True Path Ministry Inc. is helping a church start construction on a new building in Hidiondilla, NL, Mexico. The congregation currently meets in a makeshift flimsy structure assembled with scrap materials and a dirt floor. Pastor Carlos and wife Jenny are the young couple who are the founders of the small church in the rural desert village. They are on fire for the Lord and eager to extend the love of Christ to everyone in the area.
The plan is to construct a new about 1,800 square foot building on the existing lot the congregation owns. The walls will be concrete block with a sheet metal roof. TPM gave the go ahead with initial funding for the project just after the New Year. A big load of concrete blocks and other building supplies have now been delivered and construction has begun. The bulk of the work will be done by members of the church and other volunteers.
TPM and the Iglesia Getsemani Church from Galeana were humbled and honored to be part of the dedication of the Centro Cristiano Maranatha Church back in July (see A New Church in Hidiondilla, NL, Mexico.). It was a tremendously uplifting experience to witness the group of Christians gathered and committing to sharing the love of Christ with their area. “I have been in magnificent cathedrals, but of all the worship places I have experienced none was better than the one where we visited today,” said Jim Jones who was visiting from Texas. We returned to the church on December 18th to give them Christmas gifts (see Joy in Hidiondilla).
The pastor and members are grateful to the Lord for answering their prayers. TPM is proud to be a part of this upstart church. Your continued prayers and financial gifts will keep this project moving. Thank you for your support.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (Romans 12:11 NIV)
NOTE: Click on a photo to see it larger.
The ribbon was cut at the property in July 2021
Pastor Carlos, wife Jenny and family.
The pulpit was made from a discarded wire reel
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The pastor’s family always feed us when we visit Canoas. And on our visit to deliver Christmas gifts on December 30th they once again welcomed us to their table. We especially enjoy the corn tortillas they serve us. “My wife got up at 5 AM to hand grind the corn we raised for the dough,” responded the pastor when asked how they made such quality flat bread. She cooks over a wood stove, we have found is common among people living in the mountains of Mexico.
However, her cooking surface has a deluxe feature, wood storage is directly under the fire box. It is also common the way they house their kitchen-dining area in a separate building. It provides a welcomed warm refuge from the cold days in the high-altitude region. Their corn is raised locally in thin, rocky soil tilled by donkeys. Water comes from a spring-fed creek nearby. The table and chairs are hand-made from timber cut in the area.
They live a simple life off the land, fueled by faith that God will provide. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
Note: Click on a photo to see it larger.
deluxe stove
notice irons for clothing
New corn grinder, now couple of years old
Pastor’s wife by stove
a prized corn tortilla
another family kitchen
tilling soil (taken a couple of years ago)
forested area on way to Canoas
pastor and wife (taken a couple of years ago)
Canoas family
village of Canoas
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Find below the True Path Ministry, Inc. Fall/Winter 2021 Newsletter. It is a PDF file suitable for printing (please share it with others). This newsletter includes our Christmas gift giving adventures, a recap of other projects and a look at what is ahead for 2022. We are so grateful for our faithful God and your support. Your prayers, visits and financial support keeps us going.
12/30/21, Stephen, Tonyia with True Path Ministry, Pastor Rey and family, many from Iglesia Getsemani, Evangelist Ramiro, his son and wife headed to Canoas for our last day of Christmas giving.
We have been to Canoas many times but there is something special about going to this ranch and enjoying the simplicity of life (well maybe not the outhouse-it can be a challenge). We, as Americans, may think these people are poor because they do not have material things but it is quite the contrary. When you see the faces of these sweet people and you see and hear them worship, you know their life is full! A common question that we sometimes hear Pastor’s ask their congregation, is “are you content”. I believe in my heart the people in Canoas are content! They have Christ in their hearts!
We unload the blessing bags that contain food and household items and other gifts we have brought for Pastor Alfredo, wife Alicia and Francisco, wife Noehemi and family. Also from a generous donor, a new chainsaw with oil was given to Francisco. This will help him and his family not only to have wood to use for cooking but also he can cut and sale wood. They are always so grateful!
These 2 families proceed to invite us to come to their homes to eat. This is not a small thing as they live primarily off the land, plus we had a very large group that came with us. We split up into 2 group: one group to the Pastor’s house and one group to Francisco’s house.
Ramiro, family and few others from our group came with Steve and I to the Pastor’s house. Alicia had prepared refried beans, rice and homemade corn tortillas. Ramiro asked Pastor Alfredo how much it cost to buy a kilo of corn tortillas. Alfredo said he did not know because they do not buy tortillas. He raises the corn, Alicia grinds it and then prepares the tortillas. Ramiro went on to tell Alfredo that 1 kilo of tortillas in Galeana cost 20-25 pesos. This is very expensive. Tortillas are a staple at every meal. It is common in Mexico for the tortilla to be used as a spoon. Steve and I get the Americano pass, they give us a spoon to use with our meal.
Alfredo then proceeded to tell Ramiro that Alicia had been up since 5 AM grinding corn and preparing tortillas. I have to tell you, there is nothing like homemade corn tortillas. What a blessing to have her do this for us!
We all finished our meals, thanked our host and hostess and walked to the church. Lulu began with prayer and sang several songs before inviting others to come share. The Galeana group sang a song then Steve and I went up. I had Lulu read Matthew 20:25-28. It was emotional for me. We have been to Canoas many times. There is something special about these people, this place and church. They are our family in Christ!
I told them, the best I could in my broken Spanish, that we do not come just to bring them material things but it’s because we love them and Jesus loves them. That we continue to pray for them and know that God is with them!
Ramiro’s son, Josue, then got up to preach on Proverbs 19:17. Having pity on the poor, or helping the poor, is like giving directly to God. Not because God will reward us but because we love God and want to serve Him. As I listened to the sermon, it reminded me of several scriptures: And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:37-40.
And Matthew 5:3 –Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Josue explained: We are all spiritually poor without Christ. Serving Christ requires ACTION. It was a spirit filled sermon with an on point message.
We gave our blessings to each other in the church, which is tradition at the end of the service. The kids lined up outside to receive their gifts, knitted Frisbees, gloves, knitted hats, and candy. The ladies also received knitted hats.
Side note: one boy was looking at a small bubble wand and dish, as his friends also looked on, they weren’t sure what it was or what it was to be used for. Steve reached down and showed them by pretending to have real bubbles, in unison all the kids went “ohhhhh”. Such a sweet moment where we forget these kids do not have access to TV, phones, internet or stores like the Dollar Tree.
We said our goodbyes and headed back to Galeana. We stopped in a small village just up the road, which we have done for years. We handed out stuffed animals, knitted hats, gloves, knitted frisbees and candy. They were excited to see and thankful!
What a joyous fun filled day to end our Christmas season giving, sharing the love of Jesus !
Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
We could not do the work of Jesus without your love, prayers and financial support. Thank you!
Until Next Year! Gracia A Dios!
Note: click on a photo to see it larger.
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(Guest written by Jeanette, niece of Stephen and Tonyia)
We have just returned from our last day of Christmas gift giving in Purisima, Nuevo Leon. This was my first time to visit this tiny village. The church there is nestled near the edge of a canyon with a river at the bottom. Lebardo is the pastor there, and tomorrow he celebrates his 67th birthday. He, his wife, and three of his daughters were there to greet us when we arrived.
Since church was not scheduled to start until noon, we had some time to spare and hiked down the canyon to the river at the base. The water, rocks, and trees were beautiful and reminded me of where I grew up in the Texas Hill Country.
Church began at noon with LuLu leading the praise songs, and the Pastor Lebardo’s daughters getting all the ladies from the village to sing a special song for us visitors. It was wonderful. The group from Iglesia Getsemani also sang a special song for the church. Then the children were dismissed, and we all went outside in front of the Pastor’s house to have children’s church. The kids enjoyed the singing, craft, and the story of Christ’s birth. One little girl was only 3 years old and sat and listened with the attention span of a much older child.
Evangelist Ramiro was with us once again today and preached a sermon on Isaiah 60:1. Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. A reminder that we need the light of Jesus. It helps us to be content. Also remember that your soul reflects your mood to others, and your glory to God. Always remember how God has blessed you, even in your difficult times.
After all this we handed out the gift boxes to the children and the handmade sock hats. The families were also given donated blankets. Most of the children today were very small and they were completely amazed by the bubbles, dolls, balls, yo-yos, and everything that was in the gift boxes.
Being a part of the giving adventure this year has been such a blessing to me and all the members of True Path Ministry. I realized that I started coming to do this in 2017, so next year will make 5 years. I absolutely love doing this and cannot wait to come back. It is now time to start working on Christmas 2022 and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Thank you to everyone in the U.S.A. that made this happen and Dios de bendiga…God Bless You!
Note: Click on a photo to see it larger.
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