Junta de Los Rios - Part 3

Finally, after several hours of walking through dense growth, up and down hills, through creeks and over rickety, swinging bridges, Steve and the other weary hikers see the chapel come into view.

Pastor Israel and his wife, Irmina, in front of the church.

Junto a Los Rios Bible Methodist Mission.

The "pews" are wood planks supported by rocks or stumps.

The congregation during prayer.

On the right are Shane Craycraft, Tim Keep and Marc Sankey.

The congregation poses for Steve as he takes a group photo in front of the chapel.

Pastor Israel and Shane wade through the creek ... again!

After the long hike back, Mark, Tim, Shane and Steve (not pictured) get in the truck to go back to San Gabriel.

Junta de Los Rios - Part 2

After a brief rest, the group continues the long hike to the mission station.

Shane Craycraft, Marc Sankey and Tim Keep near the creek ... again.

San Gabriel pastor, Desiderio Lopez (pictured below right) and his son, Elias.

Mission Pastor, Israel, helps his wife, Irmina, cross a swinging bridge; Marc Sankey follows them.

The group prepares to cross the rickety bridge.

Marc finds a missing board!

Tim Keep pondering the advisability of taking the next step.

Steve crossing the bridge.

Junta de Los Rios - Part 1

While the men were traveling in Oaxaca in December they visited a mission church called Junto a Los Rios in a very remote location. The next several posts will be about that trek.

As the sun was rising, the guys waited by the San Gabriel Church, for the rest of the group.

They piled in the back of a pickup truck and set off down the dirt road.

When the road ended, the hiking began.

They had to wade through this creek several times.

More hiking.

The pastor (in the black hat) went first, trying to clear the heaviest brush with his machete.

About 1/2 way, they took a break at a home along the trail. You may be able to see that Pastor Desi's pants are wet from the stream crossings.

Faces - Part 1

There's a lot of potential right there!

A precious family.

Beautiful girls, with Pastor Desi in the background.

That vulnerable look in their eyes gets me every time ...

... even the adults have it.

Another sweet family.

Dedication of Children

It is common in our churches for parents to dedicate their children to God and His service. During the December visit to Oaxaca there was a special service of dedication and you can see some pictures below.

Beautiful families!

Aren't they precious?! May God answer the dedicatory prayers given at this service.

La Canada

Another church in Oaxaca is La Canada. The picture below is of the people beginning to gather in for a service.

Walking to church in La Canada.

Part of the congregation sitting on simple benches inside the chapel.

A home nearby surrounded by decorative plants.

A simple home along the trail.

Las Palmas and 201

There are several other Bible Methodist Churches in this rural section of the state of Oaxaca. These were all started by Pastor Desi of the San Gabriel Church, but now have their own pastors and congregations.

This is the Las Palmas Bible Methodist Church.

The people of Oaxaca are so thankful for the generosity of the Greensboro, Alabama congregation who graciously donated their van to the work of the Lord in Mexico.

When the road becomes impassable by vehicle, the van is parked, and everyone hikes the rest of the way.

Shane Craycraft, Tim Keep and Marc Sankey walking to church.

 The Bible Methodist Church at 201 (so named for its kilometer location along the trail).