Mission Chronicles 09' #1

Dear Friends & family,

It has been nearly 2 years since my last trip here on Negros Island in the lower mid section of the Philippines. Progress moves slow here & there is little visible change. Unless you consider the main highway dug up in many sections along the Dumaguete/Bais City route. Almost a throwback to their dirt road era. Otherwise it’s pretty much the same; The plane ride is long & torturous, the climate still hot, (sometimes stifling), the water & electricity are not as consistent as one might like, the internet is slow (thankful that they have one), the children still smile at the “strange” American & yell “hey Joe!” and the people you minister to are so very appreciative. The Filipino with all its western influence is still oriental at heart. Courteous consideration of guests and hospitality make one feel quite special.

This time however is tempered by the death of one of our own here at Faith Island Mission. Pastor Danden & Shirley Sales, heads of FIM, lost their daughter Christine. She was only 18 years old & in her first years of college when she succumbed to the effects of Lupus. After a 2 years struggle her embattled little heart simply gave out. This small saint loved Jesus with all her heart and was most loved in her High School, College and the FIM churches. For about a week prior to our arrival her body was laid out in the family living Room, as per Filipino tradition. Her close older brother, (her protector since infancy) lay sleeping under her coffin each night. The house & courtyard filled with hundreds of family and visitors 24 hours a day, as a bewildered & heartbroken mother looked on. Over a thousand people attended the funeral procession to the graveyard, on the other side of town. (A sight I have seen myself several times in this city). We thought to cancel our trip but Danden was insistent we come & hold the conferences as planned. I am amazed at God's grace & His ability to turn the worst of situations into opportunities of blessing, maturity and strength, though we cannot always see it at present.

4/27- 5/1 09 Youth Convention & annual FIM Mission conference. This is the time of year all the pastors, pastoras, spouses & church workers come together in one place. Some from far away Surigao Del Norte on the big Island of Mindanao. Everyone is always happy to see one another & renew relationships. Many have grown up in ministry together having attended the FIM Bible School. For myself, having been coming here since 2002. I have the privilege of seeing many grow in their faith & be of some small help. The Youth Convention was held at the “rustic” FIM Bible School in a camp like atmosphere. Like many Youth Conventions it was filled with fun & games, old friends & new relationships as well as times strengthening ones faith & recommitment.All and all it was a busy, tiring and fulfilling first week.

In addition to giving a number of lectures I was also able to help with an illustrated sermon as appearing as the “Apostle Paul” and as well as telling the story of “Bamboo” using puppet, (actually one was a piece of real bamboo) This is a teaching on the sacrifice of being used of God. We will now gear down a little as the Stanleys get ready to move on to Vietnam for a week of ministry there and I will take on some responsibilities here and help allow Danden & his family a very much needed break and get away. I am praying about staying an additional month.-Russ Rutler 5/2/09