Huge Group Enjoyed VBS at Dieciocho de Marzo

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pointupThere were over 90 kids who showed up to have fun while learning about Jesus at the Vacation Bible School in Dieciocho de Marzo this week (August 17-19). True Path Ministry, Pastor Jose and the members of his church worked very hard to put on a memorable, Christ-centered event. Yessi, her Mom (Sonia), Martin and his wife (Ana) were joined by a group of volunteers eager to work with children.

An overflow crowd of kids participated in Christian songs, games, plays, Bible memory contests, sermons and meals. “It was a blessing to be with the kids as they learned about and praised our Lord,” said Martin, with True Path Ministry. “It was a special time with Christ that both the children and adults will remember a long time.”

Dieciocho de Marzo is a tiny, economically poor community located about ten miles northwest of Galeana. Pastor Jose leads a vibrant and spirit-filled church, but they have very limited resources. “We at True Path Ministry are glad we could partner with the church to bring Vacation Bible School to the community,” said Stephen.

Accurately reciting memory verses was one of the activities.

Accurately reciting memory verses was one of the activities.

The kids had fun making the sounds of the animals during this song.

The kids had fun making the sounds of the animals during this song.

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The kids won prizes when they successfully recited their verses.

The kids won prizes when they successfully recited their verses.

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Martin's Grandmother enjoyed praising the Lord during VBS.

Martin’s Grandmother enjoyed praising the Lord during VBS.

There was a lot of work going on behind the scenes.

There was a lot of work going on behind the scenes.

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Ana, Martin and their daughter Genesis put together 100 bags of candy for VBS.

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The kids were into the songs.

The kids were into the songs.

 

Kid’s Club: Fun While Learning About Jesus

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Many of the children at the club have learned Bible verses.

Many of the children at the club have learned Bible verses (click on a photo to see it larger).

A large group of kid’s come each week on Wednesday night to the Marcos 10:14 kid’s club at the ministry house (Casa Cristana El Alfarero). The kid’s always enjoy the fun games and Bible-based stories. Jesus is at the center of all we do. Yessi is a very good teacher and often includes a play where the children act out a Bible story. The story of Lazarus dying and Jesus raising him from the tomb was the story last week (see John 11). This week’s club related to Jesus walking on water and Peter’s faith and fear (Matthew 14:22-33).

“And when Peter got out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

We give small rewards monthly when one of the children accurately recite their memory verses. “We are so proud of the many kids who have learned verses,” said Stephen. The Lord is using the weekly Marcos 10:14 kid’s club for His Kingdom – praise God!

If you would like to make a tax-free financial donation to help our ministry please visit our “support” page.

The kids acted out the story of Jesus raising Lazerous.

The kids acted out the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave.

Lazarus was dead.

Lazarus was dead.

There is always some fun at the club.

There is always some fun at the club.

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Craft time brings out smiles.

Craft time brings out smiles.

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We got over twelve people in the suburban.

We got over twelve people in the suburban.

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Fluffy, Martin's dog, looks on kid's club from the balcony.

Fluffy, Martin’s dog, looks on kid’s club from the balcony (click on a photo to see it larger).

(click on a photo to see it larger).

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Full House of Kids at Jose’s Church

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The kids used the church benches as tables during craft time.

The kids used the church benches as tables during craft time.

We started off our three day Vacation Bible School in Dieciocho de Marzo with a full house of kids and adult leaders on Wednesday, August 17th. It is at Pastor Jose’s church in the small and economically poor community located about ten miles northwest of Galeana. True Path Ministry is working with Pastor Jose and his church members to give the kids a fun, Christ-centered event. Yessi, who also teaches at our weekly kid’s club, is the teacher for VBS. She has a jam-packed schedule of games, Bible lessons, plays, crafts and snacks. The kids were very excited and had a blast on day one.

We finalized our decision to hold the event on Sunday and we needed a way to get the word out in the community. Our solution was to strap a loud speaker on the top of our newly acquired ministry Suburban. We drove around with Pastor Jose “broadcasting” the details of VBS and inviting all the kids to come. “Our unusual approach worked well, we had a very good turnout,” said Stephen. “The most important thing is that the kids will become closer to Jesus during this VBS.”

Our broadcast worked well as we had a great turn-out.

Our broadcast worked well as we had a great turn-out.

Adult helpers like Ana are a valuable part of VBS.

Adult helpers like Ana are a valuable part of VBS.

Martin, Yessi and her Mom decorated the church building with Bible characters.

Martin, Yessi and her Mom decorated the church building with Bible characters.

The kids always enjoy craft time.

The kids always enjoy craft time.

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We served a light lunch at our VBS.

We served a light lunch at our VBS.

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God Opens New Doors Through Nuevo Corazon Program

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Pastor Reynaldo and Martin load the meals. We always pray over them before we hand them out.

Pastor Reynaldo and Martin load the meals. We always pray over them before we hand them out.

Literally, new doors are opening as Nuevo Corazon Galeana continues to grow in numbers. Sandra, Patricia, Lourdes and Ana prepared over thirty meals on Tuesday (August 9th). That number has increased over the past month from a beginning of about twenty. The program delivers healthy meals to the poor, elderly and infirm around the community. But it has also grown to meet other spiritual and physical needs – in Jesus’ name.

“We always pray for the meals before we deliver them,” said Martin. This week the delivery crew was Pastor Reynaldo, Martin and Stephen. In one home they discovered an elderly lady had fallen several days earlier and the wound needed attention (see A Divine Appointment). In another home a family asked for prayer for a man who was very close to death.

We also met Pastor Santiago’s sister who is from the extremely remote mountain village Refugio. Some of you may recall the True Path Ministry team has been to see him a couple of times (see Remote Refugio Visit for Worship, Clothing, Food and Encouragement).

Also, new Christian relationships have been started or strengthened among the volunteers. The helpers change each week. We have had some of the kid’s helping us here lately as they are out of school now. Various adults also show up to assist and are always welcomed.

Once all the meals are delivered and any walk-ins are fed we sit down as a team. It’s like a weekly fiesta as we share the day’s stories and poke fun at each other. Christ is at the center of everything we do. Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” We are so grateful to be a part of what Jesus is doing here. Please continue to pray for us and the work of Jesus.

We sometimes have kids who help prepare the meals.

We sometimes have kids who help prepare the meals.

Sandra uses an old stone basin to make some fresh pepper sauce.

Sandra uses an old stone basin to make some fresh pepper sauce.

A healthy soup was included this week.

A healthy soup was part of this week’s meal.

 

Sandra uses fresh ingredients.

Chief cook Sandra uses fresh ingredients.

We met Pastor Santiago's sister this week. He lives in remote Refugio.

We met Pastor Santiago’s sister this week. He lives in the remote village of Refugio.

These two ladies were happy to get their free and healthy meal.

These two ladies were happy to get their free and healthy meal.

Pastor Reynaldo enjoys talking with folks as we deliver meals.

Pastor Reynaldo enjoys talking with folks as we deliver their meals.

A Divine Appointment

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As we were about to leave we began to pray. With hands raised, six of us joined together and began to lift up Benedita in Jesus’ name. The room filled with the sweet sound of verbal prayers in two languages. The Holy Spirit was there. Even though we had just met, there was a unity we all felt. It was evident that the Lord had brought us together to share this moment.

Maria showed Martin and Stephen her wound.

Benedita showed Martin and Stephen her wound.

It all started after Martin and I delivered meals to Benedita on Tuesday (August 9th) and she showed us a spot on her leg from a fall she took a few days earlier. After seeing a photo of it nurse Tonyia wanted to treat it. She, Martin and I returned so she could perform wound care.

After kid’s club on Wednesday night (8/10) Tonyia, Stephen and Martin went to see if Benedita’s wound was better and a neighbor told us she had left with a friend. We returned later that same night and this time she was home. Soon after we arrived, three other ladies showed up to visit Benedita.

One of the ladies, Elvira was a Christian missionary who lived near Mexico City. She had not been to Galeana for a long time. She had been in Monterrey and made a last minute decision to take a detour to see her sister who lives in Galeana. Her sister, also a Christian, took her to check on Benedita who is her neighbor and there we were.

Benedita lives in a tiny one room adobe shack. Benedita was confused as to whom she was to pray. Between Martin and Elvira, our new Christian missionary friend, that confusion was soon laid to rest. They informed her there is only one God and it is to Him we pray.

And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5:34

The visiting missionary (left) and her sister came to visit Maria at the same time we arrived..

The visiting missionary (left) and her sister came to visit Benedita at the same time we arrived..