Busy February

Greetings from Mexico in Jesus’ name!

We pray this day finds you seeking His face even more as Jesus tarries and we work to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

We wanted to catch you up on the busy month we’ve had here. Here’s a little update on February’s news.

 Saturday, the 9th, I took  Sister Pati (who ministers in San Carlos) to Del Rio to meet brothers Chava Rodriguez and Arnold Bonilla from the Assembly of God Church in Dallas. They brought donations to help her in her ministry, and also to help us here in Tepeyac and Palmira. The church members donated supplies for the Valentine Outreach we did last Thursday in the area schools.

We baked cookies, cupcakes and bagged candy and toys for all the school children in Tepeyac, Palmira, Jarita and Emiliano Zapata. That included the preschools and kindergartens in those towns. It was amazing to me because we originally thought we would only have enough for the children in Tepeyac. With all the donations we received from friends in Swenson Baptist Church and the Assembly of God Church in Dallas, we were able to bring the love of Jesus to all of the school children in all those towns. We shared with each group that this gift came from friends in the United States that wanted them to know how much Jesus loves them. It was fun to see their faces when they received their bags of candy, cookies and cupcakes.

We had a wonderful visit this month when our friends, Greg Goza and Matt Freeman came down to frame the windows and door in our new house. They arrived in Mexico on Monday, the 11^th and left two days later. During their visit, they were able to install three windows and one door, and framed out all the windows and one of the outside doors. It was lots of work but they kept at it and we are so blessed by their efforts and love for us.

I was able to spend two days with Bill in Asherton, and the church he attends there blessed us with shoes and clothing for the families here in our area. Most of the families in our community have received the blessings sent down from these sweet friends in Texas.

This week, my neighbor, José Alberto and his cousin, Alvino have been leveling the floor in our house, preparing to lay the cement this coming weekend, Lord willing.

Since Sunday, I have made four trips to take Yessica’s son to the doctor. There have been many people suffering with colds and the baby’s cold continued to get worse, with fever and coughing. We are praying fervently for God’s healing touch on this little one.

Yesterday, I brought some supplies to a family in Palmira with a 30 year old daughter who has cerebral palsy. Miguel and Florencia take care of their daughter, Juanita, who is only able to sit in a chair. Her body is twisted up as she has been in the same position for many years. She responded to me with a smile, and I prayed for her, knowing that God can touch her in ways we never can. Sometimes its hard for me to see so many needs that I can´t possibly meet. I can only trust that God has this family in the palm of His loving hand. 

We appreciate your love and prayers for us, and we are so grateful for God’s unfailing provision for the ministry and our personal needs here. God is faithful and we are so blessed to be able to serve Him here in Mexico.

Serving the King with joy,

Toni and Bill

                                                       

Enjoying the Sunrise...

As I watched the sun come up between Eagle Pass and Del Rio this morning, I marvelled at God's mighty handiwork. Every sunrise and every sunset makes me think of God as the most gifted artist, painting the sky for us to enjoy. Thank You, Lord, for giving us another day to serve You.

I spent the last two days with Bill in Asherton, and last night we visited with and prayed with our friends at the Asherton Baptist Mission. The church had loaded us up with donated clothing and shoes for the ministry in Mexico and we are so grateful. They have been such an encouragement to Bill during his time there in the area. Praise God for the saints!

The past two weekends, we have had visits with a sweet couple in the are in their 80's. They love the Lord and live alone on a little rancho with no electricity. Due to the donations of the Primera Iglesia Asamblea de Dios in Dallas, I was able to bring some needed items for this couple on our first visit. Maria and Socorro know them well, and Saturday Maria read the Word to them while we were there. Facundo has diabetes and is unable to read, but longs to read the Bible again. Gabriella is in a wheelchair since she lost her leg two years ago due to a fall. They told us they used to have friends come from Dallas and have church services in their home. We hope to start having worship services in their home, and look forward to visiting this precious couple frequently.

Our dog story continued this past week when I picked up the two sheep dogs designated for José Alberto, our neighbor, and brought them to the ranch. It is amazing how much the puppies have grown in six weeks. The owners named the dogs Milo and Otis, from the movie. Otis, however, is a female. But it's sweet they liked the movie that much.

The picture is of Maria, Manuel and Socorro holding three of the puppies.

 

 Part Great Pyranees and part Anatolian Shepherd, these puppies are working

dogs and naturals at goat and sheep herding.

 

 

Last week, I had some friends over to make sugar cookies. We made dozens, and they decorated them for their families. It was great fun and afterwards, the trailer smelled like cookies for days!

 

 

Sunday morning, we had a wonderful church service and I brought a cake and oranges for refreshments so we could enjoy some fellowship after the service. I didn't know it was Blas' birthday, so it was a blessing we had something to celebrate.

 

 



Well, I will close this for now as I am heading back home across the border shortly and pray the Lord is the lifter of your head today.  I leave you with this scripture:

 

Be  diligent to present yourself approved to God,

a worker who does not need to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

 

 

In His Love,



 

 

Toni and Bill