We are so blessed to be able to announce we actually have a working pump in our new water well, and today we have a hose connected and a high pressure flow from that hose! God is so good!
Here are some pictures of the past few days with friends.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Let There Be WATER!
Greetings from Mexico in the mighty name of Jesus of Nazareth!
We are so blessed to be able to announce we actually have a working pump in our new water well, and today we have a hose connected and a high pressure flow from that hose! God is so good!
Here are some pictures of the past few days with friends.
We are so blessed to be able to announce we actually have a working pump in our new water well, and today we have a hose connected and a high pressure flow from that hose! God is so good!
Here are some pictures of the past few days with friends.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Visiting Friends in Dallas
Greetings from the Metroplex! It's a beautiful Tuesday in Texas and I am enjoying this time with my family.
Sunday morning, I had an opportunity to visit the Asamblea De Dios in Dallas and enjoyed the Escuela Dominical and the morning service in Spanish.
I don't know the brother's name that taught the Sunday School class, but I was impressed by his zeal and knowledge of the Word. He was an older gentleman, and had a joy that you seldom see in Christians of his age. It was apparent to me that he truly loves the Lord and His Word.
After the service, Pastor David Lara came up to greet me and told me he had some material for me to take back to Mexico. He honored me during the service, mentioning the ministry we do in Mexico and taking up a love offering. This church has been such an encouragement to me, and I am grateful for all they are doing for the kingdom of God in the Dallas area, and far beyond.
Chava and Elvira Rodriguez gave me lots of toys and other items for Mexico, and it was great to see them once again. They keep in touch by text and they are always an encouragement to me. Chava is planning a trip to the border in the next week and I pray God blesses his trip.
The first time I met them was our first Christmas in Coahuila when their church came down to bless the children of Tepeyac with Christmas gifts. Click here to see the blog about their visit.
It was a sweet time with friends at the church, and I look forward to bringing the toys to the children in Mexico. The mothers will appreciate the material, and I am especially grateful for the love, encouragement, support and prayers of the saints here in Dallas. I look forward to our next visit.
May the Lord bless you abundantly as you continue to seek His face. Thank you for following our blog.
In His loving embrace,
Toni and Bill
Sunday morning, I had an opportunity to visit the Asamblea De Dios in Dallas and enjoyed the Escuela Dominical and the morning service in Spanish.
I don't know the brother's name that taught the Sunday School class, but I was impressed by his zeal and knowledge of the Word. He was an older gentleman, and had a joy that you seldom see in Christians of his age. It was apparent to me that he truly loves the Lord and His Word.
After the service, Pastor David Lara came up to greet me and told me he had some material for me to take back to Mexico. He honored me during the service, mentioning the ministry we do in Mexico and taking up a love offering. This church has been such an encouragement to me, and I am grateful for all they are doing for the kingdom of God in the Dallas area, and far beyond.
Chava and Elvira Rodriguez gave me lots of toys and other items for Mexico, and it was great to see them once again. They keep in touch by text and they are always an encouragement to me. Chava is planning a trip to the border in the next week and I pray God blesses his trip.
The first time I met them was our first Christmas in Coahuila when their church came down to bless the children of Tepeyac with Christmas gifts. Click here to see the blog about their visit.
It was a sweet time with friends at the church, and I look forward to bringing the toys to the children in Mexico. The mothers will appreciate the material, and I am especially grateful for the love, encouragement, support and prayers of the saints here in Dallas. I look forward to our next visit.
May the Lord bless you abundantly as you continue to seek His face. Thank you for following our blog.
In His loving embrace,
Toni and Bill
Saturday, May 3, 2014
An Amazing Night In Prison
Greetings from Watauga, Texas. Tonight I am at my son's home for a week-long visit with him and his family, and I am so grateful to God for allowing me the privilege of coming away for this relaxing time.
On Thursday morning, I left Tepeyac and headed for Haskell, Texas, where I wanted to join the group of women from "Treasures of Grace" ministry. They have been sharing the gospel in that prison for nearly ten years. Last week, I received texts from two women in the group about the group of 91 women who had attended the Bible study at the prison, and ten women accepted Christ that night. I really wanted to join them for an evening of praise and worship and sharing the gospel with these ladies.
When I arrived in the parking lot of the Rolling Plains Correctional Facility, the women were just unloading cases of bibles to take inside to the inmates. We hugged and greeted one another, excited about what God is doing behind those walls. We were a large group, 8 in all, and after signing in, we were taken to the chapel. It was the first time I'd been in the chapel and it was surprisingly like a regular church sanctuary with pews and a baptismal in the back of the room. I had ministered in this facility for many years while living in Texas, and have missed my Thursday evenings sharing in Spanish with the immigration detainees.
We prayed before the first group was led in, and 5 maximum security inmates filed in, hugging each of us before they sat down. We prayed with them and sang praise and worship songs, and then Haley from Treasures of Grace, gave a short message. After that, I shared a little about my life in Mexico, and we asked them to share some about their relationships with the Lord. They told us they have Bible studies and try to encourage one another. They aren't sure what the future holds, but they know Who holds their future. It was a blessing to spend time with these ladies, and although it was short, we were encouraged by their faith.
When the guard led them back to their cells, we prayed again for the next group, knowing it would be the ICE detainees and a much larger group of women. We prayed God would prepare hearts and have His way, giving the messengers His message of hope for the lost.
Finally, the woman guard led the ladies into the room, and gradually, after many hugs and greetings, they sat down in the pews, over 65 women in all. Many took Bibles with gospel tracts freely offered them. A few had their own Bibles with them. We prayed and began to sing a few songs, with the women singing with such exuberance, it was what I imagine it will be like in heaven. The ladies took their places and Haley shared her message with them, and I translated it into Spanish. When she finished, I shared what God had done in my life, and what He is doing now, taking what the enemy meant for evil and turning it around for good, and the Lord did something amazing.
When I asked the women to come forward and ask Christ to come into their lives, it was amazing. One by one at first, then in groups, then every last woman came forward. None of us could imagine such a move of God. We were all crying and hugging, and as I prayed a sinner's prayer, everyone was repeating the words and everyone was crying, hugging one another and wiping tears. (Two of the women asked for prayer to rededicate their lives to Christ, as they were already born-again but had turned away.)
I can't tell you how wonderful it was to be in that room at that moment. It was obvious God was doing a new thing in that place. The TOG group has been ministering there for many years, and praying for God to have His way in these women's lives. Obviously, He is answering those prayers and blessing those efforts. What an amazing God we serve. What a privilege to be a part of that ministry and that movement of the Spirit.
When we said our goodbyes, the hugs were long and heartfelt, the words were sweet and grateful and the promises to pray for these sisters were sincere. May God give them the grace and the strength to serve Him every day of their lives, and to be a light to their families when they go back to their countries.
After the immigration detainees left, the guard led in two women, one prepared to be baptized. She was a petite young lady, only 18, but with the sweetest spirit. She had been studying with the group for 3 months and was being transferred to an SAFPF Drug Program at another location the next day. Sue McCurley asked the young woman a few questions about her salvation and then asked if she was ready to be baptized. She allowed me to baptize her, and we were so excited about all that God is going to do in this young woman's life. He has a wonderful plan for her and she promised to keep in touch with the TOG ministry.
When we walked out of the facility Thursday night two and a half hours later, all of us were so excited. It was an amazing night and we were thankful to God for allowing us to participate, each in our own way, with what He had accomplished that night.
May God be glorified in your life today and every day as you keep putting Jesus first in your life. He's our only hope of glory and "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6
Be encouraged. If we are willing to be used by Him, He will use our lives for His glory.
Blessed beyond measure,
Toni
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry." 1 Timothy 1:12
On Thursday morning, I left Tepeyac and headed for Haskell, Texas, where I wanted to join the group of women from "Treasures of Grace" ministry. They have been sharing the gospel in that prison for nearly ten years. Last week, I received texts from two women in the group about the group of 91 women who had attended the Bible study at the prison, and ten women accepted Christ that night. I really wanted to join them for an evening of praise and worship and sharing the gospel with these ladies.
When I arrived in the parking lot of the Rolling Plains Correctional Facility, the women were just unloading cases of bibles to take inside to the inmates. We hugged and greeted one another, excited about what God is doing behind those walls. We were a large group, 8 in all, and after signing in, we were taken to the chapel. It was the first time I'd been in the chapel and it was surprisingly like a regular church sanctuary with pews and a baptismal in the back of the room. I had ministered in this facility for many years while living in Texas, and have missed my Thursday evenings sharing in Spanish with the immigration detainees.
We prayed before the first group was led in, and 5 maximum security inmates filed in, hugging each of us before they sat down. We prayed with them and sang praise and worship songs, and then Haley from Treasures of Grace, gave a short message. After that, I shared a little about my life in Mexico, and we asked them to share some about their relationships with the Lord. They told us they have Bible studies and try to encourage one another. They aren't sure what the future holds, but they know Who holds their future. It was a blessing to spend time with these ladies, and although it was short, we were encouraged by their faith.
When the guard led them back to their cells, we prayed again for the next group, knowing it would be the ICE detainees and a much larger group of women. We prayed God would prepare hearts and have His way, giving the messengers His message of hope for the lost.
Finally, the woman guard led the ladies into the room, and gradually, after many hugs and greetings, they sat down in the pews, over 65 women in all. Many took Bibles with gospel tracts freely offered them. A few had their own Bibles with them. We prayed and began to sing a few songs, with the women singing with such exuberance, it was what I imagine it will be like in heaven. The ladies took their places and Haley shared her message with them, and I translated it into Spanish. When she finished, I shared what God had done in my life, and what He is doing now, taking what the enemy meant for evil and turning it around for good, and the Lord did something amazing.
When I asked the women to come forward and ask Christ to come into their lives, it was amazing. One by one at first, then in groups, then every last woman came forward. None of us could imagine such a move of God. We were all crying and hugging, and as I prayed a sinner's prayer, everyone was repeating the words and everyone was crying, hugging one another and wiping tears. (Two of the women asked for prayer to rededicate their lives to Christ, as they were already born-again but had turned away.)
I can't tell you how wonderful it was to be in that room at that moment. It was obvious God was doing a new thing in that place. The TOG group has been ministering there for many years, and praying for God to have His way in these women's lives. Obviously, He is answering those prayers and blessing those efforts. What an amazing God we serve. What a privilege to be a part of that ministry and that movement of the Spirit.
When we said our goodbyes, the hugs were long and heartfelt, the words were sweet and grateful and the promises to pray for these sisters were sincere. May God give them the grace and the strength to serve Him every day of their lives, and to be a light to their families when they go back to their countries.
After the immigration detainees left, the guard led in two women, one prepared to be baptized. She was a petite young lady, only 18, but with the sweetest spirit. She had been studying with the group for 3 months and was being transferred to an SAFPF Drug Program at another location the next day. Sue McCurley asked the young woman a few questions about her salvation and then asked if she was ready to be baptized. She allowed me to baptize her, and we were so excited about all that God is going to do in this young woman's life. He has a wonderful plan for her and she promised to keep in touch with the TOG ministry.
When we walked out of the facility Thursday night two and a half hours later, all of us were so excited. It was an amazing night and we were thankful to God for allowing us to participate, each in our own way, with what He had accomplished that night.
May God be glorified in your life today and every day as you keep putting Jesus first in your life. He's our only hope of glory and "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6
Be encouraged. If we are willing to be used by Him, He will use our lives for His glory.
Blessed beyond measure,
Toni
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry." 1 Timothy 1:12
Fun and Games With The Children of Tepeyac
I’ve had a busy couple of weeks but am so grateful for God’s
faithfulness and for friends and family.
The week before and the week after Easter, we had a VBS at
the church in Tepeyac. We had 17-20 kids every day and several mothers joined
their children. Each afternoon we started with prayer and songs, and then shared
a Bible story. Lucero and Estrella led
the music and shared the story, and then we did a coloring page and a craft. A
few days we did two crafts, and every day we had a snack and refreshments. One
day, they decorated sugar cookies, and one day, cupcakes. The children were all
so well behaved, it was a joy to have them fill the church during their
Spring vacation from school.
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| Freshly-painted faces |
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| Egg-on-a-spoon racers getting ready to go. |
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| Blas sharing a message with the kids. |
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| Waiting to start the three-legged race. |
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| Sack racers in full motion. |
Then, on Wednesday, the 30th we celebrated “Día de los Niños” with an outreach at the church. Brother Blas shared a gospel message, we sang songs and then we began the fun. We gave out gifts to the mothers that attended and the outreach was complete with lots of games, hot dogs,
cupcakes and drinks. The games were so fun, and we included a few
new ones along with those we did at last year’s event. The children all won prizes for
their performances, and we gave out bags of candy before they left.
I am so grateful to be able to share the love of Jesus Christ here in Mexico. It is my heart's desire that every chance I get, He gives me boldness to share the gospel with the lost. What a privilege to serve the Lord and share what He has done in my life.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with
grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all
in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:16 & 17
Thank you so much for reading our blog and for being a part of this ministry. We greatly appreciate your love, prayers and support for us. May our Heavenly Father get all the glory as we serve Him in these challenging times.
By His grace,
Toni and Bill
To read our most recent newsletter, click here.
Thank you so much for reading our blog and for being a part of this ministry. We greatly appreciate your love, prayers and support for us. May our Heavenly Father get all the glory as we serve Him in these challenging times.
By His grace,
Toni and Bill
To read our most recent newsletter, click here.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Hamburgers, Hail and Giants
Today is a beautiful spring day, with a gentle breeze and cloudless skies in Mexico and here in Eagle Pass, as I sit in McDonald's parking lot overlooking the traffic on Garrison, and update this blog.
I had a wonderful visit with friends that came down to Tepeyac from Knox City this weekend, and they put the pump into the well and hooked it up but are missing a few parts to actually have it running and bringing water out of the well. Slowly but surely.
We enjoyed a fun Saturday evening at Rito and Maria’s house, making hamburgers and French fries for dinner and ice cream cones for dessert. I brought bats and balls and the kids had fun playing baseball in the yard. I don’t pitch as well as I used to, but the kids had fun anyway.
Wednesday, we had a bad storm and lots of wind and dirt blowing with some rain and lots of hail. Thankfully, we didn’t have any damage at home except some tree branches that broke off. In San Carlos, there was lots of damage, with roofs blown away and car windows broken out. I got home from VBS just in time to get pelleted by marble-sized hail balls from the pickup to the house. I was soaked to the bone in the few minutes it took to run 100 feet. Thank the Lord for the moisture. We are grateful for every drop.
Yesterday was sad as we had a graveside service for Candelario, a 70-year-old man who was born and raised in Tepeyac. He died from complications of a stroke he had ten days before. He was a sweet man who never married and had no children, but was kind to everyone. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. Please pray God comfort his family during this sad time.
This morning, I got up at 6 and left before 8 to bring Diamantina to Piedras Negras, and we stopped to visit with Alejandro and Veronica at the entrance to Centinella. We had a sweet visit and it was good to see them after nearly a month in Zacatecas. Their vehicle broke down, and finally they were able to get used parts at a wrecking yard and head back home to Coahuila. I will be visiting them on my way back this afternoon to bring some hair clippers for the “muchachos.” Right now, most of the men I see in the rancho are sporting burr haircuts, and the rehab needs a pair of clippers to “keep up with the latest fashion.” (I hope you realize I’m just kidding!)
On my way into Eagle Pass today, I stopped at the Mexico Customs office to investigate residency paperwork for me living in Mexico. I have been dragging my feet as the costs quoted me were way more than I could have afforded. Like most times in my life when I think I am facing a “giant,” I find, when I actually stand up and face it, it’s not as big or scary as I thought it was.
The man I spoke to told me the requirements and I am going to do my best to make it happen in this next month or two. I want to be completely legal living in Mexico, and I believe God will make a way for that to happen.
Please pray for our Children's Day outreach on Wednesday afternoon. We had it last year and hope to have an even better turn-out this year. We are doing lots of games and races at the church, with a gospel message, and prizes, refreshments and hot dogs for everyone who attends. Please pray God use this outreach to touch lives there in Tepeyac and beyond.
Here are a few pictures from last year's event...
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| Sack Race using my pillow cases. Decided to re-think that when most of them were completely shredded after the race... |
I am blessed beyond measure and pray that God is doing the same in your life. May you see His hand in everything you do, and I pray you keep an attitude of gratitude for every way He blesses your life.
Thank you so much for reading the blog and for your prayers and support for us. We are truly grateful for each of you.
He is our hope,
Toni and Bill
Thursday, April 24, 2014
New Tires for the Tundra!
Greetings in the amazing name of Jesus Christ, the Savior of
the world! He is risen and we are so blessed to be forgiven. We don’t deserve
His forgiveness, but He gives it freely, desiring that none would perish. We
only need to ask His forgiveness and embrace all the promises He has for us.
What a privilege to serve the Living Savior!
It is 5 am and I am making bread-dough ornaments for the VBS
we’re doing in Tepeyac these two weeks of Easter vacation. The kids are
enjoying the singing, Bible stories and crafts. Every day we’re serving a snack
before leaving. Today they will be decorating sugar cookies with icing and
sprinkles. I just hope they don’t mistake the bread dough ornaments for a
cookie!
My camera died last week so I am attempting to use my phone
to upload pictures but have yet to be successful at that. Am praying I can make
it happen, with God’s help.
The picture of the tire I have posted here is my flat from
two weeks ago when I went to Del Rio to find some good used tires for the
pickup. This exploded when I was between Calles and Nueva Palestina, about 40
minutes from home. By God’s amazing grace, two men stopped and changed my tire
for me within 10 minutes, and I was so grateful. In Del Rio, I found a tire
shop and asked if they had used tires my size, and the man sold me two for $30!
That was a blessing!
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| What remained of my tire after the blowout in Mexico |
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| New tires from PIBCC! |
Then last week, Pastor Jim and Brenda Garcia from Primera
Iglesia Bautista in Corpus Christi called me to tell me the church decided to
buy me NEW tires for the pickup! I was so blessed, I was crying when they told
me on the phone. God is so good, and Monday morning I got up at 5 and went to
Eagle Pass to meet they and have the tires put on while we went to the post
office and the dollar store after breakfast. We had a wonderful visit and we
all headed home that afternoon. I can’t tell you the last time I had new tires!
What a great feeling! I am in awe of God’s lovingkindness.
The end of this month we are planning a festival at the
church in Tepeyac for Children’s Day. We had one last year and it was a lot of
fun for everyone. Even the mom’s enjoyed it!
This year, we plan to have a simple meal afterwards to spend
more time with the families, and the kids are already looking forward to the
event. Please pray that the gospel message touch lives and that God uses all of
this for His glory. We want to see lives in Tepeyac changed by the Holy Spirit.
Unless the Lord builds the
house,
They labor in vain who build it… Psalm 127:1a God bless you as you continue to bring light into the darkness in the world while Jesus tarries. May He give you a fresh anointing and a renewed burden for lost souls.
They labor in vain who build it… Psalm 127:1a God bless you as you continue to bring light into the darkness in the world while Jesus tarries. May He give you a fresh anointing and a renewed burden for lost souls.
With much love and gratitude,
Toni and Bill
Friday, April 4, 2014
A Matter of Perspective
Early this morning, as I was praying for my daughter and her
husband, praying for God to protect them when they travel around Sacramento on
their motorcycle, I was suddenly gripped by fear at the thought. Immediately, I
felt God’s peace come over me, realizing how my friends and family feel about
me living in Mexico, in an area the media describes as dangerous and infested
with drug lords and criminals.
I realized then, (as I’m sure I have on numerous occasions) that
our faith in God often depends on our point of view and our personal
experience.
I doubt my daughter is afraid to ride the motorcycle with
her hubby. I am certainly not living in fear in Mexico, serving among people I
know and love here, and many I haven’t had the chance to meet yet.
Isaiah 59:1 says, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened
that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.”
This week my granddaughter, Abigail, fell and broke her
collar bone and had a concussion. She is healing slowly but I thank God for His
protecting her from a worse injury. I wish I could have been there to prevent
her from her injury, but I am sure that I couldn’t have prevented it from
happening, any more that my son could. Sometimes things just happen that we can’t
prevent. I love my children and grandchildren, and I know God loves them even
more than I do.
God is good, and I am so grateful for His loving care of my
family. He is able to post warrior angels around my children and He is fully
able to keep me and my husband safe here in Tepeyac and the surrounding
communities we visit. He has kept us safe inside prison walls for all these
years we’ve shared the gospel there in Texas and now below the border. When I
think of all the things God is doing that I am not even aware of at any given
moment, I am so in awe of His loving kindness towards me.
We have put many, many miles on the Toyota pickup I use for
ministry here over the nearly two years since it was given to us. During that
time we’ve purchased several used tires. The tires we have right now are getting
so full of patches, one is nearly bald and the spare has two big bubbles on it.
But in my mind’s eye, I picture God’s angels holding the tires together,
fingers in the holes like the story of the little boy with his finger in the
dike, preventing the water from flowing out of it. When I had one of my tires repaired again this week, the man at the tire
shop in San Carlos took one patch off and put two more on top of the one that
was holding the air in the tire with a hole in it, the size of my thumb. So
three patches and one angel are protecting us. How good is my God! I pray we
will be able to buy some good used tires pretty soon, but I believe, by God’s
loving grace, that until that day comes, His angels work as hard as they can to
keep us on the road, taking people to the doctor, hospitals and everywhere they
need to go when they ask me for a ride.
Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
When we went across the border yesterday, I had the
opportunity to talk to a wonderful friend in Canada. For some reason, God put
us on her heart and she sent us a gift. I was overwhelmed at God’s heart for us
and how He put us on our friend’s heart to share what He had blessed them with.
I am often in wonder at why He would love me so much. I fail to be the transformed woman of God I strive to be.
With tears flowing now, I am acutely aware that He’s never forgotten our needs
and He is always on time. Why He loves us so much, I’ll never know. But I am so
blessed to be here serving Him and loving Him and His people. When I see how
much He has done over these many years of my life, I am unable to thank Him
enough. How could He take a wretched person like me and use me for anything of
value to His kingdom? I pray my life brings Him Glory.
Thank you for your encouragement, comments, cards and
support for us. We are so grateful for each of you and we pray God is doing a
new thing in your life as you serve the Risen Savior. He is our reason for
living, and we pray He will use you in your sphere of influence to bring the
love of Christ to the lost.
In awe of His faithfulness, Toni and Bill
Bill with the young man DIF brought from the streets of Nava.
He's unable to communicate but is slowly adjusting to life in Centinella.
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