Anxious For Nothing

Greetings from Mexico in the righteous name of Jesus Christ. I pray that as you are reading this, the Lord is blessing you with His peace that passes understanding and strength for each and every day. He is our peace.  (Ephesians 2:14)

"For He himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility."

In our current world of challenges on every side, this scripture is a beautiful reminder that only Christ can bring us peace. The world has nothing to offer when we are searching for answers in the midst of chaos and unrest.

I have been enjoying Max Lucado's book, "Anxious for Nothing" for about the 3rd time. It is an encouragement to me in trying times, and I hope you will consider reading it. 

It has been a busy time in many ways for me the past few months. In March, I spent two weeks with my two granddaughters in Fort Worth. My son and his wife went on a vacation for her birthday, and I had the privilege of cooking and decorating cookies, drawing and painting, playing games, sewing, and just enjoying each other's company after nearly 6 months apart due to the pandemic. God blessed our time in prayer and I am so grateful for that precious time with my family.

Our little church family at Agua Viva Rehabilitation Center in Centinela recently stopped services for about two months due to one of the "muchachos" living at the rehab testing positive for Covid19. He is fine, and was without symptoms but kept testing positive long after he felt better. We are thankful .nobody else got sick, and it was hard for him to quarantine and be alone for so long. But yesterday at church he shared about his experience and was thanking God for bringing him through it after all that. 

Melting ice on my heater

As many in Texas and beyond experienced snow and ice during February, we also had the same here in our part of Mexico. Many, like myself, had broken pipes and no electricity for days around February 14th. It was and unusual Valentine's Day, with snow and cold like we haven't had here in nearly 30 years, the locals tell me. I took lots of pictures, as it reminded me of my childhood in Northern California where winters often were accompanied by lots of snowfall.

I still have yet to repair all the broken pipes to get running water at my house, but am so grateful for the windmill nearby that I can fill buckets of water for my needs here. Life is certainly simpler here. I am so grateful to God for His mercies, lovingkindness and provision.

Last week, we celebrated Hermana Mari's birthday at the church with pastel de tres leches. It was a sweet time and we were thankful for all she has been to that ministry since the beginning when Pastor Alejandro first took over there 15 years ago.

About a month ago, I was travelling on Hwy 57 between Pearsall and Eagle Pass. It was about 9:30 at night and I saw a car upside down in the bar ditch, with the engine on fire. I parked and got out, and two other vehicles were stopping there. I called out to the see if someone was in the car and there was a woman in the back of the vehicle. I crawled through the mesquite and brush and tried to get her out through the window nearest the hiway. She couldn't get through the window but another man went around the barbed-wire fence and helped her out of the other back window about two minutes before the car exploded.

As we walked her up the hill to the side of the road, I told her how blessed she was that God had protected her life from that accident. I got to pray with her as she was in shock after the accident. I found out that her name is Desiree and she asked me to call her husband. He was farther up the road and turned around to meet her there. We waited for the police to arrive and she was taken by airflight to San Antonio, and gratefully released later that night without serious injuries. God is so good and I am so thankful to have been there for that opportunity. Her husband has called me and asked me to come visit them in San Antonio. I hope to be able to visit them one day soon. This picture is of her car after she was extracted.

Earlier this year, one of my neighbors came to my door at about 9 at night and said her mother's church van was broke down near Zaragoza and they needed a ride to Acuña. I took her and her young son and we drove to where the old school bus was broken down on the side of the road just outside Zaragoza. The men stayed with the bus, and all the women and children got in my van and we drove them to their church in Acuña where their cars and families were waiting for them. It was a sweet time with precious women and I am so grateful for the van and the ability to help when needs like that one arise. 

After they unloaded, I asked the ladies if it was okay if I took their picture. They were happy to comply.

I am in the process of replacing all 3 of my doors on my house and it is a challenge, to say the least. I bought the doors in Abilene at a Habitat for Humanity Restore, and all three had to be cut down but are just the right widths. I have been out of practice with my carpentry skills, but have several projects I want to complete this year so it's a good time to dust off my tools.

May the Lord Jesus bless you and encourage you as you seek His face and His will for your life. I appreciate your interest in this blog and this ministry, and hope that you find peace in every area of your life as you serve the King of kings.

In His loving embrace,

Toni

 

Luke 9:23, 24

Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."

The New Year 2021

Greetings in the beautiful name of Jesus Christ!

When I think of last year, I can only say God is faithful and I am blessed to be writing this today. With all the challenges of 2020, those of us who remain living and breathing in this new year have much to be grateful for.

We have seen God’s hand on our lives and I hope we can say “It is well with my soul.” Our hope is in Jesus Christ and He has a wonderful plan for our lives if we only surrender to His will. The pandemic has helped most of us see what is truly important.

I am blessed to still be here in Mexico, and have experienced so many blessings and challenges over the past calendar year.

It’s almost impossible to share all that God has done here, but I will say that He has been faithful and protected me and provided for my needs and the needs of many in my sphere of influence here.

Last month, I had the privilege of handing out over 100 backpacks filled with school supplies, toys, and many other goodies from a group of churches in Oklahoma and Texas. The ministry of Bridge Builders for the Cross of Ada, Oklahoma brought over 1,500 backpacks to Acuña, and Shon and Janeene Young invited me to include the children of Tepeyac. Also, Chava and Elvira Rodriguez of Dallas, Texas brought down dozens more gifts to complete what I needed for the children of Tepeyac. It was a sweet time of sharing the love of Christ with these families.

 

Bill remains in the residential care home near San Antonio, and although I haven’t been able to visit him due to COVID restrictions, he is doing well and had his first vaccine on his birthday this month. He turned 76 this year.

Last week, I drove up to near Abilene to meet Greg and Robin Goza. It was wonderful to fellowship with them for even a short time. They have been in Texas for the past month and are heading back to Guadalajara this week, so it was a great opportunity to reconnect. They have been such a big part of our lives here in Mexico, and I am so grateful for their friendship.

 

I continue to attend Sunday services at Agua Viva Church in Centinela, with Pastor Alejandro Alvarado and his wife, Veronica. Most weeks, three friends from Palmira accompany me. The church is part of the ministry based in Juarez, Chihuahua, and is a place of healing for men coming out of drugs and alcohol. Alejandro is from Durango and has been ministering in our area for over a decade. The men he disciples have come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all receive a firm foundation of Bible teaching and instruction. I am blessed to be a part of the ministry.

 

I would like to thank the support of Aspermont Community Church, First Baptist Church of Swenson and Primera Iglesia Bautista of Corpus Christi. These churches have continued to partner with the ministry here in Mexico, as well as some precious families and friends. I would not be able to do what I do if it weren't for these partners. 

Every day is a gift. Be grateful to be alive and make your today better than yesterday.

God bless you as your serve the King of kings.

In His loving embrace,

Toni

Thanksgiving Meal at Agua Viva 2019

Greetings in the gracious name of Jesus Christ.

I am very behind in my updates this blog, so will try to play catch-up on with this update.

The past several weeks have been busy ones, transporting people to doctor’s appointments, emergency room visits, taking vitals and giving injections because the local clinics are on vacation for the rest of the year, and delivering food, clothing and blankets to families in need in our area. I have been so blessed to receive lots of donations from  Primera Asambea de Dios of Dallas, Texas during my recent visit to the Metroplex. 

We celebrated Thanksgiving at the Agua Viva Rehabilitation Center in Centinela on Sunday, November 24^th with 14 residents at the rehab and nearly 40 in attendance ate their fill of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli-cauliflower salad, potato salad, yeast rolls and cake. Everyone went back for seconds, and some for thirds and fourth helpings. It was a sweet time of fellowship and the Lord multiplied the food. We had 3 big turkeys cooked to perfection by Veronica, Pastor Alejandro’s wife, and Susan Carver and Robert Strickland helped me make the salads for the event.

I took vitals on the residents of the center before the meal, and with my blood pressure cuff, glucose monitor and pulse oximeter, I was able to get a good read on the men’s health.  Most of the men had high blood pressure, and I gave them each a list of their results to take to a doctor when they get a chance to be seen.

Thank you so much for your interest in the ministry, and especially for your prayers and support. I am so grateful for the Body of Christ partnering with us in our efforts here below the border.

God bless you as you seek His will in your life and share the love of Jesus with the lost and hurting around you.

I'm His loving embrace,

Toni

Tepeyac VBS 2019

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7

We are so grateful for all who came to our little corner of Mexico to bring the good news to so many. The group from First Baptist Church of Haskell, Texas was 40 strong, and brought encouragement and love to the children and families in San Carlos, Tepeyac, Centinela and Casa Hogar Bethesda. 

This year, they stayed in a church in Acuna, and we saw many attend the Vacation Bible Schools at each of the locations.

Here are a few of the pictures from the week in Tepeyac. It was a wonderful time of praise and worship, teaching of the Word and encouraging the new believers that came to Christ that week.

These few pictures don't nearly tell the story, but the faces should give you an idea of the enjoyment felt by the children and mother's who joined us at the church in Tepeyac.

Thank you for your interest in the ministry in Mexico, and for your prayers for the families in our area. We are so grateful to God for you and your love and support.

By His grace,
Toni

Children's Day in Tepeyac 2019

Greetings from Tepeyac in the gracious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! What a blessing to serve the Lord here in Mexico. I am so grateful for all of you who pray for and support this ministry and I apologize for not keeping you updated more often. Things are busy here and I am finally getting a chance to catch up on the ministry blog today. I pray these pictures and stories will bless you as the experiences have blessed me.

The Lord has been working here in our little corner of Mexico, and we have seen salvations and lives changed as I minister to families in our communities.  Here are some photos from our recent Children's Day Outreach in Tepeyac. We had dozens of moms and children attend the event and all enjoyed fun, games, gifts and a meal served by our friends from the Agua Viva Rehabilitation Center in Centinela. Pastor Alejandro gave a message and his wife, Veronica led the games and fun for the kids. The brothers that reside at the center also helped with the games.

Pastor Alejandro Alvarado sharing the Good News with the
 mothers and children at the plaza in Tepeyac.

This fishing for ducks game was by far the most

popular with the younger children. I love how the

kids waiting to play were already wearing their 

blindfolds!

Preparing for the sack race

Carrera De Niños de Ejido Tepeyac

Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement and support of this ministry in Mexico. I am blessed for the privilege to serve the Lord here and pray this blog encourages you as you make a difference in the lives around you.

Serving with joy,

Toni

Christmas Eve In Prison

Greetings from Coahuila in the glorious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

We are so grateful God answers prayers. We had the privilege of going into the prison in Piedras Negras on Christmas Eve this year, and shared the gospel, along with pozole with all the fixin's.

We were blessed to have the presence and support of the guards to join us as three pastors shared the messages, along with the rest of us sharing testimonies and encouragement to the inmates. 

Manuel and Alejandro making the pozole

Cleaning out the ice chests

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Buying bolillos at the bakery

Pastor Alejandro Alvarado made a big pot of pozole and since we can't bring metal into the facility, we placed it in our ice chest, and brought rolls, limes, lettuce and punch to fill the stomachs of the men who attended the service in the small church inside the prison.

How glorious to hear the praise and worship of these men, giving God the glory in the midst of challenging circumstances behind bars. Many of the men came up to us to thank us for being there, and for the meal. It was wonderful hearing many of them share their stories. 

I have not been permitted to enter the facility since the escape of over a hundred inmates, and was so blessed to finally be able to enter, after praying for God to open the doors once again.

Lord willing, we will be going in to do Bible studies on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Pastor Alyejandro is working with other pastors to make it a regular ministry opportunity. God remains in control and we trust Him for His perfect timing in all things.

Me and Isabel Ruvalcaba, Christmas Eve at Agua Viva

Thank you so much for your interest and prayers for the ministry. May God use you and yours mightily as you seek His face.

In Him,

Toni