Missionary Calvin Gardner Update

February 7, 2010

Dear Praying Brethren,

Greetings in our faithful Lord.
Although Monday is our day off, it was necessary for me to get my annual “face lift”. I would have rather spent that time gardening. Being fair-skinned and living in a tropical country inevitably brings up basil-cell tumors on my face. I’ve gone through this so many times that you would think it would be a breeze. But I was somewhat nervous this time with a new doctor. Things went well and two spots were cared for. The next day, David had the same done on one spot. So we both look like war veterans with our faces stitched up. However, no complaining here. I am thankful that I can still work. The Lord has been merciful.

We are very thankful for the little bit of economic recovery the United States is showing. When the economic crisis there was at its worst, here in Brazil things were rosy. The government often boasted of its financial health when most the rest of the world was hurting. However, now that the United States is recovering, Brazil is losing the billions of investment dollars it received while the banks in USA were shaky. What this means to us is that our dollar is starting to recover its value here. It lost almost 50% of the value it had in 2004. We thank the Lord for little improvements.
We also thank the Lord for you and your faithfulness to support us even during your financial crisis. We especially thank the churches who have sent special offerings. I can’t tell you how much they are being a help.
Our only word from those in Rancharia with whom we have worked 8 months is that they have no place there for us to hold services. They say they would help us if we began a work there somewhere, but if we do not, there is the one Baptist church there and it (to them) is just as good. Marcelo from the church here in Presidente Prudente believes that maybe they need some time on their own to see what they have learned. We are praying that the Lord guide us with wisdom.
This Tuesday afternoon, Bro. Edimilson is coming to stay two weeks with us. He is from down south in Porto Alegre. He has been given his 30-day notice by his company and would like to test the employment waters here. He really believes that he needs to be under the ministering of a New Testament church which is non-existent close to his home. Please pray the Lord would open the door of employment for him here if He would be so willing. While Bro. Edimilson is here, I hope to introduce him to the other churches in the area, too.
Anthony, the American tourist, is leaving for Rio de Janeiro tonight. After his visit there he will soon return to Texas. It’s hard to imagine he’s been around 5 months already. I took him out Thursday with the family for pizza. He will visit services this evening with us one more time. It is our prayer that the seed that has been sown multiple times will bring forth salvation to the glory of God.
Eleven-year-old Daniel was here for a Bible study again this last Friday. He has begun studying the Bible on his own and it was our joy to look at it and answer some questions concerning Bible study. I introduced him to the two favorite uncles of Bible study: Uncle Dictionary and Uncle Concordance. He knows how to use Uncle Dictionary so I taught him how to use Uncle Concordance. It has been a real joy to watch him grow.
This morning the church in Presidente Prudente had to discipline Adriana for her unfaithfulness to persevere in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers. This was hard to do but, as you know, sometimes necessary.
We thank you again for all your help in the work here both spiritually and financially.

Yours in Our Lord,
Bro. Calvin G. Gardner

Those prayers that have no heavenly fire in them always freeze before they reach as high as heaven; but fervent prayer is very prevalent with God – T. Brooks