Hungry Hearts at Las Canoas

Our ministry Suburban was loaded down.

Our ministry Suburban was loaded down. (Click on a photo to see it larger)

The True Path Ministry team for this adventure on Saturday, September 10th was able to bring the gospel, reading glasses, clothes, food to prepare meals, a sandwich for everyone, a toy and candy for the kids. We ministered to both their spiritual and physical needs in Jesus’ name.

After two hours of driving, one hour on a paved road with potholes and one hour on a 4-wheel drive type mountain trail, we arrived at Las Canoas. To say it is remote is an understatement. There are beautiful mountains all around the place and beautiful people who live there. We were warmly received as was Christ whom we represented.

We had a special cargo rack built for our ministry vehicle, a 1995 Suburban, and it was loaded down. The stuff we brought was on top and inside were Christian friends Juan and Sandra, Evangelist Ramiro, Martin, Tonyia and Stephen. Everyone brought what the Lord had called them to bring.

Juan, Martin and a local man set up a generator to power our sound system and Martin cranked up the volume. He began to broadcast the fact we were about to have a Christian worship service. As his voice echoed down the canyon, the people started to make their way to the little wooden church building on the side of the hill.

Martin broadcast when the service was to begin.

Martin broadcast when the service was to begin.

Martin opened with prayer and Juan began to play his acoustic guitar. Soon the pews were full of worshipers clapping and singing. Some read Bible verses, others sang a song and some gave a testimony. Stephen and Tonyia told how the Lord had called them to leave Texas behind and come to Mexico. Evangelist Ramiro brought a powerful Bible-based message. The people were hungry for the Word and many came forward for special prayer.

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) It was a beautiful time as we saw this verse lived out.

After the service we began to make and hand out sandwiches, a sweet drink and chips. The people eagerly received the meal and sat on the green grass in front of the church building to eat it. Next we brought out some Bibles and reading glasses. All the Bibles we took were given away and we ran out of several strengths of the glasses.

We spread a tarp on the ground and emptied five large trash sacks of clothes. One was for men, one for boys, one for girls and two for women. There were smiles all around as they began to find clothes for their entire families. Your donations going to much needed families.

Juan and Sandra run Nuevo Corazon Galeana and they had received a supply of beans, rice and powdered milk. There was enough that each family present got some food supplies. Tonyia handed out bags to the kids with a toy, candy and a balloon inside.

Many of the people thanked us. One lady whom I expect was a widow stood out. She was especially grateful and eagerly expressed her gratitude. All glory is to Jesus, his love is why we do what we do.

It was as if we floated down the mountain in a Spirit -filled cloud to return home. What a wonderful day of serving the Lord!

Please pray for us as we continue to do the Lord’s work in Mexico. And if you would like to make a financial donation please visit our support page. With your support, we can continue to spread the gospel.

Romiro delivered a powerful sermon.

Evangelist Ramiro delivered a powerful sermon.

Sandra sang while Juan played his acoustic guitar.

Sandra sang while Juan played his acoustic guitar.

Some of the local folks sang too.

Some of the local folks sang too.

Worship was special.

Worship time was special.

The Christian church building was an old wooden structure.

The Christian church building was an old wooden structure.

The benches were hand made from local lumber.

The benches were hand made from local lumber.

We were warmly received.

We were warmly received.

We used some gas out of the Suburban to operate the generator - there was no other electricity at the building.

We used some gas out of the Suburban to operate the generator – there was no other electricity at the building.

It is a very beautiful place in the mountains.

It is a beautiful place in the mountains.

Juan and Sandra have a heart for serving Jesus.

Juan and Sandra have a heart for serving Jesus.

Their homes are simple, made with lumber they cut.

Their homes are simple, made with lumber they cut.

They fed us a great meal, Mole Chicken, they had cooked in the basic kitchen.

They fed us a great meal, Mole Chicken, they had cooked in their basic kitchen.

The chairs and table were hand made too.

The chairs and table were hand made too.

The green grass in front of the building was a good place to eat.

The green grass in front of the building was a good place to eat.

We fed everyone a sandwich meal.

We fed everyone a sandwich meal.

It was a treat for people to get a sandwich, chips and a drink.

It was a treat for people to get a sandwich, chips and a drink.

A good meal on the ground.

A good meal on the ground.

The kids always like to hear Tonyia and Steve speak English.

The kids always like to hear Tonyia and Steve speak English.

Many found the new glasses helped them read the Bible.

Many found the new glasses helped them read the Bible.

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This lady was especially grateful.

This lady was especially grateful.

They enjoyed getting clothes for their families.

They enjoyed getting clothes for their families.

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The kids got a toy, balloon and candy.

The kids got a toy, balloon and candy.

Sandra and Juan gave out food supplies.

Sandra and Juan gave out food supplies.

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Sandra gave out some pocket NT Bibles.

Sandra gave out pocket NT Bibles.

This is a child's toy chain saw.

This is a child’s toy chain saw. The blade is actually from an old saw.

First Non-Emergency ER Visit In Mexico

True Path Ministry Inc. rewired the new church.

True Path Ministry Inc. rewired the new church.

Thursday September 8, about noon, Martin and Steve were working in Getsamani Church. “I was about to go up the ladder to put on one last conduit strap and the wiring would have been complete,” said Steve. “When trying to climb the ladder I managed to step wrong and twisted my right knee. It hurt real bad, in fact the pain was so bad I almost passed out.” Martin and pastor Reynaldo helped him off the ladder and got him home.

Nurse Tonyia immediately put ice on it and gave him some Tylenol. She didn’t see it swelling so she thought he strained it. “I could not put any weight on my knee, walking normally was impossible.” Martin had to preach in Dieciocho that night and he found a friend there who loaned us some crutches.

When Tonyia talked with Martin they decided Steve needed to see a doctor, maybe for an x-ray. Tonyia, Martin and Steve went to the emergency room at the local hospital. The ER is normally very busy, but not this time. It was around 8:30 pm when we arrived at the ER.

It is very different than in the US. There are guards standing at the door. If you are not a patient or an immediate relative, you do not enter the hospital. The guards brought a wheel chair to the car and Martin assisted Steve inside. After parking the car, Tonyia came in as the triage nurses took some basic information about Steve.

“Because I’m a nurse I was interested in how their medical process worked,” said Tonyia. “There were two triage nurses dressed in starch white blouses and pants. They had their white nurse caps on too. I recall the days I also had to wear white and a starched cap. In the US, this tradition stopped after I graduated from LVN school – over twenty years ago.”

“The triage area was a small room attached to the waiting room, the door was left open. In fact Steve was sitting in the wheelchair in the waiting room. There was no privacy. Every question asked was open to the rest of the people in the waiting room. I assume no there is no HIPPA here,” she added.

One of the nurses took Steve’s blood pressure and temperature and asked a few questions about what happened. He was not examined and he was not asked what medications he was taking or his history.

Once the triage process was complete, they handed Steve a small blue square piece of paper and we were told to wait in the waiting room. We thought it was going to be a long wait. A board stands in the waiting room showing square pieces of paper with different colors representing varying emergency situations. His minor emergency blue color meant an expected wait time of four hours. (Actually the color of his paper wasn’t on the board.)

It was maybe two minutes later when they called Steve’s name. Martin, Tonyia and Steve were allowed to enter a room where the doctor was sitting at a desk. He was a somewhat older gentleman and seemed knowledgeable.

Martin explained his role as the translator and told him what happened. The doctor saw no swelling, and he believed it was just strained. The doctor, as the nurses, never examined Steve and never asked for a medical history or to know what meds he was taking.

The doctor finally decided it would be good to get an x-ray. Tonyia was not allowed to follow. It turned out the x-ray technician was gone until Monday.

“They wheeled me down a hall to the nurses station where they had a shot ready,” said Steve. “I told them no way are you going to give me a shot and I told them about my heart attack three years ago. I told them the Lord had brought me here as a missionary and that Jesus was the best physician.”

They did not give me the shot. The doctor smiled broadly and said, “I’m a Christian too.” He told the nurses “no charge.” Within 10-15 minutes Steve and Martin rejoined Tonyia and we were ready to go.

Tonyia was shocked I was back so soon and she asked, “Did you already get an x-ray? What did the doctor say?” No, the x-ray tech was gone. “I had to laugh. In the US you would have multiple x-ray techs. Here I guess there is only one.”

The doctor told Steve to keep his leg elevated and rest it for 2 weeks. He did recommend a small amount of exercise twice daily. He said if he was not better in 2 weeks we were to return and he would order and MRI.

Each day Steve is slowly getting better. We know that when you are working for Jesus, satan will attack. We will not quit proclaiming the love of Jesus! We will literally stand strong for Jesus! We claim totally healing and restoration in Steve’s body in the name of Jesus! We give God all the glory and praise!!

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Kid Club: “The Truth Will Set You Free”

Memory verse

The kids learn memory verses.

John 8:31-32, Jesus says: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Our desire as we have kids club every week is to teach these kids there is only one true living and loving God. We want them to learn how to read their own Bibles, so they can draw closer to Him and have that personal relationship. Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22: 6

These are difficult times:

  • False prophets, people who proclaim to be teaching the truth of the Bible, but who distort the gospel for their own gain
  • False religions- prevalent in Mexico
  • Materialism – we are beginning to see this somewhat here also, mostly with cell phones

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

We enjoy sharing with you, our family and friends, weekly how God is using Marcos 10:14 club to teach the kids the word of God. These kids, are the next generation of Christian leaders. Thank you kids for listening each week. And thank you for praying for us! We love Jesus and we love you all!

Here are the last two weeks of the Marcos 10:14 kids club in pictures:

She got a prize for knowing verse.

She got a prize for knowing verse.

Yessi was gone one week but her mother Sonia and friend helped.

Yessi was gone one week but her mother Sonia and friend helped.

We had guest, Martin's uncle and aunt.

We had guest, Martin’s uncle and aunt.

Handing out supplies for craft.

Handing out supplies for craft.

Butterfly project illustrated how Jesus changes us into something of beauty.

Butterfly project illustrated how Jesus changes us into something of beauty.

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We had a special treat, ice cream for everyone.

We had a special treat, ice cream for everyone.

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This boy is always excited about kid's club. His smile always warms our hearts.

This boy is always excited about kid’s club. His smile always warms our hearts.

 

We have a new sign for kid's club.

We have a new sign for kid’s club.

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Damascus Road Fellowship Donation Helps Getsamani Church

Martin and Reynaldo walk in front of new church location on the way to get material.

Martin and Reynaldo walk in front of new church location on the way to get material. (click on a photo to see it larger)

We have been praying for months that Pastor Reynaldo’s (Rey) church would find a new location or money would be donated to build. Prayers were answered. The church should be able to start services next week at its new bigger and better location. Thank you Jesus! And, thank you Damascus Road Fellowship!

Getsamani church is a growing, spirit-filled congregation and most Sundays there is standing room only. Pastor Rey and wife, Lourdes, are a couple after God’s heart and the Lord is moving in mighty ways in their lives. The Church has been paying rent for their tiny building each month and the area for the growing children’s ministry was less than ideal.

The new location is much larger and it has a separate second floor area for the kids. It is also in a prime, highly visible location, near the center of town where hundreds of folks walk and drive by each day.

The major (similar to a county judge) of Galeana has offered to pay ½ the rent since the Nuevo Corazon ministry, the elderly feeding program, will also use the space. They will begin cooking their weekly meals in the church and serving drop-ins. True Path Ministry, Inc. will continue to supply the weekly propane and will also continue to deliver the meals.

A group of church members came to pray in each room before work was done.

A group of church members came to pray in each room before work was started.

The building needed some work, but we had to ask ourselves, “what better way to spend our time and resources than to further God’s kingdom?” True Path Ministry, Inc. has provided: the electrical wiring, has rewired the church, donated a reconditioned secure metal door and provided the material for the concrete stairs. The concrete stairs go up to the second floor to the children’s area. Much of the labor is being provided by church members.

While the congregation is rich in spirit, they do not have a lot of financial resources. “I have heard the statement ‘find out where God is working and get in on what He is doing,’” said Stephen.

Thanks to the Holy Spirit’s leading and financial donations from the Damascus Road Fellowship we are advancing the gospel in Galeana!

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

The back area had years of trash that needed to be cleared.

The back area had years of trash that needed to be cleared.

After much work the back area is cleared.

After much work the back area is cleared.

The trash from the back filled this dump truck.

The trash from the back filled this dump truck.

The kid's helped too.

The kid’s helped too.

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Pastor Rey helped with the wiring too.

Pastor Rey helped with the wiring.

Others helped with the wiring.

Others helped with the wiring.

True Path Ministry Inc. rewired the new church.

A True Path Ministry team (Stephen & Martin) rewired the new church.

Martin works on a wire.

Martin works on a wire.

A more secure metal door was added up stairs.

A more secure metal door was added up stairs.

Pastor Rey and Stephen moved a pile of cement sand from the street to the back of the building.

Pastor Rey and Stephen moved a pile of cement sand from the street to the back of the building.

The old church building is not big enough for the growing congregation.

The old church building is not big enough for the growing congregation as this photo from last Sunday shows.

August 2016 Newsletter

Its all for Jesus! The August schedule for the True Path Ministry Inc. team (Tonyia, Stephen, Martin, Ana and Yessi) was full. In our newsletter are some of the highlights of our activities for August. The headlines include: Marcos 10:14 Kid’s Club Ongoing Success; 100 Kids Come to Three Day Vacation Bible School at Tiny Dieciocho de Marzo Village!; Gospel on the Move: Church Comes Alive at Cañón de Vacas (Canyon of the Cows); Special Gifts for Pastor Reynaldo and Nuevo Corazon Galeana; Pastor Jose and Family Get New Clothes; Church Celebrates Tonyia’s Birthday; and Your Support is Vital to Ministry in Mexico. Below is a link to the newsletter. It is a PDF file suitable for printing to share with others.

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