More Than Thankful

It is with such a feeling of gratitude I write this to you, thankful for another day to serve the King and thankful for great friends and family members who are supportive, encouraging and share messages of love when times are difficult.
Last month, I had a chance to teach a cookie-baking class in Centinella at Pastor Alejandro's home. It was a fun time with friends and the everyone loved it!
 

Pastor Alejandro and more than a dozen other pastors and Christian leaders were honored in Piedras Negras recently, and I was privileged to attend the event. The praise and worship was wonderful, and it glorified God in every way. The event has been held annually for many years, and is called Clamor por Piedras Negras.

I was invited to spend Thanksgiving with my family in California this year. On my way, I stopped in Aspermont to paint Christmas windows for some of the businesses there. It was a great time to meet new friends and reconnect with sweet old ones I've longed to see.
 

My little helper helped me paint the gingerbread house.

I left Aspermont on Sunday, and stayed the night in Gallup, New Mexico. On Monday morning, I started out early and stopped in Flagstaff for coffee. Getting back on the road, about an hour west of Flagstaff on I-40 the weather started getting really bad, the roads icy and sleet was falling. I had trouble staying on the road and hydroplaned, spinning out of control.

The van rolled, ultimately landing upside down on the side of the highway. When it finally stopped, I was upside down, hanging from my seat belt, praising God! I was so grateful for God's protection and mercy. None of the widows were broken, amazingly enough. AAA towed the van to Flagstaff after waiting nearly 7 hours, parking the van at the church a friend pastors there. Mel Brewster and his wife gave me hospitality and took me to their doctor. I am so blessed to not have any injuries. There were 15 other accidents during that same time period on that stretch of highway, and the tow trucks were very busy that day.
  

Tuesday night, I got on a bus in Flagstaff, and arrived in Sacramento about 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Spending Thanksgiving with my family in Clarksburg was especially sweet, knowing it could have been so different. We serve an awesome God, and I am grateful to be here to share that with you.

Thanksgiving with family & friends

  
I am enjoying my family here for a few more days, and so grateful for another day to serve the King of kings.

May God be glorified in our lives as we share the gospel message this Christmas season.

Clinging to the Savior,
Toni

Serving With Joy In Piedras Negras

Greetings in Jesus' name from Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. There have been some changes in my life recently, including a move to the big city near the border.

I am living in a little house about 15 minutes from a border crossing, and it has opened my eyes to the urgent need for more of a witness in this border town.

'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.' We need to pray for more workers for the harvest, as it is true all over the world. As believers, we are supposed to be light and salt, always ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us.

I pray the Lord uses our lives in a way that brings Him glory.

Thank you for praying for the ministry, the people and especially for the Agua Viva Rehabilitation Center. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

By His grace,

Toni

This is the local jail in Piedras where we share the gospel with the detainees.

Most are only held 24-72 hours. The first time we went, there were over 80 men and women. 

We served sandwiches and juice to each of them, as well as the Word.

Pastor Alejandro and the muchachos bringing the juice into the jail.

Every time I see this wagon, it gives me delight. In this fast-paced world,

seeing this rig makes me remember how things used to be,

the slower pace of the world. I desire to take time to listen

and really hear people's hearts, and be a light in the darkness here in the big city.

Students in the van on the way to school in Centinella.

I enjoy helping Sister Veronica when it's her turn to transport them.

Wall mural I painted in the Sanctuary of Agua Viva Church.

Celebrating the 11th Anniversary of Pastor Alejandro's ministry at Agua Viva Rehab Center
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Photos of Summer Fun in Mexico

We received a bunch of toys from friends in Houston,
and these girls were delighted to get them.

This little dog was one we rescued on the road and is thriving at the rehab.
Our friends call her Vainilla.

I found this little guy when I got out of the van at the house.

This hairy fellow was living in our bathroom, and I was happy to relocate him outside, where he belongs.

A baby goat from the ranch that Bill was feeding with a bottle.

The Martinez Family using their new hand-pump to bring water up from their well.

Our friend, Bob Strickland, bought and installed the pump.

Vacation Bible School in Tepeyac

Greetings from Tepeyac in the name of Jesus, the King of kings!

The group of 36 servants from all over West Texas has arrived in Coahuila to share the gospel with children and families in Tepeyac, San Carlos and Nava once again. The First Baptist Church of Haskell is the sponsor of the program, and has been for many years.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this year's program.
Here are some pictures of the Tepeyac VBS this week.
May God get the glory!

Children's Day Outreach in Tepeyac

Greetings from Tepeyac, Coahuila in the name of the King of kings!

 We had an excellent day, sharing the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ with the mothers and children in our little town on Sunday afternoon.

 Pastor Alejandro Alvarado and his family and church members cooked hot dogs for everyone.

 The kids had fun with the sack race, three-legged race, fishing for ducks and other games.

 They all enjoyed the bags of candy, some with chili flavoring!

 Lucero and Estrella Martinez were a great help with the gifts and games.

This was hard, walking with the ping pong ball on the wooden spoon, backwards to keep the wind from blowing it off!

Love their enthusiasm!

Fervent sack-racers!

The moms loaded up with fabric, yarn, cutlery, hygiene items, and much more.

It was a fun day for all and we are so grateful for all the donations from our partners in ministry. 

Praying For More...

So many difficult situations are happening around us lately, and I can only say, It is well with my soul.

Visiting hospitalized friends and neighbors, I am prayerful for the healing that they need so desperately, and even more prayerful for the salvation that comes from repentance.

Every day, I thank the Lord for giving me breath and another day to serve Him here on earth. The older I get, the more I consider each day a gift. It's only by His grace we can accomplish anything for the kingdom.

I love the verse Philippians 1:6,
".. being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..."

The Lord is working in each of us, to do His will and to use our lives for His glory.

We just need to be willing to be used. If our hearts are for Him, He can and will use us in the lives of those in our sphere of influence.

I pray He will direct my steps and lead me to those who need to hear the truth. I pray He gives me boldness like never before to love the unlovely and share the gospel with the lost and hurting. And I pray the same for you, reading this now.

May God use each of us to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ for this broken and hurting generation. People are looking for answers, and Jesus IS the answer.

God bless you as you put Him first in your life today.

By His grace,

Toni

Visitors, Vagrants and Viajeros

Bob Strickland attempting to eat under watchful eyes of the pups

A meal in Piedras with Bob and Alejando and family last week

Our new friend, Ted Alexander, whom we picked up in Del Rio several times

Boys from Cristo Vive Rehab who needed a ride to Zaragoza

Mommy and boys we  picked up from Acuña recently