12/31/2025

Canoas, NL, is a small mountain village at the end of a rough road. True Path Ministry, along with volunteers from Texas and the Centro Cristiano Getsemaní church in Galeana, has traveled there many times. Over the years, the people of Canoas have become our family in Christ.

Life in this farming village is not easy. The people work hard, plowing small fields with donkeys, tending goat herds, and cutting timber. They face many challenges, but Christ gives them strength and fills them with joy and peace. Though Canoas is forgotten by much of the world, it is a treasure to us.

We held a simple worship service in the small wooden church, with acoustic guitar music and singing. The building is leaning badly and in need of serious repairs, yet it remains a place of faithful worship. We gathered for a combined service that included adult worship, kids’ church, and a time of giving.

During the adult service, we heard a message from Antonio, a student from Instituto Bíblico. He preached about the fruit of the Spirit and how we can apply it to our daily lives (Galatians 5:22–23). He reminded us that the greatest fruit of all is love.

We are called to serve the Lord in all we do while showing His love to others. After the services for both adults and children, we distributed backpacks filled with school supplies and toys. Mothers with babies received special bags with baby items, blankets, and toddler toys. It was a beautiful day of giving and sharing God’s love.

Kids Club was held outside the church and taught by Ana. Her lesson focused on “walking with Jesus,” helping the children understand that following Jesus leads to truth and life. The children also sang songs, played a game, and made a craft together.

NOTE: Click on a photo to see them larger.

January 2, 2026

Stephen and Tonyia Williams of True Path Ministry, along with their friend Debbie and a group from Centro Cristiano Getsemaní in Galeana, Nuevo León, traveled to Refugio by way of a long, windy, dusty mountain road.

We were warmly greeted by Pastor Celedonio and his wife, Elsa, who were overjoyed to see us. The ranch is about 54 miles away, but the rough and dangerous road makes the trip take nearly two hours. Because of its remoteness and difficult access, we are likely the only missionaries who regularly visit this ranch.

After arriving, we were served a wonderful meal cooked over a wood-burning stove. The food included potatoes with beef, a zucchini and tomato mix, rice, beans, and fresh tortillas. It was a true feast and lovingly prepared.

Following the meal, the service began. Lulu led worship, and several families came forward to thank the Lord for bringing them into a new year, offering songs of praise.

Abdiel, Pastor Rey’s son, preached the message. True Path Ministry is blessed to sponsor several students, including Abdiel, who attend Berea Instituto Bíblico in Monterrey. He preached from John 3:16, sharing how God loved us even while we were sinners and offers us eternal life.

After the message, Pastor Rey closed the service and invited those who wanted prayer to come forward. He asked Lulu and me (Tonyia) to pray for the people. As they knelt, I laid my hands on one woman and began to pray. Although my Spanish is limited, the Holy Spirit moved powerfully.

While praying for a young woman, I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me to ask if she had received Jesus in her heart. Because of the language barrier, I asked Lulu to speak with her. The young woman shared that she had never accepted Jesus but wanted to do so. Lulu prayed with her as she spoke the words of salvation. I cried tears of joy as I thanked Jesus for saving her. Lulu then explained how to pray and talk with God at any time. I went to the car, brought her a Bible, and gave it to her.

After everyone returned to their seats, a mother came forward asking for prayer for her daughter, Luzma Alejandra, who had pain in her knees. I placed my hands on the little girl’s knees, and we prayed. When we asked if she still had pain, she said yes, so we prayed again. When we asked her a second time, she said the pain was gone. Thank you, Jesus!

The children then enjoyed a special time with songs, a lesson about walking with Jesus, and a craft. We ended the day by handing out backpacks, candy, blankets, men’s hats, and stuffed animals.

God moved in powerful ways at Refugio, bringing salvation, healing, and great joy.