Marcos 10:14 Kids Learn About the Power of Prayers

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 Velad y orad, para que no entréis en tentación; el espíritu a la verdad está dispuesto, pero la carne es débil. Mateo 26:41

The Marcos 10:14 club kids learned the importance of prayer from the example Jesus set in the garden of Gethsemane. Teacher Ana told the kids to pray before they go to sleep and again after they wake up.  She even had charts and handouts. It was a good lesson and the kids responded. The craft project supported the teaching, further encouraging prayers.

But club this week was not all studying, we also had some fun games that made all the children laugh. Plus, we fed them hot dogs as a special treat. It was a great time of fellowship and learning. All for Jesus.

This visiting dog seemed to like the teaching too.

Bible stories are always part of club meetings.

Pass the donuts was a fun game that brought smiles to all faces.

Craft time is always active.

The adults help during craft time.

Hot dogs are a treat for them.

 

Nuevo Corazon: Feeding Souls in Galeana

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? Matthew 25:37 Entonces los justos le responderán diciendo: Señor, ¿cuándo te vimos hambriento, y te sustentamos, o sediento, y te dimos de beber? Mateo 25:37

Week after week Nuevo Corazon prepares and delivers healthy meals to mostly home-bound elderly in the Galeana, NL, Mexico area, and it is True Path Ministry‘s privilege to help that effort. This week one new addition drew my attention. He lives alone in a tiny house. His furniture was a 5 gallon bucket as a chair and a few apple crates as tables. He was happy to see us at his house, it was a bright spot in his day.

I (Stephen) am on the delivery team and just when it starts to feel routine the Lord reminds me that His work is important. Pastor Rey, Abdiel, age 9, Areli, age 6 and myself delivered thirty three meals Tuesday, July 25th. That number fluctuates and is down a bit as some have died or moved away.

Sandra, Lulu and Myre prepared and packaged the meals. They often do not get to see directly how important their work is to these folks, but all jobs are important that are devoted to serving Christ.

Sandra plans and cooks the meals each week.

Its a joy to have Rey’s kids help.

We deliver the meals from the back of my Ford Edge that now has about 230,000 miles on it.

 

 

 

July 16-22, 2017 Was No Ordinary Week in Ministry!

For True Path Ministry in Mexico there is no such thing as a typical week. We may have our idea of how a week should go but it usually doesn’t work out the way we think. A quick summary of this past week: Sunday worship; a broken water pipe; a home worship service; help feeding the elderly; over 50 kids at club; new land purchase; eye exam; car repairs; and annual association meeting. It was a busy week! Our desire Lord is to be about YOUR work in everything we do!

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Sunday

A special solo by Areli age 6.(click on a photo to see it larger)

Worship at the Getsemani Church in Galeana is always special. This week Rey and Lulu’s daughter Areli, age 6, blessed the service with her solo. Others shared too and Jesus was lifted up.

While Tonyia and I were visiting Pastor Rey and his family at their house after church, he told us he had no running water to his house. He showed us the hole in the supply line. Steve turned the water on at the main valve and water began to spray everywhere. Steve told Rey he would be back in the morning to help repair the water line.

Monday

Rey and I (Steve) began the water line repair with a small piece of pipe that Rey already had. But, it also had a hole in it and had to be replaced. After three attempts, we finally got the pipe repaired and Rey’s house had running water.

Sometimes finding the parts needed in Mexico can be the biggest challenge. But, as they say here – you “Mexicate” it – which means you use what you have and make it work.

Tonyia prepared the lesson plan, art project and games for this week’s club so we could get all the information to Patty, the teacher for review. Patty goes over the lesson and prepares herself and also makes sure we have the art supplies needed for the craft.

A side note: The weather has been awesome. Highs in the 70’s with occasional rain showers. Steve was driving through town and it was raining. He saw a man put his arm out his window with a squeegee in hand and wipe his rainy windshield. Apparently, his wipers did not work, – so he Mexicated.  He did what he had to be able to see and drive. I have to say, it did make me laugh.

The new church location will overlook Galeana.

Tuesday

We (Rey and Steve) took the 1995 ministry Suburban to an “oil change” place here in Galeana. It is similar to the quick-change places that are in Texas. We have used mechanics in Galeana for other car repairs but going to a quick oil change place was a new experience. I was glad I didn’t have to go to another town.

What joy it is to say – that today, we were able to purchase land for pastor Rey’s new church. Rey now pays rent for his church and his home. What a blessing it will be to have land and a church that is paid for to remove the burden of church rent. The work to prepare the land for the new church will begin soon. THANK YOU JESUS!

We made the meal delivery route for Nuevo Corazon with help from pastor Rey and his kids. It’s always a blessing to assist in this ministry that is greatly needed for the elderly.

Folks at the service enjoyed getting some new clothing too.

We had service around 6:30pm at sister Mayra’s, a Getsemani church member’s home, on the northern edge of town. As the chairs were being set up, several of us ladies went walking around the neighborhood to invite folks to come to the service.

This service gave us an opportunity to share some of the many clothes from your donations in this small “colonial” area on the edge of Galeana. After the sermon, praying for the families and children, we laid out a tarp and filled it with belts, shoes and clothes. It was such a joy to see these beautiful people in the Lord being blessed by your giving!

Wednesday

Rey and I (Steve) started the day by returning chairs to our ministry house and back to the church from the service last night. Then Steve went to the bank to get pesos so he and Rey could head down the mountain to Linares, a town an hour away, to get a new radiator fan installed on our 2010 Ford Edge. It now has about 230,000 rough miles on it. We waited all day for the part to be delivered from Monterrey, but I’m thankful the radiator and AC cools better now!

Thursday

Steve went to the ATM again, early this morning, because he had spent all the pesos he getting the car repaired. We can use our ATM card sometimes, but most places take pesos only. I go to the ATM quite a lot.

The snack for club tonight will be a special treat – pizza. So as soon as the pizza restaurant opened, Steve went and ordered the pizzas. The pizza has to be ordered early to give preparation time and then I will go and pick them up.

Tonyia’s eye examination was interesting.

Tonyia got an eye exam performed in our home. The people had come by the house several times in the last week or so but it never was a good time but today the time worked for us all. The process was somewhat similar to the states but in the home. It will be interesting to see-no pun intended-how my Rx turns out. My glasses will be delivered to the house in about 12 days.

Marcos 10:14 club is always one of the highlights of our week. We had over 50 kids and 12 adults show up at our weekly club meeting. The kids enjoy coming to club.  It’s not only a joy for the kids, it’s a joy and honor for us to see them come and learn about Jesus.

Friday

We (Steve, Tonyia, Pastor Rey, Lulu and kids) left early – 6AM and headed to Monterrey. It is more than 3 hours from Galeana. We went to Monterrey to attend the annual gathering of the association where Rey and Lulu’s Getsemani Church is a member. Over 20 churches from Mexico were represented. It is an important gathering to honor the pastors, give them encouragement and renewal, through the power of Jesus. It was also our first time to stay in a hotel in Mexico.  The hotel was a nice Four Seasons, Sheraton chain, hotel.

Saturday

It was a great experiencia at the annual meeting of over 20 churches in Monterrey.

One of the most touching moments at today’s meeting, for us, was when Tonyia and I were anointed with oil in a ceremony recognizing our work to further God’s Kingdom in Mexico. It was a tremendous honor and a very spirit-filled ceremony.

We made it home late Saturday evening.  It was a busy but fulfilling week. God blessed us so much!! To God be ALL the glory!!!

It took three tries before we got the water line repaired.

Rey’s kids helped deliver meals with us Tuesday.

Lulu brought the music to the special service on Tuesday.

Pastor Rey preached at the service Tuesday night.

 

We prayed for the many kids at the service.

Relando said his memory verse perfectly.

One of the games at club involved balancing an egg.

Coloring pages work for all ages.

We also used activity sheets to teach the kids.

Pizza was a special treat for the kids at club.

Stephen and Tonyia were anointed with oil at a ceremony at the annual meeting of over 20 churches.

This week the weather was rainy and cool in Galeana.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worship and Giving in Canoas

Guest written by our niece Jeanette and her daughter Lori.

Today we got an early start for our 8 a.m. departure for Canoas with Pastor Ramiro, Sandra, Pastor Rey, LuLu, and their children. Canoas is a remote mountain village that has no running water and no electricity. Getting there was truly an adventure. Eight miles of rough dirt road brought us spectacular mountain views, resting donkeys, and fallen trees blocking the road. Pastor Ramiro helped us continue onward by getting out of the ministry suburban to drag the tree off the road. Recent rains caused us to get stuck…but only once!

The pastor and his wife smiled at our interest in their molcajete, used to grind corn and peppers.

We arrived to happy residents, who promptly showed us to two families who had prepared a tasty meal of beans, rice, and 100% handmade tortillas. You can see the molcajete in one of the photos. This is used for grinding down the corn to make the tortillas.  Since these families are gracious enough to feed us, they received the Blessing Bags I wrote about in yesterday’s post.  Our group was divided by two for the meal, so while we awaited everyone to finish eating we played a friendly game of catch with the children of the village.

Next, we held our worship service in the one-room church that was constructed of wood slats. The inside walls are lined with clear plastic to reduce the wind chill through the openings between the boards. Pastor Ramiro preached a moving sermon complete with relevant funny stories that brought plenty of smiles and laughter.  LuLu and Sandra lead us all in joyful songs.  The most touching part of the service was when Pastor Ramiro asked if anyone would like to receive Christ as their Savior and all of the children came forward!  Each child who could read was given a new Spanish language bible as a gift for receiving Jesus.

Each person who made a first time profession of faith in Jesus and could read received a Spanish language Bible.

Following the conclusion of the services, we unloaded the rack on top of the suburban.  We had four full totes of clothing for the residents of Canoas.  Each person that attended was able to take clothing that they needed for men, women, girls, and boys.  We also gave out several pairs of reading glasses.  The children were given gift bags filled with toys, snacks, and shampoo/soap.  As you can see from the photos, they were very excited about their gifts.

I can say with all certainty that today was one of the most spiritually fulfilling days that I have ever experienced.  These are humble, happy people that find joy in the Word and give the glory to God…Gloria a Dios.  Let us all remember to give the glory to God.

P.S.  I would also like to mention that Pastor Ramiro’s wife has a remarkable talent for embroidery and crochet.  I had the pleasure of seeing her work at her house today.  This is a dying art and she is truly a master of her craft.  Please check out our photos to see the purses and kitchen towels that she handmade.

We had to move a tree that blocked the road.

It is a very remote, small mountain village.

 

Yes, I want to follow Jesus.

Evangelist Ramiro preached a good spirit-filled sermon.

Lulu and Sandra lead the music.

Pastor Rey prayed for each child who came forward.

Sandra wrote in their Bibles John 3:16

Pastor Rey also wrote a note in the Bibles

Evangelist Ramiro talked to the kids about how to use their new Bibles.

The local Pastor read from the Bible.

One of the local members sang a hymn.

We gave a blessing bag to the local pastor who hosted us for a meal at his house.

Their homes are very basic.

We played ball with the kids.

Jeanette and Lori gave out gifts to the kids.

We also brought clothes for everyone.

We gave gifts to this family we saw on the road.

“This is one of my favorite places in Mexico,” said Tonyia about the village.

Lori stands in front of their one-room school.

Inside the school.

Ramiro’s wife makes beautiful hand sewn purses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graduación, Blessing Bags and a Little “Turista”

Guest written by our niece Jeanette.

(click on a photo to see it larger)

Tuesday night I was blessed to be invited to attend the kindergarten graduation of a young lady named Areli.  Areli is the middle child of Pastors Rey and LuLu here at Getsemani Church in Galeana.  She looked beautiful and did an excellent job walking the stage to receive her commemorative diploma.  Afterward, we were all invited to attend a wonderful dinner at Rey and LuLu’s home.

Wednesday morning dawned as being relatively dry, but the afternoon brought more rain.  The morning was spent starting all the preparations for our Thursday trip to Canoas.

First, we started out by going to the local bulk food store to obtain the contents of the Blessing Bags.  No, you cannot even begin to picture what this store is really like.  When we say bulk food, you immediately picture Costco or Sam’s, don’t you?  Well, you have it all wrong.  This is simply one room (about 30 x 30 feet) with pallets of flour, sugar, rice, beans, coffee, etc. stacked all around.  However just like in America, the store buys in large quantities so the price is slightly lower.

After assembling the Blessing Bags, Stephen, Lori and I drove about 8 miles out of town to a local cenote for a little tourism…“Turista”.  The cenote, called Pozo del Gavilán, is about 196 feet wide and about 260 feet deep.  It was definitely an interesting natural phenomenon to view.

Next we headed to Puente de Dios…or the Bridge of God.  Here we were treated to a spectacular view of a naturally occurring rock arch carved by many years of flowing water.  Slightly further down the road, a large cave contains a waterfall and abundant ferns.

Soon after , we quickly returned to Galeana in time to attend the uplifting Wednesday night services at Getsemani Church.  Tomorrow we make the trek to Canoas, which is about a two-hour drive deep into the mountains.  Until tomorrow, Dios te bendiga…God Bless You.

Pozo del Gavilán, is about 196 feet wide and about 260 feet deep.

The view on the road to the Bridge of God was wonderful.

Lori, Jeanette and Steve took this selfie at the Bridge of God.

Mountain creek near Bridge of God.