March 2005
25th Anniversary Year
"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Heb 6:10
Philippines
Ron has returned from his trip to the Philippines. Thank you all for praying for him while he was there. One week consisted of traveling and ministry to many of the local churches. It was so good to go back and re-visit areas we had ministered in years ago. Lebak is a costal city in a rural area and a five hour boat ride from Cotabato City. In 1994 Ron did an Evangelistic Crusade in this city. There are now five churches connected with Refuge Ministries that came from that Crusade. One of the most recent church plants is up in the mountains in a place called Sabanal.
They had to travel by motorbike up the mountains because that is the only transportation available.
The church in Sabanal is only about a year old and they do not have any electricity, but the people love God and love to worship.
Pastor Joy from this church met the chief of a native tribe as he was traveling and evangelizing in the mountains. As he began to visit him the chief was interested in having the Gospel presented to his people and a church built for them. When they heard Ron was coming they arranged for him to speak to the tribe. This tribe knew nothing of the Bible or who Jesus was or what the cross stands for. They are not educated and do not read or write. They live mostly as their ancestors did. They live off the land and what they can trade with the towns people. After the visit to Sabanal they traveled to this tribal area. Pastor Joy led some worship. The people liked the music but did not understand what it was about. Ron was able to share the Gospel with the tribal members using two translators. It was more teaching than preaching. After the teaching Ron gave a simple altar call and all there gave their hearts to Jesus. What a blessing. Healings abounded as they prayed for many with chest and back pain.
Pastor Joy will go to the tribe every Saturday to teach them about Jesus. On Sunday morning Pastor Joy will preach in his church and then in the afternoon go to the tribal church and preach. The chief donated a piece of land for a church to be built. By the time Ron left they were already started on clearing and placing logs for building.
While Ron was preaching to the tribe a man rode up on his water buffalo with a rooster in his arms.
He stopped and listened to the Gospel. In Mexico Ron has had men on horseback stop and listen but this was the first for a water buffalo.
The trip back to Cotabato City had to be by truck. This was the only transportation available.
It rained heavily the night before and the mountain roads were muddy. The road is very narrow with no guard rails and a drop off of 500 feet or more. On one steep grade the wheels began to spin. The truck slid backwards and towards the side of the road. Ron prayed for Angels to stop the slide and the truck stopped. At this point all the passengers were made to disembark and walk up the mountain side in the mud. Thanks to your prayers Pastors Ron & Tim were kept safe.
More about the Philippine trip next month.
Mexico
We need support for two of our children who will be going to technical school in September. The total cost is $1900.00 per year per student. This includes tuition, books, supplies, uniforms, and transportation. This is rather in-expensive for a Community College education for an entire year. If anyone wants to help with a part of this please mark your checks Mex. School. Thank you for helping with this need.
25th Anniversary Year
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
