This very short, touching, newsletter was sent out by Ron on August 25, 2007. It was his last newsletter. You can tell by the length of it that it would be his last. InAsMuch Newsletter From The Apostle Paul Romans 2:10 "Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do." Note from Gail Wilkins--This alone shows the character and heart of Ron Bates. His heart was with the orphans and widows and he worked so hard for so many years out in the mission fields...not in an air conditioned office but in a place where a meal is a blessing. He took in so many orphans, and widows, and promised to take care of them. This he did in Jesus Name. God Bless Him.   This special urgent prayer request was sent out by Ron Bates wife on 7-28-07. Urgent prayer request for Ron Wednesday night at 10 o'clock Ron came to me and said he had a severe head ache, we took him immediately to the emergency hospital and they said he'd had a heat stroke which caused his blood pressure to go to 200/112. This caused a severe hemorrhage at his brain stem. Your brain stem controls the heart and breathing. They didn't know if he was going to live through the night, he surprised the doctors and did! Glory be to God! I was very distraught and slept very little. Dor the past month or so, Ron and I talked about our favorite verses and my favorite is Philippians where it says 'Every knee shall bow'. I said 'Ron, I think when every knee bows we shall be singing, and I think we will be singing the Hallelujah chorus.' And I said 'when the Lord comes back all the little birdies and animals in the world will be singing it with us. So the next morning they call me from hospital and said, he made it thought the night and may possibly survive this. I reached over to the radio and turned on a Christian station and they were playing the Hallelujah chorus at the very moment. It was like Ron was speaking to me through the radio and telling me not to worry, we will all be singing this together along with all our girls and street kids and all our friends. God was telling me not to worry, he is in control. Today he started getting a little better, his breathing had been so difficult, gasping for breath, tubes in his nose, mouth, neck, IVs etc. But today he was breathing better and tonight they took all the tubes out except oxygen. When I talked to him on the phone he was struggling to talk to me, he was trying to say 'Yes'. If he is better by Monday they are going to operate and take the pressure off his brain. God has worked so many miracles for both of us in the past few years especially, so with God all things are possible, he can recover fully. Whatever God's will is, pray that we and his four sons, daughter-in-law and grand daughter will gladly accept God's will. Please pray for him; thank you so much for your prayers and fellowship through the years. we made so many wonderful friends in person and through email. It would be wonderful to meet you all again as we gather around the throne and speak about and praise the most beautiful name ever spoken, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. God bless you all, Sue and family.   This Special Eulogy Was Written by Ron Bates Wife, on 7-31-2007. This morning God reached down his merciful hand to Ron's bed of affliction and took him to his throne where he will awake for all his friends and loved ones, there is no more pain, tears or suffering, no disappointment, no death, only eternal bliss forever and ever and ever because God will reign forever and ever, hallelujah! Ron's condition was caused by stress, heat stoke, dehydration and cerebral hemorrhage, he did not suffer, thank God. God was so gracious with him, as He is with all of us. When he went into a coma on Wednesday night he was never fully aware of what happened. Yesterday he worsened and at 8:10 this morning, he awoke in the presence of the God of orphans and outcasts. I am sure God said 'Well done my good and faithful servant'. Ron was, as we are, imperfect, but he always wanted his love for his orphan girls, street kids, blind people and the gypsy believers to be perfect. His greatest ministry was with the gypsies. Ron’s gift was preaching the gospel and expounding God's word, he loved God's word and always appreciated the hungry, open heart of the gypsy Christians. He frequented the village of Goloshei and because of his great love for them and their common love for the Lord Jesus he wants to be buried in that village, so Thursday we will celebrate his home going. He loved his family very much. He is survived by his wife, Billie Sue (Edwards) born in Tyler, Texas, January 2nd, 1943, and his children John Michael, August 7th 1962; Dana Matthew, August 30th 1967; Robert Jason, June 19th 1970; Ronald Barton, August 12th 1971. He is also thankful to have a beautiful daughter-in-law, Brandi and grand daughter, Briana. Ron was born in Ft. Worth, Texas. He was saved when he was 16 and spent the rest of his life preaching God's word and learning more about the kind of God we really have. Our wonderful workers and I, Lord willing, will continue the work as Ron would desire. Perhaps someone will come here to work alongside us. Our missionary to India, Amy Carmichael, fell and was bed ridden for 14 years. I would like this to be my legacy, also to serve with the Romanian people for my remaining years. Ron and I were married October 7th 1961. We have spent four years serving in Japan as missionaries and the past 17 years in Romania, privileged to have served the least of these, making our lives happy and fulfilled beyond imagination. For all of you who stood with us and beside us we thank God! Ron and I will meet you in the morning over there (my paternal grandmother’s favorite song), Sue   Psalm 23 1: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3: He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.   This was written on August 5, 2007 by Sue Bates...and at the end a precious email from a friend with a special message. A Cup of Cold Water Thursday the Lord changed my status here on earth. I'm now numbered among those He has special care for: the widows and orphans. If Ron would have had one wish it would have been for you to preach the Gospel and remember the poor. In a few days we will send you pictures of the funeral and more about Ron's work here. I can only assure you that it is true what God said: "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." (Matthew 10: 42) Keep on giving cups of cold water! You will never be sorry! For you, kind and caring people, who prayed for Ron's healing, your prayers were answered. He's now in the presence of the Great Physician... where there is no sickness, sorrow, pain or death. Hallelujah! Below is just one example of the beautiful letters we received. We'll post more on our website at InAsMuch Ministry Some asked to tell how memorial gifts for the poor in Romania should be sent: please write me at inasmuch@clicknet.ro for the changes that have to be made due to Ron's passing. I love you for your kindness and encouragement, Sue   Janice Price mercyandpercy@gmail.com Tuesday, July 31, 2007 Inasmuch There are those who talk, those that write, and those who act. Ron and Sue Bates have been among those who act for the street children, orphans, and homeless of Romania for over 15 years. Let’s face it, many of us who live in the United States are so spoiled by modern conveniences that we would rather “minister” via a website or blog than to get our hands dirty helping others or to pass on the love of God by hugging a homeless person. For some, physical ministering is not an option and thus blog postings to encourage others are an act of service. But many physically able folks – in particular the younger generations – often have time on their hands (witness the rising crime rate among the young) and serving others would be not only practical but it would help them to grow in character. Remember, one definition of “minister” is to attend to the wants and needs of others. It does not merely mean to preach. Sometimes it means listening to a stranger ramble or an elderly person recount the same stories over and over, or to work with those society has cast off and abandoned. Some folks don’t know how to be still and listen or to act; they only know how to “preach.” There are many in Romania who have experienced the love of God through Ron and Sue Bates. Their Inasmuch Foundation is based on Matthew 25:40. Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these.....my street kids and orphans....you have done it unto me.       One thought that fills my heart with cheer Is the thought of friends I've made this year. You were always there to see me through My day starts out by still thinking of you.   A friend that would never walk away One that would be there, night or day. One I could tell my secrets to One that would cheer me when I was blue.   You were there to give me a helpful lift And that my husband and friend, was a "priceless gift". You listened to me when I laughed or cried You wiped away the tears from my eyes.   When life just seemed to be so tough You were there for me, sure enough. As my husband and friend, I could confide in you And all of a sudden, those gray skies turned blue.   My husband and friend, you had never let me down You placed a smile, where once was a frown. You made me laugh when I needed it so You made my face become all aglow.   You had a heart that was made of gold Rare to find ... so I've been told. Even though we are now miles apart, I'll always hold you close to my heart.   You gave me strength and inspiration Faith, love and admiration. An angel sent from up above Always there ... with your labor of love.   A "priceless gift" you are indeed There for others, when in need. My thoughts and prayers shall always be For God to give you there, what you've given to me here. ~Author~ Ruth Ann Mahaffey ©Copyright 2003 "revised with permission from Ruth Ann Mahaffey--due to Ron's death the present tense was changed to the past tense"     Poetry and graphic design is ©Copyright by Ruth Ann Mahaffey.   SUBSCRIBE: If this page was forwarded to you and you would like to Subscribe, please click on the linked email to Gail Wilkins with Subscribe in the subject area. If you have e-mail filtering, be sure to add us to your approved list. Also Please Pass This Page on to your friends. We are praying they will subscribe and help the ministry grow for the glory of the Lord.   UNSUBSCRIBE: If you have received this email in error or you no longer wish to receive the encouragement pages or prayer requests please click the linked email to Gail Wilkins with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject area. You may also reach Gail via postal mail at: Gail M. Wilkins 161 John Smith Rd York, SC 29745   If you need counseling or want to accept Jesus as your Savior, you may call Gail at 803-684-9599 or write to gmw2466@usa.net. I will be more than glad to pray with you. Believe me, it is the most important step in your life. You really cannot afford to face tomorrow without Salvation. http://community.webshots.com/use r/gmw2466 http://thecornerstoneconnection.org