CARIBE CHRISTIAN MISSION

Missionaries: Forwarding Agents: Communications Coordinator:

Jesus and Jane Ramirez Tracey & Geri Chamberlain Miriam Ramirez

PMB #291 402 NE 15th

Avenue mirami10@hotmail.com

P.O. Box 5075 Austin, MN 55912 Cell #815-238-3126

San Germán, PR 00683 Tracey’s cell # (507) 438-7268

(787) 264-3431 Geri’s cell # (507) 440-2936

E-mail janetranslates@gmail.com E-mail: tjchambe@smig.net `

September 13, 2014

God’s Servant at Rest

WE HAVE just received word that one of God’s long-time faithful servants has gone home. Harland Cary, founder of

Colegio Bíblico, died on (we think) September 10. Chuy is a graduate of that Bible college on the border between Texas

and Coahuila (his home state in Mexico), and Brother Harland was “like a father” to him—as he was to many other

students over many, many years. Chuy was just 14 when he left home to study to be a preacher. It was at a Colegio-

sponsored Bilingual Convention that Chuy and Jane first met in February of 1969.

We found a very nice short video (in English) on YouTube about Brother Harland. Those who knew him, or knew of him

and his family, might enjoy watching it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=S57CVaLv0d4. You can also find it by searching

for “Harland Cary Su Historia.” Sharp eyes might spot a young Chuy once or twice!

What Does a Forwarding Agent Do?

WE MENTIONED in our last newsletter that we need a new forwarding agent. We need to allow Tracey and Geri

Chamberlain to retire from their very long term of service to Caribe Christian Mission! We have not yet found the person

or persons who are willing to commit to this Christian service. Are you the one? Please pray about it.

The main job of the forwarding agent is to handle the money donated to Caribe Christian Mission. We need someone to

receive and deposit funds, keep records, and send receipts periodically to contributors. The agent would also send us a

monthly salary check, and make two quarterly insurance payments (health and life). Once a year, a simple 990 form

needs to be filed with the IRS. Tracey is able and willing to assist with this filing (due May 15) for the year 2014.

Other tasks include occasional follow-up on requests received from churches and individuals, and writing minutes for the

annual meeting of the CCM board (usually held by phone). In addition, Geri has been printing and mailing the newletters

that are sent by post. (Our daughter Miriam puts the newsletter together, adds and captions the photos, and sends those

that go via email. She is willing to continue to do that.)

Our current forwarding agents are eager to teach the new person what needs to be done. Geri writes: We are most

certainly willing to work with them to make as smooth a transition as possible when the time comes. All financial records

have been printed out through the end of 2013. The records for 2014 to date can be electronically transferred, and the

files updated each month by the new forwarding agent with ongoing contributions.

Geri tells us that they are resigning as of December 31, 2014. I’m trying not to get nervous about this, because I know

God will provide for all our needs, as he always has. Even if you’re not able to consider being our forwarding agent,

please pray with us and for us, and especially for the new person God is going to send.

So again: Is God calling you to serve in this way? Please seriously consider this, pray about it, and let us know. You can

contact Chuy and me, or Miriam, or Tracey and Geri. If you have questions, Geri would probably be the best person to

answer them.

What Did You Do Last Summer?

CHUY AND I may both be teachers, but I promise that neither one of us made our students write an essay about what

they did last summer! Our summer was an eventful one. Chuy stayed home alone for most of the summer, as I was in

Illinois from late May through mid-August. The time had come for me to stay with my father and help him prepare to

move out of the home where he had lived for 56 years.

Many of you know my father, Price Barnes. Some remember when he was on the board at Illini Children’s Christian

Home and at Lincoln Christian College. Some knew him as our forwarding agent, who usually accompanied Chuy and

me on all of our visits to our supporting churches. Many have been asking me how he is doing. Just a few hours ago, he

asked me to tell you that he is “doing a lot better than expected, for somebody who’s 93 years old!” (He’s actually almost

94—born November 23, 1920.)

For the present, at least, Dad is living with our son Jonathan and his family in Mahomet, IL, near Champaign. Jonathan

and Jo managed the Herculean feat of selling one house, buying another, repairing both, and moving, all during the

summer. Jonathan was also changing school districts. The new house is big enough to accommodate their expanded

family of six, and Dad was able to bring familiar furniture and personal items to furnish his new room.

He can’t handle a typewriter or computer any more, but would enjoy hearing from old friends. His new address is 603 W.

Northridge Drive, Mahomet, IL, 61853.

Chuy didn’t stay in Puerto Rico the entire time. The highlight of his summer was a quick trip to Illinois—but not to see

his wife! He spent the week in Streator, enjoying Vacation Bible School at Central Church of Christ. He did manage to

see his kids and grandkids briefly, though.

It was a summer of firsts for us. Chuy had never done a VBS by himself (many thanks to his capable interpreter, Kundry

Furman). Jane learned about such exciting tasks as replacing the heads on an electric razor, changing a toilet seat, and

hiring an auctioneer.

It was also a summer of goodbyes, as all of us Barneses and

Ramírezes left the town of Ashton and the house on Douglas

Avenue where most of us had spent a considerable chunk of our

lives. We are privileged, however, to still have Dad (Grandpa, Great-

Grandpa) with us!

Goodbye to the swing on Grandpa’s porch.

Chuy had such a great time with Mike and Jessica Pastirik at VBS in Streator!

Back Home

NOW THAT WE are back home, we have a lot of catching up to do. Jane missed the first week of the semester at the

University of Puerto Rico, so she had to scramble to put together a syllabus and figure out when to make up the missed

classes. Chuy is officially a teacher’s aide now (unpaid volunteer), as the PR government is cracking down on uncertified

teachers, but he still works in physical education. His teaching day is Tuesday, but he’s at Puerto Rico Christian School

nearly all day on Mondays and Wednesdays as well, providing much-needed playground supervision.

This year Chuy has been in awe of his second-grade class. It’s customary to begin the school day, and sometimes the

individual classes, with prayer. But this group is amazing! They want to pray at the start of every P.E. class, and they are

eager to give their prayer requests. Chuy takes the lead as they quickly form a circle and pray for their families and

friends, and that no one will get hurt. The teacher, Mr. Morales, also takes part. Other classes pray, but these little ones

seem to do it from the heart! They bring “Mr. Chuy” home every day with a tired, sore body and a joyful spirit.

We have still not found a house to move to (that we can afford). We had talked of moving over the summer, but with Jane

in Illinois, those plans had to be changed, and now we need to find a place very soon. As soon as we’re out, remodeling

can begin, and our house can become the main building of Taíno Christian Center!

Please pray with us for a house and a forwarding agent. God will provide! God bless you all, and thank you for your

support in prayer, love, and contributions.

María (from the Yauco Church), Chuy,

and Jane serenading the Christian

Church of Hormigueros on the occasion

of their 41st anniversary.