Helping Nuevo Corazon…Delivering Food to the Elderly

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Guest written by our niece, Jeanette.

Yesterday the forecast showed a 70% chance of rain, however we prayed all day that God would grant us a reprieve for our Kids Club fiesta…and He did.  Our fiesta was rain-free and fantastic! (see A Fiesta to Remember! The One Year Anniversary of Marcos 10:14 Kids Club)

Today the heavens let loose and we have seen rain most of the day.  This did not prevent our involvement in a Tuesday tradition here for the ministry…delivering meals to the elderly.  Sandra, of Nuevo Corazon, and a sister from the church started early this morning cooking a healthy meal for the people in need.  Here they make use of what is available. As you can see from the photos, today the cooks used a large bucket to boil the chicken.

A total of 32 meals were carefully wrapped and placed into totes for delivery.  Stephen, Pastor Rey, Lori and I started delivering the meals around the rain drenched town.  Many of the recipients lived on washed-out dirt streets.  One family was huddled into their home, made of little more than cardboard.

One thing is certain; all of the residents who received the meals were extremely grateful for the food and truly happy to see the pastors.  Lori and I received countless hugs and kisses.

Giving is part of being a Christian and giving to those in need for no gain of your own is exactly what Nuevo Corazon is accomplishing here in Galeana.  It is clear that there are many in need and True Path Ministry along with Nuevo Corazon are helping to fill that gap.  I am honored to be a part of the giving.

Until tomorrow “Dios te Bendiga”…May God Bless You.

A Fiesta to Remember!  The One Year Anniversary of Marcos 10:14 Kids Club

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This week we have a guest writer, our niece Jeanette who is here visiting and helping with the ministry.

Monday, July 10th marked the one year anniversary of Marcos 10:14 Kids Club and my daughter Lori and I had the privilege of attending.  The local pastors and teachers created a magical atmosphere to celebrate the milestone. The festivities included a petting zoo, pony rides, and many games which were all surrounded by a western theme.  There were more than 100 children in attendance.  The children also performed several Christian songs that they had been practicing for weeks.

One thing is for certain, the children were extremely excited to be at the fiesta and truly grateful for all the food, cake, prizes, and love that they received while there.

Today was also Stephen’s Birthday (a.k.a. Esteban), and the Marcos 10:14  teachers prepared a special surprise for Stephen where the children sang “Happy Birthday” in English while holding paper letters that also exclaimed Happy Birthday.  After his birthday song, Stephen was gifted with countless hugs from the children and handmade birthday cards.  Afterward, they promptly served him an excellent cake…yes, as you can see from the pictures he narrowly avoided getting his entire face pushed into the cake. To top it off, Patty put together a video celebrating Stephen’s Christian walk/ministry. It was so thoughtful and brought tears to all of our eyes.

I can honestly say what stood out to me today at this gathering were two things… joy and love.  You can see that all the pastors and teachers truly love these children and that the children experience great joy in being at Kids Club.  Smiles and hugs abound here.  After attending this event, my hope is that each one of these children carries the love and joy of God in their heart and may Kids Club continue for many years to come!

“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14

P.S.  Feliz Cumpleanos Tio!

The games were a blast. (click on a photo to see it larger)

The kids performed a song they had practiced for weeks.

Jeanette and Lori enjoyed the fiesta.

There were a lot of hugs.

Club honored Stephen in many ways for his birthday.

Tonyia thanked the teachers and helpers.

 

Lori helped pass out the food.

Sandra planned the food.

There were several farm animals.

Harry and Patricia were also special guest. They too are missionaries.

Adults participated in games too.

Jeanette and Lori helped give out gifts.

 

This was an especially funny dancer.

There was a lot of work before the fiesta.

 

 

 

 

Preparation for Marcos 10:14 Kid’s Club Anniversary

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Tonyia and Stephen recently returned to Galeana after spending a couple of months in the US. It is exciting to be back in Mexico, but also very busy. We are preparing for our one year anniversary of the Marcos 10:14 Kids Club. To honor that milestone we will host a big fiesta on Monday July 10th. It will be an extra special event as we will also celebrate Stephen’s birthday, and our niece Jeanette and her daughter Lori will be here in Galeana.

Evangelist Ramiro will preach, we will feed everyone, and the kids from club will sing. What a joyous time in Jesus it will be! Keep watching for the Anniversary photos. Club on June 29th included some games, prayers and food, but was mostly practice for the July 10th event.

Each week we pick up numerous kids in the surrounding are with our ministry Suburban.

Club has kids of all ages and adults come to help too.

Teachers Ana (left) and Patty have worked hard to make the ministry house “kid friendly”.

The kids enjoy the games each week.

Teacher Patty talks to the kids about the upcoming event.

This game involves group hugs.

Each week we feed the children and adults who comes to club.

 

These two young mothers come often to club.

 

 

 

A New Sound System for Getsemani Church

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The Getsemani Church in Galeana, NL, Mexico is enjoying a new sound system, thanks to a generous donation from Gospel singer and friend, Casey Needham, from Waxahachie, Texas. Pastor Reynaldo, wife Lulu and the members of the Getsemani Church and True Path Ministry often work together to serve the Lord in the Galeana area. The church is growing and had been using an older borrowed sound system. The new system is a big improvement in quality, plus is more compact in size. Their worship space is small compared with the number of people who attend services. There is often an overflow crowd.

It is a very busy church. In addition to worship services several times each week, the church supports: the Marcos 10:14 Kid’s Club on Thursdays; helps prepare and deliver meals with Nuevo Corazón on Tuesdays; takes food to families in the local hospital; collects and distributes items to people in need; and travels with True Path Ministry to serve the needs of remote villages in the area.

Gospel singer Casey Needam donated a very nice sound system.

Gospel singer and friend, Casey Needham, donated a very nice sound system.

Even Pastor Rey's youngest, Elias, is happy with the new sound system.

Even Pastor Rey’s youngest, Elias, is happy with the new sound system.

The Getsemani Church is very active in serving locally. Here they hand out food to family members of patients in the hospital.

The Getsemani Church is very active in serving locally. Here they hand out food to family members of patients in the hospital.

Border Crossing, Donations and Prayers Answered

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Thank you prayer warriors — your prayers have been answered! Tonyia and Stephen of True Path Ministry are back in Galeana, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. We managed to get here with a vehicle and trailer load of much needed items that we will be giving away in the coming months. We did experience some challenges at the border on the Mexican side. But, the Mexican officials understood we are missionaries and are called to help the good people of Mexico. They let us pass with everything after paying a modest tax. Praise the Lord!

We had been in Texas for over two months visiting churches, gathering donations and making vehicle repairs. We also are the proud grandparents of a new granddaughter, Bailey, who was born on May 22nd to our daughter Maigen, her husband Chris and daughter Ashlinn (11) Isbell.

While in Texas we visited with churches Christ Chapel in Bandera; Lighthouse Assembly of God in Sweetwater; and The Damascus Road Fellowship in Ennis. Plus, a number of individuals gave us financial and other needed donations. We are also grateful to have stayed with several folks. Fellowship with other Christians is always sweet!

To all those who offered support, prayers, words of encouragement and donations I offer this: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV)

Chris Isbell made many repairs to the suspension and engine to our Ford Edge. It has over 270,000 miles on it.

Chris Isbell made many repairs to the suspension and engine on our Ford Edge. It has over 270,000 miles on it, many of those were on rough roads in Mexico. (click on a photo to see it larger)

Pastor Frankie and wife Shelia at church in Sweetwater, Texas.

Pastor Frankie and wife Sheila gave  Tonyia the opportunity to talk about Mexico at their church in Sweetwater, Texas.

Gospel singer Casey Needam donated a very nice sound system.

Gospel singer and friend, Casey Needham,  donated a very nice sound system.

Pastor Glenn introduced Stephen.

Pastor Glenn introduced Stephen before Stephen preached at The Damascus Road Fellowship in Ennis.

Pastor David and wife Krista Ruark were missionaries in the past and have been very supportive.

Pastor David and wife Krista Ruark, from Christ Chapel in Bandera, Tx were missionaries in the past and the church always welcome us.

One lane of the mountain road to Galeana was blocked by a giant rock that fell off the mountain.

One lane of the mountain road to Galeana was blocked by a giant rock that fell off the mountain. We never know what we will encounter on the roads in Mexico.

A Mexican work crew worked with the tools they had to break up the giant rock blocking the road.

A Mexican work crew worked with the tools they had to break up the giant rock blocking the road.