Gifts to Dieciocho de Marzo Kids

After a service and delivering gifts at Tepazon in the morning on Thursday, December 29th a True Path Ministry team made their way to Dieciocho de Marzo that evening. We had a great Christ-honoring service at Pastor Jose’s church before handing out gift bags to all the kids. It is such a pleasure to show the love of Jesus by giving gifts to the little ones. They were grateful.

A lady from Monterrey gave a powerful message at the service.

A lady from Monterrey gave a powerful message at the service.

The church prayed for the children.

The church prayed for the children (click on a photo to see it larger).

Larry Bookman from Bandera, Texas helped hand out the gifts.

Larry Bookman from Bandera, Texas helped hand out the gifts.

Tonyia and Belinda handed gifts to the girls.

Tonyia and Belinda handed gifts to the girls.

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After the service we had a meal at Pastor Jose's home.

After the service we had a meal at Pastor Jose’s home.

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Martin and Pastor Jose joined in the Christian fellowship time.

Martin and Pastor Jose joined in the Christian fellowship time.

Tepazon Kids Were All Smiles

The True Path Ministry Inc. Christmas-time kid’s blessing tour made its way to Tepazon, a small village in the desert about an hour south of Galeana. It is Pastor Reynaldo’s home community and we set up at his parent’s farm. About 80 kids and 30 adults came to the open air worship service focusing on the children. Yessi, our kid’s club teacher, lead the children in fun games and songs. Martin gave a short Bible-based sermon. and Pastor Reynaldo lead a powerful prayer time.

After the service we handed out gifts to the kids. They were overjoyed to have some candy, a few toys and essentials like soap and shampoo. We spread out clothes and shoes for the adults. We also gave out reading glasses.

The sack race came with lots of laughs.

The sack race came with lots of laughs.

Yessi taught the kids a Christian song complete with motions.

Yessi taught the kids a Christian song complete with motions.

Martin gave a short sermon.

Martin gave a short sermon.

The cart race was fun too.

The cart race was fun too.

Pastor Reynaldo from Galeana lifted up prayers in Jesus' name for everyone.

Pastor Reynaldo from Galeana lifted up prayers in Jesus’ name for everyone.

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Larry Bookman from Bandera, Texas helped hand out gifts.

Larry Bookman from Bandera, Texas helped hand out gifts.

Blenda Bookman also helped hand out gifts.

Belinda Bookman also helped hand out gifts.

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We met at Pastor Reynaldo's parent home.

We met at Pastor Reynaldo’s parent’s home.

Most of the True Path Ministry team for this service lined up for a photograph.

Most of the True Path Ministry team for this service lined up for a photograph.

The restroom was an outhouse.

The restroom was an outhouse.

 

Christmas Blessings Near Refugio

The True Path Ministry Inc. Christmas-time kid’s blessing trips have begun. The team made its way to extremely remote Refugio on Wednesday, December 27. About 50 kids and 30 adults showed up at Pastor Seldonia’s house for worship and fellowship. It was a joyful and Christ honoring time under the cedar limb covered patio. Each child received a special prayer and a present. They were extremely grateful.

Larry, Belinda and the Pastor's mother in-law took a walk before the service began.

Larry, Belinda and the Pastor’s mother in-law took a walk before the service began.

Larry and Belinda Bookman came down from Bandera, Texas to help us during this very busy week. They drove to the border where Tonyia and Stephen met up with them to drive them on to Galeana.  It had been many years since either one had been to Mexico. It was a pleasant uneventful drive. They were especially in awe of the mountains through which we drive during the last hour of the trip.

We got up early the next morning to meet Martin, Ana and Yessi to make the three-hour drive deep into the mountains near Refugio. The team took the ministry 1995 Suburban loaded with gifts and clothing. We also took our Ford Edge.

This little girl had fun blowing bubbles.

This little girl had fun blowing bubbles.

Yessi, who teaches at our weekly kid’s club meetings, treated the children to a fun time of games, crafts and singing during the adult service time. They rejoined the service and praised the Lord in front of the adults through the motions to a song they had just learned. The Pastor and the True Path Ministry team prayed for each child as the congregation lifted up the group. It was a moving time in the presence of the Lord.

After the spirit-filled worship service each child was given a gift. It was so much fun to see the joy on the kids’ faces as they peaked in the bags – they seldom get anything beyond essentials.

Piles of clothing and shoes were laid on tarps for the adults to pick up for their families. We also handed out reading glasses after testing which strength would work best. Many of them can now see to read their Bibles.

It was a great day serving the LORD!!!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we travel each day to give out gifts. If you would like to donate to the ministry visit our support page.

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The kids enjoyed some games during their time.

The kids enjoyed some games during their time.

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We handed stuffed animals to some kids we met on the road.

We handed stuffed animals to some kids we met on the road.

They enjoyed the craft project.

They enjoyed the craft project.

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Belinda helped to pray with the children.

Belinda helped to pray with the children.

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Larry and Belinda enjoyed their time during the trip.

Larry and Belinda enjoyed their time during the trip.

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We sat of make-shift benches.

We sat of make-shift benches.

Baby dedication during the service.

Baby dedication during the service.

Larry shared a Bible reading with Martin's help.

Larry shared a Bible reading with Martin’s help.

Many walked miles to get to the service.

Many walked miles to get to the service.

Pastor Santiago rode his donkey.

Pastor Santiago rode his donkey.

Martin prays for this man.

Martin prays for this man.

Martin gave the sermon after a time of singing and testimonies.

Martin gave the sermon after a time of singing and testimonies.

Hitching a ride from the service to go back home.

Hitching a ride from the service to go back home.

The Pastor poses with Belinda and Larry.

The Pastor poses with Belinda and Larry.

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New shoes.

New shoes.

A new Bible.

A new Bible.

The Pastor's wife cooked for everyone.

The Pastor’s wife cooked for everyone.

Tonyia walked with Belinda, Larry and the Pastor's mother in-law before the service.

Tonyia walked with Belinda, Larry and the Pastor’s mother in-law before the service.

Ana shows Belinda a very large pine cone.

Ana shows Belinda a very large pine cone.

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Yessi's two boys enjoyed a horse ride.

Yessi’s two boys enjoyed a horse ride.

 

Kid’s Club Christmas

If success at a children’s Christmas party is measured by the number of laughs, the amount of joy and if all are honoring Jesus as the reason for the season – then our club meeting was a success. It was a fun night at the Marcos 10:14 kid’s club in Galeana on Wednesday, December 21. About 80 kids showed up for a night of game playing, song singing, prayers delivered, pinata breaking and Pizza eating. It all ended with each child getting a bag of candy and a generous gift.

There were twice as many kids at the party than we had expected. But the joy of the season was demonstrated as the children laughed and cheered for each other. Yessi, Pastor Jose and family, Martin, Ana, Stephen and Tonyia all helped the kids remember Christ’s birth is what we are celebrating. The gift given to each child at the end of the night included a couple of toys, practical items such as soap and a tract explaining the gospel. They were all very grateful and for some this will be the only Christmas gift they will get.

Thank you LORD for this opportunity to show your love celebrating Jesus’ birth. Also, thank you to the churches and individuals who gave gift items, money and prayers to make this happen. This was our first gift giving event as True Path Ministry has many more places yet to go this season. Next we will move into the mountain villages.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers this season and if the Lord is leading you to donate financially visit our support page.

A stuffed animal was one of the gift items in the girls' bags.

A stuffed animal was one of the gift items in the girls’ bags (click on a photo to see it larger).

This boy was happy with a Hot Wheels car that was one of the items in his gift bag.

This boy was happy with a Hot Wheels car that was one of the items in his gift bag.

The gift bags were a hit.

The gift bags were a hit.

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Many got a new club tshirt including Pastor Jose who has been coming each week to teach the kids Christian songs.

Many got a new club t-shirt including Pastor Jose who has been coming each week to teach the kids Christian songs.

A race with cans on the feet was one game.

A race with cans on the feet was one game.

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Yessi reviewed pasted lessons with the club.

Yessi reviewed past lessons with the club.

Rolando wrote down a couple of things he learned about Jesus.

Rolando wrote down a couple of things he learned about Jesus.

One boy and one girl were dressed like a Christmas tree.

One boy and one girl were dressed like a Christmas tree.

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Even the adults got in on the fun.

Even the adults got in on the fun.

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Pizza is always a hit with kids.

Pizza is always a hit with the kids.

Tonyia and Ana helped prepare and hand out the food.

Tonyia and Ana helped prepare and hand out the food.

Martin keeps things moving along at club meetings.

Martin keeps things moving along at club meetings.

 

Border Challenges Met and Overcome by Faith

We were all smiles once we got all the stuff across the border. thank you Pastor Francisco and wife Estella (left and right of Tonyia and Stephen)

We were all smiles once we got all the stuff across the border. Thank you Pastor Francisco and wife Estella.

Getting across the border into Mexico is always a challenge when there is a lot of stuff involved. So, we called on Pastor Francisco and wife Estella for help. They are from Reynosa and are the ones who cover us under their ministry here in Mexico. After paying a $120 USD tax we got everything across, not bad considering the volume of the items we brought over. Our trailer was loaded and our vehicle was packed full with over 400 bags filled with gifts, dozens of stuffed animals, clothes, shoes and a bunch of miscellaneous items.

It did not go as expected. We put everything in Pastor Francisco’s vehicle that we thought the border officials would want to tax. He usually does not get stopped. But this time at the border he got a red light which meant a vehicle search. We thought we would be searched because we had the trailer and Texas plates. We got a green light and we were free to enter Mexico with no delay. Amazing how it works. Not defeated though!! Go Jesus!

They opened every container and box in Francisco’s vehicle and looked up on the internet the value of several new items. When they were finished they told Francisco the tax would be over $400 USD. But, when he went to the window to pay he showed them his Pastor credentials and told them the purpose was to give away everything in Jesus’ name. They lowered the tax to $120 – Jesus in Action!!

Tonyia washed some of the stuffed animals.

Tonyia washed some of the stuffed animals.

Once away from the border check we loaded everything back on the trailer to make the five hour trip to Galeana. Most of the gifts are already separated by Nino (boy) or Nina (girl) but we still have to go thru everything. Then the fun will begin. Tomorrow, Wednesday 12/21, we will give out gifts at the Marcos 10:14 kids club. Next week we will head to the remote farms to hand out gifts to the kids who seldom receive one. We are excited that we will have others from Mexico and the USA to help us distribute the gifts!

Please include us in your prayers as we go out to these remote villages sharing the love of Jesus. We want everyone to realize the greatest gift came one night in a manger in Bethlehem – Jesus the Christ child – Emanuel, God with us.

If you feel lead to give financially for our work in Mexico visit our support page.

Our daughter Maigen and Pepper helped organize many gifts before we left the USA.

Our daughter, Maigen and dog Pepper, helped organize many gifts before we left the USA.

There were a number of small items to sort through.

There were a number of small items to sort through.

There is a tremendous amount of work and expense involved in our Christmas gift program.

There is a tremendous amount of work and expense involved in our Christmas gift program.