January 2005
25th Anniversary Year
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
Mexico
We will be busy in Mexico as usual. This was an unusual Christmas for us. We had about 2 inches of snow. After the snow it turned very cold. There were over 200 deaths in Juarez due to the cold. Over Picture of Icicles in El Paso500 people were hospitalized in Chihuahua because of the cold and over 300 people died. The last time we were at the Children’s Home the house was cold and we asked why it was so cold. A business man in Chihuahua had volunteered to fill the gas tank whenever it ran empty. However, he did not do it and the tank was empty. We filled the propane tank for the Children’s Home and we are so glad that we did it before the extreme cold weather came. It cost $300.00 to fill the propane tank. We had the tank filled and the children were kept warm. We know we will have to fill it again soon but we have 30 people that will benefit from filling the tank.
We were also able to put in a new hot water heater. The girls appreciate that because they were taking cold showers. We need a bigger pump to be able to pump more water to the second floor. The pump will cost around $450.00. This will help us to pump enough water to the upstairs so four of the girls can get showers at once.
In the coming year we will have two teens (16 years old), Roxanna (pic on left) & Ananhi,
(pic on right) in tech school. This will give them the ability to get good jobs and take care of themselves and their families. The cost for one year is $1,900.00 per student. This covers everything, tuition, books, uniforms, transportation etc. Tech school is for two years and then the teens graduate and will be able to find good jobs.
Next year we will have another child going into tech school. It is our desire that all our children get a good education and are able to be self sufficient. We believe that just because our children grew up in the Children’s Home that they should still have the benefits of other children. We want to be good parents to these children and give them the same love and opportunities that our natural children had.
The Home is in desperate need of a new van. The van they are using is very old. It was donated to us Picture of vanmany years ago. At that point it had 200,000 miles on it and we have put another 100,000 on it. We did rebuild the engine some time ago but it is exhausted once again. It is a 1978 12 passenger van. They put 25 people in it. We need something better. We thank God that it has lasted as long as it has. We need to raise $5,000.00 to buy a new used van. We must buy it in Mexico because we cannot legally take a van into the country to donate. There is no legal way we can license it. We have tried and tried.
Philippines
Much was accomplished for the work of our Lord in the Philippines this year. Ron was able to take a team to the Philippines for three weeks of ministry. The first event was an Evangelistic Crusade in a maximum security prison. Ron and the team taught a seminar to the Pastorsand leaders of the prison. Many were saved and the Pastors and leaders were greatly encouraged. Three more seminars were conducted for Pastors and leaders in Mindanao. Ron was able to participate in the opening of the Bible School, where we have 15 students.The new church in Kauran was opened. We also opened a new church in Sabanal. Praise the Lord for the Gospel going forward.
With the help of our supporters we were able to provide surgery for two needy children. The surgery for the Pastors son, Michael Camion Jr, has been completed successfully. He colostomy reconnected and surgery to make and open an anus for her. With Cherril there have been more surgeries than even the Drs thought. It is costing more than we originally planned on but in the end it will be worth it for this child.
We were able to get a much needed new keyboard for the Student Renewal Ministry in Kabacan.
We opened the Economic Empowerment Foundation. This foundation is making low interest loans to poor Christians to enable them to start a business.
We are receiving reports of Revival in the Philippines. One of our churches reported 15 new converts baptized in a Thanksgiving service. This is due to your efforts to take the Gospel to the earth.
We thank all of you who have helped with this work. We are excited to see it growing and your prayers and money being planted in good soil.
China
We have been able to buy and distribute Bibles to poor Christians who are in need of the Word of God. Bible Couriers take these bibles to remote villages where many are being saved and cannot afford a Bible. The greatest need the Underground Church in China has, is for Bibles and your prayers. We thank all of you who have made this effort possible.
Ron and Bernadette Gartner
Your Evangelists to the world.
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