Prayers Needed as TPM Seeks the Lord’s Guidance

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True Path Ministry (TPM) is grateful for your prayers and financial support. As you know the bulk of our service to the Lord is in Northern Mexico. It has been a very difficult time there. In the midst of this worldwide crisis TPM has been able to achieve milestones in ministry related building projects and by providing emergency relief for families in need. However, we need your prayers for the Lord’s guidance as we enter the Christmas season.

COVID-19 has impacted the Galeana area in a big way. There are over 300 documented cases of the illness and likely numerous more undocumented carriers in the area. There are strict limits to what activities the government will allow: crowd size, travel restrictions, mask requirements and all manner of social interaction is curtailed. They even have a local special group to enforce the requirements. We are saddened by the fact we will not be able to gather packages in the US and take them across to the children as we have in the past. We are contemplating how best to honor Christ’s birth among the kids in Mexico this season.

During normal times we have encountered difficulties getting a trailer load of gifts from the US into Mexico. This is not normal times and bringing a bulk of stuff from the US is not feasible. Our prayer is to go during this Christmas season and provide some level of gifts to children there. We will have to purchase presents there and get creative in how to distribute them.

While how to serve the Lord during the Christmas season is a developing story, we are honored at the achievements the Lord has allowed during the year in several areas.

TPM and the Iglesia Getsemani church in Galeana, NL, work as close partners for the Lord in the area. Pastors Reynaldo and Lourdes (Lulu) have done a tremendous job moving forward with God’s work when missionaries Stephen and Tonyia could not be there. In addition to being pastors to a growing congregation they have helped TPM in three key areas:

  1. Church construction project. The Iglesia Getsemani church building is almost complete. Recently a new ladies restroom was added, tile for the stage, tile for the congregation area and window curtains are in progress. New projects at other churches are planned for 2021.
  2. Parsonage/TPM lodging construction project. We are in the final stagesof completing the parsonage for Pastors Rey, Lulu and family. We will soon begin a two bedroom second floor addition to the structure that will serve as a place for visitors in 2021.
  3. Family emergency relief. We helped with funeral expenses for several families, provided ongoing funds for bills and food for some folks. In addition TPM provided a metal roof for a recently widowed pastor’s wife.

TPM is here to serve the Lord and we can only do this with your help! Your ongoing prays and financial support is essential to our ministry. Thank you for your faithfulness. Dios bendiga (God bless).

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)

(Note: click on a photo to see it larger)

  • Will Christmas Happen in MX
    TPM has given out hundreds of gifts in Galeana and remote villages in the past but this year presents major challenges.
  • Downstairs living area of parsonage nearly complete. A second floor will be added for TPM visitors in 2021.
  • Parsonage floors recently finished.
  • Pastor Reynaldo & Lulu before windows were added.
  • Church building will soon get tiles on the floors in worship area.
  • New ladies restroom added to church
  • Recently the church building stage was tiled. Tile will be added to sitting area soon.
  • New restroom before it was stuccoed and painted.
  • Pastors Rey, Lulu and family area faithful partners with the Lord and TPM
  • Helpers came early in the year from Texas
  • TPM gives out Bibles when it makes trips to remote areas.
  • In the past remote villages got gifts, but this year is different.
  • Past visit to Canoas
  • Mixing concrete at church building
  • TPM helped students attend Bible college
  • TPM provided new roof for widow’s home in a remote village
  • The parsonage was built next to the church building
  • Master mason Juan is a pastor in a small village

TPM Newsletter Summer/Fall 2020

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Good Progress at Galeana Construction Projects

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True Path Ministry Inc. and the Iglesia Getsemani church are close partners in proclaiming Christ and drawing people to the gospel in Galeana, NL, Mexico and the surrounding area. In the midst of the COVID-19 medical crisis (see COVID-19 a Menace to Mexico) many activities have been altered or halted, except for our construction projects. One bright spot is Pastor Reynaldo, Lulu and family’s home beside the church building. It is taking shape, plus, there are several new additions to the church building.

The steep lot beside the church has been transformed to a level building site where the parsonage will stand. The foundation, cinder block walls and concrete roof have all been completed. The exterior windows and doors have been ordered (they are made locally out of steel and glass). The floor in several rooms has been poured and the walls covered in stucco. They are using a pre-colored cement stucco so no additional painting will be required. There is much more to be done before it will be move-in ready, but all things considered, progress has been amazing.

A footnote, the master mason we are using is also the Christian pastor at a small village church in the area. It is amazing how the Lord places people like him in our path. Also, Pastor Reynaldo and other members of the church help with construction.

Next door, at the Iglesia Getsemani church building, the exterior is completed. The metal roof is finished, white pre-colored stucco covers the walls inside and out. The wiring is completed and there are light fixtures installed. One of the two downstairs rooms is completed. The one restroom has wooden stall doors, a double sink area with mirror and there is a baby diaper changing area. The latest additions: construction has begun on a second restroom, wooden curtain rods are being hand made and new tile was installed on the stage area.

There is still much to do, but the people of the Iglesia Getsemani church, Pastors Reynaldo and Lulu are so grateful. The church building is the nicest in town and it maybe the largest.

Reynaldo, Lulu, and kids- Abdiel, Areli and Elias are excited to see their new home going up. They have never had a house that was theirs, no more rent and no more moving.

The Lord is in this every step of the way. Thank you supporters for your prayers and financial donations! It has made a huge impact here for the glory of God!

Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established Proverbs 24:3 (NKJV)

Con sabiduría se edificará la casa, Y con prudencia se afirmará Proverbios 24:3 (RVR 1960)

Click on a photo to see it larger:

  • Church building
  • New tile
  • New restroom
  • curtain-rod caps
  • downstairs room
  • Parsonage
  • Master mason Juan
  • pouring floor in living area
  • House has great view
  • Pastor Reynaldo & Lulu
  • Rey works daily on house
  • Juan is also a pastor to small village

COVID-19 is a Menace to Mexico

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The COVID-19 worldwide plague continues to be a big issue in the areas served by True Path Ministry (TPM), as missionaries Stephen and Tonyia Williams discovered on a recent visit. The couple have a house in Galeana, NL, Mexico where they normally live several months each year, but not this year. However, there is good news on the construction projects at the Iglesia Getsemani church building and the parsonage. Progress on both projects have accelerated this year (see Good Progress at Galeana Construction Projects).

Normal activities of TPM, such as the Marcos 10:14 Kids Club, evangelism to remote villages and even worship services have been either halted or altered. The US-Mexico border is closed except for folks who have essential business in either country. After a long discussion the Williams got special permission from a Mexico health official to enter. In addition, Galeana, NL, has a special medical checkup tent setup at the entrance to the town. The missionaries had gained prior permission to enter the town thanks to Pastor Reynaldo.

Unfortunately, Mexico has one of the highest percentages of deaths per person who gets the sickness in the world. The country as a whole is suffering. We understand, the bulk of those with the virus in the state of Nuevo Leon, live in Monterrey. They believe locally only about 100 persons have had the illness. An ill person can be tested at the small local hospital, but it is not equipped to handle a COVID-19 patient. They will be sent home or if a person’s condition becomes very serious they are taken to Monterrey. We heard stories that when someone dies from the virus their body is cremated and no funerals are allowed.

Inside Galeana there are numerous restrictions affecting everyday life. The central plaza, which is the life blood of the community, is closed with a fence around it. The schools have no in-person classes. Masks are mandatory all over, especially in the stores. I (Stephen) saw a health official in the plaza area reminding people to “social-distance” and wear masks. There is a nightly round of sanitation spraying in areas where people gather during the day.

The government now allow churches to meet, but have issued restrictions. No one over 60 years of age, no one with preexisting conditions: heart disease, diabetes, etc., are suppose to attend and no young children. Masks and the social-distance rules apply and no hugging or even hand shakes. Chairs in the Iglesia Getsemani church building have a big area of separation around each one.

For this group of serious Christ followers, Church services are an essential part of life, especially during this time. I noticed during worship that every seat was taken (even on a Wednesday night), the services are still Spirit filled and Christ is being proclaimed and glorified.

There have not been any members here who have had the COVID-19. We pray the Lord continues to shield these good folks and that this worldwide plague soon passes.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NKJV)

Pastor Russell Mills’ Passing

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Pastor Russell Mills, a great servant of the Lord, passed from this world to be with Jesus on September 1, 2020. He was a powerful man of God, filled with the Holy Spirit and fervent in sharing the Gospel of Christ with others. The church he led, Grace Tabernacle in Ennis, Texas, is a long-time supporter of True Path Ministry and its mission in Mexico. While heaven welcomed a mighty man of God, he will be greatly missed here on earth. We especially lift up Russell’s wife LaDonna, and children Rebekah, Rachel, Reagan, and Lindsey.

All of us involved with TPM send our heart felt condolences to the Mills family and the many friends who mourn Russell’s passing. He touched numerous lives for the Lord at several churches where he was the Pastor throughout the years.

We take comfort knowing the word of the Lord is true: Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 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 8:37-39 (NKJV)