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Miracle Valley Newsletter |  |
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Greetings! Would you like to make history at Miracle Valley? You may not have had the opportunity to have been part of Miracle Valley's past when it was first started in 1958 and continued through 1975. However, you can become a part of the history of Miracle Valley today!  A recent picture of Miracle Valley
(This picture was taken on Old-Fashioned Sunday at the Church of God in Reynoldsburg, Ohio in June 1975 where Dr. Harter was serving as pastor. He and Sister Harter had both just turned 25 years old and are seen here holding their first child, Tammy Doreen in front of the church.) When I was praying about the finances for Miracle Valley, the Lord reminded of something in my past. He asked me, "Do you recall what I told you when I called you to build a church for My glory?" I thought for a moment, "Yes, I remember exactly what the Lord had given to me at that time." It was back in the mid-1970s when God said that He wanted me to build a church for His glory. You see, I was pastoring a small congregation of about 125 people at the time. They were mainly poor people who simply loved God, and most part, our attendance came from the kids who rode our Sunday School buses. The fact was simply this - we had no additional funds, and we were greatly blessed if we could only maintain our monthly budget, which most of the time, did not include any monies to the pastor. I am sure that many of you pastors know exactly what I am saying. The Lord showed me to build an educational building that would allow the church to have a childcare center, and then later, once the funds were established, we would build a new sanctuary. It didn't happen just overnight. In fact, it required a great deal of work, a sacrifice of our finances, and our complete dedication to God. When we finally opened the doors of our church and daycare center, our total financial income went from about $250 per week to over $5,500 per week. Now this was back in 1979 and the Lord was blessing the work. We also received about $3,800 each month for feeding over 100 children a full nutrition meal. As I was talking to the Lord here in Miracle Valley, I was looking out from one of the windows that is in the large Prayer Tower. The Lord pointed out some things to me that I had never really given much thought to in the past. First of all, He said, "Doesn't that building qualify as a daycare center?" "Yes!" I replied. He went on to point out another building which the A/G called "Bethany Lodge" and known in Allen's day as the "Pool of Bethesda." The Lord said to me, "There's your assisted living home." I began to get real excited and knew the Lord had given me my answer. It hasn't been easy. It took us 18 months just to get zoning clearance for the Assisted Living. And it took 3 years for us to obtain the zoning clearance for the daycare center. But regardless of the time, I knew this was God's plan for Miracle Valley because He had revealed it to me, and only if I did not quit would I become victorious in the end.
(This is a picture of R. W. Schambach, A. A. Allen and Kent Rodgers standing alongside of a Miracle Revival semi. The picture was donated to the Archive Dept of Miracle Valley Bible College by the late Ray Kemery. Schambach left the Allen Ministry in September 1959 so we know the date of this picture was prior to the date when Schambach established his own ministry. Also, if you look closely, you will see a cross on Allen's forehead. Kemery informed us that Allen tried to cover it, but it could not be covered.) When Rev. Allen was here, he financed Miracle Valley, including some 200 families at Miracle Valley who depended upon him for their wages. In addition, Allen had to purchase all the necessary material required as well. He had to raise a lot of funds in his revival campaigns, not only to cover the expenses of the campaign, but also the expenses of Miracle Valley. Thank God, there were some people to made donations to Miracle Valley's construction, but not enough to complete the task. Following Allen's time, Miracle Valley was in control of the Hispanic Assemblies of God from 1976-1999. For whatever reason, they did not have adequate funds to maintain the property, and after years of neglect, Miracle Valley laid in disarray. When it appeared to be Miracle Valley's dismise, God had a man whom He had prepared for the work at Miracle Valley. Dr. Melvin Harter, the man whom God called to Miracle Valley. When Allen was nearing the end of his life, God was already preparing Dr. Harter regarding God's plan for Miracle Valley. You can read more about this when you click the following link.
(Pictured above is Roberto. He and several others are putting metal roofs on our buildings. He feels that God wants him to help restore Miracle Valley so he has taken a reduction in his wages. However, his family is depended upon his weekly pay check. He is also a Pentecostal minister and wants to attend Miracle Valley Bible College.) The new metal is going on the building. However, just as Miracle Valley was built on faith in its beginning, it continues to be built on faith in God. I am trying to obtain a loan, however, it does not seem that we will be able to acquire it as quickly as we would like. Nevertheless, we cannot stop the work. Monshoon rains are on their way, and we have to at least get a metal roof on the Administration and Day Care buildings. We just need a little financial help from God's people. It will take at least $10,000 to complete the roofs on the Administration and Daycare buildings. That means if we had just 10 people who could donate $1,000 each, or 20 individuals who would make a donation of $500 each, we could meet our goal. Our construction workers must be paid each week. We must purchase $1,000 of special beams, perlinings, and wook decking for the daycare building's porch. We can purchase fencing material for the playground for $1,500, which is a savings of $3,500 by installing the playground fence ourself. Currently, we do not have the cost factors for the sink, toilet, etc, for the handicap restroom, but we believe it should not be that expensive. The electricians will bill us whiich will give us a little extra time. We need these funds immediately. If you have nothing to give, then please pray for us and that God will speak to someone to stand with us. Payroll is scheduled for this Friday. We are asking the Lord to make the way again for us. I know that He has not brought us thus far only for us to fail. If you can put your donation on your credit card, it would most appreciative.
(Pictured above is Dr. Peter Contreras with some workers from his Bethel Pentecostal Church in Blue Island, Illinois, a church that he has pastored since his graduation from Miracle Valley Bible College in the mid1960s. The rest of the workers had left prior to this picture being taken.) We appreciate the BETHEL PENTECOSTAL CHURCH located in Blue Island, Illinois where Dr. Peter Contreras serves as the pastor for their donation of $1,500 which purchased the necessary drywall consisting of 89 sheets of 4x12. This great church also flew 24 of their church members a year ago who came to Miracle Valley and donated one week of their time. This wonderful group of Christians built walls in the first half of the daycare building, insulated and installed drywall. God bless the congregation at Blue Island, IL. We thank Harvey Russell for his donation of $1,000. Harvey attended Miracle Valley in the early 1960s. He has financially supported Miracle Valley in the past on several occasions, and it was always on time. He still has a heart for Miracle Valley and wants to see it successful again. We appreciate so very much the MIRACLE REVIVAL CHURCH located in Bryan, Ohio where Dr. Bud Yoder is the pastor. This congregation has gone far beyond what anyone could imagine in their support for Miracle Valley. We purchased 30 bundles of R-30 that cost nearly $1,900. We also were able to purchase 10 brand new window air-conditioning units. These a/c unites will keep the daycare cool for the children. Phyllis Cardenas and her husband, members of the Bethel Pentecostal Church in Blue Island, Illinois donated $500 for the daycare building. All of these people are alumni of Miracle Valley Bible College while it was under Rev. A. A. Allen. We certainly appreciate every one of them. Because of their financial gifts to Miracle Valley, their names will be placed on the bronze maker that will be attached to the outside of the building. This will be a lasting memorial for future generations to see those who have helped in the restoration of Miracle Valley. If you will help me to finish the daycare building, I will see to it that your name goes on this special bronze marker as well. Can we count on your financial support to help get us over the top? The Lord has shown Dr. Harter this is the way that Miracle Valley can maintain itself financially. We will not have to keep coming back for donations like we have done in the past. In fact, we believe that when Miracle Valley is completed, it will be able to help financially support some other ministry in need.
Prayer is the key. It seems that hardly a day goes by that we are not praying here at Miracle Valley. Pictured here are Alonzo and Old Man Chief from the Blackfeet Reservation. If you can stand with us financially, or if you are just unable to do so at this time, remember, we will still be praying God's blessings upon each of you. Also, we invite former students, staff and faculty of the former Southern Arizona Bible College to participate with us as well in restoring Miracle Valley. SABC students are always welcome to visit at Miracle Valley whenever they like.
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