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.

Manuel's Birthday with Spiderman and a Cuban Gallo

Blessings to you from Tepeyac, "en el nombre maravilloso de Jesucristo!"

We have been busy with vehcile repairs and taking care of little lambs and this week we were able to celebrate Manuel's 7th birthday at Maria and Rito's house.
Bill decided to buy him a little rooster. The feed store told us it was a Cuban rooster, rather small and very tame, and lets you hold him in your lap.
I had to post this picture of him riding home on Bill's shoulder.

 

We brought a cake from HEB to Manuel for his birthday and enjoyed a great meal of cooked goat, frijoles rancheros and tortillas with the family before we had a piece of the Spiderman cake.

The little rooster was the life of the party, and Manuel was so happy that he crows so much.  

 

We thank the Lord for you and your interest in the ministry here. May God continue to use you for His glory, and help you to be a light in the darkness.

 

In His loving embrace,

 

Toni and Bill



Cristian's Upcoming Kidney Transplant

Greetings from Coahuila, Mexico in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

We have made many friends during our two and a half years in Mexico this time, and one special family we've befriended is the family of Manuelita and her sons, Jesús and Cristian Vasquez Hernandez.

Manuelita and Cristian

Cristian will be 8 in May, and has had 5 operations since he was born, due to a condition he has called "neurogenic bladder." His kidneys are damaged and he is awaiting a transplant, with his father, Ignacio, found to be a compatible donor.
Since Manuelita lives in Tepeyac and her son's surgery will be at the Seguro in Monterey, she will have expenses during her son's 2-month stay in Monterey. She has to find housing, probably a motel but hopefully we can locate a family or church that will offer her housing for little or no cost.
This past Sunday, we had a fundraiser for her in San Carlos, about 12 miles from Tepeyac. After all was said and done, $2,000. pesos (or $160.00 US currency) was raised. We made food to sell, played games, painted faces and received donations from local businesses and individuals. But that is a long way from what she will need to eat and get around Monterey while her son is on dialysis and recuperating from his transplant.

Cristian, in front, at his birthday party last May

If the Lord puts it on your heart to help with this need, please contact me by phone, email or snail mail. We especially covet your prayers for this family and specifically for the surgery for Cristian.
Thank you for reading this. God bless you as you seek and serve the King of kings.

In His grip,
Toni and Bill

Bella, Muchachos and a Little Ewe

Greetings in the glorious name of Jesus Christ!

I am finally updating our blog after a long delay. I apologize for that. Things here have kept us busy.

The first weekend this month, we had a nice visit from Susan Carver and Robert Strickland from Knox City. They brought Robert's one-year-old female Great Pyranees named Bella for a local rancher. Mario Ramos had asked us if we could get him one of these dogs for his ranch in Palmira. He raises pigs and sheep there. He was pleased with Robert's great gift of this dog. We were able to bring Susan and Robert to the rehab to meet Alejandro and his family, and the men who reside there. We had a great time visiting with everyone that weekend.

Bobby, Bella and Susan

Bobby and Susan visiting the Rehab with us

We have been spending more time with the Agua Viva Rehab in Centinella and yesterday we took Alejandro and Veronica to run errands in Piedras. We picked up enough garbage bags full of food for the pigs from a restaurant, filling the bed of the pickup overflowing, and they received several kilos of tortillas from a tortilla factory there. We also went to the store and picked up some tomatoes, jalapeños, onions, potatoes and eggs for the “muchachos” (boys) as Alejandro calls the residents there. When we got back to the rehab, they unloaded our “treasures” and washed the pickup completely. It’s been some time since we washed it. I guess it was well overdue.

Last week I spent the day at the funeral home where the family gathered to mourn the passing of their 14-year-old son, Ivan. We have been supplying Ensure and diapers for him for over a year and we are saddened that the Lord took him home. He had been disabled since 2 months old, and was a sweet boy, always smiling when we came to visit him. Please pray God comfort his family. His parents are Teodoro and Yolanda.

The past week I have spent several days transporting people to the hospital and clinics in Piedras and Acuña.  Last night, I drove Manuelita, her son Christian and his father, Ignacio to Acuña to meet the bus for Monterey. Christian in waiting to have a kidney transplant and his father has been found to be the compatible donor. Lord willing, this will happen soon. Christian will be 7 in May. We are working with the family on a fundraiser to help them as they have many out-of-pocket expenses for this major surgery.

On my way back home, I picked up some cappuchinos and some cookies for the soldiers outside of Acuña, and they were grateful. It was after 11:30 pm and I'm sure a cup of coffee was a welcome treat. I has asked them when I passed going into Acuna if they'd like some coffee and they all said yes.  I told them "God bless you," and headed on home.

We are pleased to announce that the fire extinguishers for the rehab have been supplied by Aspermont Community Church, and that Alejandro was able to pay his license plate fees in payments, and they have new license plates on the pickup now, so are free to travel throughout Piedras for their supplies and donations for the rehab center.

Recently, our neighbor’s sheep have been having their babies, and two nights ago, one of them gave birth to 3 little ones. We are now feeding a female baby sheep in our home, and it‘s been quite an adventure. She’s so sweet, black with a few spots of white on her. We picked up a special formula of milk for her yesterday at a feed store in Piedras and hope it will be just what she needs to gain strength and start growing. I admit, it’s taking me awhile to get used to the constant ‘baaaaaaaing.’ Eileen Cochran of Aspermont gave me some pointers on the phone today. She has lots of experience in the area of raising farm animals.

Bill giving the baby lamb a bottle of milk

 

We want to thank all of you for your notes, calls, texts and prayers for us. We thank God for our friends and family and we want you to know how much we appreciate you.

I will update this post with pictures soon, and appreciate you reading our updates.

May God bless you and keep you, and continue to use your life for His glory.

In His loving embrace,

Toni and Bill

 

Three King's Day in Tepeyac

Greetings from Mexico in Jesus' name!

It's been busy here for us lately and we are always blessed to share another opportunity to bring the love of Jesus to the people of Mexico.

Sunday, the 5^th we were able to bring a group up to the Rehab in Centinella and enjoy the service with the saints there. We brought a cake and had “La Abuelita” hot chocolate to warm us up. It was great fellowship and we all enjoyed our time there. We’ve been visiting the rehab during the week, and spending time talking with the men who live there.

 

Cake with friends at the Rehab in Centinella

 In Mexico, another big celebration relating to the birth of our Savior is Three King’s Day, the sixth of January. It is a day dedicated to the memory of the Magi who came to visit the Messiah and they often celebrate with a special meal and a special bread known as a Rosca, round with dried fruit baked on top and a small plastic baby representing the Christ Child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other part of the celebration for children is gift-giving. We were able to participate in this part of the day by handing out stuffed animals, Beanie Babies and Porcelain dolls to the children of Tepeyac. We loaded up the pickup with 4 large boxes of toys my sister, Jennie, sent down after Christmas. We went to every house in Tepeyac and the children were able to pick the toys they wanted out of the boxes. Moms and Grandmothers picked out dolls, too, and it was a sweet time of hugs and “Feliz Año Nuevo’s”  (Happy New Year) greetings to all the women I know here in town. It was sweet and we enjoyed the time together. Maria, Socorro and the girls, and our friend Veronica from the Rehab in Centinella joined us with her daughter, Priscilla. It was so cold outside on Monday, we were all bundled up but it was fun. We are so grateful to my sister, Jennie, and her friends, Clay and Sharon who donated the dolls for Mexico. What a blessing to the children here.

The afternoon was a wonderful time of fellowship with Alejandro and Veronica and Maria’s family enjoying pozole here at our house with the fireplace warming us up on this cold winter day. We had cupcakes and peach cobbler for dessert and lots of coffee and hot chocolate to warm us up for the gift-giving adventure.

That evening, we enjoyed the last of the pozole at Maria and Rito’s house by lantern-light and the last evening of the visit of Margarito, Rito’s brother who lives in Saltillo, the state capital. He came last week when their uncle passed away.

I had an amazing conversation with Margarito over coffee. I shared my testimony with him and we talked about the Lord, the gospel, and salvation. He was very receptive and we talked about Christians being persecuted in other countries for their faith. Rito wanted to know more about this and said he didn’t know anyone was being persecuted for being a Christian. I get the Voice of the Martyrs mailings and want to share with him about what’s going on in these other countries. I told them we are blessed that we presently don’t have a problem sharing the gospel freely here in Mexico but that can all change. Margarito was adamant that that will never change, and I pray he’s right, but in my heart, I feel he’s not.

We are so grateful for all of your prayers and love for us, and we thank God for the privilege of serving the Lord here in Mexico. We pray this year brings many good things and wonderful opportunities for all of you to share your faith with the lost.

May God be glorified in our lives as we share the gospel with the lost and hurting around us.

In His strong embrace,

Toni and Bill

The New Year Is Here!

Greetings from Mexico in the magnificent name of Jesucristo!

So many things have happened over the past several weeks, it’s difficult to bring you up to date, but I will do my best.

Monday, December 16^th, Bill decided he wanted to try once again to visit the prison near Piedras Negras. It had been over a year since they had closed the doors to outsiders ministering inside the walls, and although we had tried several times to visit, they had denied us access to enter. Monday, we prayed and went to the prison, going straight to the gate guard and asked if we could come inside and share the Bible. The man hesitated, but an inmate we knew was walking one of the prison drug dogs nearby and told the guard we used to come inside and minister frequently. The guard went to the office and came back several minutes later and said yes, we could come inside. We were elated, needless to say. We gave our identifications to the woman in the small office and she gave us each a “ficha” to hold on to in order to get our ID back after our visit.

We walked the short corridor between the cyclone fence walls near the holding tanks for the recently arrested, and went through the inspection area, where they frisked Bill in a nearby room, and went through my Bible to see if I was bringing any “contraband” inside. Satisfied we were “clean,” they brought us to the big iron doors that separated the guards from the prisoners. They opened the door and let us inside. We walked toward the back of the prison, where we knew the inmates had church services. On the way, past the volleyball court and near the maximum security area, we heard men singing praises in Spanish. We walked toward the music and in a courtyard surrounded by hallways and laundry hanging on makeshift clotheslines, we saw several men in a circle, with wooden crates for seating, welcoming us to the group. The brother who preached was playing guitar and leading worship. He and another brother told us they would not be leaving the prison for many more years. Everyone greeted us with a handshake and welcomed us to the church service.

We thoroughly enjoyed the church service there, and the message was one of freedom on the inside through a relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. The time we spent was short, as it was time for count and the men said we had to leave the prison. We pray God continues to open doors for us and others to minister behind prison walls. Although the men encouraged us more than we encouraged them, we feel God’s leading us to continue to be a light in the darkness in that facility. Please keep the men and women of this facility in your prayers.

 

Our Christmas was sweet and we enjoyed our time with friends and neighbors. Christmas Eve was spent with Rito and Maria’s family, enjoying a meal of tamales and “frijoles del rancho.” When we arrived at the gate to our place, there was a female Great Pyrenees dog sitting at the gate. We brought her in as she was thin and looked so bad. It was cold out and we gave her something to eat. She had several health issues and at first we thought she was one of the dogs from Rito and Maria’s place. But after asking around, we found out she lives in Tepeyac and came from a family in Piedras Negras. She’s an old dog and we returned her to her owners the next day.

 

Christmas day, we had the Martinez family and our neighbors, José Alberto and Guadalupe, along with their daughter, Griselda for a turkey dinner with trimmings. Afterward, we watched the movie, “The Grace Card” in Spanish. It was a sweet night of popcorn, hot chocolate and fellowship. No tree, decorations or gifts, but we all prayed and gratefully thanked God for His provision and protection for our families during the past year.

New Year’s Eve was spent with Yessica and her family, enjoying playing games with the children and she made pizza for all of us. It was a sweet way to ring in the new year with friends here in Mexico.

 

Jahaziel enjoying a cup of juice on New Year's Eve

Our neighbor, José Alberto, laid the forms and poured cement for our well and pump stand this week. Lord willing, we’ll be able to do more work on the pipe and lines to finish the project in the next few months. Greg brought us a pump to get the water out of the well, and that’s a big blessing. Slowly but surely we trust we’ll have running water in our home.

We want to thank all of you for your prayers over the past year. We know that they are the backbone of the ministry here in Mexico.

By His grace,
Toni and Bill

Visiting The Rehab With Friends

Greg, Alejandro and Bill
 

 

Showing us his guitar before we sang in the dorm.
 

New piglets and the center...healthy and happy!

 

Here are some pictures from our visit yesterday afternoon with Greg, Robin, Linda and DeAnn at the Rehabilitation Center near Piedras. We were able to bring them some work glove and tarps and it was wonderful to visit and have the group see what God is doing in that place. While we were there, Hermano Alejandro took Greg for a tour of the facility. When we went into the dorms, Bill asked one of the brothers to sing "Tu Fidelidad" and he picked up his guitar and played it while we all joined in to sing. It was so sweet. God is working in this facility and using it to change the lives of the men He brings there. May He be glorified!