What God Can Do with a Little Time and Willing Hearts

True Path Ministry Inc. had the privilege of working here in Mexico with a group on a short-term mission trip from the Medina, Texas United Methodist Church. The group accomplished a lot both physically and spiritually in just a few days. They were here the better part of a week and returned home on August 12th.

They covered Pastor Seldonia’s outdoor worship area with a sheet metal roof (see New Roof and Kid’s Day in Refugio). It is near the extremely remote mountain village of Refugio. The Pastor asked TPM a couple of years ago for our help to replace the brush covered pavilion. We have been praying that the Lord would have some group step forward to claim that project, and He did. And it was a small church from the Texas Hill Country. Who would have predicted that?

It was a project that should have taken a couple of days to complete. Yet, the group somehow got it done in about four hours! That included cutting down trees to use as support beams.

At the same time the roof workers were busy, part of the group held a VBS like event for the children living in that area of the mountains. Over twenty kids showed up, with some walking an hour with their Moms to get there. While the kids were learning about Jesus, worship broke out among the adults. The canyon was filled with praises to the Lord.

The group also tackled a water tank project for Iglesia Getsemani in Galeana, NL. It was in Pastor Reynaldo’s new unfinished church building. We badly needed the storage tank to allow the toilets to function when city water is turned off, which is a regular occurrence. We recently had a youth event and had to haul water in buckets up the hill to flush the toilets. Thanks to the Medina United Methodist Church, hauling water is no longer necessary.

TPM, members from the Getsemani Church and some of the Texas visitors took “blessing bags” to seven home bound elderly. One lady told the group, through heart-felt tears, that no one had been to see her in months. She was overjoyed by the love of Christ from the group.

TPM, the Texas group and Getsemani Church members made their way to Rayones one day for a special time of worship under giant pecan trees (see Worship & Ministry Under the Pecan Trees of Rayones). In addition to a powerful service they held a kid’s time, gave out bags of clothing and reading glasses.

Beyond the physical projects that were completed there was spiritual work that happened too. Having Christians from the USA come and worship here in the remote mountains of Mexico is a big deal. It renews the hope of the gospel to the people. The language is different, but we share the same Holy Spirit.

Because of the short-term mission trip from the Medina, Texas United Methodist Church many lives were touched in Texas and here in Mexico. It is all for Christ, we serve an Awesome God!

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It was beautiful scenery

Worship & Ministry Under the Pecan Trees of Rayones

Folks with True Path Ministry, along with short-term missionaries from the Medina Texas United Methodist Church and members of the Getsemani Church in Galeana, NL, Mexico went to Rayones, NL, Mexico on August 10th to share the gospel of Christ. The group joined with local Christians for a powerful time of worship.

Getsemani’s Pastor Reynaldo and wife Lulu lead the service with local Pastor Armando and wife Rosa. The adult song service was heart felt. Evangelist Ramiro gave a moving sermon about loving God by loving our neighbor. The Texas visitors had a translator who helped the “Americanos” understand the preaching. The children were treated to their own time during the sermon.

The visitors spread tarps on the ground and gave out several bags of shoes and clothing. A table was set up and reading glasses were given to whoever needed them. The local church fed us all a great meal.

It was an awesome day of fellowship serving our Lord, Jesus Christ

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New Roof and Kid’s Day in Refugio

Short-term missionaries from the Medina, Texas United Methodist Church joined with True Path Ministry on August 9th for an adventure for Christ in the mountains of Mexico. After a beautiful but rough trip deep into the remote highlands they split into two groups. One group put a sheet-metal roof on a church’s worship area. In another location the second group held a special service and activity time for kids, and a worship service for Moms.

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Jesus said “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

Visiting short-term missionary, Hope Loveless, was on hand August 1st along with thirty children at the weekly Marcos 10:14 Kids Club meeting in Galeana, NL, Mexico. They learned about the “I am” statements Jesus made in the Bible book John. The craft project was a “discovery wheel.” When the two round paper sections were assembled the kids could dial the wheel to see each of the seven “I am” statements Jesus made in John and its location in the Bible.

Teacher Maria also had games, songs and prayers related to the lesson. Other faithful adult supporters helped make the meal, drive the True Path Ministry van and assisted the kids with their craft project. Jesus was at the heart of everything and is the reason for this ministry.

The lesson reminds all of us about the power and different attributes of our Lord as expressed in His seven “I am” statements which are:

John 6:35, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 8:12, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

John 10:9, I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 10:11, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 11:25, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

John 14:6, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me

John 15:1, I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.

Jesus continues to bless this ministry and we pray He continues to bless you for your love, prayers and financial support!

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Uplifting Psalm 118

The Bible is full of wisdom and uplifting assurance of God’s love for us. Psalm 118 is one of my favorites and here are a few excerpts from my English Standard Bible:

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
    the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
    What can man do to me?
The Lord is on my side as my helper;
    I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.

22 The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone.

24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
    you are my God; I will extol you.
29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!