Remote Refugio Visit for Worship, Clothing, Food and Encouragement

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.

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.

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!!