It's hard to believe that I am finally back in Florida enjoying the company of friends & family after 5 long months. The questions most asked of me; Are you glad to be home? Do you miss the Philippines? How is your ankle? Yes & Yes and it's still sore. I am quickly readjusting to western civilization again, but a restlessness remains in my heart and an intuitive sense that I have only just begun with overseas missions and what God has for me. I now begin the process of evaluating my time in the Philippines & to seek the Lord's guidance for the next page of my life's story.
During my last month in the Philippines one of my honors was to minister at New Life Children's home just outside Dumaguete City here on Negros. The Orphanage was founded in the early 1990s by Nolan & Julia Vockrodt and houses about 60 children on their main campus & an additional 30 at another location. (visit their website at http://www.nlch.org/ for more details). In this past year the home started sponsoring Sunday afternoon Children's Church. It was here that I ministered the story of “The man who changed his name” with my Saul puppet to over 200 children & adults. It never ceases to amaze me how children every where gaze attentively at this silly puppet of mine. But the story is not so silly ; “Redemption can be found in Christ” I fondly remember being prophesied over by old friends Steve & Rita Fidel in Utica, NY a long time ago, how I would be used of God to “paint pictures” on the minds of children & young people that would touch their hearts & persuade them to follow Christ. God truly does use the foolish things. 
My last week in the islands was filled with heart wrenching goodbyes & well wishes. I was honored by an opportunity to speak to the Negros Island pastors of FIM at their monthly meeting. As I looked out on this group of dedicated ministers of the Gospel I indeed felt humbled and told them they were my heroes of the faith. Later that week I was once again ask to
speak at a youth retreat. I found myself having to transverse about a hundred yards of rushing river on foot to get to the location. What is it with these youth retreats & water? The rocky river bed indeed tested the strength of my wobbly ankle but God's Grace was sufficient and I was able to finish my course without incident. After couple of days of seeing the sights in Manila I was again aboard a plane for the long flights back to the states. A week later found me at Monteocha New Life Christian Center bringing greetings to the mission team that came from there over the summer. They gladly received the dozens of personal notes sent by the young people FIM. What a privilege to be used of God to open this door of Missions between Monteocha & the Philippines. Tentative plans are already in the works for their return in 2008. 
God's Best & Blessings to you.In Christ, Russ
