Monday, November 7, 2011
Fantastic Friday
Friday morning we went to visit Hilda and her family and while we were visiting, found out she was out of propane. We took her big tank in the back of the pickup to San Carlos to get it filled and brought it back to them a few hours later.
While we were in San Carlos, we went to visit some ladies who have a little café and we had a few tacos there for lunch. While we were waiting for our food, we spoke to a young couple from Monterey. He’s a truck driver and his wife and young son go with him. They were on their way back home with a load and we talked to them awhile, and got to pray with them before we left the café. We had prayed with the ladies that own the café before and knew they were Christians, so it was a pleasure to share the Lord with this young Christian couple there, also. They were encouraged and said they had about a 10 hour drive back to where they live.
We had a wonderful visit with Hilda and her son and daughter and talked about the outreach coming up later this month. Felipa is trying to get permission for them to have a church service in the town square in San Carlos after the rodeo and is waiting for the okay. I am going to print up her flyers with my computer and printer so we will go over to their house tomorrow to work on those.
Saturday we had an art class at 10 am and another one at 2 pm for the children that couldn’t come earlier. Then at 3 we had a Spanish class. Most of the children stayed and did art until 5 pm, which was great. I taught them Genesis 1:1 and told them the creation story from the illustrated Bible Blas loaned me.
Nena (Irene, Lupita’s daughter) and her two daughters came with a friend named Abigail for the English Class. Blas also came and they learned how to say the days of the week, the months of the year and how to say the abc’s in English. It was a good class and I think they enjoyed it. Afterwards, they all stayed an hour longer and painted pictures with the children.
Recently, Bill and I noticed our wheelbarrow was missing. We brought it with us but it wasn’t on the property so we figured someone had stolen it. (Bill said it was the wheelbarrow bandit!)
Then while I was talking to our new friend, Sandra, she asked if we had given it to a man named Eraqueo. He does odd jobs around town and has been a big help to Blas. I told her no, that we had noticed it was missing. She said he had it and he told her we had given it to him. Needless to say, the misunderstanding was that Bill had given it to him, when in fact, Bill told him he could
use it if he needed to.
Saturday morning, Sandra and Eraqueo came to the house, with Eraqueo pushing the wheelbarrow, looking rather sheepish. We invited him in for a cup of coffee and thanked him for bringing back the wheelbarrow. He was smiling as he drank his coffee and ate a cookie. We told him if he needed it, he could borrow it any time. Thank the Lord for covering us in our miscommunications…..
Friday night, when we went to visit Paula and Blas, Paula asked if I could drive her and her niece to the store, and I did. We went to the store that Yessica has, which is also a bakery. Paula’s niece, Alexis, is going to be 4 and she’s very cute. She wanted a cupcake and a donut and Paula bought them for her. When we got to their house, Paula and Blas invited us to eat with them, and we did, and Alexis ate part of her cupcake and donut for supper. Saturday morning before the art class, Paula told me that Alexis wanted another cupcake in the middle of the night, and Paula told her it was too late, she couldn’t go out this late to the store. Alexis said to her aunt, “But that’s when I’m hungry, Tia, when will you ever learn?” I think Art Linkletter coinëd the phrase, Kids say the darndest things!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Entertaining Angels
On our way home from Del Rio Thursday evening, we saw a man sitting on the side of the highway, with a bike and I thought he was broke down so we stopped to give him a ride. He had just fixed his flat tire and was on his way to the southern part of Coahuila. We loaded him up in the pickup and while we drove we talked. He is from Honduras, Central America, near the border, and has been travelling for two years, all over Mexico. He’s even been to the US, but just across the border in El Paso. One of 7 children, his parents are still living in Honduras. He said he has no wife or children but loves travelling everywhere. His big feed sacks full of aluminum cans he had collected were light work as we loaded them into the bed of the pickup, and I noticed he had an extra pair of tennis shoes with him. All of his worldly belongings were on his bike, which he had purchased in San Luis Potosi. We talked about the Lord and I asked him if he knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He said he did, and had been raised in a Christian home. He also said he had studied with Jehova’s Witnesses and Mormons. We encouraged him to read the Word and to keep his eyes on Jesus, as we know He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and nobody comes to the Father except through Him. We prayed with him before we left him on the side of the road in San Carlos, at our turnoff, and gave him some money to get a meal or two. Then we said goodbye. Please pray for Rogelio, the young man from Honduras.
Misunderstandings
The first picture is of the Borrego Famoso.The second is of Blas and little Alexis. The last picture is of all the sheep that Blas has in his yard now.
I guess everyone has them. Those times when you realized you’ve completely misunderstood what someone said. It happens, and I guess I’ve had my fair share of them.
My latest was about Blas’ sheep. He has told me that we were going to pick up his “Borrego” and something about babies, so I guess I “assumed” he meant the sheep was pregnant. When we went to pick up the sheep the other day, I mentioned its delicate condition and he laughed, saying it was a male sheep, not a pregnant female. The misunderstanding was that this sheep (male) was to help his sheep (female) have babies. Soooooooo….. a slight misunderstanding. Hardly a problem. But to me, it’s important because I don’t want to have misunderstandings as we minister here in Mexico.
The funny ending to that story is that the sheep was loaned out to another man who needed his skills to impregnate his ewe also. So Blas’ ewe has to wait.
We’ve had much more challenging misunderstandings, even earlier this year when the group came for the VBS.
A little girl, Paula takes care of her, came with her beautiful rainbow piñata to the class, and the group naturally thought she had brought it to be broken. So they had the kids break it, and the little girl went home heartbroken. Then some of the group decided we need to buy her another piñata to replace the one she broke, because obviously she just brought it to show us and not to break.
I felt there was a misunderstanding there, and asked Paula, only to find out that yes, in fact, the mother of the girl had sent the piñata to be broken by the group. The little girl never likes piñatas to be broken so she was heartbroken. Her mother said she will keep her piñata every year and never break it. We all had a laugh on that one.
Once, when I first moved to Zapata, BCN Mexico I was invited to a party. I told the woman yes, I’d come and when I arrived a week or so later at the event, the mother of the child asked if I had brought the cake. I said what cake? She said I had agreed to bring the cake for the party. At that time, I frequently said, “Si” when I didn’t understand something. That was the last time, however, and gratefully, some Mexican parties last for many hours and I was able to go home, bake a cake, decorate it and bring it to the party in time for the presentation of the cake to the guests….what a lesson I learned from that misunderstanding. Never say “Si” unless you know what you’re agreeing to.
Another Milestone…
Today has been two weeks since we arrived in Tepeyac. Sorry for that little tidbit but as we were winding things down in the states, I kept finding myself saying, “this is my last time to do this,” or “this is my last time to do that.” I guess I’m still counting, but now it’s up, not down. Two weeks in paradise…well, our little corner of paradise, anyway.
This week has gone by so quickly, and we enjoyed a wonderful time at Lupita’s Wednesday evening for Bible Study. Lupita is feeling better but still sore from her fall.
After that study, we joined a new neighbor we met named Sandra. She told us about a study in Palmira that Felipa and Hilda attend. As it turns out, about 25 people crowded into the home of a sister named Raquel, and we had a wonderful time of study, testimonies and worship. It was sweet and Bill and I both enjoyed it very much. I translated for Bill and he really enjoyed the testimony of one man in particular named Pedro. He was an alcoholic for many years, and three years ago the Lord came into his life and he hasn’t had a drink or gone to a dance since that day. He loves his wife and his children and grandchildren, and is a different man now. He reads the Word and prays daily. What a powerful testimony. I translated to Bill quietly with tears streaming down my cheeks as I listened to this man who said he thought he was a Man’s man, but now he knows what a real man is, a Godly man seeking Christ daily. Powerful stuff!
Felipa invited us to an Outreach at the upcoming Cabalgata on November 26th. It’s a rodeo that’s happening near Acuna, and the little church of Palmira and a network of other saints will be witnessing and handing out 1,000 tracts, inviting them to a church service in San Carlos. It’s completely evangelistic and their group will have floats, horses, marching musicians, etc. going from the rodeo grounds to San Carlos. They have asked us to help and we are looking forward to it. May God be glorified in this outreach with many new souls for Christ!
Thursday we went up to Del Rio to send out the mail and pick some up, and to get the cold top for the roof as we’re supposed to have rain this weekend here. We also bought a hoe for the weeds and another toilet seat for the other outhouse. Bill was in dire need of a haircut and we went to a little shop on the main drag in Del Rio. He looks like a brand new hombre!
I have lots to get ready for art class and the first Spanish class on Saturday here at the church. Hopefully, we’ll have a good turnout and can teach the students some English Bible verses for memorization. Blas and Lupita loaned me an illustrated Bible in Spanish that will be helpful for the children and the adults.
This morning as Bill and I were having our oatmeal for breakfast with a cup of hot tea, I remembered a story I read once about a sweet little woman who saved all of her used tea bags to send to the missionaries. I think of that often when I squeeze the last bit of tea out of the bag…Thank you, Lord, I am drinking my not tea, using new tea bags here on the mission field in Tepeyac!
We have so much to be thankful for here in Mexico. God has given us grace and favor with the residents here and we are looking forward to what God is going to do in the future. Thank you for your prayers for us. We need them and are so grateful for your love for us.
Since I can’t get on email very often, if you want to write us a snail-mail letter, we’d love to hear from you. I will try to answer every letter, but just give us time because we aren’t able to go to the post office like when we lived in Texas… but I will answer your letters! Our mailing address is P.O. Box 420216, Del Rio, Texas 78842
Blessings in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our only hope of glory!
Toni, Bill and the bad dogs
This week has gone by so quickly, and we enjoyed a wonderful time at Lupita’s Wednesday evening for Bible Study. Lupita is feeling better but still sore from her fall.
After that study, we joined a new neighbor we met named Sandra. She told us about a study in Palmira that Felipa and Hilda attend. As it turns out, about 25 people crowded into the home of a sister named Raquel, and we had a wonderful time of study, testimonies and worship. It was sweet and Bill and I both enjoyed it very much. I translated for Bill and he really enjoyed the testimony of one man in particular named Pedro. He was an alcoholic for many years, and three years ago the Lord came into his life and he hasn’t had a drink or gone to a dance since that day. He loves his wife and his children and grandchildren, and is a different man now. He reads the Word and prays daily. What a powerful testimony. I translated to Bill quietly with tears streaming down my cheeks as I listened to this man who said he thought he was a Man’s man, but now he knows what a real man is, a Godly man seeking Christ daily. Powerful stuff!
Felipa invited us to an Outreach at the upcoming Cabalgata on November 26th. It’s a rodeo that’s happening near Acuna, and the little church of Palmira and a network of other saints will be witnessing and handing out 1,000 tracts, inviting them to a church service in San Carlos. It’s completely evangelistic and their group will have floats, horses, marching musicians, etc. going from the rodeo grounds to San Carlos. They have asked us to help and we are looking forward to it. May God be glorified in this outreach with many new souls for Christ!
Thursday we went up to Del Rio to send out the mail and pick some up, and to get the cold top for the roof as we’re supposed to have rain this weekend here. We also bought a hoe for the weeds and another toilet seat for the other outhouse. Bill was in dire need of a haircut and we went to a little shop on the main drag in Del Rio. He looks like a brand new hombre!
I have lots to get ready for art class and the first Spanish class on Saturday here at the church. Hopefully, we’ll have a good turnout and can teach the students some English Bible verses for memorization. Blas and Lupita loaned me an illustrated Bible in Spanish that will be helpful for the children and the adults.
This morning as Bill and I were having our oatmeal for breakfast with a cup of hot tea, I remembered a story I read once about a sweet little woman who saved all of her used tea bags to send to the missionaries. I think of that often when I squeeze the last bit of tea out of the bag…Thank you, Lord, I am drinking my not tea, using new tea bags here on the mission field in Tepeyac!
We have so much to be thankful for here in Mexico. God has given us grace and favor with the residents here and we are looking forward to what God is going to do in the future. Thank you for your prayers for us. We need them and are so grateful for your love for us.
Since I can’t get on email very often, if you want to write us a snail-mail letter, we’d love to hear from you. I will try to answer every letter, but just give us time because we aren’t able to go to the post office like when we lived in Texas… but I will answer your letters! Our mailing address is P.O. Box 420216, Del Rio, Texas 78842
Blessings in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our only hope of glory!
Toni, Bill and the bad dogs
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
A Beautiful Tuesday Morning
We woke up a little late this Tuesday morning and while I was filling the washer with the hose for a load of wash, several of the boys from the school came to the fence to talk. I asked them how they were doing and some spoke up and said they were fine. Then I asked if they’d like to come have an art class today and they said they could come after computation class, which ends at 4. So I’m going to get ready for lots of kids today and hopefully they’ll let me take their picture. Lord willing, it will be some seeds planted for the Kingdom.
Being here in Tepeyac has been a learning process for us, as far as the cultural aspects of this area of Mexico are concerned. I was already familiar with the culture of the area of Baja, Mexico we lived in for 7 years, and it had a strong Indigenous influence as many of the people we ministered to there were Trique and Mixteco natives from Oaxaca, Guerrero and other southern states.
But here in Coahuila, the culture is different, and I’m sure, influenced by the U.S. that is not far away. We haven’t seen many homes with televisions but see that some have satellite dishes on top of their homes. There are only a few school-aged children that don’t attend classes, and we’ve tried to encourage them to go to school, but their parents haven’t registered them so they can’t attend. We are praying God will work out those problems as they have little chance of leading very productive lives wandering the streets at 10 and 12 years old. In the meantime, we spend time with them, and they like to hang out with us when they’re not riding horses and hanging out with their friends.
Here in town, 35 children attend the local elementary school up through 6th grade, and laterthen they are bussed to Palmira for the upper grades. It was a nice surprise to learn that a teacher comes to Tepeyac from Acuna to teach computer classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. The children told me they really enjoy that class.
Right now, many of the families are picking pecans for money. In Jiminez, there’s a business that allows you to pick their pecans and pays for you to sell them back to them, after you’ve shelled them. Most of the people we see here have the tell-tale black thumbs and fingers that come from shelling pecans (nogales). They tell me that for about two or three more weeks they can do this type of work. There are lots of trees in the orchards, they say, and we’ve seen little grandmothers, and even youngsters with the evidence of this hard work. One lady next door told us she and her daughter picked and shelled 190 kilos one day. A kilo is a little over two pounds, so you know they worked hard. I can’t imagine it. I think they told me they made 25 pesos a kilo of the shelled pecans, which is about two American dollars for a little over two pounds. Right now, it is the most profitable work to be had in this area. When you think of how much we pay for pecans, it gives you a whole new perspective of what goes into that product. Most jobs here make about $60. U.S. per week.
When we get a chance, we will try to pry the door on the pickup so that it will open again. I sure hope the mare that hit us last night is okay. Bill’s going to go look for her later today.
Blas asked us if we could help him haul a sheep that he’s purchased that’s pregnant. He needs to move her to his house, and he and Bill will get into the back of the pickup and ride with her. Who would think we’d be hauling sheep in the back of our pickup in Mexico? I’ll try to get some pictures….sounds like another adventure to me!
We will try to keep you updated whenever we can and appreciate your prayers for us and reading our blog. God bless you today as you keep Jesus first in your life!
In His service,
Toni and Bill
By the way, on our way over here to San Carlos, we saw the mare that walked into our pickup last night and she looks fine. Thank the Lord!
Being here in Tepeyac has been a learning process for us, as far as the cultural aspects of this area of Mexico are concerned. I was already familiar with the culture of the area of Baja, Mexico we lived in for 7 years, and it had a strong Indigenous influence as many of the people we ministered to there were Trique and Mixteco natives from Oaxaca, Guerrero and other southern states.
But here in Coahuila, the culture is different, and I’m sure, influenced by the U.S. that is not far away. We haven’t seen many homes with televisions but see that some have satellite dishes on top of their homes. There are only a few school-aged children that don’t attend classes, and we’ve tried to encourage them to go to school, but their parents haven’t registered them so they can’t attend. We are praying God will work out those problems as they have little chance of leading very productive lives wandering the streets at 10 and 12 years old. In the meantime, we spend time with them, and they like to hang out with us when they’re not riding horses and hanging out with their friends.
Here in town, 35 children attend the local elementary school up through 6th grade, and laterthen they are bussed to Palmira for the upper grades. It was a nice surprise to learn that a teacher comes to Tepeyac from Acuna to teach computer classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. The children told me they really enjoy that class.
Right now, many of the families are picking pecans for money. In Jiminez, there’s a business that allows you to pick their pecans and pays for you to sell them back to them, after you’ve shelled them. Most of the people we see here have the tell-tale black thumbs and fingers that come from shelling pecans (nogales). They tell me that for about two or three more weeks they can do this type of work. There are lots of trees in the orchards, they say, and we’ve seen little grandmothers, and even youngsters with the evidence of this hard work. One lady next door told us she and her daughter picked and shelled 190 kilos one day. A kilo is a little over two pounds, so you know they worked hard. I can’t imagine it. I think they told me they made 25 pesos a kilo of the shelled pecans, which is about two American dollars for a little over two pounds. Right now, it is the most profitable work to be had in this area. When you think of how much we pay for pecans, it gives you a whole new perspective of what goes into that product. Most jobs here make about $60. U.S. per week.
When we get a chance, we will try to pry the door on the pickup so that it will open again. I sure hope the mare that hit us last night is okay. Bill’s going to go look for her later today.
Blas asked us if we could help him haul a sheep that he’s purchased that’s pregnant. He needs to move her to his house, and he and Bill will get into the back of the pickup and ride with her. Who would think we’d be hauling sheep in the back of our pickup in Mexico? I’ll try to get some pictures….sounds like another adventure to me!
We will try to keep you updated whenever we can and appreciate your prayers for us and reading our blog. God bless you today as you keep Jesus first in your life!
In His service,
Toni and Bill
By the way, on our way over here to San Carlos, we saw the mare that walked into our pickup last night and she looks fine. Thank the Lord!
Monday Night
Wow! What a Monday!
We got up early and got ready for a trip to Del Rio, when Blas and Paula showed up to patch the holes in the wall near the roof. He mixed cement and threw it into the holes while I covered the table in the house to prevent the cement that was coming into the room from falling on my letters. Excitement from the beginning of the day!
We left about 10:00 and went to San Carlos to upload our blog post and then headed on across the border. We picked up mail and sent out lots of letters and changes of address, and then went to lunch at IHOP. While we were there, we met a couple, Bob and Bonnie from Michigan who now live in Timberon, New Mexico. They were passing through Del Rio on their way to Zapata, Texas, where they are selling their property there and we got to pray with them and had a wonderful visit. They sing gospel music at churches and at nursing homes, and it was so interesting to talk to them.
Then we went to the Toyota dealer to find out about our tail light for the pickup. We’ll have to pay for it before we order it, and it’s almost $200. So that will have to wait awhile.
After that, we went to Walmart to pick up some Kibbles and Bits and bread, and then we filled up with gas and headed back across the border. When we got to Acuna, we stopped to get an estimate for Bill’s teeth, and spent about an hour with a very nice lady dentist right on Bravo as you enter Acuna. She told us Bill will have to have surgery to scrape down the bone on his jaw (he’s had this done on the bottom but not on the top) in order for the dentures to fit. She priced the surgery (with another dentist) and the denture (upper) and lower bridge at a total of $1,600. U.S. So, we will be praying for provision for that need for Bill and were grateful for her free consultation and estimate for Bill’s dental work.
We drove on to San Carlos and there were so many children dressed up for Halloween in the streets of Acuna and San Carlos. I think we got behind a sort of parade in San Carlos, because it took a long time to drive the mile at about 5 miles an hour through the pueblo.
The most amazing thing happened on our way home, between Palmira and Tepeyac. I mentioned that we didn’t see our usual group of horses, about 8 of them, that we see walking down the middle of the road. Just after I said that, Bill said, “There they are!” and they were walking straight toward us. I had my high beams on and slowed down and stopped while they walked by, but must have blinded them, Bill said, because the biggest brown horse walked alongside and right into the passenger side of the pickup, moving the rear-view mirror and denting the door so badly we can’t open it. I hope we didn’t hurt the horse, but we weren’t moving when it hit us, so I think it must be okay. They all walked off and into the darkness behind us. What a weird experience. Jimi Coplen told me that deer walked into her car more than once, and I could hardly imagine an animal doing that, but now I know it can happen.
No sooner did we get home and discover the door wouldn’t open so Bill had to climb over the driver’s seat, than we had another odd thing happen. A boy was on his horse, galloping down our road chasing a running white bull with big horns through the town, trying to rope it. The bull ran through our neighbor’s yard, with the cowboy chasing after it in the darkness. What a night of odd animal activity! You’d think it was a full moon, but I checked and it wasn’t…Just a funny night in this part of the world, I guess.
Bill is lying on the bed with the dogs, resting, waiting for me to come to bed. It’s almost 9:30 and way past our bedtime so I’ll close for now, before anything else happens!
I almost forgot. We bought some candy in case we had trick or treaters, and three boys came by saying Happy Halloween so I gave them some candy and took their picture! They were having a great time, running around with painted faces and asking for candy. I thought I’d share it with you. Good night, sleep tight…
We got up early and got ready for a trip to Del Rio, when Blas and Paula showed up to patch the holes in the wall near the roof. He mixed cement and threw it into the holes while I covered the table in the house to prevent the cement that was coming into the room from falling on my letters. Excitement from the beginning of the day!
We left about 10:00 and went to San Carlos to upload our blog post and then headed on across the border. We picked up mail and sent out lots of letters and changes of address, and then went to lunch at IHOP. While we were there, we met a couple, Bob and Bonnie from Michigan who now live in Timberon, New Mexico. They were passing through Del Rio on their way to Zapata, Texas, where they are selling their property there and we got to pray with them and had a wonderful visit. They sing gospel music at churches and at nursing homes, and it was so interesting to talk to them.
Then we went to the Toyota dealer to find out about our tail light for the pickup. We’ll have to pay for it before we order it, and it’s almost $200. So that will have to wait awhile.
After that, we went to Walmart to pick up some Kibbles and Bits and bread, and then we filled up with gas and headed back across the border. When we got to Acuna, we stopped to get an estimate for Bill’s teeth, and spent about an hour with a very nice lady dentist right on Bravo as you enter Acuna. She told us Bill will have to have surgery to scrape down the bone on his jaw (he’s had this done on the bottom but not on the top) in order for the dentures to fit. She priced the surgery (with another dentist) and the denture (upper) and lower bridge at a total of $1,600. U.S. So, we will be praying for provision for that need for Bill and were grateful for her free consultation and estimate for Bill’s dental work.
We drove on to San Carlos and there were so many children dressed up for Halloween in the streets of Acuna and San Carlos. I think we got behind a sort of parade in San Carlos, because it took a long time to drive the mile at about 5 miles an hour through the pueblo.
The most amazing thing happened on our way home, between Palmira and Tepeyac. I mentioned that we didn’t see our usual group of horses, about 8 of them, that we see walking down the middle of the road. Just after I said that, Bill said, “There they are!” and they were walking straight toward us. I had my high beams on and slowed down and stopped while they walked by, but must have blinded them, Bill said, because the biggest brown horse walked alongside and right into the passenger side of the pickup, moving the rear-view mirror and denting the door so badly we can’t open it. I hope we didn’t hurt the horse, but we weren’t moving when it hit us, so I think it must be okay. They all walked off and into the darkness behind us. What a weird experience. Jimi Coplen told me that deer walked into her car more than once, and I could hardly imagine an animal doing that, but now I know it can happen.
No sooner did we get home and discover the door wouldn’t open so Bill had to climb over the driver’s seat, than we had another odd thing happen. A boy was on his horse, galloping down our road chasing a running white bull with big horns through the town, trying to rope it. The bull ran through our neighbor’s yard, with the cowboy chasing after it in the darkness. What a night of odd animal activity! You’d think it was a full moon, but I checked and it wasn’t…Just a funny night in this part of the world, I guess.
Bill is lying on the bed with the dogs, resting, waiting for me to come to bed. It’s almost 9:30 and way past our bedtime so I’ll close for now, before anything else happens!
I almost forgot. We bought some candy in case we had trick or treaters, and three boys came by saying Happy Halloween so I gave them some candy and took their picture! They were having a great time, running around with painted faces and asking for candy. I thought I’d share it with you. Good night, sleep tight…
Monday, October 31, 2011
Beautiful Day in Tepeyac
Sunday was a beautiful, crisp fall day in Tepeyac and we had 12 people in our little church service yesterday morning. Several of the sisters shared testimonies, scripture and sang songs, and Hermano Blas preached about the wisdom God gave Solomon and about the temple.
It was a nice service and we sang several songs we used to sing from
the Puerta Abierta Iglesia in Zapata when we first moved to Mexico
in 1994. Afterwards, all of us from the church went to visit Hermana
Lupita because her daughter told us she fell yesterday and we all prayed
for her. She was very sore, and can hardly move her right arm. She
injured her shoulder and both hands, she said. Her hands were obviously
swollen and she said she didn’t sleep during the night but prayed for
everyone while she rested. We pray God heals her quickly.
Bill and I drove to Jiminez in the afternoon to make some phone calls,
and look for the internet place, but we didn’t find it. Jiminez is a much
older pueblo than most of the towns near us. One of the young girls
from the church works at the president’s office there. It’s sort of like the
county seat, as Tepeyac is part of the district of Jiminez. It’s a beautiful
town to drive around, with lots of big trees. I was able to speak to my
mom and dad and several friends, and it was a blessing to catch up a
little on their lives in the states. We bought a small bottle of Coca Cola
and a bag of almendras (almonds) to share on the way back to Tepeyac.
I was able to make a cake yesterday, even though we discovered the
oven here doesn’t work. There aren’t even any numbers on the knob,
but, by God’s grace, I baked the cake in two separate layers my rice
cooker and it came out great! Thank you, Jesus, for my rice cooker from
Kathy Yoshimi. It’s over 11 years old but still works like a charm. J
We took the cake to the church service we attended in Ejido Jarita on
Saturday evening when we joined the family of Yessenia at their house
and sat in chairs outside, praising the Lord. We met the two hermanos
who came from Navaja, near Piedras Negras. They come every Saturday
and one brother plays guitar and leads worship. Surprisingly enough, the
first two songs they sang were “Tu Fidelidad” and “Renuevame,” songs
we sang with the women at the prison in Haskell every week. It was an
awesome service and the brothers went around and prayed for every
single person, anointing them with oil as they prayed. It was wonderful
to be there with them. We plan to go back next week, Lord willing. Next
time, we’ll bring some chairs as some of the 20 people that came had to
stand up during the service. The part that touched me the most was that
when we prayed, everyone got on their knees on the dirt and prayed. It
was wonderful to join all those believers, going to the Lord God on our
knees in prayer.
Saturday afternoon, I held my first art class at the church. Several kids
have been coming by to visit and I asked them if they enjoy drawing.
Several came over for a few hours and they used the markers, crayons
and colored pencils Robin bought just for them. Siri and Steve gave me
some page protectors so the kids covered their art and took it home in
the page protectors. It was fun to see all 7 kids drawing and coloring,
and I invited them back next week. I gave each of the kids a Bible Verse
written in calligraphy to take home for their parents. Roque, Guillermo,
Edgar, Noe, Idalia, Kenia and Diego all attended the little class. These
kids have all been to the VBS we have here in July.
Our neighbor, Alma, asked if we’d like some tamales. Her daughter
makes them and sells them for 30 pesos a dozen. ($2.50 U.S.) I ordered
a dozen and she brought them over Sunday morning, so we had chicken
tamales for breakfast. We gave half of them to Blas and Paula for their
lunch. It was a real treat for us.
We have been enjoying some old cassettes I found when we moved.
Bill loves Dottie Rambo and I found a tape of her music. Also, we’ve
listened to one of my favorites by Rich Mullins. It’s so quiet here,
sometimes I just want to hear some music. I’m listening to Kathy
Triccoli on my computer as I type this update. Some awesome music to
soothe the soul…Kari Jobe is also one of my favorites I have saved on
my Media Player. Thank you, Lord, for their music!
Hopefully, I’ll be able to go to the internet place in San Carlos sometime
Monday and upload this to our blog. Lord willing, one day we’ll get a
land line and internet service at home.
We appreciate you and your prayers for us. We are encouraged knowing
we are where we’re supposed to be, serving the King of kings. Thank
you for reading our blog, and thank you for your prayers for the people
of Mexico. May God be glorified here in Tepeyac and beyond…
In His grip,
Antonia y Guillermo
It was a nice service and we sang several songs we used to sing from
the Puerta Abierta Iglesia in Zapata when we first moved to Mexico
in 1994. Afterwards, all of us from the church went to visit Hermana
Lupita because her daughter told us she fell yesterday and we all prayed
for her. She was very sore, and can hardly move her right arm. She
injured her shoulder and both hands, she said. Her hands were obviously
swollen and she said she didn’t sleep during the night but prayed for
everyone while she rested. We pray God heals her quickly.
Bill and I drove to Jiminez in the afternoon to make some phone calls,
and look for the internet place, but we didn’t find it. Jiminez is a much
older pueblo than most of the towns near us. One of the young girls
from the church works at the president’s office there. It’s sort of like the
county seat, as Tepeyac is part of the district of Jiminez. It’s a beautiful
town to drive around, with lots of big trees. I was able to speak to my
mom and dad and several friends, and it was a blessing to catch up a
little on their lives in the states. We bought a small bottle of Coca Cola
and a bag of almendras (almonds) to share on the way back to Tepeyac.
I was able to make a cake yesterday, even though we discovered the
oven here doesn’t work. There aren’t even any numbers on the knob,
but, by God’s grace, I baked the cake in two separate layers my rice
cooker and it came out great! Thank you, Jesus, for my rice cooker from
Kathy Yoshimi. It’s over 11 years old but still works like a charm. J
We took the cake to the church service we attended in Ejido Jarita on
Saturday evening when we joined the family of Yessenia at their house
and sat in chairs outside, praising the Lord. We met the two hermanos
who came from Navaja, near Piedras Negras. They come every Saturday
and one brother plays guitar and leads worship. Surprisingly enough, the
first two songs they sang were “Tu Fidelidad” and “Renuevame,” songs
we sang with the women at the prison in Haskell every week. It was an
awesome service and the brothers went around and prayed for every
single person, anointing them with oil as they prayed. It was wonderful
to be there with them. We plan to go back next week, Lord willing. Next
time, we’ll bring some chairs as some of the 20 people that came had to
stand up during the service. The part that touched me the most was that
when we prayed, everyone got on their knees on the dirt and prayed. It
was wonderful to join all those believers, going to the Lord God on our
knees in prayer.
Saturday afternoon, I held my first art class at the church. Several kids
have been coming by to visit and I asked them if they enjoy drawing.
Several came over for a few hours and they used the markers, crayons
and colored pencils Robin bought just for them. Siri and Steve gave me
some page protectors so the kids covered their art and took it home in
the page protectors. It was fun to see all 7 kids drawing and coloring,
and I invited them back next week. I gave each of the kids a Bible Verse
written in calligraphy to take home for their parents. Roque, Guillermo,
Edgar, Noe, Idalia, Kenia and Diego all attended the little class. These
kids have all been to the VBS we have here in July.
Our neighbor, Alma, asked if we’d like some tamales. Her daughter
makes them and sells them for 30 pesos a dozen. ($2.50 U.S.) I ordered
a dozen and she brought them over Sunday morning, so we had chicken
tamales for breakfast. We gave half of them to Blas and Paula for their
lunch. It was a real treat for us.
We have been enjoying some old cassettes I found when we moved.
Bill loves Dottie Rambo and I found a tape of her music. Also, we’ve
listened to one of my favorites by Rich Mullins. It’s so quiet here,
sometimes I just want to hear some music. I’m listening to Kathy
Triccoli on my computer as I type this update. Some awesome music to
soothe the soul…Kari Jobe is also one of my favorites I have saved on
my Media Player. Thank you, Lord, for their music!
Hopefully, I’ll be able to go to the internet place in San Carlos sometime
Monday and upload this to our blog. Lord willing, one day we’ll get a
land line and internet service at home.
We appreciate you and your prayers for us. We are encouraged knowing
we are where we’re supposed to be, serving the King of kings. Thank
you for reading our blog, and thank you for your prayers for the people
of Mexico. May God be glorified here in Tepeyac and beyond…
In His grip,
Antonia y Guillermo
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