Above left; Russ introducing the story of Saul.Above; Group of both children & adults watch intently as the story of Saul's conversation is told.
Saul, the Puppet ministers to the crusade crowd
as Pastor Moses interprets.
July 26,2014
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Tanzania 06' Pics #2
Above left; Russ introducing the story of Saul.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Tanzania 06 Chronicles #2
Sept. 15, 2006 Tanzania 06 Chronicle #2 recap
Dear Friends & Family,
Our stay in Mwanza, Tanzania now over we look back & reflect on our time there & the 4 days of crusades held. 230 recorded adult decisions for Christ plus another 100 or so from the "Jesus Film" presentations seems like so little on a continent so large. We now leave them in the care of Pastor Moses & the local churches to which he pastors. On the last day of the Crusade we first did a special children's presentation & passed out candy. I began telling the story of Saul & his conversation on the road to Damascus. As soon as I brought out "my friend" "Saul the puppet", people who were standing on the out skirts of the field began to hurry forward to see this strange sight. I think many of them had never seen a puppet before. Over the years I have come to realize that creating word pictures using descriptive language, objects or puppets is one of the most powerful teaching tools. It creates a lasting image that is connected to the lesson being taught. I trust God will use these images & His Word for years to come in the lives we ministered to.
Many miles to the southeast of Mwanza on the Indian Ocean coast, north of Tanzania's capital of Dar Es Salaam is the almost forgotten city of Bagamoyo. The meaning of it's name tells of its horrific past; "throw your heart away" is the translation. It was here through much of the 18th & 19th centuries that slave trade flourished and entire families & communities were destroyed. We came to Mwanza asking people not "to throw their hearts away" but to freely give it away to the one (Jesus) who freely gave His life for us as a payment for our sins. In return Christ promises us eternal life (John 1:12, 3:16). All of our team, including those who stayed behind & prayed, are extremely grateful for the opportunity to be used of God and see over 300 make such a commitment. Please be in agreement with us that God's word will not return void in these lives & what He began He will continue as they grow in the knowledge & Grace of our Lord. That the church there will grow in power & influence in that community, experiencing both the favor of God & of men.
Tentative plans will see us back in Tanzania in Oct. of 2007. But next on the agenda (Lord willing) will be a trip back to my beloved Philippines in March of that year for the annual missions convention and later a crusade with my church team. As always I appreciate your prayer & support in these matters.
Left: Crusade in progress, Right: Pastors Chris, Angel, Moses & friends
God's Best & Blessings to you, Russ Rutler
Dear Friends & Family,
Our stay in Mwanza, Tanzania now over we look back & reflect on our time there & the 4 days of crusades held. 230 recorded adult decisions for Christ plus another 100 or so from the "Jesus Film" presentations seems like so little on a continent so large. We now leave them in the care of Pastor Moses & the local churches to which he pastors. On the last day of the Crusade we first did a special children's presentation & passed out candy. I began telling the story of Saul & his conversation on the road to Damascus. As soon as I brought out "my friend" "Saul the puppet", people who were standing on the out skirts of the field began to hurry forward to see this strange sight. I think many of them had never seen a puppet before. Over the years I have come to realize that creating word pictures using descriptive language, objects or puppets is one of the most powerful teaching tools. It creates a lasting image that is connected to the lesson being taught. I trust God will use these images & His Word for years to come in the lives we ministered to.
Many miles to the southeast of Mwanza on the Indian Ocean coast, north of Tanzania's capital of Dar Es Salaam is the almost forgotten city of Bagamoyo. The meaning of it's name tells of its horrific past; "throw your heart away" is the translation. It was here through much of the 18th & 19th centuries that slave trade flourished and entire families & communities were destroyed. We came to Mwanza asking people not "to throw their hearts away" but to freely give it away to the one (Jesus) who freely gave His life for us as a payment for our sins. In return Christ promises us eternal life (John 1:12, 3:16). All of our team, including those who stayed behind & prayed, are extremely grateful for the opportunity to be used of God and see over 300 make such a commitment. Please be in agreement with us that God's word will not return void in these lives & what He began He will continue as they grow in the knowledge & Grace of our Lord. That the church there will grow in power & influence in that community, experiencing both the favor of God & of men.
Tentative plans will see us back in Tanzania in Oct. of 2007. But next on the agenda (Lord willing) will be a trip back to my beloved Philippines in March of that year for the annual missions convention and later a crusade with my church team. As always I appreciate your prayer & support in these matters.
Left: Crusade in progress, Right: Pastors Chris, Angel, Moses & friends
God's Best & Blessings to you, Russ Rutler
Tanzania 06 Pictures
Mwanza Student Choir worship before Crusade crowd
A few local youths enjoy the novelty of a digital camera
Pastor Chris Ludwig ministers to those responding to an alter call
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Tanzania 06' Chronicle #1
Mwanza, Tanzania Thur. Sept. 8, 2006 AM (local)
Dear Friends & Family,Mwanza means the first or Beginning, appropriate enough seeing this is our first crusade in this part of the world. We are a small team of 3 and as with many firsts we have had to learn a few things as we go. The piece of sound equipment we brought with us was unexpectedly held up for "ransom" at the custom's office in Arusha. After a day of negotiating we were able to redeem it for a mere $180 about half the amount this certain official was asking for. Other logistical & permit problems caused us to miss our 1st 2 days of crusade times. A lost, misplaced or stolen wallet (I don't know which) of this certain crusade team member to the tune of approx. $800 USD also caused us grief (since most of $ were crusade funds.This person should be horse whipped for being so careless) But God is indeed good, the Jesus Film showings that we are sponsoring saw 50 adults come to Christ each of the two nights. Our first crusade night also saw 68 come to Christ, with one woman testifying of a healing of her legs. This more then makes up for our long tiring trip here, the inconveniences, hassles & loss of mere money, knowing that eternal destinies are being effected.
300 miles to the southwest of here is a little place called Ujiji. It was here that those famous words were uttered; "Dr. Livingston I presume" by the NY Tribune journalist Stanley about 150 years ago. It was David Livingston who first preached the Gospel all through this region as he explored & mapped central Africa. What a privilege to be able to lend our hand to the work he started so many years ago and possible be an answer to the prayers uttered by many "Give us Africa for Christ"
Our 2nd night of crusade saw another 70 come to Christ and several more testify of healings. One woman who had respiratory problems, which reg. doctors couldn't help so she had gone to the local witch doctor, (similar pattern to what we saw in Guaymas, Mexico) was marvelously delivered. The local church we are working with is diligently taking the names of the new converts for follow up & instruction. Since one of our team, Pastor Angel Cintron, had been here last year there is probably more going right then going wrong, seeing relationships & ground work was already established.
We are are expecting the next 2 days of the cusade to be even more powerful as momentum builds. Please be in prayer that God moves mightily confirming his word with signs and wonders. That a people are raised up here to testify of God's Goodness & Mercy. That God anoints Pastor Chris Ludwig as he brings forth the messages. That all of us remain in good health while ministering here.
I will go to a school today to minister to some of the many students here. So with guitar in hand & my friend "Saul" the puppet in tow it looks like another exciting day serving our Lord. As always we covet your prayers & intercessions & thank you in advance for your obedience.
God's Best & Blessings to you,In Christ Russ Rutler
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Philippines 06' Chronicles #6
Philippines 06' Chronicles #6
Dear Friends & Family,
After 3 months of living in the Philippines and with the Sales Family and ministering in just about every church under their care on Negros Oriental I find myself both fulfilled and emotionally spent. Though I already miss them all and plan to go back before the end of the year I am more amazed and grateful of the work of the Holy Spirit in my own life. That a person can cry after God and He will give you what you need, to meet the needs of those you minister to. It is when we reach the end of ourselves and "beg" Him for more of His anointing and when tears become our meat in the night season that we see Him come through in most delightful ways.
After a successful week of the annual mission convention, Bible School Graduation, a great banquet for all the delegates (some 200) and seemly endless goodbyes and well wishes we departed
for Manila. As if to accentuate my departure I share with you an experience that took place in Manila. We left our hotel in the dark wee hours of the morning on Monday April 10th. As our taxi stopped at a light I was quickly taken back by the presence of a small little girl, 4 or 5 years old, standing by my passenger side window. She had some sort of necklaces in her hand holding them up for sale (at 4:30am!) I think I saw "mother" over by the side of the road. My western mind set kicked in "ignore them & they will go away" but my love for children & God's love in me compelled me to look at her. And as I looked at those sad dark eyes my heart began to break and tears welled in my eyes. It was if God were saying through her "don't forget us". I thought "Oh God give me something real to give to these people", I feel as though I will die if don't get more of God in me to touch them. I think I begin to understand Oswell Chamber's statements about being broken bread and poured out wine for the Master's use. As our Taxi drove on I thought of a dozen things I could have done but mostly pondered the question, "Lord how can I really make a difference?" 
I am now back at my home in Gainesville, FL enjoying showers at a temperature of my choosing, meals more familiar to me and the closeness of family. As I get back into the swing of things plans are already in the works for other mission trips. Our Church here is tentatively planning 2 week crusade trips to Mexico and Tanzania within 6 months. Though God has spoken to me though several prophetic words that I will go in and out to many nations I believe the Philippines will remain a recurring destination for future trips. In fact a group trip to the P.I. from this church will take place later in the year or the beginning of the next.
For now I will begin the process of putting together a DVD for Faith Island Mission for the purpose of informing supporters the progress of the work there. I will also prepare for Pastor Danden Sales' visit to the U.S. in June/July of this year. Hopefully I will get to travel with my friend up the east coast come July and be of service to him once again. If you would like for Pastor Danden to speak at your church please send me a note (rrutler@juno.com) or contact him directly & we will try to arrange it. His tentative schedule will start on the west coast in the end of June then Louisiana, FL & up the east coast to NY & New England.
Other projects I am working on will include putting the material together to take the Jesus film over on my next trip. I will need a LCD projector of at least 2000 lumens, a laptop with good hard drive space, DVD and PowerPoint capabilities, funds for screen material and DVD prints of the film in various Filipino dialects. We will also be putting together material to donate to the Mountain school we visited. This will include H.S. science lab type material such as microscopes, beakers, test tubes, molecule models and anything else involved with General Sciences, Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Though I would like to fill up a cargo container with this type of stuff I will settle for a trunk or 2 of the Walmart size for this next trip. If you have or know of anyone else who has any of these items and would like to donate them please contact me at rrutler@juno.com or call me on my cell at 352-256-5060 and I will arrange for pickup or delivery.
As always, thank you for your prayers and support. I will continue to keep you posted as we continue to "let God write our story".
God's Blessings & Best to You,
In Christ Russ
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Philippines 06' Chronicles #5
Dear Friends & Family,
“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He comes shall find him so doing.” Matt.24:45,46
My time here is quickly drawing to a close. For the past month I have been teaching at the Bible School and ministering to various churches on the Island of Negros. The mission here has enough local churches under their care that I could preach every Sunday and not be at the same church twice my entire stay here.
Many of the present church and Mission projects are nearing completion. Two church buildings will be ready for dedication this week. Just in time for the U.S. team from CMAI (Christian Ministers Alliance International) headed by Ira & Sharon Stanley. It sure will be good to talk with friends from the states, it has been close to 3 months since I had that luxury. Other projects have included building a water tower for the mission complex, and repairs to the Gospel Boat, which is now docked here near Bais City.One of my most enjoyable events this month
was to visit my favorite mountain church in
Palale, a small hamlet village high on the
mountain ridge which straddles
the island, in view of the opposite
coast and the blue waters of the
Sulu Sea. Here four years ago
the children sang with such
angelic voices as to bring the
very presence of God into that
small humble structure. I
wondered if it would still be the
same, and would I recognize any
of the children. I was pleasantly
surprised to see some of the
same faces, but older, still there
and still singing their hearts out
to the Lord. It made the two hour trip up a bumpy rainy road on the back of a motorcycle seem like a minuscule price to pay for such an experience.
I took one of my last “free” days here to visit the neighboring island of Siquijor. Accompanied by one of the young pastors of our fellowship, Jec Jec, we toured the island via rented motor bikes. Siquijor has been known as the center of witchcraft of the Philippines and we hope that in the future to sponsor evangelism crusades here.Though the island is being developed for tourism, the same pattern of poverty spotted by wealth prevails here as it does in much of the Philippines.
This will most likely be my last “Chronicle” from these Islands but God has already put in my heart to return and also to work on some projects while back in the States. One will be to gather supplies for the mountain schools here on Negros, and if possible ship an entire container over. The U.S. govt. actually has a container program for humanitarian aid purposes. Another project, which I wasn't able to do this time, is to bring the “Jesus” film (in local dialects) over and show it in some of the remote areas which never get to see such things.
This is all for now,
God’s Best & Blessings to You
Russ
Monday, February 27, 2006
Philippines 06' Chronicles#4
Dear Friends and Family,“And finding a ship…we set sail”Acts21:2
Fortunately my sailing experience here in the Philippines has not
been as eventful as the Apostle Paul's. But smooth sailing it has not been. In the past couple of weeks if you had looked in on me you’d probably find me either on a bus, in a boat or on the back of a motorcycle. For this is the way most of Filipinos travel about the
country.
Pastor Danden and I went first to the Island of Behol and then on to his home island of Balicasag to check on the Gospel Boat in storage there. Unseasonable rough weather & high tides pushed
the 60 foot outrigger to a parallel position on the beach and was now being damaged by the surf. Getting to the island in a much smaller palm boat
proved wet and cold. Now there’s two words I didn’t think I’d be
using together! We had swells up to 4-5’, the Filipino version of a
“log flume ride”. The weather cleared enough to get some work started on
the repairs. In a few week it will be sea worthy. Another trip was to
Surigao City on the north end of Mindanao. Here we ministered to
five churches in about 36hrs. Whew! The planned trip to Davao in
central Mindanao was postponed because of time constraints and the
start of the next block of Bible School classes.
A sad note; while travel we learned of the devasting mudslides of
southern Leyte that claimed the lives of over 1,000 Filipinos including
an entire school of appox. 250 students & teachers. It breaks my heart
knowing the kind of people this happen to. We actually came within
40 miles of the place about 12hrs after the event.
I am including a US military web site with a picture of the Leyte mudslide devastation. Note the small village in the foreground would be about 1/2 the size of the one covered in the background. There would have also been houses in the mountainous area as well, for this is how they live and make their livings.
http://www.pacom.mil/special/0602pimudslide/photos/
060219-N-5067K-109-h.jpg There are also additional Pics on this site if you are interested.
This past week I was busy teaching at the Bible School and traveling to some of the Mountain Churches. This time I decided to bring “Saul”,(a large puppet), which I use to tell the story of the Apostle Paul’s conversion and how God used little known Ananias (Acts9:1-19). I will usually do this in Children's ministry but felt the Lord would have me use it as part of an illustrated sermon. It worked quite well as I
preached on how we each need to experience God for ourselves.I am now over half way through my planned stay here, but sometimes it seems like I’m just getting started. There is still much do & places to go. As always I covet your prayers
and thank those of you who have contributed in a financial way.
Information on giving can be found at the bottom of this “Blog”.
God's Best & Blessings to You, Russ
Monday, February 06, 2006
Philippine 06' Chronicles #3 Pictures
Russ In The Surgar Cane Fields
Students of the Mountain High School
A Couple Of The Many Mountain Churches
Children Of The Mountain Churches
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Philippines 06' Chronicles #3
Philippines 06’ chronicles #3
“God says, You do the small thing;
I will do a large things. You do a foolish thing; I will do a wise thing. You do that something that only a human can do; I will do something that which only I, God, can do.”
From “Healing the sick” by TL Osborn
Dear Friends and Family,
Another busy week here on Negros Oriental and Faith
Island Missions. We had an opportunity to minister
at a High School of about 200 students up in the
mountainous regents of the Island. The trip up was
spectacular, but extremely rough the higher up we went.
This is a public school, which unlike our own in the
States, allows for religious activity and sharing of the
Gospel. I have a hard time putting into words the sense
of love I felt toward this room full of smiling faces who
gladly receive the simple songs I sung while strumming
a guitar. The conditions at the school are applorable by
western standards. The facility resemble more like a run
down summer camp then a school. Ceilings are falling
down, furnishing are primitive and supplies are almost
nonexistent. It seem Government funding favor the
more accessible & visible city schools on the coasts.
We talked with members of the local Rotary Club, which
Pastor Danden is a member and past President, and they
have some text books they are willing to donate. But I
would like to see more done.
Another opportunity we had this week was to minister in
the local jail of about 110 inmates. I preached the Gospel
message and saw 6 men repent and turn to Christ. The
Meeks from Australia supplied 110+ packages of toiletries
and fruit. Their motto is “it isn’t love until you put action
to it”. Many of the men here are Christian and the prison
actually has a local church and pastor (inmate) overseen
by Faith Island Mission. Jesus said “ …when I was in
Prison you visited me…” referring to our brothers
behind bars.
My other time right now is spent traveling with Pastor
Danden and getting acquainted with different church,
pastors, and ministries, preparing lesson plans for
the Bible School, studying, learning Cebuano(which
is going painfully slow) and getting the new computer
up and running properly. I’ve also was able to get an
official Philippine driver’s License. Driving the “National
Highway” is a story all in itself, let’s just say it makes even
This former NYC area taxi driver nervous.
Next week we head for the Islands of Behol and Balicasag
(Danden’s home island) to escort students on an field trip and
to check on the Gospel boat. The following week we will
travel to Surigao and Devao areas of Mindinao for Conferences.
God's Best is Yet, Love Russ
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