Presidente Prudente, Sao Paulo
Dear Christian Brethren,
Greetings in Our Lord. It was brought to my attention that I had not sent out a prayer letter update for awhile. I could not believe it but this one is the first one this year that I have written. I am sorry for the delay. With Joy getting married in December and its hubbub and our getting into a new rhythm of doing things, and then my swallowing problem and its needed doctor and exams, I have pushed the update to a back burner while caring for these other needs.
Well, in spite of all the above activities, the work goes forward. I have been able to review translations almost daily, attend a special service in Mirante, get my email correspondence up to date, and administer seminary-level classes held in my office.
My health is still afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Myeloma. The Multiple Myeloma is thankfully still in remission although my calcium level is rising. I do not know what that all entails but the doctor was not worried about it. Our God is Lord over the cancer cells as well as He is control of each of our days. I take one day at a time trying to use it for the Lord’s glory. The Parkinson’s Disease has developed to the place where it interferes with my swallowing at meal times. I apply the techniques the specialist taught me the best I know how, but still have coughing spasms at most meals. One good thing about this is that I do not have to worry about getting over weight!
The website continues to have three to four thousand visits daily and this generates contacts seeking Biblical content. We try to preach Christ to those who question our content and I trust the Lord is pleased with this. There are at least three thousand different studies in text or video that are available for those who visit the site www.PalavraPrdente.com.br We have lately put all our books that we print into eBooks for the visitors free use. If I can ‘get up and go’, or if I can not, the Word of God goes forth continually through the site.
We thank the Lord for giving grace to come here and love the Brazilian people for His name´s sake since 1978. We really had the energy back then but I believe we use our time more wisely now than back then. Pray with us that this be the case.
There are five men who come to my office at the house for seminary-level Bible studies. Two of these fill Baptist pulpits, one other student hopes to fill such a pulpit someday and two others who want more Bible knowledge for however the Lord desires them to use it. I do not feel up to par for all this work, but someone has to do it. We pray the Lord uses our efforts for His glory and we thank you for the privilege of being able to stay here and for your prayers that help us very much in the work and in our personal lives.
We administer this seminary-level Bible course by snail mail and by email, also. We have pretty close to 30 students in and out of the area penitentiaries. Some of these students feel called to the ministry but even if they do not feel called, they receive the Bible knowledge to edify themselves to teach others among their families, work buddies, etc. Truth goes forward.
We thank you again for your part in all that is done for His name’s sake.
Yours in Our Lord,
Bro. Calvin G. Gardner