The Ruiz Family
Serving the Lord in Tixtla de Guerrero, Mexico
January-February 2026
Dear Praying Friends,
Thank you for keeping our family in your prayers these last two months. We were finally able to make our second trip to El Tejoruco where we had had such a great reception on our first visit in October. My husband had a contact number with a lady from this town. Once we were ready for this visit (with all the blankets and treat bags for the kids), Efrain called this lady to let her know we were coming. To make a long story short, she told us, the very morning of our trip, NOT to come, that the town wasn’t able to receive us. After praying together, Efrain and Bro. Alejandro decided to go anyway. On our way to this town, we picked up a brick layer whose truck had broken down heading to the same place. Efra was able to witness to him in the hour and a half drive left of the trip, and he was saved. Once arriving in the town, we asked around for the town leader to get permission to use the town basketball court as a meeting place. We had parked right in front of the elementary school where the kids were in recess. The kids recognized me immediately and the director of the school invited me to come in and teach the kids. She even brought out a microphone and a speaker. So, praise the Lord, my girls and I were able to teach around 70 kids right in the school.
Meanwhile, the rest of the brothers were denied access to the main basketball court, so the brothers just started witnessing to the moms who came to pick up their kids from school. In the end more and more moms kept showing up, and we were able to personally witness to around 100 adults! There was a small group of people who let us know we were not welcome, but they weren’t able to run us out of town. On our way out of the town, a family flagged us down and asked if we could pray for a sick man. The Lord brought salvation to this whole household, grandparents and their family members. We rejoiced to see how the Lord won a great victory where the Devil tried to keep us out. This one family is an open door to start discipling upon future visits.
Since we still had a lot of blankets left, we went to a new neighboring village, following our same plan as always. The town leader gave us permission to witness in the basketball court, and we were able to witness to a small group of children, women, and men, but had almost zero response. I felt like I was witnessing to brick walls. It always amazes me how God has certain hearts ready and open to the gospel, and others reject the same sweet story.
On our late return trip to Tixtla, we were quite hungry (remember, there are no restaurants in any of these little towns we witness in … and my snacks were already out). The first large town had a nice little home business where they sold dinner. We were exhausted and thrilled to eat anything. But Bro. Alejandro, as always, saw the spiritual needs of this family over his own physical needs. As an ending to a beautiful day, this whole family was saved as well, including grandparents and their own grown children. Since this town isn’t as far from Tixtla, Efrain has been able to return and visit this family.
We were able to hold our first men’s conference at the end of January, inviting our sister churches to hear good preaching and enjoy some delicious meals together. It is such a joy to be able to us our new space and building for our activities.
One of our faithful young married men, Bro. Daniel, and his wife shared their last service together with us the first week of February. Bro. Daniel will be starting a new church in the capital of our state, Chilpancingo, just 45 minutes away from us. He has been faithfully soul-winning here for the last few years and the Lord burdened his heart to plant a church. He continues to help teach in the Bible Institute once a week.
Our family attended a conference in Cuernavaca where my husband preached for three days and my kids helped out with the special music and some of the children’s classes. Once we got back home, Efra started up our Bible Institute classes again. We have a new young couple, Efra’s niece and husband, enrolled this semester.
Many of you sent me personal notes expressing your concern for our family during this uncertain time in Mexico. Praise the Lord, our town has not had any abnormal activities-perhaps more patrolling, but no burning of vehicles, or blocking roads, etc. We haven’t been hindered in our normal mountain mission ministries or our weekly trips to the mission in Acapulco. God is good.
Thank you so much for your prayers and continued financial support. God is so faithful. May we continue serving Him faithfully in return.
Blessed to be able to serve,
The Ruiz Family (Efrain, Laura, Samuel, Hannah, Grace, Lydia, Laura, Mark, Ruth, and Benji)
Pictures below: Couples’ Dinner in our church
Screenshot
Leave a Reply