.

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The blow-out toy was popular.

The blow-out toy was popular.

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We gave a Bible as this lady made a first time confession of faith in Jesus.

We gave a Bible as this lady made a first time confession of faith in Jesus.

We prayed for this old man and he wept.

We prayed for this old man and he wept.

He has a great family.

He has a great family.

Everyone got something new.

Everyone got something new.

This happy young man found a tie he liked.

This happy young man found a tie he liked.

We had over 50 sandwiches.

We made over 50 sandwiches.

The sandwiches were a treat.

The sandwiches were a treat.

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We ate with this family after the service.

We ate with this family after the service.

The family fed us on a handmade table cloth and with their best dishes.

The family fed us on a handmade table cloth and with their best dishes.

The kids got mike from Sandra and Juan.

The kids got milk from Sandra and Juan.

candy

A group of men helped get the truck out with ropes.

A group of men helped get the truck out with ropes.

Part of the fun of traveling in Mexico are the people we meet along the road.

Part of the fun of traveling in Mexico are the people we meet along the road.

coolboy

 

 

Tonyia’s Mexico Birthday Celebration

The church gave Tonyia a cake.

The church gave Tonyia a cake.

Did I think one year ago I would be in Mexico celebrating my birthday? No, it never crossed my mind. But the Lord has given me another day to wake up and praise Him for His grace and mercy! I could not ask for more!

How sweet of my husband to think of me. He made preparations with Pastor Reynaldo for the kids from Getsamani church to create signs and sing happy birthday to me in English. He also bought me a cake. Needless to say he did not know that the church famiy had also bought me a cake and the ladies gave me a floral arrangement. My cup runneth over!  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

 

Tonyia cut a piece for the entire church.

Tonyia cut a piece for the entire church.

 

Everyone hugged Tonyia.

Everyone hugged Tonyia.

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They also gave her flowers.

They also gave her flowers.

The Fruit of Your Donations

One of True Path Ministry’s callings is to be a conduit connecting donors to those earnestly doing the Lord’s work. To this end it was our pleasure to give both Nuevo Corazon Galeana and Pastor Reynaldo a special blessing for their ministries. Getting the car for Pastor Reynaldo will allow him to be more responsive to the needs of the members of his growing church. For Nuevo Corazon Galeana it means the economically poor and elderly in the area will continue to get healthy meals.

This one time financial blessing will help keep the elderly feeding program going to fulfill its mission. The program has been well received by the thirty or so folks who get the meals each Tuesday. “We are grateful for those who see our vision and are willing to help us,” said Sandra, director of the program. In addition to this special gift, True Path Ministry, continues to supply the propane needed to cook the meals and also delivers the meals.

Pastor Rey was happy to finally have a vehicle.

Pastor Rey was happy to finally have a vehicle.

The car is a big help for Pastor Reynoldo. He and wife, Lourdes, lead the the Getsemani church in Galeana. It is a growing congregation with a mixture of young and old members. The couple are also raising a family, their children are Arele age 5, Jose age 8 and Elias one year. We have seen the couple all over the area walking to see members or to pray for someone. Plus, we have worked alongside them on many occasions. He needed a vehicle and we found one Pastor Jose had and was willing to sell at a reasonable price. It is a 1987 Nissan Tsuru. It is a little rough, but Pastor Rey was happy to get it.

“Those attending Christ Chapel in Bandera, Texas gave us a generous special offering after our presentation showing some of our work here,” said Stephen with True Path Ministry Inc. “We are so grateful to be working with Christ Chapel in Bandera, Texas and the Damascus Road Fellowship in Ennis, Texas, plus the other individuals who continue to support us financially.”  There were also folks who gave us clothes and other needed items when we were in the USA. Those we will be giving out over the next few months as the spirit guides us.

If you would like to know how to contribute financially visit our “support” page on this website. Also, we want to thank those who pray for us faithfully as this too keeps us going. Its all for Jesus!

Each week these volunteers come together to prepare the meals for the elderly.

Each week these volunteers come together to prepare the meals for the elderly.

Sandra made Empenadas filled with meat and vegetables for the elderly this week.

Sandra made Empenadas filled with meat and vegetables for the elderly this week.

We have found other ways to minister to the elderly when delivering the meals.

We have found other ways to minister to the elderly when delivering the meals.

Reynaldo and Martin help deliver the meals each week.

Pastor Rey and Martin help deliver the meals each week.

Most folks are glad to see us.

What joy it brings to help those in need.

We picked up this elderly lady and gave her a ride home.

We picked up this elderly lady and gave her a ride home.

Tonyia went through 25 bags of clothes sorting them by size and gender. We will give them out over the next few months.

Tonyia went through 25 bags of clothes sorting them by size and gender. We have already given some away and we will continue giving them out over the next few months. Watch for the stories.

Showing Jesus with Simple Acts of Kindness

There they were on the side of the road with a flat tire. They were on their way home to the tiny mountain village Purisimo from a trip to Reynosa. They needed our help. He did not have the correct jack and he is a bit crippled. Also, the family was weary from a long trip on a hot day – Martin changed the tire for them. It meant a delay getting home and it meant  turning around on the treacherous mountain road, but how could we refuse the Holy Spirit’s prodding? As we worked and talked with them we felt the presence of the Lord.

In God’s providence we had talked with them a couple of hours earlier when we saw them at a small roadside store in Linares where we had stopped for a bottle of water.

They needed our help.

They needed our help.

It was a simple act, but Jesus was there. He takes care of His people. Purisimo is a tiny mountain village who’s people had stolen our hearts when we visited them (see Purisimo Spiritual and Medical Health Checkup). Praise the LORD!

 

New Clothes for Pastor Jose and Family

Pastor Jose's congregation.

Pastor Jose’s congregation.

Pastor Jose, wife Pera and and 5-year-old Jaret were very grateful to receive the new clothes True Path Ministry was able to give them. There was something for everyone in the family including 16-year-old daughter Brisa and 14-year-old son Hajiel. Pastor Jose and his family are faithful servants of the Lord. He leads a vibrant, spirit-filled congregation in Dieciocho de Marzo. The small village is located about 10 miles northwest of Galeana and is economically poor. The church recently partnered with us to bless the community with Vacation Bible School (see Huge Group Enjoyed VBS at Dieciocho de Marzo and Full House of Kids at Jose’s Church) and have traveled with us many times to places like La Aveena (see Gospel on the Move: Spirit come Alive in La Aveena).

“It brings us much joy to be able to share blessings like these clothes” said Tonyia with True Path Ministry. “Jesus is our provider! We are just conduits for Him, giving out what you donors generously contributed.”  James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.”

If you would like to contribute to God’s work through True Path Ministry, Inc. visit our “support” page.