Philippines 07' Chronicles #2

Dear Friends & Family,

It is now 2 weeks since our arrival and it seems like I am picking up just where I left off a year ago. Ministering in the different churches, working with the young people, doing my puppet, playing guitar, & generally being the “Utility Man” in the body of Christ here. It is such a privilege to share this time with 3 of my former pastors; Gene & Sharon Stanley & Deanna Mingo. With the Sales, & Stanleys in Vietnam this week I have stayed behind to take care of Pastor Danden’s preaching responsibilities.

This past Monday Myself & some of the young people drove out to a small
congregation in Comba village in the middle of somewhere beyond the sugar cane fields to do a Thanksgiving service (That is an annual anniversary of the Church). At one point we were using a river for a road. (and we are not talking driving a Hummer or Land rover here, just some humble Chinese built van with bald tires)It was hot, sticky & a little uncomfortable as I preached about the 2 men on the road to Emmaus (Luke
24)to some 60-70 people. I could sense the anointing as I was emphasizing that Jesus was with them though hid from their sight. 7 adults plus children responded to salvation's call. The enormity & implications of our obedience to share the Gospel & offer salvation on Christ's behalf is settling into my spirit. That the eternal destinies
of at least some rest with us & our willingness to "go" & speak. How I gladly put up with any discomfort & inconvenience to see this accomplished in my life.

During Wed. night prayer, where only a handful of the faithful showed up the presence of God was so strong that I found myself on my face weeping almost uncontrollable. I had to explain to them during my sharing time that when the tears come during prayer & intercession it is good to let them flow. Something is being accomplished in the spirit.

On Friday the young people & I did another local one nite crusade. What is usually done is that a location is picked out, like a village basketball court (they all have them), a permit is filed, sound equipment set up, young people go out knocking on doors & we have a meeting. This time I taught a group of the teenagers to do the “Operation Skit” where we pretend to pull out someone’s sinful “heart” & replace it with a new one (see Ezekiel 36:26) It was done completely in Cebuano (the local language) and these guys & gals did great, real “Hams” I’m so proud of them. That night we saw another dozen come to Christ and had opportunity to ministry & pray for the sick.

Saturday saw me up in the mountains again this time at a place called Tampasion. It is small area of maybe 10-20 acres nestled between a couple of hills. Numerous rows of coconut trees give it the illusion of a forest, all shaded, but the ground is grassy with a few goats & cattle grazing. A few humble dwellings plus the church complete the picture. A truly peaceful place, that no tourists ever see. The congregation walks up to 10K from the surrounding area for the meeting. I brought my puppet with with me & by placing a crown on his head Incorporated him into a teaching on the “unjust servant & forgiveness ( Matt.18:21-35) I also got to eat one of my mountain favorites; "young coconut" with brown sugar.

This week I learned that the Moneoka Church Missions team from Gainesville, Fl will be coming in June. It will be an exciting time of outreaches & also a health clinic or two (2 of the team are nurses). After some prayer, & the fact that I was in part instrumental in encouraging them to come, I sense it will be a good thing for me to remain here for their outreach. So as a bit of a leap of faith I will forgo my May 1 departure date, stick around & get things ready for them. As an added benefit I will get to help out at an upcoming Youth Convention in May. This will increase some of my expected “in country” expenses. So if it on your heart to help out I would greatly appreciate it.
CMAI c/o Stanley’s
637 OCCONEECHEE DR
FUQUAY VARINA NC 27526-6604

Thank you for your prayers, and allowing this mission to be part of your life.
God’s Best & Blessings to you.
In Christ, Russ

Philippine 07' Chronicles #1

Dear Friends & Family,
After about 24hours of flights and airports our team of 4 arrived safe in Manila. Walking once again through the international arrivals
building I notice immediately that a peace had filled my heart, I am back at my home away from home. Arriving on Good Friday in Manila was certainly different. Only a faction of the usual traffic filled the streets in this dominantly Roman Catholic society. Our Friend & co
laborer Pastor Danden Sales once again faithfully met us and welcomed us back to his country.

Everyone was assigned a different church to preach at on Easter Sunday, then a Church Thanksgiving service in the afternoon and evening service at the main church in Bais City. A busy first day. At that point our biological clocks are still on EST & do not understand we are now 12 hours ahead. I awoke at 5:30am fully refreshed so started praying reading the word, an hour & 2 cups of coffee later I couldn’t understand why it wasn't getting light out & no one was sirring (they are early risers around here.) Come to find out I was reading my watch upside down & it was now about 2AM! Oh well, time well spent.

This week was the Faith Island Mission’s 25th Anniversary. Over 40
congregations were represented. Only a few of the more distant pastor under FIM could not make it. What a great sense of privilege (humbling actually) & responsibility to minister to these men & women of God who have forsaken all to follow Jesus into ministry. I was particularly touched that while a certain song was playing, all the former Bible school students, some 25-30 all together who now pastor works, began to walk up on the platform. I thought “my God look at them they are all so young but have taken on such a great challenge” The Vision, Efforts & Labors of Pastors Danden & Shirley are paying off with fruit that has eternal dimensions. Not to forget the many others who have sown into
this ministry over the years as well.

We finished off our week on Friday with a small local crusade that saw
over 30 give their hearts to Christ. The young people were diligent to
take down names for follow-up later. On Saturday it was up to the
Mountains for another Church Thanksgiving service. This one near the
Mt. School we visit last year (see Philippine 06 chronicle #3 at
www.rrutler.blogspot.com ) There we were able to donate a microscope
given to us by Sandy F. of Freedom, NY. Though the students are on
their summer vacation right now the Principle was there and was most
happy to receive the gift.

Pastors Gene & Sharon & Danden & Shirley will leave tomorrow Tuesday 4/17/07 for a
"closed country" to share with the underground church. Please keep them in prayer. I will be staying on in Bais City to take care of some of
Pastor Danden's ministry responsibilities.

God's Best & Blessings to you.
In Christ, Russ Rutler