Philippines 07' Chronicles #5

Dear Friends & Family,

Free at Last! Unless you have had a body part in a cast for six weeks I don’t think you can fully appreciate the absolute feeling of freedom when it is removed. I will never again take for granted the simple pleasure of walking unimpeded or taking a shower standing up. I am still experiencing some soreness & swelling 2 weeks later, but I take comfort in the fact that it could have been a lot worst. How I do hate learning lessons the hard way, such as; “Don’t take unnecessary risks”, “Think before you leap” and “Don’t let your travel insurance lapse.” (Thank you all who help cover this expense.)

Despite the encumbrance of the cast I did manage to fulfill some preaching & teaching assignments. But now with the cast off travel is once again on the menu. A much anticipated trip to the neighboring island of Behol found Pastor Danden and myself escorting one of the young graduates of Faith Island Mission’s Bible School to her first Pastorate. Jeselyn is only 23 years old & never been off her home island of Negros. She is eager to have her own church after interning & working as an assistant pastor for over a year. It would be nice to install older, married & more experienced ministers but here in the Philippines the Bible verse is quite true, “the harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few, pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into His harvest.” (Matt.9:37,38) Danden & I blessed her financial as much as we could to get her started and left her in the care of the already existing deacons. Still I couldn’t help but feel nervous for her. We were encouraged to learn she had a full church her first Sunday ministering.

From there we traveled over to the small island of Balicasag by palm boat (always a fun way to travel). If you may remember this is the place Danden grew up & where his family has run the lighthouse for many generations. It also the place FIM keeps the Gospel boat they use for island evangelism. We came to check on damage caused both by a recent storm there and seaworms, which attacked it while, docked by Bais City last year. The cost of repairs including engine overhaul will probably run a couple of thousand$. Danden has his sites set on some small islands in the area that do not have a Gospel witness, so he will proceed by faith and negotiate the price for repairs. If I return next year my “wish list” would include doing Island Evangelism with the team here.

I am now down to my last month in the Philippines (this year). I never though one month would turn into five. I would like to say I have no regrets but I definitely could have done without the broken ankle thing. Never the less I’ve gotten to do more, see more, learn a little more Cubano and be an added blessing to folks here at Faith Island Mission more than any of my previous trips. Though my accomplishments seem small & even insignificant in light of the vast needs of this place, we will trust the Lord to make the most of our offerings of time, efforts & finances. His “…Word will not return to Him void…” Isaiah 55:11

God’s Best & Blessings to you all
Russ Rutler