April 2009
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor. 15:57-58
Mexico
Mexico is still a country with little to no social programs for the poor. There is wide spread unemployment in Chihuahua City where our Children’s Home is located. There are no food stamps or rent programs or help for the disabled, orphans or widows. With this in mind we are blessed to see that we are able to help many people in the city. Every week we have 5 to 10 families that come to the doors of the Children’s Home for help with food and clothing. We are blessed that we have been able to help all that have come. This is an opportunity to share the Gospel with them as well as help them with their needs. Several families have come to church after receiving help from the Children’s Home.
A poor family that we help to feed.
Francisco goes out to the farm daily. He passes through the extremely poor Colonia of Tarahuamara Indians. These people are poor brick makers. With the lack of construction in Chihuahua they are not selling bricks. The people have nothing to eat and their poverty level has increased greatly. Francisco was able to see this and started giving food that we receive from two factories to the Tarahuamara Indians. We are feeding about 70 families in this area twice a week.
They asked him if he would come and hold some services for them and tell them of our God. Francisco was very glad to do this.
Mexico has become a very violent country. In Juarez (which is just across the border from El Paso, TX) there were 153 drug related deaths in January and over 200 in February. These deaths include men, women and children. In Juarez the Police Chief quit after death threats and the Mayor is hiding in the US for the same reason. In Chihuahua the Governors car was shot up and he narrowly escaped injury.
It seems that God has placed us in violent areas of the world. We are not afraid as long as we do what God directs us to do. Please pray for our safety both in Mexico and the Philippines. We will continue to do the work God has for us as long as we can.
Philippines
The We received a report from our director, Pastor Encar, in the Philippines that we would like to pass along to you.
"There is much bad news here in Mindanao especially in Cotabato City. There has been an increase in kidnappings and bomb explosions. The other day a bomb exploded near the school and scared all of our children and many passersby. However, I believe that God is on our side. He is our refuge and strength, who can be against us? I visited the vendors (businesses that we helped start after the typhoon) and I am happy that they begin to love and enjoy attending Bible Study and Sunday service as a result of the program.
Pastor Encar"
This report is from the Student Renewal Ministry in General Santos City:
"At the end of last year the student leaders made an action plan to reach the people with the Gospel in our community. This plan includes:
Weekly evangelism activity reaching the lost in our community.
Weekly worship and prayer meeting (soaking in God’s presence).
Chain prayer and fasting.
Boarding House visitation.
The results include 2 new boarding house Bible Studies were opened. One with 7 students and another with 9 students. These 16 students received Christ as their Lord and Savior and most of them are attending Sunday and Thursday services.
Pastors Fred & Jane"
Soaking in the presence of the Lord
Students from the Student Renewal Ministry leading a family to Jesus.
Almost all of the students in this ministry are involved in personal Evangelism, Bible Studies for personal growth and Leadership classes.
Pastor Jane (in black shirt) teaching future leaders
Please continue to pray for Ron to be able to raise the money for his very important Philippine trip scheduled for June. So far only $500 has come in.
We do know that it is important for Ron to go and visit, teach and encourage the Pastors and Leaders. This is a very dangerous area of the Philippines yet we know that God is directing this trip.
Please help us with this trip as the need is so great for the Pastors and leaders there. They are all asking for Ron to come and are looking forward to this time with him. We know that these trips are such an encouragement to the Pastors and Leaders and many who were on the verge of quitting the ministry have been renewed and been able to continue to bless the people in the small villages and the mountains.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
Ron and Bernadette Gartner
Your Evangelists to the world.
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About Refuge Ministries and the Gartners
Current Newsletter Past Newsletters
Africa - Philippines - Mexico
Click Here for Ron & Bernadette's 2005 report from their trip to Africa.
