Mission Chronicles 09’ May

Dear Friends and Family,
It is hard believe that a month has gone by already since my arrival here in the Philippines. My original plan was to travel with the Stanleys to Vietnam, but when I saw how shorten my time would be here in the PI I felt the need to opt out. I see now the hand of God in my decision as I was able to take on some of Danden’s responsibilities here in Bais City while He & family got away for a much needed break following the death of their daughter.

Upon his return Danden & I traveled to the Surigao City area on the North side of Mindanao and ministered at two church Thanksgivings. This trip is always “adventuresome” and is usually a test to see if I will complain about our Spartan accommodations along the way. It seems like it was a constant rush to get to our next form of transportation and then have the pleasure to endure it. From water taxi to a 3hr Bus to a 14hr Super Ferry. Sometimes we would get there minutes from departure. Praise God we never missed a connection. Our hotel in Surigao was probably a –1star, we got caught in the rain numerous times on the motor bike while ridding the 30k back & forth to our ministry local & soaked to the skin twice in a palm boat, once while it was stalled & adrift in the channel during a rain storm. (nothing compared to the Apostle Paul’s trouble eh? See 2Cor.11). On the positive side we blessed & ministered to numerous people, had wonderful fellowship, saw a bunch of kids make a first time commitment to the Lord, ate all sorts of great food & I got 30min. of premium snorkeling in while on one of the islands. (if only I could have speared a fish!)

With Surigao behind us it was Danden’s turn to travel to Vietnam at the invitation of a US based minister, this time with his wife Shirley. I took care of preaching responsibilities at the church, radio & cell groups while at the same time preparing for a special children’s meeting. Now my idea was to do a 1hr to 2hr program for the church kids since I did not have much budget for anything elaborate. The church elders thought different as I was to learn. To them a children’s meeting consisted giving the kids 2 snacks (one in the morning & one in the afternoon) plus feeding them lunch and going about 4hrs. Not only that but trucking many of the kids in (gas expense). I was delighted to find out that my humble budget of $50-60. fed & “snacked” over 155 children plus 20 adults & another 20 young worker/helpers. This also included gas, advertisement & misc. materials. Then we got to see about 10 kids give their hearts to the Lord for the first time! Well worth all the work & $. I learned that this was the most children they every had at one time at the Maranatha church facility. So greatly encouraged was everyone that we will see about doing another before I go.

What a privilege to serve God with all the unique abilities & talents I have been given & to do it on a field of mission like this. There are many things here that are hard on my western upbringing but I can not think of another job I am better suited for.

To all my friends & family I thank you for your continued prayers and support. Blessings to You, Russ

PS Anyone wishing to sow into my mission in the Philippines can send contributions to: CMAI
637 Occoneechee Drive
Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
With a notation “for Russ Rutler Philippines”
PSS short videos are available for viewing on www.youtube.com under Rustifer56

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

MISSION CHRONICALS – BELIZE 08’

Dear Friends & Family,
What an exciting time we had in Belize early this month. While most people travel to this small central American country on the edge of the Caribbean for fun & recreation our team of 5 came for a different purpose. To work with a local church and see the lost saved, congregates trained in soul winning & revival fires lit in the hearts of God’s people.

As our flight approached Belize City we could see the results of a week of heavy rain; flooding everywhere. We later realized God’s hand in our timing, had we come the week before as originally planned our time would have been a soggy mess. Though flooding had closed some of the roads around the city & made others slow going we were able to travel to our destination city of San Ignacio near the Guatemala border.

As planned the next day we hit the streets surrounding our host Church and began campusing the area using the “Great Awaking” evangelism script, (http://www.revival.com/www/r.aspx?p=24) and began training church members in their use. The script is extremely easy to use and direct to the point…”do you know God loves you and has a plan for your life? If you were to die today do you know for sure if you would go to heaven?” are the introduction question. Again & again people readily accepted the simplicity of the Gospel. The local church will follow up conversions as much as possible.

Saturday found us at the very busy Market place of San Ignacio where hundreds of locals shop for the best deals of the local fare. Mr. Greenbody made an impromptu radio “appearance” and got “saved” as Pastor Janet Sheets lead him in the “sinner’s prayer” Since Belize is a predominately English speaking country communication was never much of a problem. My job that day was putting on puppet shows after Mr. G roamed around inviting children & adults. We found folks quite receptive & dozens indicating a first time decision for Christ. Later a puppet show & skits at the church found us ministering the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as well.

Though there were many adventures to share, my favorite was ministering at a local Nazarene school where the entire body of nearly 500 students gathered in the courtyard to watch Peter “walk on water” and us “operate” on one of their teachers. After praying with the students, over 80 students acknowledge that was the first time they asked Christ into their hearts

Pastor Joe Sheets ministered nightly building faith in the hearts of the people and praying for individual needs. In one week’s time we saw over 200 decisions for Christ. Not bad for a handful of people & a few silly puppets!

Lord willing in 2009 we will see new mission adventures in the Philippines, Viet Nam Kenya and…and maybe a surprise or two.

Prelude to a Short Term Mission

It has been over a year now since I last made an entry on this Blog. Since I made this predominately a mission blog I had nothing noteworthy to report. That last trip to the PI in 2007, with the broken ankle incident and all, left me wondering about my place on a foreign field. After much thought and waiting on God for clarity I have come back to the conclusion that a foreign field is where I need to spend a majority of my time left here on Earth. It is where I feel the most fulfilled & useful. Exactly which country or countries, I am not sure. But the Far East holds the most attention in my heart.

The past year has hardly been uneventful. The passing of my mother in March 08’, though at 96yrs of age & in poor health, was not too much of a surprise, it was still a shock to my emotions. It was one of those events that signals a new phase of ones life. I continue to stay busy with my home repair/improvement business. I really enjoy building things but it does not satisfy inner longings of my heart. I continue to live here in Gainesville with my stepdaughter Lori, her husband Andres & 2 sons Samuel & Ian. And oh, yes I am still single, (sigh).

Pastor Danden Sales from the PI was also here with us in Aug/Sept. I was very happy for him as he was able to visit with several new churches here in Florida. Not just to raise additional support for Faith Island Missions but to create new links of fellowship and ministry. (shown here with Pastors Joe & Janet Sheets)

For right now I’m preparing for a trip to the Central American country of Belize on a one week adventure of Evangelism and ministry. My current Pastors Joe and Janet Sheets of Living Water Church, Gainesville, http://lwcflorida.com/index.htm (also old friends from my Virginia days of the 1980s) will be heading up our team of 5. We plan to use the “Great Awaking Tour” of Rodney Howard Brown as a pattern. Our goals are 3 fold; 1)Win the lost, 2) train soul winners & 3) light a fire. The tickets are purchased & the departure date set for Oct.30.

One of our team, Amelia, is from that country and has made contacts with a local church in San Ignacio (near the Guatemala border) with whom we will be working with. Door to door, street evangelism, puppets and crusades will be some of the methods to be used in bringing in a harvest. My Spanish is a little rusty so I have started refreshing myself via CDs . We will have to also dust off “Saul” the puppet, who also will transform in to “Peter” the apostle depending on situation & need.

Philippines 07' Chronicles #6

Dear Friends & family
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

Philippines 07' Chronicles #6 Pics

New Life Orphanage Childrens' Church

"Suffer the Little Children to come unto me"

Philippine Water Park

Swimming Buddys?

Goodby for now

Pastor Danden Sales & a few of his flock

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

Philippines 07' Chronicles #5 Pics

Guiligan's Island?
Pastora Jeselyn & new home



Rual Rush Hour: Bais City


Recent Leadership Conference

Philippines 07' Chronicles #4

Dear Friends & Family,

It was over 2 weeks ago now that I sat in an Orthopedic doctors
office. I could not believe what I was hearing. “fracture…surgery…with
a plate & screws…” I wanted to cry and break something at the same
time. “Not me! Not here! Not now!” Two weeks prior to that I was with
the young youth leaders of the Negros Oriental Churches. I was their
special guest at an outing at a local beach. I guess I wanted to show
my “perpetual youth” when I jumped on one of those thin surf boards
that skim over the water. My lack of skill & wisdom left me inagonizing pain & rolling in the sand. I should have gotten an x-ray
right away, but I refused to believe it was no more than a bad sprain.
Time proved me wrong.

Now some weeks later, surgery complete, I sit typing this letter &
looking at my foot that will be encased in a cast for 4 more weeks. My
months stay here had turned first into 2 ½ and now 5 as I heal up &
wait for the next available flight home. No matter for this place is
just as much my home now as is Florida and I am resolved to entrust
myself to the Graces of God & His purposes even in this mishap. There
is a peace and much to be learned even in a convalescing state. I am
one who likes to keep busy and at times known to be independent and
maybe a little stubborn. I am now forced to learn the benefit of
slowing down & relaying on Christ as my strength. The need of leaning
on other members of the body of Christ for help. And to listen for
Christ voice in a new dimension.

MONTEOCHA TEAM
In the mist of my mis adventure the team from Monteocha New Life
Christian Center, Gainesville, FL arrived. “Just Great” Here I am,
stayed on to greet them & help make their first trip to the Philippines
a memorable one and now in cast & on crutches not being able to do much
of anything. Thank God it’s not all about me, and His strength is made
perfect in our weaknesses. Monteocha Team came prayed up, prepared & excited. Ready spiritually, mentally & physically for the challenges of this mission field. Pastor Danden & company did their usual unbelievable job of making them feel like long lost relatives & treated them royally.

Butong, Sabahan, Amlan, San Jose, Comba, Batic, Capinadan, Tampasanon
and others are names that don’t mean much to many reading this, but
they represent the places Team Monteocha traveled to & held crusades &
church meetings. They represent hundreds of people coming to a decision
for Christ as their savior and a born again experience. Well done
faithful Monteocha Missions Team. You took a couple of weeks out of
your American life, spent a bunch of money, put up with cramped
traveling conditions for many miles & hours, a new culture, strange
foods, jet lag and language barriers. But because of your faithfulness
Heavens population is eternally changed for the better.

God’s Best & Blessings to you. In Christ Russ

Philippines 07' Chronicles #4 Pics

Right After Surgery












Children decorating My Cast.












Ministering with Monteocha Team at Mt. High School.











Distribution of Vitamins & Antibotics.
Funding suppled By Monteocha
New Life Christian Center.











Some of the many crowds at this
past weeks Crusades.











Monteocha Team ministers in song.

Philippines 07 Chronicle #3

Dear Friends & Family

Trip to Davao
It is always interesting to go to a “new” area of the Philippines. It brings out the explorer/trailblazer in me. This time it was the area of Davao in the mid section of the Island of Mindanao. The traveling seems always the challenging part. A van ride down to a small ferry, 3hr bus ride, 1/2hr taxi, wait, plane ride, another taxi, sleep over in some low budget hotel, another taxi ride, & another 2hr bus ride. But then getting up & ministering in the anointing makes it all worth it. Besides ministering to a few dozen local church leaders, we were able to work out the final transaction of purchasing some church property. The next step will be to build a structure. While sitting with the church pastor & elders at our hotel restaurant, I thought someone had a nervous problem, because our table was gently shaking. When someone mentioned to me we were having an earthquake I could hardly believe it. I could look around the room and see things moving on their own. Fortunately it was just a mild tremor probably a 2.something. But it was my first earthquake! May God shake our hearts with indescribable Love!


FIM Youth Convention 2007
What an exciting time, over 200 youth from Faith Island Mission churches from around Negros Oriental. All camped out at a local beach
resort. (I use “resort” very loosely here), it was very campy. When I walked into one of the morning Praise & worship sessions I was taken up by such a spirit of Joy that could not help but rejoicing. These young people have such energy & joyfully give it to their Lord. I was privileged to speak to the kids, ages 12 to early 20s, on the subjects of “Breakthrough” and “Fellowship with God”. I emphasized the importance of finding your personal “secret place” with God and gave practical applications to ones prayer/devotional time. Ps. 91:1; “He who dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the All Mighty.” Special thanks to my old friend Bob Smith of NJ for introducing me to Bob Sorge’s Book “Secrets of the Secret Place” I recommend it to all.





Local Crusade

This weeks crusade took us to a small village in the foothills of the Mountains that stretch the length of Negros Oriental. We traveled about an hours off the main Highway and on to some rough dirt and rock roads. Our vehicle, the old faithful “Chariot of Fire” is now in its 15th year of service. But this time the rear wheel drive truck could only get us within 1K of our destination. The last hill’s topography surpassed the truck’s capability, Yes I think FIM is in need of a new 4WD Crusade truck. The Crusade team of young people, mostly from the main church in Bais are the best. Without so much as a single murmur they carried all the equipment in down the last Kilometer. That night saw many touched of the Lord and a couple a dozen come to Christ. After an overnight stay, a Thanksgiving service & monthly leadership meeting (they make the most of these outings) the team carried everything back out. This time up hill and after heavy rains. Still no one complained.

Preparations continue for the arrival of the Monteocha, FL mission’s Team in June. It looks like it will be an exciting and busy week for them. Already we have planned out 5 or 6 crusades, a medical outreach, High School Ministry, Radio & Prison Ministry as well as local Church Preaching assignments. It is also a joy for me to be part of introducing others to this little corner of the world. Please be in agreement in pray that we follow God's plans for this time, that even now those who need Christ are prepared in their hearts & circumstances to attend these Crusades.


God’s Best & Blessings to You.
Russ Rutler

Philippines 07' Chronicles #3 Pics

Handing out Bibles in Davao.


















Local Devao transportation.












Pastors Gene & Danden
Missed our Bus had to take a Ferry.












"Tent City" FIM youth Camp 2007.













Where do they get all that Energy?












Crusade Team Walks Equipment In.












Local Crusade sees many Come to Christ.