VBS in the Mountains at Purisma, Mexico
Guest written by John Sursa who is on a short-term mission trip from Ennis, Texas. Several other Christian Texans were also along on this adventure.
It was my pleasure to be with True Path Ministry as we traveled from Galeana, Mexico to the village of Purisma, Mexico. It is a two-hour drive, the last hour of which is on a gravel road that goes up, down, and around mountains offering spectacular views of mountains, valleys, and streams. The mountain sides are covered with Pinion pine trees, cedar trees, various thorny bushes, and all kinds of cactus. This road finally led us to a village of small houses amidst native pecan trees surrounded by steep mountains.
True Path Ministry was accompanied by Pastor Ray and several members of Iglesia Getsemani, Galeana, NL, Mexico. We journeyed to the Purisma village to lead the children in a two-hour Vacation Bible School. The VBS was led by Ana who serves as children’s leader and teacher. True Path Ministry has been working with the church at Purisma for several years but has been ministering more often to the church in the last six months since their pastor has gone to be with the Lord. Pastor Ray of Getsemani is currently holding services there once a month since the loss of their Pastor.
The VBS began with Ana leading 35 plus children in several Christian songs. The children stood, sang, and made motions as they were led. Next, came a time of fun with water relay races. The children had a good time and the parents and others laughed as the children struggled not to spill the water. After the game the children were entertained and enlightened as Ana narrated a Biblically based story aided by two Getsemani youth dressed as animal characters in mascot-like costumes. B was the parrot, and Lluvia was the duck. The children were amused, entertained, and inspired.
After the narration, Ana led the children in memorizing the Bible verse: Mt. 6:33 which says, “But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” After this Ana shared the Gospel message with the children and led them in a prayer for salvation. Today the Angels in heaven rejoiced as five children accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The VBS concluded with an egg hunt. The children hunted for plastic eggs containing parts of the Bible memory verse. As the children found the parts of the Bible verse, they placed them in order on a bulletin board. Finally, the children were treated to a lunch of a sandwich, chips, a drink, candy, and a toy. We were treated to a lunch prepared by the Pastor’s widow in her kitchen. The lunch consisted of black beans, carne guisada, a pasta dish, and homemade corn tortillas with homemade salsa. We enjoyed this lunch on the patio of this dear woman which is adjacent to the site of the future new church.
The church has just begun foundation work. The men of the church have dug these cement column foundation holes by hand. The holes are one meter square and one meter deep and have been dug through mostly caleche and rock. When the church building is completed, it will be a large structure for a village of this size. The measurements for the future church are approximately twenty feet by fifty feet or a thousand square feet. If the success of the VBS today is any indication, it won’t take long for the church at Purisma to fill the new building once it is complete.
I would like to personally thank the church at Purisma for its hospitality, Getsemani church for its Missionary heart, and True Path Ministries for allowing me to have a small part in today. I also want to encourage each of you to pray for the church at Purisma, Iglesia Getsemani Church, and True Path Ministry as they seek to do the work of God in this small part of Mexico.
In Jesus name, John Sursa
(Note: Click on a photo to see it larger.)
