“The Joy of the Lord is my strength”

“Do you have any shoes for my children?” said the concerned father. The answer was “yes we do” and we were able to give all his kids shoes. It was part of a great day of sharing the love of Jesus in an area where few Christian missionaries have gone. Texas visitors Arlen and Linda Williams were among the Christians who traveled deep into the mountains of Mexico to the tiny village El Madrono on Saturday October 26th.

In the village there is no cell or phone service. It was a two hour drive on steep dirt roads to get there and we showed up unannounced and unexpected. Plus, it was a totally new area for True Path Ministry. We only knew one person and we were unable to find her. But the Lord used us to carry His word.

The man at the house where we stopped welcomed us and allowed us to use his restroom. To the surprise of us Texans the man spoke perfect English. He had lived in Tennessee a few years back. Our contact was Gloria and she is the school teacher in the area. Our voices echoed down the canyons as we shouted her name, but she was too far away to hear us.

We decided to go a couple of miles down the road where there was a place we could hold a service. As we were about to leave our new friend asked humbly if we had some shoes for his children. We had brought some and it turned out we had a pair for each of his five kids. The smallest child was so overjoyed that he ran up and down the road in his new shoes.

We went down the road and set up for a service in a covered pavilion. Several in our group went door-to-door inviting folks to the service. We plugged-in the amp and Lulu began to play the guitar. Pastor Reynaldo interrupted her music long enough to invite folks to come on in for the service. Many in the village came with open hearts to worship the Lord with us. After a few songs we formed a prayer circle – it was a moving time in the Lord.

One in our group came out with their face made up to look like a friendly clown. His simple humor was met with laughter from the kids and adults. After the service we laid tarps on the ground and spread out the boxes of clothing we had brought. It was gratifying to see so many smiling faces.

We handed a small gift bag and candy to each child. Our good friend Edith grabbed the remaining shoes and began matching them to the feet of the kids at the event. There was also a table set up and Lulu helped give out reading glasses. We handed all the Spanish Bibles we had to those who asked for them.

When we were about to leave we noticed the van had a flat tire. At the same time our new friend from two miles down the road showed up along with Gloria. He and a couple of other men put on our spare tire and we were set to go.

Wow, what a day of ministry. The ride back to Galeana somehow seemed shorter. “The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

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Three Voices of God at Damacus Road Fellowship

God speaks to us in many ways. On a recent Sunday in October Stephen Williams, with True Path Ministry (TPM), discussed three methods at the Damacus Road Fellowship Church in Ennis, Texas. Nature, the Bible and the Holy Spirit were the focus of his sermon and he used photos from TPM’s ministry work in Mexico to illustrate each of his three points.

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse,” says the Bible in Romans 1:20 (ESV). Our maker speaks to the believer and non-believer through His creation. The fine tuned intricacies of our earth and universe are powerful witnesses for God. Mexico’s beautiful landscapes and butterflies were used as illustrations. Monarch Butterflies travel 3000 miles to spend winter in the mountains near where TPM operates.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart,” says the Bible in Hebrews 4:12. Hearing the Lord through the Holy Bible is a vital channel for our Lord’s voice.

“We believe we’re humans having a spiritual experience, but in truth, we are spirits having a human experience. The Bible is a spiritual book, written by a spiritual being to spiritual beings,” said Robert Morris, pastor of Gateway Church. His quote captures the importance of the Bible to Christians. In Mexico TPM takes the message of the scriptures and physical copies of God’s word where there are desperate people seeking His hope.

“For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues,” says the Bible in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NKJV).

When Christians truly surrender themselves to Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives them special talents to use in service to humanity. TPM works with many believers in Mexico and the USA who are using their special talents to serve others in joy. TPM is empowered to do the Lord’s work in large measure because of the many forms of support we receive from both sides of the border. We do what we do because our Lord did what He did to save us for His eternal kingdom.

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Teaching the Word through Kid’s Club in Mexico

Every Thursday night the Marcos 10:14 Kids Club brings kids together in the Galeana, NL, Mexico area to learn about Jesus. What an opportunity, the Lord has given True Path Ministry, to be a part of these children  learning about the most important person in life, Jesus. Each week the kids are taught a Bible lesson, pray, sing songs, play games, have a craft that relates to the lesson and are fed a meal.

What do we teach at these club meetings? Below is a summary of some of the lessons that were taught during the last several weeks, and below the text are photos from the past few weeks.:

“Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth” (Psalm 8:1). The kids were taught the facts about the Biblical passage, that the Jews took literally, the third commandment “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). Also, the kids learned how God’s name ”Jehovah” was written in Hebrew. The craft, which went along with the study, was to write their name on cardstock, cut out each letter, put the letters on construction paper, add a ribbon and attach to a them to a wooden rod.

During another lesson, they learned about Esther being adopted. And the fact when we accept Jesus as our savior, we are adopted into God’s family. “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation” (Psalm 68:5). To help the kids remember the lesson they completed an Esther color-by-number page.

Psalm 91:4 says: “He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”  In this reading God promises if we believe in Him, we can feel safe and be without fear. He is with us and His presence gives us peace. The craft was a chicken made from an egg carton, and the kids added the beak and the comb.

God cares for His sheep. God is a Shepherd who loves, cares for and protects us, forever. “The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought” (Isaiah 58:11). By adding some elastic and cotton balls to a cut out of a sheep’s face the kids made a mask.

When we seek God, His promise to bless us comes to pass. The Lord helps you so you may fulfill the commitment to follow Him. “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful god who keeps covenant and mercy with those who love Him” (Deuteronomy 7:9). To help with memorization the kids filled in the words of the scripture on a foam bookmarker.

“…nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39).  God’s love is so great and He is always willing to forgive us. The craft for this week was a puzzle in the shape of a heart.

We are able to keep this ministry going because of your prayers and financial support! THANK YOU! Please continue to pray for our ministry and for these children! Sharing Jesus in Mexico is our calling!

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Inside Walls Finished at Construction Project

True Path Ministry Inc. and the Iglesia Getsemani Church in Galeana, NL, Mexico work closely together for Christian ministry in the area. Our biggest joint project continues to be completing a new church building. Thanks to generous gifts from donors in the USA we were able to finish the interior walls with pre-colored stucco. This is a significant step forward for the project. It has brightened the worship space and the hearts of many Jesus followers in the area. Hallelujah!

The walls were constructed with cinder blocks and were roughed-in many months ago. Finishing the walls involved a two step process: adding a layer of concrete, filling in holes and repairing other imperfections; and the final step was to add a layer of texturized, colored concrete. Using the colored mortar means the walls will not have to be painted. This method saved time and money and left a much improved Interior.

While this was further progress there is still much work to do. The exterior walls need to be stuccoed/adding texturized colored concrete, the metal roof completed, adding men’s bathroom, doors on stalls in women’s bathroom and the lower level classrooms finished. We know God will provide in His time. If you feel moved to donate to the Galeana Church Construction project send a check to: True Path Ministry Inc., 1420 Moseley Road, Ennis, Texas 75119.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

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