Border Challenges Met and Overcome by Faith

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We were all smiles once we got all the stuff across the border. thank you Pastor Francisco and wife Estella (left and right of Tonyia and Stephen)

We were all smiles once we got all the stuff across the border. Thank you Pastor Francisco and wife Estella.

Getting across the border into Mexico is always a challenge when there is a lot of stuff involved. So, we called on Pastor Francisco and wife Estella for help. They are from Reynosa and are the ones who cover us under their ministry here in Mexico. After paying a $120 USD tax we got everything across, not bad considering the volume of the items we brought over. Our trailer was loaded and our vehicle was packed full with over 400 bags filled with gifts, dozens of stuffed animals, clothes, shoes and a bunch of miscellaneous items.

It did not go as expected. We put everything in Pastor Francisco’s vehicle that we thought the border officials would want to tax. He usually does not get stopped. But this time at the border he got a red light which meant a vehicle search. We thought we would be searched because we had the trailer and Texas plates. We got a green light and we were free to enter Mexico with no delay. Amazing how it works. Not defeated though!! Go Jesus!

They opened every container and box in Francisco’s vehicle and looked up on the internet the value of several new items. When they were finished they told Francisco the tax would be over $400 USD. But, when he went to the window to pay he showed them his Pastor credentials and told them the purpose was to give away everything in Jesus’ name. They lowered the tax to $120 – Jesus in Action!!

Tonyia washed some of the stuffed animals.

Tonyia washed some of the stuffed animals.

Once away from the border check we loaded everything back on the trailer to make the five hour trip to Galeana. Most of the gifts are already separated by Nino (boy) or Nina (girl) but we still have to go thru everything. Then the fun will begin. Tomorrow, Wednesday 12/21, we will give out gifts at the Marcos 10:14 kids club. Next week we will head to the remote farms to hand out gifts to the kids who seldom receive one. We are excited that we will have others from Mexico and the USA to help us distribute the gifts!

Please include us in your prayers as we go out to these remote villages sharing the love of Jesus. We want everyone to realize the greatest gift came one night in a manger in Bethlehem – Jesus the Christ child – Emanuel, God with us.

If you feel lead to give financially for our work in Mexico visit our support page.

Our daughter Maigen and Pepper helped organize many gifts before we left the USA.

Our daughter, Maigen and dog Pepper, helped organize many gifts before we left the USA.

There were a number of small items to sort through.

There were a number of small items to sort through.

There is a tremendous amount of work and expense involved in our Christmas gift program.

There is a tremendous amount of work and expense involved in our Christmas gift program.

 

Burning Up Trouble Inside Kid’s Club

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The kids wrote their problems on a piece of paper and burned them up.

These kids wrote their problems on a small piece of paper and burned them up.

The children wrote down their troubles and burned them up at a recent Marcos 10:14 Kid’s Club meeting. It was an exercise True Path Ministry teacher Yessi used to illustrate that we need to give all our cares over to Jesus. The Bible says: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV).

For this club meeting it was a cold evening so we had all of the kids inside the ministry house. Our club continues to grow with not only kids but adults.

Each week we read a story from the Bible, sing Christian songs and enjoy a fun game. The fun game this week was to pass limes from person to person using only a spoon held in their teeth. “The kids enjoyed the game. We had first planned to use eggs, but changed to limes once we realized we had to be indoors,” said Martin. “Some of them dropped their limes.”

A lime balanced on a spoon was part of a fun game.

A lime balanced on a spoon was part of a fun game.

Pastor Jose from Dieciocho de Marzo was on hand to teach the kid’s a Christian song that includes motions. He is especially good teaching children how to sing and use body movements to remember the lyrics.

We also feed everyone, adults and children, who come to the club meeting every Wednesday night. “It gives us great joy to see the kids learning about Jesus, the Bible and how to live as Christians,” said Tonyia. “It is also good to see the ministry continue even when we are Texas.”

Please keep us in your prayers as we fulfill the ministry Jesus has given us. Financial contributions are also important for TPM’s work. If you feel lead to make a donation please see our ‘support‘ page.”

Lime on spoon game.

Lime on spoon game.

Pastor Jose taught them a song with motions.

Pastor Jose taught them a song with motions.

Pastor Jose moves with the music.

Pastor Jose moves with the music.

The kids earn special money they can later redeem for prizes.

The kids earn special money they can later redeem for prizes.

Yessi teaches about a Bible story each week.

Yessi teaches about a Bible story each week.

Village Church Building Gets Face Lift Inside

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Pastor Jose and members also helped paint benches.

Pastor Jose and members also helped paint benches (click on a photo to see it larger).

True Path Ministry Inc. (TPM) joined with Pastor Jose and members of his church to paint the inside of their building and to repair and paint the home-made pews. The church is a vibrant part of tiny Dieciocho de Marzo. It is a small agribusiness dependent village located about ten miles northwest of Galeana.

Pastor Jose leads a spirit-filled church, but they have very limited financial resources. The church building was constructed in the 1970’s and has had little work done on it since mission teams from the US came down to build it.

Even though Stephen and Tonyia Williams are in the USA, Martin carries on the work of the ministry in Mexico. The ministry bought lumber and paint for the bench repairs. Martin also helped paint the walls inside. Earlier TPM assisted in improving the kitchen area of the church building (see Pastor Jose’s Church Gets Updates).

“We are glad we can lend a hand to improve Pastor Jose’s Church building,” said Stephen. ” Pastor Jose is always quick to help others. He works with us at the Mascos 10:14 kid’s club and often goes out with us to the more remote mountain villages.”

“It is a joy to follow the Lord’s leading as we serve Him in Mexico. We cherish your prayers, please keep us in your prayers. Financial contributions are also important for TPM’s work. If you feel lead to make a donation please see our ‘support‘ page.”

The team painted the inside of the church building.

The team painted the inside of the church building.

Pastor Jose is always involved in the work at the building.

Pastor Jose is always involved in the work at the building.

Painting the rafters was a ladder climber's project.

Painting the rafters was member Juan’s ladder project.

 

churchpaint1

There was lots of ladder work involved in the pait project.

Even some of the older members pitched in to help.

Even some of the older members pitched in to help.

The Joy in Delivering Meals Each Week

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They are often waiting at the table for us to bring the meals.

They are often waiting at the table for us to bring the meals.

True Path Ministry Inc. has the privilege of working with Nuevo Corazon to deliver meals each week to about 40 elderly poor in the Galeana area. Director Sandra and Coordinator Patricia make sure a team of good cooks are on hand to prepare the healthy food week after week. They cook the meals at the Getsemani Church building near the center of Galeana. In addition to the meals delivered, a few folks come into the church building to eat.

Stephen, Martin and Pastor Reynaldo are usually together in the same vehicle as the delivery team. On a recent week Pastor Reynaldo’s son, Abdrel age 9, also helped us give out the meals.  “It is not unusual for us to take a few minutes to pray for someone in need who is on our route,” said Stephen. “Delivering these meals each week has allow us to build relationships. It gives us a chance to check on these folks. Many live alone in poor conditions.”

Martin greets this elderly lady.

Martin greets this elderly lady.

Stephen met with this man who was a new addition to our route.

Stephen met with this man who was a new addition to our route.

There is always a good team of cooks to prepare the meals.

There is always a good team of cooks to prepare the meals.

We sometimes include tracts that tell about the love of Jesus.

We sometimes include tracts that tell about the love of Jesus.

The delivery team loads all the meals in the back of the Williams' Ford Edge.

The delivery team loads all the meals in the back of the Williams’ Ford Edge.

 

A Blanket for Maria

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Maria told Tonyia how much she liked the new blanket.

Maria told Tonyia how much she liked the new blanket. (click on a photo to see it larger)

It was a cold and rainy day on the Tuesday in November when we were delivering meals prepared by Nuevo Corizon. When we came to the little house on the side of a rocky hill Maria asked Martin if we had any blankets she could use as her little frail body was cold. She lives in a small adobe house clinging to the side of a hill. There is no indoor plumbing and certainly no heat for when the mountain climate turns cold. Martin, Tonyia and Stephen returned a short time later with a warm blanket. Maria was thrilled and so were we to see her tears of joy. Its all for Jesus!