A Christmas Visit to Canoas

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Today a massive group of visitors from Texas went with True Path Ministry, along with several members of Iglesia Getsemani. Twenty two people in total took three vehicles to the tiny mountain village of Canoas. After a 1.5 hour drive down bumpy dirt roads, we arrived to a group of smiling adults and children.

Our group was divided into two and we were promptly taken to two local houses where we were graciously fed an early lunch. As we sat in the tiny wooden house, you cannot help but notice the gaps in the walls and the chairs held together by bits of rope. But the meal was prepared and served with love, and it filled our bellies and kept us warm. After that, the walk back to the church seemed longer in the 44°F weather since a mist had started to fall, but we soon began our worship service.

We started with upbeat, praising music, with LuLu and Jose both taking turns on the guitar. Evangelist Ramiro preached a truth-filled sermon on how you cannot live without “the light of God” in your life. He taught us to remember that “the light of God” comes from reading and spending time in His word. The children enjoyed their own worship service complete with songs, a bible lesson, and craft time.

Once service concluded, our group had a blast handing out blankets, clothing, purses, and shoes to the adults. However, the kids are our favorite. Each girl and boy was given a gift box donated by multiple churches in Texas. They contained toys, bubbles, markers, crayons, and personal care items. As you can see from the pictures, they absolutely loved it.

I was thinking today that this is at least the 3rd year in a row that I have had the privilege of helping True Path Ministry hand out gifts. Being able to show God’s love for these children and families has never lost its magic for me; For what gift could be better than the smile of a child?

Guest written by: Jeanette Lewis (niece of Stephen and Tonyia Williams)

Note: Click on a photo to see it larger.

  • The Christmas boxes were a big hit
  • The Texas group sang “Go Tell It On The Mountain”
  • Evangelist Ramiro preached
  • It was so cold we had to use the one-room school for the kid’s time
  • Local Pastor’s family kitchen
  • Shoes and clothes were the gifts for adults.
  • The group started out with breakfast together.

Big Christmas Gift: Mexican Plates on Van

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Thank you! Thank you! The 1999 Ford 15 passenger van is a critical part of our ministry and now it is now officially a Mexico vehicle! This was a big hurdle (it would take a book to explain the complexities of the process). Having Mexican plates means we no longer have to worry about making a trip to the border in the van to renew the permit every 6 months. Plus, this makes it legal to be driven by Mexican citizens (that was not allowed outside Galeana when it was licensed in the US). I want to especially recognize the Damacus Road Fellowship in Ennis, Texas for their significant contribution toward this effort.

We are so grateful for your obedience to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey what He says. We realize y’all have many obligations, but God is so good to bless those who step out in faith! Also, thank you, to the others who raise us up in prayer and make financial donations! Our prayer is for all who lift us up spiritually and give financially, that you will be blessed more than you can imagine!

Our Mexico ministry has had a tremendous year! Our God has been faithful and we are humbled that he has met our needs, often in the most unexpected ways. We’ll talk more about our year in a future post.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas! For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6.

Note: Click on a photo to see it larger.

  • Van used weekly to get kids to TPM club meeting
  • The vehicle is also used to take kids, youth and adults to special events.
  • It is used many Saturdays to take the gospel to remote villages.It is a solid built 1 ton van
  • It is a solid built 1 ton van with a powerful V10 engine and good road clearance for water crossings.
  • The van is used to take people to church Sundays and Wednesdays
  • Pastor Reynaldo and Lulu were overjoyed to have Mexican plates on the van

Jesus Club From Season to Season

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November is a time of seasonal changes in the mountains of northern Mexico, but “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,” Hebrews 13:8. True Path Ministry and Iglesia Getsemani church sponsor the Marcos 10:14 Kids Club in Galeana, NL, Mexico. We are going through life together, teaching the Christian faith to 40-50 kids each week. The children have learned Christian songs, Bible verses, how to pray, how to love each other and to be more like Jesus in our daily walk. They have been fed both physically and spiritually in a safe, Christ centered environment.

What do we teach? Here are examples of lessons from November. Club kids learned about God’s promise after the flood: “And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth,’” Genesis 9:12-13.

In another study through the Old Testament story of the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) the kid’s learned to include God in all our plans. Their memory verse for this lesson was: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever,” 1 John 2:17.

Another teaching was about Nazareth, the home of Jesus and His early life. Craft time is always fun for them and with this lesson they made a scroll with Luke 2:40 written on it. “And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.”

In addition to spiritual nourishment, faithful club volunteers prepare a light meal each week. Galeana, NL, Mexico is an economically poor area. For some of these kids it maybe the best meal they get all week. We do this because of Jesus’ love for us, He gets the glory.

Thank you, prayer and financial supporters, as you too are part of the ministry our Lord has given us in Mexico! Lives are being shaped and changed because of your faithful giving!

Note: Click on a photo to see it larger.

  • songs with motions are part of club

Evangelist Erick Morales to Continue Meeting Tonight

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Evangelist Erick Morales from Dallas, Texas preached a powerful sermon last night and he will continue tonight and on Sunday morning at the Iglesia Getsemani church in Galeana, NL, Mexico. The well known Christian musical group Kairos will also be on hand again tonight with an assortment of instruments to sing hymns, Mexican spiritual songs to praising our Lord.

There was about a hundred people at last night’s service and many of them came forward for a special time for healing prayer at the end of the service. There were lots of tears of joy after several people experienced the mending presence of the Holy Spirit as their health was restored.

Today Iglesia Getsemani church pastor Reynaldo Sanchez, Evangelist Erick Morales and Missionary Stephen Williams went to the home of a man to pray. He was suffering from a broken leg and other medical issues.

An interesting side note, the church building were Erick Morales and family often worships, Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana,  in Dallas, Texas was destroyed by a tornado in October 2019 (link to Dallas Morning News story) but miraculously no one was injured. Also, his family’s home was partially damage too. Erick goes where the Lord calls him and this is his second trip to Galeana, NL, Mexico. He has travel and preached the gospel of Jesus extensively in Latin America.

Palmito: Sweet Worship and Fellowship

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Missionary Glenn Wied was with us today (November 16th) from Steadfast Ministry of Alton, Texas. He and a group of 19 people from Galeana, NL, Mexico loaded up in the True Path Ministry van and my (Stephen) pick-up truck. We made our way through the mountains to the tiny farming village Palmito. Pastor Ruben, who is 87 years old, has been shepherding the faithful Christian church members there. Most of the folks who came in support were from Iglesia Getsemani Church. Pastor Israel and family from La Chama was also with us.

A group from Iglesia Getsemani Church generally go to Palmito for worship at least once per month, but today was an especially memorable occasion. Missionary Glenn is a gifted musician and his uplifting style had everyone smiling. There were about 25 kids who enjoyed a special kid’s time when evangelist Ramiro was preaching to the adults.

The singing was beautiful, the prayers were heartfelt, the preaching was powerful and the fellowship among the believers was sweet. It was a wonderful day in the Lord!

Note: click on a photo to see it larger:

  • Church building at Palmito
  • Glenn Weid is a gifted musician
  • Galeana ladies sang
  • Kids enjoyed their time too
  • Evangelist Ramiro
  • Pastor Reynaldo
  • Pastor Israel
  • Kids show their project
  • the children received a small gift bag
  • the drive was beautiful