Canoas: Fun, Gifts and Jesus

On December 31st the True Path Ministry gift giving group was in Canoas, a small village in a valley at the top of steep mountains. Going south from Galeana three vehicles and eighteen people made the two hour trip. The last hour of driving was on roads that were so steep and rough that our two wheel drive vehicles barely made it. But for the privilege of sharing the gospel of Jesus the Christ – the drive was worth it!

In Canoas the small, old wooden Christian church building is kept alive by faithful families, but few outsiders come here. We picked up a couple from Aguablanca on the way to the village. They wanted to join in worship.

The kid's enjoyed the art project.

The kid’s enjoyed the Christian art project. (Click on photo to see it bigger)

There is only a few solar cells to provide electricity in the tiny village. Juan had to set up a portable generator to run the sound system for the adult and kid’s worship time. He played the music and Sandra sang. Pastor Jose and his family from Dieciocho de Marzo came along for him to preach and Pera lead the song service. He delivered a powerful gospel message and lead a wonderful prayer time.

Yessi, our kid’s club teacher, was with us to lead the children. She had them play fun games, make a Jesus honoring art project and sing Christian songs. The local kids were overjoyed for the rare opportunity to experience the gospel in this way. They later joined the adult worship to show what they had learned. After the service each child was given a Christmas gift. Each present included a tract explaining what it means to follow Jesus. It also had toys and personal items such as soap and combs.

Martin and Ana were also on hand to help. Tonyia and Stephen, plus visitors Larry and Belinda Bookman from Bandera, Texas were there to testify and support all the activities. Tonyia used her beautiful sign language to a Spanish song for an uplifting moment during a spirit-filled worship service.

At the end of the service, after the gifts were given to the kids, the adults were invited to pick from donated clothes and shoes. We also gave out reading glasses to those who needed it. Plus, Sandra who runs the Nuevo Corazon ministry, brought food items to give away such as cereal, bananas and other items.

Because there were 18 of us, three different families divided us in groups to feed us in their homes. It was a wonderful time serving the Lord. On our way back we stopped to give a very poor family gifts and food as we traveled by their home. It is such a joy to serve the Lord! It was a long, but memorable for all involved.

We want to thank everyone who has been praying for us, donated gifts and money. It has kept us going during a very busy time delivering the Christmas spirit in remote villages. If you feel moved to make a donation please see our “support” page. (Below: Check out some of the pictures we took. Click on a photograph to see it larger.)

The kids enjoyed the art project. They are rarely given an opportunity to make a decoration for their home.

The kids enjoyed the art project. They are rarely given an opportunity to make a decoration for their home.

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Pastor Jose preached a powerful message.

Pastor Jose preached a powerful message.

Tonyia used sign language to praise God to the words of a Spanish song.

Tonyia used sign language to praise God to the words of a Spanish song.

The local folks were part of worship too.

The local folks were part of worship too.

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Sandra who runs Nuevo Corozon, gave away food.

Sandra who runs Nuevo Corozon, gave away food.

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The village is in a beautiful high-mountain valley.

The village is in a beautiful high-mountain valley.

The road was challinging.

The road was challenging.

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We gave our hosts a "blessing bag" that included fresh oranges.

We gave our hosts a “blessing bag” that included fresh oranges.

We used Juan's generator to power the sound system.

We used Juan’s (left) generator to power the sound system.

We gave away clothes too.

We gave away clothes too.

A local home and burro.

A local home and burro.

Tonyia discover they separate the strands on a rope to hold their freshly washed clothes on the line.

Tonyia discovered they separate the strands on a rope to hold their freshly washed clothes on the line.

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A well used Bible is a beautiful sight. This is actually Larry Bookman's Bible.

Larry Bookman’s well used Bible is a wonderful sight.

 

La Avena Desert Joy in Giving

On December 30th the True Path Ministry gift giving tour group was in La Avena, a small village in the middle of the desert. It is over an hour away from any paved road. Many of the people there are relatives of Pastor Jose who lives in Dieciocho de Marzo. Pastor Jose and family came along to visit, preach and share the gospel. We held a spirit-filled worship service. Tonyia used sign language to show her joy of the Lord to a Spanish Christian song. Larry and Belinda Bookman expressed their love of the people and the Lord. Yessi lead the children’s church.  Martin and Ana were on hand to help and share too. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was shared in many ways.

After the service, gifts were given to each child, clothes to adults and glasses to those who needed them. It was another wonderful day serving the Lord!

The local folks greeted us warmly.

The local folks greeted us warmly.

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The gifts were a big hit with the kids.

The gifts were a big hit with the kids.

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Tonyia used sight language to a Spanish song during worship.

Tonyia used sign language to a Spanish song during worship.

Pastor Jose from Dieciocho de Marzo preached a strong Bible-based sermon.

Pastor Jose from Dieciocho de Marzo preached a strong Bible-based sermon.

The kids sang a song they learned from Yessi.

The kids sang a song they learned from Yessi.

They always feed us even when we show up with a dozen people.

They always feed us even when we show up with a dozen people.

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The kids had fun during their special time.

The kids had fun during their special time.

Yessi lead the kids at their service.

Yessi lead the kids with Ana’s help at their service.

There was a good group at the service.

There was a good group that came for the event.

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Pastor Jose's extended family lives in the village.

Pastor Jose’s extended family lives in the village.

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Larry and Belinda from Bandera, Texas enjoyed the village.

Larry and Belinda from Bandera, Texas enjoyed the village.

Genesis and Martin posed beside these old wheels.

Genesis and Martin posed beside these old wheels.

Tonyia and Stephen also posed beside the old wagon wheels.

Tonyia and Stephen also posed beside the old wagon wheels.

Tonyia and the local Pastor.

Tonyia and Pastor Esperanza.

 

 

 

We took several bags of clothes.

We took several bags of clothes.

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We were able to give out some glasses to help folks read their Bibles.

We were able to give out some glasses to help folks read their Bibles.

It is an interesting village.

It is an interesting village.

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Pablo (Yessi's son) had fun hitting a box withstick, but no candy came out.

Pablo (Yessi’s son) had fun hitting a box with a stick, but no candy came out.

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Larry and Martin

Larry and Martin

We were pleased to have several others come with us.

We were pleased to have several others come with us.

The ministry Suburban was loaded with gifts and clothes and people.

The ministry Suburban was loaded with gifts and clothes and people.

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