Service in Joya de Agua Frio
Stephen and Tonyia with True Path Ministry (TPM), Donna and Jim Jones from Texas and members of Iglesia Getsemani traveled deep into the mountains of Mexico to Joyas de Agua Frio on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.
After 3 hours of driving up steep, rocky mountainous roads, we felt like we had arrived at the end of the earth. 😊 Several of the climbs going up the road were so steep and with loose rocks, making it difficult for our Buick Enclave to gain traction. We had to use a thick rope attached to the TPM van so it could pull our Buick up the hill. Difficult, but we made it work.
Stephen and Tonyia had visited this ranch once in 2016. Pastor Jose de Jesus, has a church in San Francisco, NL, Mexico. It is a small town about 15 minutes from Galeana. He is also now the pastor at this ranch, it is his mission church. He said Christians once came regularly to the village but quit coming. He said about 4 years ago a woman from the ranch invited him to come so he did and now he goes every few months and preaches God’s word.
Speaking with Jose, you could hear the passion for Jesus in his voice and see the joy on his face to have the opportunity to service this small ranch. He said it is hard for him to come very often because it is a long, hard trip and gas is over $5 per gallon.
The adult service was held outside under a tree as there is no church building. The kid’s service was held separately under a tin awning.
Pastor Rey from Galeana preached on Matthew 9:20, the woman with bleeding and her faith. How we must daily look for God and trust Him for everything! After the service, Pastor Rey invited folks to come forward for prayer.
He read the scripture James 5:14-15 – Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Pastor Jose, wife Mara and Tonyia anointed those who came forward for prayer with oil and prayed over each person. Once the these were prayed for, Pastor Rey had Pastor Jose de Jesus, wife Mara and daughter come forward. Donna, Tonyia and Steve anointed them with oil and prayed for them.
Ana taught the children about the Christmas story. Noting Christ is the greatest gift they can receive. Two children who did not have a Bible were each given one.
Once the service was over, the giving of gifts began: blankets were given to each family, dresses that were handmade; caps, toboggans, each school age girl got a backpack with school supplies and a drink tumbler, each school age boy got a backpack with supplies and a soccer ball. The young children that did not go to school received a small backpack with a few supplies and a gift. The children also received candy.
All the children received their gifts, the traveling group was fed a great meal of chicken mole, rice and beans. We said our goodbyes and headed back to Galeana.
What a blessed day with Jesus!
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)
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