Caballos, Cowboys and Kidneys

Greetings from Tepeyac in the incredible name of Jesus Christ. We are encouraged, blessed and in awe of God’s faithfulness in recent weeks. So many things are happening here lately, and we are thanking Him for allowing us to be used by Him here in Mexico.

Thursday evening, after returning from a trip to Piedras, five boys arrived on horseback in our front yard. As I went out to greet them, I saw all of them were kids I knew and had enjoyed teaching here in Tepeyac.

Ricardo, about 14 years old, dismounted and came up to talk to me. He asked if I could drive his mother and grandfather to the doctor on Friday morning at 7 am. I said yes, and asked how many would be coming with them. He said about 5, so I took the van Friday morning to pick them up.

Felipe, the grandfather, is 74 and has suffered a stroke several years ago that he has not recovered from. He is unable to walk and is pushed around on a walker. Ricardo helped his mother, Mari, put Felipe in the van, and we loaded up for Acuña.

Bill went with me and we picked up Mari’s brother and his wife in Palmira. We arrived at the Seguro Hospital just before 8 am, the time for Felipe’s appointment. They finished about 10:30 and we loaded up and took them to the pharmacy and the bank. Then we headed back home.

On the way, as we were leaving Acuña, we picked up a family on their way to Zaragoza. They were hitchhiking and we gave them a ride to San Carlos, about an hour short of their destination. We filled up our propane tank, and then took Mari and her family home to Tepeyac. I was able to bring them a wheelchair for Felipe to use as he was badly in need of a way to get around. The wheelchair was a donation from my trip to California.

Here are some pictures of Mari's grandson, Gerardo. He is 4 years old and loves horses and ropes. He's quite a little cowboy.

I recently went into a parts shop in Eagle Pass to have them check out the “check engine” light on the dash of the Corolla.

They man who came out to do the diagnostic was eager to talk, as I usually am, and we started talking about the Lord and what He had done in our lives.

He said he had lost his wife and children because of his alcohol problems, but several years ago he came to know the Lord and his life is completely changed. He is attending a wonderful church and is being used by God nearly every day to share with people that come into the store. 

We hugged goodbye, and before I left, he prayed for me and for Bill, and was such an encouragement, I felt like it was just the “shot” I needed. His faith was contagious, as all of us believers should be. We need each other to remind us that God has a wonderful plan for our lives and can use us, no matter where we live or what we do.

Sometimes I feel like I am so far from my family and friends and need that little personal touch to keep my faith alive. God has a way of putting people in our paths right when we need them.

The funniest thing happened this morning. When I was getting out of the Corolla to close the gate heading for the house, I heard the fan turn on to cool the engine. That was the reason the "check engine" light was on on the dash of the car. When I got back in the car, the light had turned off. I thanked the Lord for healing that problem. He cares about even the smallest things.

Manuelita and her son, Cristian when we first moved to Mexico

Recently, I have been trying to get help for Cristian Vasquez Hernandez and his family. He is the boy I shared about a few years ago.

He was born with something called "neurogenic bladder" and his condition has damaged his kidneys. I trust the Lord will help me find someone in the US that can help this young man with this need.  I have made several visits to the Mexican Consulate, and have spoken to medical professionals in San Antonio. Right now, I am waiting for a response.

This is Cristian today. He will be 9 years old in May.

In the meantime, we appreciate your prayers for him and his family. This has been a very difficult journey and it is very expensive for them with all the trips to the hospital in Monterey and the things he needs to care for his illness.

Thank you so much for partnering with us in this ministry through your prayers and support. We are grateful for your interest and we especially thank you for your prayers. 

In Jesus' name,

Toni and Bill

Life In Tepeyac Picture Collage

Badly needed New tires for the Corolla from a friend in Knox City

Puppies from the Great Pyranees/Anatolian dogs we brought in 2011 from San Angelo

Manuel Martinez on his horse that's just his size

Angel and Jahaziel Rios reading the new Illustrated Bible Story Book in our van

One of the latest Birth Control advertisements in Acuña

Footprints of our canines on my computer bag in the van

My Sunday School Class doing their lesson on John 8:32

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma."

Ephesians 5:1, 2

The Joy of Serving

Greetings from Mexico in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. As we continue to try to be used here in Mexico in the lives of those in our sphere of influence, we are reminded of the words of Paul to the churches of Galatia. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10.

We were so happy to see Dr. Wayne and Yuvi Cadenhead when they came for a quick visit with their son, Jeremy, on Saturday, the 7th . They brought the lessons for the VBS planned in July here in Tepeyac, San Carlos and Nava.

I was able to go with them to visit with Sister Lupita and her family and they gave her this lovely little rose bush. She was happy to see everyone, and as always, it was a sweet visit with her and her husband. They have been a major part of our little church family here in Tepeyac, and Wayne and Yuvi have known her for over 20 years now.

After we left Lupita’s, we stopped by to visit Paula. Her husband, Blas, was out with the sheep so we sat in her little kitchen and enjoyed a sweet visit there.

Later, we headed for Nava and when we arrived there, we had a long visit with Pastor Manuel Toledo and his wife, Esther.  We walked to a nearby restaurant and enjoyed a nice meal there, to go along with the sweet fellowship. Then we walked down the street to the candy store. It’s a big place with just about every candy you can imagine, along with lots of other goodies and party supplies. It’s our regular stop when we go to Nava.

After we said our goodbyes, we headed back to Tepeyac.
 

It was wonderful spending the afternoon with our friends, and we look forward to their return this summer.

Sunday morning, I shared a message at the church in Tepeyac.

Monday we made a trip to Del Rio to cash a check for materials for the church in San Carlos. Some friends paid for all the roofing materials to replace the roof on the church.

Here's a picture of the church roof needing replacement.

We brought the cash to Sister Pati and then headed to the house. While we were in Del Rio, we picked up two walkers and a wheelchair from our storage unit. We delivered one of the walkers to Sister Lupita. She has been suffering from knee and back problems and the walker with a seat really was a blessing to her. My sister, Jennie, gave it to me for Mexico when I was in California in December.

Tuesday morning, we drove Guadalupe to the doctor in Piedras Negras. Every month she goes in for a checkup on her diabetes and blood pressure. Her sister, Juana, went with us.

Early Wednesday morning, Manuelita came by to ask if I could take her parents to the doctor in Piedras. I told her yes and we picked them up that morning at 11 am. On the way, we picked up Don Trinidad from Jarita waiting at the highway where he was hoping to catch a ride. We dropped them all off and headed across the border to mail some letters and fill up with gas. We got back when they had just finished with their appointment and took them to the Gutierrez Grocery store to get some supplies, then headed back home.

Thursday we went to Maria and Rito’s to bring some scraps to “Jaboncita,” (translated: little bar of soap) the young pig that Bill brought them in December to raise. 

Bill holding sweet little Jaboncita, the piglet.

She has grown a lot. We had a nice visit with their family while Rito and a friend were working on the transmission on Rito’s pickup. They are using our pickup until they get theirs repaired.

John Wesley said, “Let me do all the good I can, to all the people I can, as often as I can, for I shall not pass this way again.”

The Lord has blessed us with three vehicles, and every one of them has a purpose. Most of the time, they are the perfect tool for taking folks where they want to go. God has provided us with a ministry to the families in our area and we are grateful for His trust in us to be His feet and hands.

We are grateful for every opportunity we have to serve the Lord by serving others here. It’s a privilege we don’t take lightly.

May God use your life for His glory, and may He give you more opportunities to share His love with the lost and hurting around you.

We thank God for you and your interest in the ministry we do here. May He be glorified in all our lives.

In His loving embrace,

Toni and Bill

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23, 24

Sunday Like No Other

Today was a different kind of Sunday for us in Mexico.

It all started with a bang about 6 am. There was a loud noise outside and the electricity went off for several hours. Bill cooked his coffee in the fireplace...he's got to have his coffee!

I got ready for church in the dark until the sun came up. The electricity came back on about 8:30 am and I went to pick up Maria de Jesús and her three grandsons. We got to church about 10 minutes early.

It was a great time of praise and worship and there were 18 people in church today.  Last Sunday Blas had asked me to bring the message so I shared the first chapter of "Created to Be God's Friend: Lessons from the Life of Abraham," by Henry Blackaby. I translated it and shared it from my heart, praying for God's anointing. It was a blessing as I seldom feel capable of bringing a sermon to a group of people.

Early in my Christian walk, I took a Preaching and Teaching course, taught by Jim Arnold at Heart Ministries in Sacramento. He told us to always carry a sermon in your pocket.

After church, I took Maria and the boys home and her daughter, Erika, needed a ride to San Carlos. I took her the 12 miles to her home, with a load of firewood we loaded in the back  of the pickup, and about 3 miles from San Carlos in Emiliano Zapapta we came upon a young mother pushing a double stroller with her two small sons. I asked her if she was walking to San Carlos and she said yes. So I loaded her and her babies in the back seat and placed her stroller in the back, on top of the firewood.

We dropped her off at her sister's house in San Carlos, and then dropped Erika off at her house with her firewood.

I drove back home, thanking God for His faithfulness in providing the vehicles we have and the gasoline to be able to give folks a lift when they need it.

Maria and her family were waiting for me at the house when I arrived. We all loaded up in the van and headed for the church in Centinella at the Rehab there. The service had just begun, although we were nearly 30 minutes late.

It was a wonderful time of praise and worship, and a great message brought by Pastor Alejandro. Afterwards we enjoyed sweet fellowship and a wonderful meal of chili rellenos, frijoles, rice and tortillas. Then we all loaded up in the van and headed home. We dropped Bill, Rito and the kids off and then Maria, Socorro and I headed for San Carlos to see her grandmother who was near death. Our prayer was that God would give us an opportunity to share the gospel.

We were there from 4:30 until 9:30 and we read the 23rd Psalm and prayed with the whole family in the room while Santos was breathing her last breaths. About 7 pm she slipped into eternity, one year short of her 90th birthday. It was sad but it was good to be there, and we were able to share the gospel with the family.
I arrived back home just before 10 pm, after dropping Maria and Socorro at their house.

I thank God that I don't have to worry about what circumstances I will be encountering if I give my day to Him. His agenda is by far the best and I'm so grateful He directs my steps.

Thank you so much for your patience with us as I have not updated our blog for such a long time. I will try to fill in the gaps as soon as I can.

Praising God for His faithfulness,
Toni and Bill

Billy and Cecilia's Christian Wedding at the Courthouse

Greetings from Tepeyac in Jesus' mighty name. We are grateful for God's faithfulness and for our friends and family and their loving support and encouragement for us as we serve Him here in Mexico.

Last week, we had the privilege of attending the wedding of Bill's oldest son, Billy, and his wife, Cecilia. They got married in Fort Worth and Billy's mother and stepfather came from Louisiana to join us as we witnessed the Christ-centered ceremony in the courthouse.

They got married by a Christian woman judge named Lisa Leaton and she shared the most beautiful message of a covenant they were entering in to as man and wife. The Christ-centered ceremony blessed us so much. She even prayed with them and it was an encouragement to all of us attending the ceremony.

On Saturday, we moved their furniture to their new place in Jacksboro from Cresson, and then Sunday morning, attended church with them at High Ridge Church and had lunch with the family.

We enjoyed two days with Brandon and Jessica in Fort Worth after we left Billy and Cecilia. Abigail and I made lots of cookies. It's always a fun thing we do when I visit.

 

We thank the Lord for all of you reading this blog, and appreciate your interest in the ministry here in Tepeyac.

May God bless you as you seek His face, and use your life for His glory.

In His strong embrace,

Toni and Bill

Welcome To The 21st Century...

Greetings from Tepeyac in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

We just had a sweet weekend of work and fellowship with two friends from Austin, Texas. Burl Fulenwider and Carlos Lopez came down to put indoor plumbing into our home. They were able to put in a toilet, connect our bathroom sink and install a kitchen sink. They also connected a shower that will be complete when we lay the cement floor over the plumbing there.

It was a quick, busy weekend, but we were able to have several meals with our neighbors, Guadalupe and Jose Alberto Rios, and their children, Griselda, Epifanio and Changel. The men all helped Burl and Carlos do the plumbing and Gris even did the tar on the cover for the septic tank.

We wanted to share photos from this weekend. Thank the Lord for my sweet friend, Janeese Fulenwider in Seattle, Washington who convinced her brother Burl to come down and “give Toni a flushing toilet.”

Burl has done mission work in Tanzania and has been all over the world while he served with the US Marine Corps. Both he and Carlos have servant’s hearts and love helping others.

We went to the Rehab in Centinella while they were here and had a short but very nice visit with Pastor Alejandro Alvarado and his wife and daughter, and the “muchachos.” I am sharing some of those photos from our visit.

The residents cooking area

Pig Pens