July 2004
"In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever." Dan 2 :44
Mexico
We were blessed with a team from Liberty Christian Fellowship in Beloit WI to help us with more construction on the Children's Home. This was the first mission's trip for this team and their first time to Mexico.
The team did a great job of mixing cement by hand and pouring a foundation for an extension to the Children's Home. First they had to dig out the dirt with a pick and shovel and then mix the cement by hand on the dirt.
Then they had to shovel the wet cement into the wheelbarrow and move it and pour the foundation. It was hard work but as you can see they did work hard.
On Tuesday we went to the regular church service in Dios es Amor, Chihuahua. Once again the presence of the Lord came in a powerful way. As the Spirit of God moved the team was able to be ministered to and minister and bless their Mexican brothers and sisters.
Philippines
When Ron was in the Philippines he held a Pastors conference in Isulan. The host pastor has a van and supports his family by transporting passengers from city to city. He told us he has to pay a representative of the local Muslim rebels an ambush fee of 150 pesos or $3.00 a day to drive his route. If he does not pay he will be ambushed. That is one of the ways the rebels finance the war.
As we held the seminar armed soldiers were guarding the church. There was an outbreak of fighting about 30 miles from where we were but it did not come near us.
At an evening service in Cotabato City there was a man carrying a gun. He went out several times to send text messages on his cell phone. (Many Muslims contact one another with text messages on their cells to set up assassinations.) When he noticed that people in the church were following him he decided to leave. They tried to get his license number but his motorcycle did not have a plate. The Filipinos think it was an assassination attempt either against Ron or the Mayor elect who attends the church in Cotabato. Thanks to your prayers nothing happened and Ron and the team were not even aware of the danger until later.
The last day in Cotabato City Ron and the team met with and prayed for the mayor elect, Sister Neng Juliano. She is a Christian and the daughter of a former mayor. Most fair minded people believe she won the election, but it is being contested by the Muslims. Before the votes could be counted the Muslims rioted and took the ballot boxes.
When they were returned many of the votes were missing. Then they declared the Muslim candidate the winner. After protest, election investigators were sent from Manila. They were threatened by the Muslims. The investigators were told if they declared the Christian candidate the winner they and their families would be killed. So they left town without declaring a winner. Then the Muslim governor put three Muslims in charge of counting the votes. Again some votes disappeared. After more protests the votes are now being sent to Manila to be counted. Please pray that the duly elected mayor will be placed in office and that corruption and violence will not succeed in stealing this election.
On this trip the team passed through Dalican. Our Campus Ministry there is the only Christian outreach for a radius of 60 miles. Churches have been burned and Pastors have had to flee for their lives.
The ministry there has a house that is used for Bible studies and to train leaders for the University. The house is on a highway right of way and the government is going to expand the highway so the house will be torn down. There is a piece of property for sale near by. There was a Catholic Church on this property but it was burned. There is a building that could be used by the Campus Ministry. The property is about 2 acres and is for sale for $2,000. Pray that we can purchase this property and continue this valuable Gospel Outreach. Pastor Lucy
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
