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ne of the most important things that characterizes a Christian is his or her attitude of thanksgiving. The Psalmists on numerous occasions remind the people of Israel to give thanks to the LORD for He is good. Paul gives thanks to God because “He gives us the victory and always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2 Cor. 2:14 ). He also uses the expression “overflowing with thanksgiving” as he encourages the believer to continue to live for Him (Col. 2:7 ).

As we approach the time of the year when we officially celebrate a day of Thanksgiving, it seems appropriate for us to mention several ministries for which we are thanking God for His hand of blessing. We begin with a wonderful answer to prayer.


When Jerry and DeAnna Olson were in the States on home assignment for the past year, they presented to the GMI board the need for refurbishing and expanding Camp Buena Vista in Bolivia. This camp came into being through the vision and hard work of missionaries Steve and Lorene Gabler. The camp building project began in 1980 with a summer team that helped Steve clear the camp property located 80 kilometers outside of Santa Cruz. The Lord has used the camp facilities through the years for retreats and camps for the young people from our churches as well as for other evangelical groups in the area. But after nearly 30 years of use the camp was in need of extensive renovations and the Olsons began speaking with churches regarding sending work teams to help with numerous projects.

Several months after the return of the Olsons to Bolivia, Steve and Lorene Gabler contacted the GMI office about the possibility of them serving for eighteen months in Bolivia working at the camp, building two new cabins, one kitchen, bathrooms, a new water tank, and a formal chapel – as the Lord provided funds and work teams. How thankful we are that the Lord is leading Steve and Lorene, along with their daughter Sharon, to go back to Bolivia to undertake this major project. Through your prayers and gifts we look for ward to a great time of thanksgiving in 2011 before the Gablers return to the States.


Four years ago GMI missionaries to Zambia, Kennedy and Sofia Simtowe, were reassigned to Malawi to head up that new ministry. We give thanks to the Lord that through the efforts of Kennedy and his team over 70 churches have been started. Along with the evangelistic outreach there is a continuing focus on the training of elders to pastor these congregations. In September 2009 a national board of the Grace Churches in Malawi was constituted. We thank the Lord for the vision and commitment of this new board – to double the number of churches by the end of 2010. Let us give thanks to the Lord.


One of the goals of starting the Costa Rica Grace Bible Institute was the training of future Costa Rican missionaries. During the past three summers our GMI missionaries have led teams into Nicaragua with the view of starting a grace work in that country. We are thankful to the Lord that our missionary and church leaders are praying that the Lord will raise up Costa Rican missionaries who will move to Nicaragua and begin reaching the lost with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus by 2012. Thank God for this vision.


Over a year ago nine church leaders and Bill Vinton were burdened to reach the 40,000 students in the 240 schools run by the Congo Grace Church. Most of these villages could only be reached by walking or by bicycles and motorcyles. The team was faced with the daunting task of providing biblical literature to 40,000 students, yet they set a goal of seeing 1000 students trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior in 2009.

Without our team knowing, the OneHope organization in Florida was praying for an open door into Congo, where the “Book of Hope” booklet they developed could be used as it has been used with half a billion other students around the world. As soon as they met with Bill and Sue Vinton and Don Ten Hoeve in July 2008, they agreed to ship 30,000 copies of the booklet in French and Swahili to Congo. They also provided a specially prepared DVD (“The God-Man”), two PA systems, two DVD players and two projectors. Rush Creek Bible Church bought two portable generators for the project. In May the first thrust into sixteen villages began, with a second thrust in June before the end of the school year. The results have been astounding! Instead of hundreds making professions of faith in Christ, the team thanked God in amazement as they witnessed over 3,000 students (including 700 adults) come to faith in Christ. Let’s give thanks to the Lord and pray that an even greater number of students will receive the gift of salvation with thanks.

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