August 2005
25th Anniversary Year
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." NIV 2 Cor 9:8-9
Mexico
In Mexico school starts the first week of Sept. Most of our children will be in school this year. Can you imagine getting 25 children ready for school? Some of the school supplies we will need this year are: #2 pencils, crayons, scissors, pens, spiral notebooks, notebook paper, back packs and uniforms which cost about $25.00. Any one that wants to help us with these items can either send the items (I suggest UPS which is cheaper than mail) or you can send a check marked school supplies and we will buy the supplies for the children. Sometimes it is easier to buy the supplies in Mexico where the exact items that are needed can be found.
Before we know it the cold and flu season will be upon us. We always need children’s vitamins, cough medicine, antiseptic ointment, and band-aids. Some of the constant needs we have are toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, soap, children’s socks and tennis shoes (it is amazing to me how much our children have grown). This would be a good church project for any church that wants to help missions.
Zimbabwe, Africa
The church in Kwekwe is where we ministered. The church is no longer standing as the government went inside the compound and bulldozed the church. This was done because of the government project to eliminate temporary residences. Tens of thousands of shack houses have been bulldozed leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. Children have been killed because the bulldozer ran over them as their home was destroyed. We want to help this church to build a permanent building for the people to be able to worship God.
The plight of the people in Zimbabwe is horrible and unbelievable. It is our desire to help the people and especially the children and the old people who have no one. This is Precious with the doll Bernadette made for her from a handkerchief. She is one of the millions of orphans in Africa whose parents have died from AIDS.
Most commodities in Zimbabwe are scarce. When we were there many things were difficult to find including clean water to drink. Inflation is rampant with the exchange being 17,000 to $1. The unemployment rate is 75% and normal wages are $1.00 per day. A simple exercise book the children must have for school is $4.41, 1 pound of margarine is $3.94, 1 uniform shirt is $4.11, ½ pound of macaroni is $1.29. I have given you these prices in US $. Cooking oil and gasoline are very hard to find. When we were there you could not find sugar or toothpaste. I know there are more shortages now. The people live on Sudza which is a corn meal that cost $2.35 for 5 pounds and the greens they can grow.
China
These are the Bibles that we buy in China. They are published there and are approved by the government. Anyone can freely buy and own one of these. The translation closely relates to the New American Standard Version which is a very accurate translation. These Bibles cost $4.00 each.
Our missionary in China buys the Bibles a few at a time (sometimes she has friends that help her buy them) and then sends them via courier to the villages where they do not have access to Bibles. If you would like to help with BIBLES FOR CHINA please mark your check accordingly. We also help the poor people in China with food, medicines and blankets during the winter. We are collecting money now as the price of blankets goes up in cold weather.
25th Anniversary Year
Ron and Bernadette Gartner
Your Evangelists to the world.
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