Pastor Reynaldo Makes a Move

Pastor Reynaldo and his family had to make two moves in the last month – most recently where they sleep and earlier where his church meets. It was two big events in a short time. Pastor Reynaldo, wife Lourdes, children Ariel age 5, Jose age 8 and Elias one year are one of the sweetest families we have ever met. They are totally committed to serving the Lord.

Pastor Rey got word that he needed to move out of his home, as the owner wanted to use the space for storage, in eight days. They found a place they could afford with three good size rooms, a bathroom and an outside area for the kids. But there were no doors between rooms, no kitchen sink, broken windows, the toilet leaked, the shower did not work, there was no water heater and a tiny old rusty water storage tank on the roof. It was a mess.

The True Path Ministry team (mainly Martin because Stephen had an injured leg) stepped in to make the house livable and to help the family get resettled. Thanks to a couple of sizable personal donations, we were able to do a lot.

We installed a completely new water system – roof-top tank, new galvanized hot and cold water pipes, new water heater, new shower plumbing, new double kitchen sink, new toilet seal and new washer hookup. On top of everything else their old washer quit. It was a bonus that we were able to get them a new washer. Lourdes was using a scrub-board and water tubs to clean the mounds of dirty laundry a family of five produces.

Pastor Rey leads the Getsemani Church in Galeana along with Lourdes who plays the guitar, sings and also teaches. They have worship three times a week, plus special prayer meetings. Services usually last two hours or more.

Tonyia and I regularly attend services at Getsemani Church and it was “busting at the seams” in its old location. Often there was standing room only, with a healthy mix of people both young and old. They have a bustling children’s program and an active marriage support function. They work with us to send the kids from their church to Marcos 10:14 on Wednesdays.

An opportunity came open where they could move into a larger building on a high-traffic street near downtown. The new building has a larger worship area, also there are rooms upstairs where they can better divide the different age children. Plus it cost no more than the old place because they share the rental fee with Nuevo Corazon Galeana (a local elderly feeding ministry).

But, it required extensive renovation, and in Mexico that expense is usually left to the tenant. Thanks to some generous contributions True Path Ministry was able to rewire the building, install new plumbing and several other projects.

It is a spiritually rich church, but one with very limited financial resources. Pastor Rey was trusting the Lord to provide for them to make so many changes in such a short time. We are so incredibly humbled that Jesus used us as a conduit to help His kingdom here. Pastor Rey’s faith reminds me of what Paul said in Philillians 4:

¹² I know both how to face humble circumstances and how to have abundance. Everywhere and in all things I have learned the secret, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me.