Prison, Peanut Butter and Piñatas

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We have been so encouraged by your letters of encouragement and support, and we thank the Lord for you. Your prayers are greatly appreciated and we know God has given us favor here as we minister and share the gospel here in our area and in the prison near Piedras Negras.

Last week, I made my first trip to Del Rio in a “combi,” the area’s main form of public transportation. A friend, Yessica, drove us to San Carlos where we caught a van to Acuña, and then I caught a taxi to cross the border, pick up mail at the post office and then to Walmart.

My reason for the trip was to purchase all the “fixin’s” for the school’s Children’s Day celebration on Friday. Hamburgers and French fries was the menu and I had the privilege of cooking the hamburgers for 80 people, which included moms and siblings of the school kids. It was quite the event, and everyone enjoyed cupcakes and Rice Krispy treats for dessert. The children played in the water of the stock tank and even the dogs joined the fun.

Saturday was an amazing day, with God directing every step I made. I prayed, as I always try to do on days I am not sure of the Lord’s leading, that He would give me divine appointments and work out the details of my visit to the prison. I left walking from Tepeyac in the morning, and walked a little less than 2 miles when I was picked up by an elderly couple in a pickup truck, and they instructed me to jump in the bed of the truck. When we got to the crossroads between Piedras and Jiménez, I instructed by hand signal that I was going to Piedras. I rode the 30 miles on the tire well in the back, wind blowing my hair all over so I must have looked like a scarecrow. The amazing thing was that they drove directly to the prison, pulling in to unload groceries for a loved one incarcerated there. We never spoke and they didn’t know I was going anywhere but to Piedras. I felt that was a God-anointed ride.

Once I got inside, I went directly to where Brother Hector was meeting under the trees in area 4, and heard them praising the Lord with guitars and heavenly voices. Six men were there, with Bibles opened, and I enjoyed the next two hours with them, reading the Word and giving testimonies. It was a blessing and I was rejuvenated. The brothers gave me a ride to a gas station in Piedras, where I caught a taxi to the International Bridge. I walked across and went to the bank, then sat down to rest on a bench before I started heading back to the bridge to cross the border back into Mexico. Across the street from the bank, I saw a little church and some kids coming out of a VBS. I talked to the boys a few minutes about their newly acquired “tattoos” they got while at church, and then a couple came out and we visited awhile. It was another God-ordained meeting as I met Don and Amie Crabtree, who are missionaries in Piedras. They also have a church in Eagle Pass, and they gave me a ride all the way to my house! How amazing is our God! We had sweet fellowship and I’m sure I’ll see them again. They have been married and serving the Lord 20 years. Thank you, Jesus, for those sweet saints and their children.

Sunday morning, Blas asked me to share about our trip to Corpus and it was a blessing to share all that God had done and the sweet fellowship we enjoyed with Jim and Brenda.

Monday, I made cookies and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the children of the kindergarten and preschool. Their party was much smaller as they only have 10 children total in both classes. The area is like a park with lots of trees and green grass this time of year. Also, local people tie their horses up to graze on the grass there. It’s a peaceful place to picnic so a great location for the school events. The kids had a ball with the piñata and all the games they played. Even the mom’s got in on the games, and everyone had a great time.  Our weather has really started to warm up and most days are over 100° Fahrenheit. But the mornings are pleasant, usually with a gentle breeze.

We had a pretty nice thunderstorm Monday night with lots of thunder and lightening, and enough rain to make a pretty big puddle in the little house where we sleep. It was a blessing to have some rain to wet down all the dirt and I’m sure the farmers appreciated the moisture.

I took a ride with Yessica and her aunt to Piedras Negras on Wednesday. They had to go to the bank and pick up a few supplies at the Gutierrez store, and we were blessed to get a ride with her uncle, Gonzalo, to and from the store.

Bill went to work driving a truck in South Texas about two weeks ago to support us and the work here. I look forward to seeing him when he returns for a visit to Tepeyac.

We talk every day and I know it’s difficult but the Lord is giving him strength for every day.

May God fill you with His peace and give you ‘divine appointments.’ We are so grateful for your prayers and support and we know that God has His hand on us at every turn.

Eagerly awaiting His return,

Toni and Bill

"I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgement of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." Philemon 4, 5& 6