April 2004
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Luke 24:1-2
He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Luke 24:6-7
Philippines
The Philippines is a nation of many islands, slightly larger than the state of Arizona, with 84.6 million people. The Philippines is a mostly Roman Catholic country with 9% Protestant and 5% Muslim. Forty percent of the population is living below the poverty line.
Following is an update on the works in the Philippines that we received from our director, Pastor Encar:
Pastor Lucy and I went to visit our churches in Lebak, Kalamansig and Barorao Sultan Kudarat. We went to visit our newly established congregation at Sabanal, 60 kilometers from Kalamansig town. It took 4 hours to reach the area because we have to go over 5 mountains. At first I am excited but as we reached the foot of the first mountain, and as we begun to climb I begin to worry as the road is very steep and my back and legs are hurting me bad. The road is muddy and after another 2 hours we reach our destination of Sabanal, beside the road Pastor and Mrs. Joy Bajahan are waiting happily to welcome us. Their house is just along the road, they are still constructing it. Pastor Joy and wife have 5 children and another baby coming because the wife is 8 months pregnant. The evening of our arrival we have a service. It rain hard. In spite of the rain we have 25 adults and 7 children. We used small lamp as our light. They are just 5 month old congregation but they have learned lots and sing well. The worship leader is just 12 years old (daughter of the Pastor). I brought sweatshirts for the Pastor and children because it is really very cold. The following day we go back. The road is worse and it is harder to travel, so what we did is walked, ride, walked, ride, once the motorcycle slide but the driver is fast enough so that we did not roll down the cliff. We reached Lebak at noon, tired, dirty, and hungry but we are very happy that we met and know there are believers worshiping the Lord behind 5 mountains.
Pastor Lopez and I went to Capeor to meet our brethren which is now a one year old congregation. Last March, Apostle Ron you gave $200.00 for the roofing of the Church. I was so thrilled to meet the brethren, they welcome us very warmly. We have a wonderful fellowship with them. I have lunch with them and it was really hard to say goodbye. In the afternoon I had a privilege to meet some of our Church elders to encourage them, remind them of their duty to the Church, and help their Pastors in the ministry. Some expressed their problem and needs in their Church. In the evening we all proceed to Kalamansig to attend their Sunday night meeting where there are lots of young people. We informed them to study if they have a call to the ministry.
1. Pastor Joy Bajahans motorcycle need Three Thousand Pesos for the repair ($60.00 US). He has 5 children and his wife is 8 months pregnant. The fare for us to go there is high. Pastor Camion goes there once a month. He would not need to pay for a motorcycle ride because he could ride Pastor Joy motorcycle when he goes to visit.
2. Pastor Salvador Camion has 5 children, 4 girls and 1 boy. His son has a problem. He is now 12 years old. To be normal Salvador Camion Jr, needs a operation. The problem is he could not urinate like other normal boys. He have to sit down because his penis point down and his two testicles is up. They have no money for the operation. It cost Thirty Thousand Pesos, ($600.00 US). They are all living in a very small house near the seashore of Kalamansig. Can we be of help? Can we help his boy with operation?
3.
Sheril Jauod is 9 years old (in the picture with her mother). She is 1 of 8 children of Mrs. Jauod who is widow 2 years ago. Sheril is born without anus, when she is a baby they brought her to the hospital where the Doctor operated and gave her a colostomy. They told them when she will be 5 years old bring her back for another operation, to remove the colostomy and fix her. The problem is they are very poor, plus the father died 2 years ago. She is now 9 years old. She has been desiring for so long to be operated, she wants to live a normal life like other children. She is very active and faithful in the Church. Her mother works in different homes. During planting and harvest season the mother is always out in the fields to earn money to buy rice for her 8 children. Some of her kids don't go to school because they have no money. Their life situation is really very bad. I am appealing to you, can we extend help to Sheril for her operation? She needs Thirty Five Thousand Pesos ($700.00 US) for the operation. It is my prayer that the repair of Pastor Joy's motorcycle and the needs of Salvador Camion Jr. and Sheril Jauod desire to live a normal life can be met. Thank you, Pastor Encar.
Please pray for Ron and his team for the May missions trip to the Philippines. Remember that the time is different. On Sun at 6 PM in Chicago it is Mon 8 AM in Manila. Please pray accordingly. This is a very dangerous area. At present there is a cease fire. Please pray that the war is over and the team and all our Pastors will be safe.
Philippine Itinerary 2004
May 9 - Depart for Manila
May 10 - Arrive Manila (drive 1 hour to Laguana).
May 11 - Day of rest (after 36 hours of travel )
May 12-14 - Pastor's Seminar and Crusade in large federal prison in the Philippines
May 15 - Pastor's Seminar in Sariaya
May 16 - Preach in local churches
May 17 - Fly to Cotabato City then drive to Lake Sebu (2 hour flight and 6 hour drive).
May 18-20 - Pastor's & Leaders Seminar in Lake Sebu (TIBOLI tribal Pastors)
May 20 PM - Drive to Cotabato City (6 hour drive)
May 21-23 - Pastor's & Leaders Seminar in Cotabato City
May 24-26 - Pastor's and Leaders Seminar in Isulan
May 27 - Drive to Cotabato City and rest if possible
May 28 - Dedication of Bible School
May 29 - Fly to Manila
May 30 - Fly home (another 36 hours of travel)
Next month we will be giving a report of our conference in Chihuahua, Mexico. This is where all 7 churches and 2 mission works will be gathering.
Ron and Bernadette Gartner
Your Evangelists to the world.
Use this address To send us a tax deductible LOVE GIFT.
About Refuge Ministries and the Gartners - Current Newsletter
Intercessors Newsletter - Past Newsletters - Mexico Children's Home - Email Gartners
Africa - Philippines - Mexico
