Where in the world is Russ Rutler?: 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.