Warm Welcome in Refugio
Written by first time Medina, Texas visitor, Manny Escobedo.
My experience today will be one that I will cherish the remainder of my life. I had the most wonderful opportunity to join Stephen and Tonyia Williams with True Path Ministry, Donna and Jim Jones from Medina and a group from Centro Cristiano Getsemani of Galeana to go to the small mountain village of Refugio. It took 3 hours to drive 54 miles. Once starting up the mountain, it was a beautiful, slow, treacherous drive. In several areas, the road had been washed out by the tropical storm Alberto that came through in June of this year. New roads were created in the river rock.
Once we arrived, Pastor Celedonio and family met us with big smiles and hugs. They were very excited to see us. After the greetings, we were fed a wonderful meal before worship started. I was able to lead the Texas group in the song “This little light of mine” in Spanish. Several in the audience joined in and sang along.
It was a treat to have Evangelist Ramiro join us. He preached a powerful sermon using Deuteronomy 10:12-16:
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it. The Lord delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-neckedno longer.
Once the sermon was over a woman and her family came forward and Tonyia and Pastor Ramiro anointed them oil and prayed for them. She was giving God thanks because she is healed from cancer. A young couple also came forward to dedicate their infant to the Lord.
Teacher Ana took the children to a different area where they sang, had a Bible study and completed a craft.
Once the service time was completed, each child received a Backpack with school supplies, Bible tract, soccer ball for the boys and a gift for the girls. The men were given a hat and a t-shirt and the ladies received a blanket and a t-shirt. It was all a blessing for them, but it also blessed me. I was so impressed by the genuine Christian love and acceptance of the people.
