Barner Learning Center Newsletter, January, 2006

RESCUING TROUBLED CHILDREN FROM THE CLUTCHES OF EVIL

“I believe in what you are doing!”

The wealthy Filipino businessman’s face brightened up as Pastor Greg shared his vision. “Pastor, I am not a believer in Jesus Christ. I feel all religions lead to God. I know we disagree there. I am an attorney, and as you know, lawyers try to reason everything out.”

“Sir, I know that God is working on your heart. I pray that one day soon you will receive Jesus into your heart.”

“Thank you. Even as you want to see me released from my sins, I can see you want to see the juvenile prisoners released from the horrendous situation here in the Philippine jails.”
Yes, these children, as young as seven years old, are being molested by the adult gay prisoners. I came all the way from Scotland to Davao to solve this problem.”

I want to help, pastor. I will donate to your cause a full 10,000 square meters of property, free of charge. That is one hectare. You have a choice.. Would you like it on the beach or in the mountains or along the highway?”

“Attorney, thank you for your offer. As you know, these children are prone to crime. Thus they must be protected from terrorists who want to kidnap them into their evil cause. The Muslim insurgents’ (MILF/MNLF) favorite inroad to Davao is through the beach, from the ocean. The Communist (NPA) terrorists’ stronghold is in the mountains.”

“So your choice is along the highway, pastor? That will be perfect. I’ll write up the property transfer papers next week!”

“Thank you sir. And may God speak as clearly to your soul as you have spoken to me today!”

BLC ENERGY FUND:

EVERY DAY AT BARNER LEARNING CENTER, WE SUPPLY TRANSPORTATION FOR NEARLY 312 STUDENTS. OUR BUSSES WERE BOUGHT WITH FUNDS SACRIFICIALLY & GENEROUSLY GIVEN BY FAITHFUL FRIENDS.

A CHURCH IN PENSYLVANIA, USA SENDS $100 EACH MONTH TO ASSIST WITH THE FUEL FOR THESE VEHICLES. HOWEVER, WE PAY $750 EACH MONTH FOR GAS.

WITH THE RECENT FUEL INCREASE, OUR ENERGY BILL FOR THE BUILDINGS ON CAMPUS HAS TRIPLED TO $800 PER MONTH.

MIGHT YOU BE WILLING TO ASSIST WITH THESE NEEDS ON A MONTHLY BASIS?

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A FILIPINO IF...

You eat purple yam-flavored (ube) ice cream

Three girls eating hot lunches

400 BLC STUDENTS AND STAFF RECEIVE FREE, HOT, NUTRITIOUS MEALS TWICE A MONTH

BLESSING “GIVES BIRTH” TO BLESSING!

“Pastor Paul, do you have used clothes for my family?”

“Pastor Paul, do you have used clothes for my family?”

The 2 Filipino mountain missionaries stood in rags before me as they pled their case.

“4 years ago you gave me a horse because there are no roads or good paths in our rural area. I needed a horse to reach people who’d never heard of Jesus, in Paquibato.”

The second poor mountain missionary spoke up, translated by Elvie from his Matig-salug language into English. “The horse you gave to my friend was pregnant and when she gave birth, I received the foal. Now we have 2 churches planted in the mountains, due to the use of those horses.”

The first missionary added, “Now, praise God that she is expecting again. We hope to plant yet a third church when the newest horse is born. As God provides horses, we provide churches!”

“Our dear mountain missionaries, how thankful we are to God for you! I have prepared a bag of clothes for you already, knowing that you always come the eleven hour trek from the mountains each Christmastime. Enjoy!”

Praise God that you gave to us at Christmas and also for my birthday in November. Our family policy is that whenever we buy new clothing, we choose something in our closet to give to the mountain pastors, so that the closet does not get crowded.

Might you also consider storing a “Missionary bag” of clothes in your attic? Then annually you could sell those clothes at a yard sale and give the proceeds to missions!

BLC KID HOTLINE

Your sponsored child at Barner Learning Center would love to hear from you! If you’d like to communicate with him/her by email, please send any messages to:

DO YOU HAVE A WINTER PROJECT?

THESE ARE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE TO SUPPLY FOR OUR 2006 BLC CONSTRUCTION:

42 F1 Bulb Sets: $4 each
60 Desks: $11 each
Jeepney-bus: $7,000
82 Chairs: $6 each

Tools for LArts: $169
20 Cafe Tables: $28 each
Tables for L.Arts: $650
MusicShelves: $204

Students & teacher sitting around table in front of chalkboard with artistic Christmas greeting in chalk

EACH OF THE TEN CLASSROOMS AT BLC HOSTED ITS OWN CHRISTMAS PARTY IN DECEMBER.

NO ROOM AT THE INN

“Are you happy for your sponsors?” “AMEN!”

Elvie challenged the congregation on Sunday morning during our Faith Fellowship Church worship service, which meets in the BLC gym. “Since you are thankful to God, then share the blessing by telling others about Jesus! Be fishers of men!”

Looking out on the congregation, I considered strongly the decision that we had made just a few weeks previous. There will be no new sponsored children this year. In 2005-6, we had 54 more children than sponsors (250/196) and Elvie and I had to pay over a thousand dollars every single month from our own slim family budget to pay the expenses of these kids. Since 20 children will be graduating this year from BLC, that leaves us with 34 unsponsored children.

A church in Utah has agreed to sponsor ten of them. Rather than tell the remaining kids to go without schooling, we will pray that God provide sponsors. If any students have younger brothers or sisters who need schooling, we will have to say, “Sorry, there are no sponsors for you. Please check back again next year.” Please pray that God supply sponsors for these remaining 24 children. As I am writing this, I received notice from a man in Indiana, USA who wants to sponsor a boy at BLC! 23 more left!

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Last edited June 17, 2023
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