Wednesday's Prison Visit

Greetings from Tepeyac, Mexico in the mighty, all-powerful name of Jesus!

We are in awe of His hand in our lives, answering prayers and opening doors for ministry.
 

This week I gave a family a ride to the prison in Piedras to visit a loved one, and went to visit Claudia, whom I had visited before, with the baby boy, Jorge Antonio. He is 18 months old now, and smiles big with sweet dimples.

She was well and said her family hadn’t been to see her since Christmas, due to the distance. We read the word, prayed and 
visited for about an hour. She has been attending the church services held inside. She was grateful for the visit and I told her I would be traveling this month but hoped to come back in two weeks.

Then I went to see another woman who is a relative of our neighbors. She was surprised when we met, but invited me into her room, and we visited while she held a 5-month old boy she is babysitting for another woman who was working. They share a room with one twin bed, and I asked her how they managed. She said her roommate sleeps in the bed with the baby and she sleeps on the floor. The room had a partition with a toilet and shower on the other side of the wall.

We talked about our mutual friends and about how it has been for her inside. She said she’s been there a year now and at first, her family came every week. But now, they don’t come to visit and it’s harder for her. She is happy she can care for the little boy because it makes the time go by faster.

I asked her if she had ever accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and she said yes, a long time ago. I prayed with her and shared my testimony and told her I’d like to come back and visit her if that would be okay. She said yes, and we hugged and said our goodbyes.

The guard took me into another cell where a young woman named Alejandra was living. She has been there 5 months and will be there a long time, due to her crime, the guard said. I had asked the guards working in the office if there were any women who had no visitors. They gave me Alejandra’s name.

Alejandra set the box of hygiene items I had brought her on another bed in her room, and we sat down to visit.

The guard stayed in the room with me, and we talked about the Lord and I asked her if she ever went to church. She said she had gone a few times. I told her a little about my life, and that I lived in a town not far from there, and that I wanted to come visit her on a regular basis, if that would be okay. She said yes, and we talked awhile.  Then I asked her if she would like to pray to receive the Lord. She said yes, and she bowed her head. Angie, the guard, and I prayed and Alejandra repeated the prayer, with her hand raised in the air and tears in her eyes. I was crying, too, and Angie and I both prayed for our new sister, asking God to help her through her time in the prison, and to give her joy in the midst of the trials. Before we left Alejandra, we hugged and I told her I would be back in a few weeks, Lord willing, to visit once again. I asked if there was anything she’d like me to bring her, and all she asked for was cookies.

When I went back to the office to get my ID, the administrator told me she had more names of women who didn’t have any visitors. She gave me 8 names of those women, and I told her this was my ministry, and she said, Yes, it is.

I walked out of the prison on air, feeling like God had given me favor with the authorities there, as I had prayed in the morning on my way there. It was such a blessing to know He’s opening those doors.

Thank you for your prayers, love and support for this ministry and for your prayers for these women behind the bars of the facility in Piedras. They need your prayers, and I know God can be glorified in their lives if they just decide to follow Christ. 

May God use your life in such a way that others question their disbelief. We are here to be light and salt, and to be a living witness of Christ's power in our lives.

Serving Him with joy,
Toni and Bill

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