Thank You!!!

Originally posted by Elder Gus Harter




This is a letter of thanks to some wonderful loving friends who have sacrificed and aided us in our work of mercy in the Philippines. We are grateful for your assistance in returning home to our beloved America. Sufficient funds have been sent to pay for our container with our furniture, books and household items, the airline tickets for 16 passengers (my wife and I and 14 children), and enough over to purchase a used 15 passenger van. Thank you! Thank you!

Please forgive our delay in sending updates of the progress of our work. This has been the most exhausting time of our lives. We have been diligently attempting to sell our home, but at this time it is not sold. Because the visas of some of our adopted Filipino children would expire Feb. 3rd, we had to come to the United States or rework all our visas with the American Embassy. Added to these details, we had to pack a forty foot container, prepare a large home for sale, choose a realtor we both trusted to sell our home, give instruction to over 100 pastors to make our moving as smooth as possible and insure that our children’s home, Beauty of Ashes, had enough necessities and workers to function without Betty Jo. We left many loose ends that we will have to tighten by phone, email and letters. Please pray for this good work and the sale of our home.

Our travel home with 32 suit cases, a sick wife and 14 children was most challenging. Betty Jo, in her enclosed letter, will give the details. We arrived at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport at 9:30 p.m. after 24 hours in flight and changing planes at several different airports. However, it was such a delight to see Elder Stanaland, his wife, Iris, and Brother McGee, a deacon of Tyler Church. They gave us a warm Texas welcome. Brother Todd Bucanan, a member of Tyler Church, has provided a small lake house for us to stay while we try to find a place to live. The rest that night was most welcomed. The church and Brother Vernis have been most gracious and extremely helpful in our transition. They, daily, have prepared food for us. Coming from the Philippines, we had no winter clothes or even long sleeve shirts. They have given us an abundance warm clothing for every child. These blessing we both need and they are very appreciated.

We left the congregations in the Philippines in a growing circumstance enjoying the blessing of the Lord. The Lord willing, it is my plan to continue to travel among them. I will also encourage others ministers to make an annual visit to strengthen and encourage our sister churches. As it is true of individual members so is it true of churches, without the fellowship of other churches a church will soon die. In each area where our Lord has blessed us to raise up a witness of First Century Christianity, the ministry and churches are working together. The ministers meet monthly for encouragement, sharing, and fellowship. The churches have annual meetings like our fellowship meeting in America to promote unity and to encourage the membership. The most successful method of evangelism in the building of individual churches has been home Bible studies. But added to that I have been invited by ministers from many areas to hold meeting and present the doctrines of grace. While Elders Darrel Chambers and Shannon Whipp were with us, we held this type meeting in Manila where over 150 ministers of different orders were present. We gave each of them several books and pamphlets written by Primitive Baptist. It proved very profitable. We have baptized two ministers from that meeting and taught many the truth of grace. Upon returning I will hold many similar meetings in several areas of the Philippines. I am thankful for the encouragement that the expansion of churches in the Philippines has been for the Primitive Baptist. Let us continue to pray for their growth. Thank you for your support and prayers.

Beauty of Ashes, our children’s home, is a bright spot in our labor. Our dream and vision was to secure several acres of land to build a compound with homes, school and farming to provide a place to rear abused and abandoned children. That dream has been realized. To view these precious children, that were in the past in our home, playing or laboring in these spacious and beautiful 7 acres is sufficient to bring tears to the eyes and joy to the heart. We have provided an excellent staff that cares for them, a school to educate them and church to give them spiritual truth and council for life. They are also learning a work ethic and knowledge of growing crops to sustain themselves. Thank you for your sacrifice to help meet their needs. Your continued help is both needed and appreciated. Oh, how we miss our babies.

We are elated to be back in America. It is our desire to visit many of our churches with our large family. If you would desire our visitation to your church, please let us know and we will try to schedule a visit with you.

Your Servant in Christ
Gus Harter