It’s Thursday morning a little after 7 a.m. and I am sitting at a table in the church, typing this while Bill sleeps and the coffee pot spreads its aroma throughout our little cinder-block room next to the church. Greg and Matt haven’t come out of the trailer yet, but the roosters have been working hard to wake them up early here in our little pueblo of Tepeyac, Coahuila.
How can I describe the gratitude I have today, for all that God is doing, has done and is going to do? The last few days have been full of blessings, and I am still in awe of God and His love show toward us through the generosity of the saints and God’s mercy and grace.
Greg and Matt left Anson on Tuesday morning, with a 30 foot 1987 Sahara travel trailer in tow, and when they came across the Acuna border crossing, the aduana (customs office) wanted them to pay $1,200. U.S. for the import fees to bring it across. Although Greg explained the situation, they kept his title to the trailer and allowed him to bring it on down to us.
By faith, they set it up behind the church for us, rewired our electric box, and added another breaker box to the electric pole, and stabilized the trailer, hoping they would not have to bring it back across the border and return home with it.
By faith, we prayed, believing this was a gift from God and we wouldn’t have to pay the fees, or return it to the states. We went to Jimenez right after noon Wednesday, to speak to one of the officials there in hopes they could help us figure out a way to get it across without problems or fees. The judge wasn’t in the office and the other man we knew there wasn’t working, either. The judge’s secretary gave us the name of the judge in San Carlos, about 22 miles away, and we headed for San Carlos, stopping at the house to pick up some sandwich fixin’s for our lunch on the road.
When we arrived in San Carlos at the Officina del Presidencia, we explained the whole thing to the judge there, Raul Reveles Beltran, and his secretary typed the letter, introducing us, explaining our work here in hopes that there was some way we could have the trailer without the cost of importation.
We drove to Acuna and went to the office that handled the title, and after giving them the letter and answering more questions, the gentlemen handed Greg the title and said we don’t have to pay the importation because we are living near the border and the importation fees apply when you go deeper into Mexico. We didn’t need any other permission other than the title that goes with the trailer.
We rejoiced all the way back to Tepeyac, knowing that God had turned the King’s heart like a watercourse, as it says in Proverbs 21:1, one of my favorite verses. What a blessing the trailer will be when we have visitors, and for me, the oven is going to be a wonderful tool as I can bake cakes and pies for when we go visit people here. God is so good.
We arrived in time to get cleaned up for the service in Palmira, and went out to pick up Maria and her children so they could join us. Matt, Bill and Greg sat in the back of the pickup and we went by to get Sandra, our neighbor, and then Maria and her family out in the country. While we were at her house, Greg got the guitar out that he had brought for Felipa and played a song for them, and I translated it. Maria’s husband is Blas’ brother, Rito, and he enjoyed the song as much as we all did. We loaded up and headed for the study and when we got there, had a sweet time of fellowship before it started as we were early.
The room filled up fast at Raquel’s house, and we were glad we brought chairs from home. We sang songs and Felipa played the guitar Greg gave her, while we all praised the Lord with them. Felipa led the study and several people shared testimonies about what God had done in their lives, including Pedro, Greg and Eulogio. It was a wonderful time of sharing, encouragement and reading in the Gospel of John, Chapter 17.
Felipa shared about when she was young and her family was Catholic, and she always felt that God was far away. When she began to read the scriptures and the Lord became real to her, she realized He was always with her, never far off. She told about when her family began really seeking the Lord and serving Him, how it changed all of their lives. Then her mother, Hilda, shared about when her son told her she needed to receive the Lord as her personal savior, and she got mad at him and told him to not come back if he kept telling her she was a sinner. After 3 days, she called him and asked him to come back because after reflecting on what he had said, she realized she indeed needed a change in her life. The next time the group was together, her son did an altar call and she raised her hand and came forward. All of the people in the crowd said, I thought she was a Christian, and she told them that she wasn’t before, but now she was going to be. She received Christ that night and her life has never been the same. She was so touched telling her testimony as she cried and praised God for saving her and her family. Her whole family is such an encouragement to all of us here. We consider it a privilege to know them.
We took Maria and her family home and then went to Hilda’s house as they invited us to come eat. It was wonderful and Greg and Felipa played several songs on the guitar, and we enjoyed hot, homemade tortillas and chili and potatoes, along with sweet fellowship with the whole family there. It was great and we didn’t get home until nearly11:00. We prayed together at the church before we went to bed, again thanking the Lord for what He had done with the trailer and all that had happened this week. What an awesome God we serve, and what a blessing to have sweet fellowship with the saints!
Thursday afternoon Greg and Matt left about 30 minutes ago and we enjoyed every minute with them. It was hard to let them leave, but as always, you have to go home sometime so we said our goodbyes and they drove off.
This morning we went to see Lupita and her husband and visited at her kitchen table for about an hour, talking about all the things God was doing and had done, and she told us about the church and some of the history. It was an encouragement and we prayed together before we left. Greg and Matt got all packed up and headed North, and I decided I’d better finish this so I can sent it out and let everyone know what’s been going on since we last updated y’all.
We want to thank everyone that had anything to do with the trailer and all the supplies sent down with it. What a blessing it is to us, and all the food and goodies were such a surprise. Thank you for loving us so much!
The children will love all the art and craft supplies and I look forward to sharing the Agape with them, as well.
We are so blessed and encouraged and we thank the Lord for His loving kindness to us. We hope that somehow our little blog is an encouragement to you as well. May the Lord open our eyes and make us sensitive to the leading of His Spirit. We love you and we thank God for you.
By His Grace,
Toni and Bill
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Monday~Mighty Men and Prophets
As we are coming to the end of our first month living back in Mexico, I am sitting in our little 12’ x 14’ cinder-block room, listening to the chickens clucking outside and scratching in the dirt. The fan is running and as I look out the only window, I can see my neighbor burning her trash in her front yard.
Today is Monday and it’s overcast. No wind, thank the Lord, so I washed all my dishes and clothes early. Always a challenge to get things done before the water goes off.
Since we ran out of propane yesterday morning, we boiled water in the microwave and Bill had Ramen noodles for breakfast, and I steamed some rice and opened a can of baked beans. Complete carbohydrate, right? I think (except for the sugar and additives in the can) beans and rice are the staple of most of the world’s population. I squeezed a lemon and made a glass of lemonade. The kids here love homemade lemonade. Great beverage, I think, with natural vitamin C.
We had cream of mushroom soup cooked in the crock pot, and I added egg noodles and green peas for our lunch. (Don’t they call them English Peas in Texas?) In California, we just called them peas.
The propane men came about noon today, and I filled up two tanks, one small and one medium. Hopefully they’ll last about two weeks if it doesn’t get too cold. It cost 180 pesos, so about $15. U.S. dollars.
I had a great time in the Word this morning. I got up before the roosters crowed and read in 2 Samuel, chapters 21-24 and 2 Kings, Chapters 1-6. Lots of great information in those chapters. I was reading about Elijah and Elisha. What amazing men of God they were, totally anointed. What unyielding dedication was shown by David’s mighty men. Thinking about having to pry their hands off their swords, because they were so intent on the battle makes me want to be just as dedicated to the task God has given me.
Yesterday, I was reading in Dutch Sheets’ book, “Intercessory Prayer.” He talked about the mighty men and how their dedication to the task is what made them mighty. The importance of perseverance and endurance, says Dutch Sheets, are near the top of his list of most important spiritual traits. We live in such a “microwave” culture and we want everything right now. Usually, it’s through the persevering that we are also transformed.
Lord, help me to persevere and endure, no matter what task You have placed ahead of me. Help me to be that prayer warrior you’ve called me to be, and help me to see that while bringing my friends, family and our needs to You in prayer, I can know You more, and have the intimacy with You that I long for. Amen.
As we think about this month and Thanksgiving coming soon, I want to thank you for your prayers for us. We are so blessed to be living and serving God here in Mexico among these people, sharing the hope that we have in Christ. We live in peace here, and we know that God is our provider, never failing to supply our needs. We are so thankful to God for His loving kindness and His faithfulness. We thank God for sweet friends, our family and the partners who come alongside and encourage us.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."
Edmond Burke
Today is Monday and it’s overcast. No wind, thank the Lord, so I washed all my dishes and clothes early. Always a challenge to get things done before the water goes off.
Since we ran out of propane yesterday morning, we boiled water in the microwave and Bill had Ramen noodles for breakfast, and I steamed some rice and opened a can of baked beans. Complete carbohydrate, right? I think (except for the sugar and additives in the can) beans and rice are the staple of most of the world’s population. I squeezed a lemon and made a glass of lemonade. The kids here love homemade lemonade. Great beverage, I think, with natural vitamin C.
We had cream of mushroom soup cooked in the crock pot, and I added egg noodles and green peas for our lunch. (Don’t they call them English Peas in Texas?) In California, we just called them peas.
The propane men came about noon today, and I filled up two tanks, one small and one medium. Hopefully they’ll last about two weeks if it doesn’t get too cold. It cost 180 pesos, so about $15. U.S. dollars.
I had a great time in the Word this morning. I got up before the roosters crowed and read in 2 Samuel, chapters 21-24 and 2 Kings, Chapters 1-6. Lots of great information in those chapters. I was reading about Elijah and Elisha. What amazing men of God they were, totally anointed. What unyielding dedication was shown by David’s mighty men. Thinking about having to pry their hands off their swords, because they were so intent on the battle makes me want to be just as dedicated to the task God has given me.
Yesterday, I was reading in Dutch Sheets’ book, “Intercessory Prayer.” He talked about the mighty men and how their dedication to the task is what made them mighty. The importance of perseverance and endurance, says Dutch Sheets, are near the top of his list of most important spiritual traits. We live in such a “microwave” culture and we want everything right now. Usually, it’s through the persevering that we are also transformed.
Lord, help me to persevere and endure, no matter what task You have placed ahead of me. Help me to be that prayer warrior you’ve called me to be, and help me to see that while bringing my friends, family and our needs to You in prayer, I can know You more, and have the intimacy with You that I long for. Amen.
As we think about this month and Thanksgiving coming soon, I want to thank you for your prayers for us. We are so blessed to be living and serving God here in Mexico among these people, sharing the hope that we have in Christ. We live in peace here, and we know that God is our provider, never failing to supply our needs. We are so thankful to God for His loving kindness and His faithfulness. We thank God for sweet friends, our family and the partners who come alongside and encourage us.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do nothing."
Edmond Burke
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