The meal was tasty and healthy. (click on a photograph to see it larger)

Prayers were answered today (July 12, 2016) as our good friends Juan, Sandra and Patrica saw their dream come true. They cut the ribbon symbolizing the beginning of the Nuevo Corazon Galeana (New Heart) ministry, an elderly and disabled feeding program. It is a Christian-based ministry that will begin distributing cooked meals weekly in the Galeana area. True Path Ministry is proud to support the ministry by allowing them to use Casa Cristana El Alfarero (the ministry house) to cook meals and to provide a dining area for some folks who live close-by.

A large gathering of elderly poor, pastors and Christian helpers were on hand to witness the beginning of the program and to enjoy a healthy meal together. This area of Mexico does not have any of the services that are common in the US. There is no Meals on Wheels or other social programs, nursing homes, or home health agencies.

The idea for Nuevo Corazon Galeana started when Juan, Sandra and Patrica witnessed some elderly folks looking for food in the trash. “It broke my heart and as a Christian I felt I had to do something,” said Sandra.

Sandra was teary-eyed as she talked about the new ministry.

They talked with some people who were giving away donated food in Monterrey. They joined the program as a Galeana branch with a different vision. Their intent was to deliver cooked meals to people in need rather than just give them uncooked food. However, Sandra and Patrica were challenged with how to fund the program. They took their idea to the governor of the state of Nuevo Leon and the president of Galeana (similar in duties as a Texas county judge). Miraculously, even though no similar program had ever been funded, both the governor and the president approved the idea and agreed to help.

The Nuevo Corazon Galeana then began gathering names and locations of people who would benefit from the program. Many of the people at today’s event are on that list. The True Path Ministry team and some others drove to the homes of each one to bring them to the ribbon cutting. Plus, Tonyia took blood pressures. Many Christian friends were on hand to prepare and serve the meal. It was a team effort with Jesus at the head! It was for everyone involved a heart-warming day serving the Lord!

Tonyia took the blood pressure of most everyone at the ceremony.

Martin helps one of the elderly men to a table.

Stephen and Martin picked up and brought most of the elderly folks to the event.

There was some fun times during the meal.

Pastor Israel was one of the three local pastors at the event.

Pastor Reynaldo served as the MC for the event.

Patrica and Sandra pose beside the huge handmade poster. It was made in the image of the elderly couple from the movie “Up.”

All the Christian helpers pitched in when it was time to serve the meal.

The homes of many of the elderly at the event were difficult to reach.

This elderly lady burst into tears as she was so overjoyed to go to the event and get a hug. She lives alone and has no family.

Sandra cooked much of the meal.

Others joined in to prepare the food.

This elderly lady lives alone in a tiny one room adobe house.

Pastor Israel (left), Martin and Pastor Lucas visit before the meal.

Evangelist Ramiro has a good laugh with some of the men at the gathering.

Patricia spoke a few words before the meal.

Tonyia found some of the women had high blood pressure readings.

The road along the mountains is often difficult.

Few outsiders ever venture to Refugio, there is one road in and it is a rough one. Homes and the Christian church building in the the tiny mountainous village are built on the side of the ridges as there is virtually no flat ground. It is located in the high Sierra Madre Oriental mountains. The village is squeezed between these towering mountains beside a flowing creek. It is incredibly beautiful.

Pastor Santiago and his wife, Edalia warmly welcomed the thirteen Christians who traveled from Galeana on Saturday July 9, 2016. It is about 55 miles but it took us close to two and a half hours to get there. Much of the travel time was spent on a dirt road that weaves up and down canyon walls clinging to the very edge of shear cliffs. The road ends at the base of the hill where the pastor’s home is located. It is an exhausting and treacherous climb to get to Santiago’s house, but the payoff is the view.

We spent some time visiting and though we brought sandwich makings, Edalia insisted we eat. She had made beans, noodles, and wonderful homemade tortillas. There is no electricity and they live totally off the land. The tortillas are made with corn they raise and grind themselves. Santiago several times voiced thankful prayers to God for bringing us to see them.

The road goes through these people’s goat pens.

Soon after eating, we headed down the hill to the small wooden Church building. We have visited here several times and it is always a joy to share the love of Jesus with these beautiful people.

After a time of sharing and reading scripture,  Juan played the guitar as we praised. Evangelist Ramiro, who enjoys traveling with the Galeana group, delivered another stirring sermon. Several prayed with him for healing. The Holy Spirit moved in power! All the children were brought forward and the adults  prayed for each one. Several laid hands on the kids and embraced them. It was touching.

We then fed everyone sandwiches and gave the kids a small bag of goodies. Everyone had eaten so it was time to bring in the clothes to give away. We had a large box and many sacks full. You would have thought we were handing them gold. The women and little girls were especially happy. What fun it was to see joy on their faces! Rejoice in the Lord always!!

The folks here make a living raising goats and growing crops on the small rocky fields beside the creek or on the edge of a hill. Life is hard here, but it does produce hardy people.

Evangelist Ramiro delivered a powerful sermon.

Tonyia hugged all the children while everyone prayed for them. Life can be difficult for them in this remote mountain village.

Santiago is 76 but still tends his goats and walks up and down the mountains with ease. After all the activity with the church, he took Martin, Ramiro and Stephen to see the waterfall. It was a difficult climb back up and all of us except Santiago were sweating and out of breath. He just smiled at us as he knew we were struggling to walk out.

The True Path Ministry team (Stephen, Tonyia, Martin, Anna and Genesis) appreciate the support of our Christian friends: Evangelist Ramiro, Juan, Sandra, Pastor Reynaldo, wife Lourdes, children Arele age 5, Jose age 8 and Elias 10 months. It is such a privilege to serve the Lord with these committed Christians! We are so grateful for the folks who support us financially and with prayer – All honor and glory to the King of Kings!!

Martin stands at the door of the wooden church building before the service.

These girls sang a song to Jesus during the service.

Worship was spirit-filled.

Juan played his acoustic guitar as there is no electricity.

Everyone takes part in the service.

We prayed for the pastor and his wife.

This man was walking much better after a prayer for healing.

This girl was excited to get new clothes.

The pastor’s wife smiles broadly in joy over her new clothes.

We fed sandwiches to everyone at the service.

Pastor Santiago is 76 but still walks up and down the mountains with ease.

The walk up to the pastor’s home was difficult.

Walking down from the pastor’s home was hard too.

Elephant ears grow wild along the creek.

Stephen stands beside the waterfall that is near the village.

People in this remote area enjoy visitors.

Edalia, the pastor’s wife (left) and Ana are cousins.