Reflections on My Mexico Mission Trip

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by Donna Jones (Note: Donna was part of a group from the Medina Texas United Methodist Church who visited Galeana, NL, Mexico and ministered along with True Path Ministry in August 2019. This was published in the Medina Texas United Methodist Church newsletter.)

  • “The righteous will still bear fruit in old age.” Ps. 92:14
  • “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward him for what he has done.” Prov. 19:17
  • “Go…tell them how much the LORD has done for you.” MK 5:19

These three Scripture verses were my devotional readings the first morning of my return. The morning I returned to my comfortable life with all of its many blessings.

Even in my old age I can still bear fruit for my LORD. And when I do show kindness to the poor among us, it does not go unnoticed by my LORD. And now, I am to tell you how much the LORD has done for me.

It has been said that a mission trip, especially one to another country less fortunate than the one you live in, changes a person. I can honestly say this is true.

I no longer have any sympathy for Americans who complain about not having __________________ (fill in the blank). How many of us would walk an hour to attend our church service? How many would attend if there wasn’t a building? One without air conditioning/heating, electricity, restrooms? I venture to say not many would. Yet, that is exactly what I witnessed on this mission trip. People walking an hour or more to worship God outdoors, in heat, without restrooms.

I witnessed a love for God from these people that knows no bounds. They worshiped from their heart. My dear beloved husband reminded me that God speaks in other languages. While I didn’t understand ninety percent of what was sung or preached, the passion and Holy Spirit of His children came through loud and clear.

The pictures we have shared cannot possibly tell the true story of our visit. I cannot as well with words. Only by experiencing can one truly realize the power of love God has for His people and the power of loving one’s neighbor, regardless of their location, race, or economic situation.

It is your mission team’s prayer that more of our congregation will accompany us when we return to Galeana after Christmas. That will be the time when True Path Ministry will be delivering the Christmas boxes to the children in the area. So, if you want to go, begin the process of obtaining you passport NOW. I guarantee your life will never be the same.

Thanks to all of you who supported this trip with your prayers and your finances…. Thanks to each of our team members: God, Travis, Heidi, Arturo, and Arlen. Great job, team! We’re ready to go again! Come join God’s team on our next trip.

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

  • Heidi and Donna at table in Refugio
  • Donna helps with logs
  • Prayer time before departure
  • Medina and Galeana group who worked at Getsamani Church
  • Arlen, Travis and TPM’s Stephen
  • Travis working on support for new roof in Refiugo
  • Heidi at service in Refiugo
  • Heidi, Arlen and Donna
  • Arturo finds a nnew hat before his adventure

True Path Ministry Inc. Summer 2019 Newsletter

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True Path Ministry Inc.  served Jesus in Mexico in many ways during the summer season of 2019. We were privileged to have two short-term mission groups visit us in Galeana, NL, Mexico: one from Grace Tabernacle of Ennis, Texas; and another from the Medina, Texas  United Methodist Church. We also had Hope Loveless with us for about a month. She is considering pursuing a career as a full-time missionary after she graduates from high school.

Our biggest project continues to be working with Iglesia Getsemani on a new church building in Galeana and work has progressed.  The Marcos 10:14 Kids Club is also doing well. At the meetings the gospel is being shared with children and adults each Thursday at our ministry house. We also used the TPM van to take the love of Jesus to several remote villages during the summer months. It was a busy season!

Click on the link to see the five page newsletter in a PDF format that is suitable for printing (it is a large file and may take a minute to load): True Path Ministry Inc. Summer 2019 Newsletter

Sharing Jesus’ Love through School Supplies

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Thanks to a generous donor from Texas, True Path Ministry was able to give five kids, from three different homes, much needed school supplies. All five of the children live in very difficult situations and were extremely grateful to get the backpacks filled with pencils, sharpeners, rulers, erasers, notebook paper, map colors and scissors. Edith and son Kevin went with us to the store to pick out the needed supplies.

Edith works with the school system here in Galeana, NL, Mexico, she is a committed Christian and she has a deep love of children. She works as a volunteer with TPM to drive the van each week for kids club and travels with us on many Saturdays taking the gospel to remote villages.

Tonyia and I (Stephen) are so humbled and honored to be conduits to share Christ’s love with others. The simple act of giving backpacks filled with school supplies to these kids show them what the love of the Lord looks like. Two of the five are regulars at our Marcos 10:14 Kids Club meetings and we invited the other three to come too. Our prayer is that each one will realize how much God loves them and wants the best for their lives.

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

  • Edith and Kevin helped buy the right supplies

A Sunday in San Francisco, NL, Mexico

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True Path Ministry along with Galeana Evangelist Ramiro Garcia went to San Francisco, a small village several miles north of Galeana on Sunday, August 25th. It is situated at the base of a 12,000 foot mountain named Potosi. Pastor Saul had heard we had some reading glasses and wanted us to come to his church and offer them to his congregation. We were set to be at his first service at 10:30 a.m., normally a small Bible study group. He said it would be good if Evangelist Ramiro would preach as he was hoping to build up the Sunday morning group.

Word must have gotten around because the Church building filled with worshipers. Ramiro ‘s spirit-filled sermon prompted raised hands and lots of shouts of “amen” and “hallelujah.” After the service we set up our glasses table at the back of the church and began to help those crowded around select the right reading spectacles. All of our glasses were given out. We also had five bags of clothes we spread on the floor and bags to contain them. They were quickly snatched up by the many families attending the service.

Tonyia handed out small bags to the children with simple items like bubbles and a few pieces of candy. The kids were excited and grateful to get the unexpected gifts. Pastor Saul told us over coffee afterward he was very happy with the number of people who came, Ramiro’s sermon and the gifts, glasses and clothes True Path Ministry brought were a blessing. But most of all that Christ was honored and glorified.

“Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25: 37-40

It is so humbling to be used by our Lord to show his love to others! It is supporters like you who make it possible for us to continue. Thank you for your support in all forms.

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  • kids loved the gifts
  • The clothing was popular
  • Pastor Saul found some glasses too
  • Ramiro, Saul, Saul’s wife, Tonyia

Sewing Gifts from the Heart of Jesus

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Seven ladies in the Galeana, NL, Mexico area were overjoyed to get sewing supplies. Gloria, wife of Milton who is the Baptist preacher here in Galeana, received a sewing machine. All of this was made possible in Jesus name thanks to some generous Christian donors in Texas. The ladies had all been part of Patricia’s sewing class at one time.

Patricia and Harry Williamson are missionaries that operate a Christian camp outside town. We work together on projects the Lord places in our path. They had asked if we could help get some items for their sewing classes. We put the word out and a few months later were able to transport the items across the border. We still need some more sewing machines. Please let us know if the Lord leads you to donate one to our ministry.

All glory to Jesus!

(Note: Click on a photo to see it larger.)

  • this lady got a sewing kit
  • Gloria was over joyed to get the sewing machine. She is the wife of the Galeana Baptist Church Pastor.