February 2005
25th Anniversary Year
"He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor." Prov. 22:9
"He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses." Prov 28:27
Mexico
Francisco, our director of the Children's Home in Chihuahua, is a real man of God. He has a heart to help the poor and not just the children in the home. On the outskirts of Chihuahua there is a poor colonia (neighborhood) populated by Tarahumara Indians. They live in extreme poverty in shacks made from plywood and pallets and cardboard. Francisco has a burden for the Tarahumara people and has been praying for a way to help them.
Several times when the Home had an abundance of bread and tortillas he has taken food to them and preached the Gospel. He has also helped with sick children and the many needs of the poor. He has taken children to the hospital and even helped with a funeral. Our children love to go there and take the Gospel.
As Christmas was approaching Francisco was praying for God to supply gifts for the Tarahumara children. These children normally receive nothing at Christmas. Several groups came to the Children's Home with candy, toys and gifts for the children. There was much more than they could use.
So Francisco decided to take the excess toys and gifts to the Tarahumara children. The day before Christmas was the day scheduled to take the items to the children. The night before Christmas Eve there was a snow storm that dropped 4 inches of snow. This is a city that had not seen that much snow in many years. The city was shut down as people do not know how to drive in snow and there is no such thing
as snow removal equipment. Francisco decided that he was going to take the things as scheduled. Everyone including his wife told him not to go and that he must be crazy. He said, "I have prayed and God has answered so I am going to take them." He had the van so full that there was only room for Pedro and himself. The highways were closed so he had to go out via the back roads (these are nothing but dirt roads under the best conditions).
At one point he had to cross an arroyo which involved going down and then up a steep embankment, he knew he could get down but he did not know if he could get back up. He thought about the people telling him to wait for a day with better weather. Then he thought 'no it is Christmas and the children need these things today'. So he drove down and back up the embankments and his tires did not even spin. Several times he slid off the road but he was able to bring the vehicle back. He passed many vehicles that were stuck in the snow and ice.
The people were so pleased to see Francisco and all the gifts. They thought that no one could get through with the roads so bad. This was a great testimony to Jesus Christ. This was the only Christmas the people had.
This is an area where some of the youth from our church have gone and presented Gospel dramas and our leaders have gone and preached. We have seen several salvations. The Tarahumara people are very difficult to reach with the Gospel. They have been used and abused often, so they are not open to outsiders. Francisco has made friends of many in this colonia so they are slightly more open to the Lord. We have been able to go and do all of these things because of Francisco's winning their hearts with his giving. These children love the presentation of Gospel dramas and the candy.
Philippines
Ron and his team are in the Philippines. He has reported fantastic meetings. The presence of God has been so powerful that people have fallen out in weeping, repentance and praising the Lord. Plus Ron has great reports of people that you have helped. Next month we will have a report on his trip.
China
TWe have received an e-mail from our China contact. Parts of it are below:
"Even though this country is doing a lot better economically there is a huge gap between the rich and the poor. Many more people here fall into the poor group.... and I mean poor. Poor like not even having a meal for days and days. I've never gone a day without food in my life. Here it's common and part of life in some areas. Also, they don't have the money to buy "extravagant" things like blankets. Blankets are extravagant when you don't have food. They need both and so I am trying my best to provide these and also " the word ". That's going to help them more than anything else.
The power has been off almost all day every day lately.
I have been buying blankets at the Carrefore store and they run around 30 to 50 US dollars a piece. They raise prices on everything here when people need them. It makes me really mad that they do that but they do.
If anyone wants to help with these needs please mark your checks China. Thank you for your help."
25th Anniversary Year
Ron and Bernadette Gartner
Your Evangelists to the world.
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