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Marv PruittP. O. Box 49Aparri, Cagayaa 1118Philippines
Dear Friends in Christ,
MESSAGE FROM MARYPHILIPPINE MISSION CHURCHINovember, December,
1080, (January 1981
i G 12S1
Forwarding AgentsM / M Bob Pruitt2784 So. River Rd.Grants Pass,
OR 97526
How we praise the Lord for this last year and all He has done
for us in 1980. As we celebratedChristmas and remembered the Lord's
wonderful and precious gift of His son, we also praised andthanked
Him for all of you who have given so much to make this Home and
this work possible. Because we aie in God's love we have so many
blessing and joys that the world cannot know.
November was an exciting and interesting month. Joy Collins left
for the States for a short furlough, planning to return in March.
She was to leave for Manila on the 7th but because we werehaving a
typhoon and flood, we were not able to leave until the 9th, and
then only because the Lordarranged it all fur us. We were having
one of the worst floods in history, and the roads were all
closed.There is no air traffic to Aparri and so "we could see no
way to get to Manila. Joy's flight w^s forthe 12th. We prayed and
the Lortl worked it all out so that we got to ride in a single
engineplafie from Aparri, went down the West Coast, which I had
never seen before and is so beautiful,and had a safe and enjoyable
trip. Joy got there in time for her flight and other things she
hadto take care of before leaving. But because all the roads were
closed and air traffic to the nearestairport so heavy I was not
able to get back to Aparri until the 21st. Because I was there for
sucha long time I was able to buy the material for all the curtains
for the Home (the money given bythe Ladies Fellowship of the Aparri
Church) and just relax and read, which I have not done for some
lime.I was very homesick for the children by the time I got home,
but I praise the Lord for taking care ofthem and of me. Please
remember Joy as she is in the States and as she returns to the
Philippines.
When I returned from Manila our family had grown by one. Jun
arrived the 19th, verymuch in need of this Home and the love of the
Lord. Jun Avas left by his parents in Manilawhen he was about 4
years old. He has grown up in different homes serving as a house
boy. Hehas been given no love and has been mistreated, and has only
received a first grade education. Wepraise the Lord for bringing
Jun here so that we can help him to love life and to know the
loveof the Lord. Right after his arrival, Jun came down with a very
serious case of hepatitis and if hehad not been here he would iiave
died because he would not have gotten medical attention in
hisformer place. We praise the Lord he is doing fine now and that
he is also responding to our love andcare for him. Please keep u.s
in your prayers as we love him and pray that he will quickly
learnand accept God's love for him. The age of 12 is a late time to
get a start on life and love, but woknow the Lord can have victory
in this life.
We were wry happy and praised the Lord on Nov. 2 as Felix gave
his life to the Lord andtook Christ as his Savior and followed in
Christian baptism. Wc have prayed for him over a year and
fehe >Lord i'ur-tliia 'attp he hasmade,- a-nd the -cvideat
change-ifi-Lim4s--growing, .inlua.lovo and walk with the Lord.
Please remember him in your prayers also.
December was a fun and joyous month as we remembered the birth
of our Savior. Shirley Toledo arrived here on the 5th, making it
possible for me to spend much more time in the homo withthe
children, and to concentrate on the work of the Home. On the 6th we
had our kindergartenChristmas program and included in it a welcome
for Mrs. Toledo. The program Avas so cute and Avelldone, and avc
all are so thankful for the Savior, and also for Shirley's
Avillingness to come andshare her life in the Avork here.
We Avere so happy to have Minda, our oldest, home for the
holidays. She has been studyingat our school in southern Isabcla.
Hoav 1 praise the Lord for our Iavo Christian iiigh schools and
hoAvI look forward to the day that we have one in Lal-lo. The help
it has been to Minda to live andstudy ill a Christian environment
cannot be told here. Our two schools suffered much damage fromthe
typhoon and flood in NoA'-ember, but the Lord knoAV we Avould haA'^
e the extra expense, and hasprovided for it. How Ave praise Him for
providing all our needs, through Christ, and through you whohave
such faith and love in the Lord.
Also in December Myrtle joined our family. She came from a rico
field Avhere she Avas^ abandoned and almost droAvncd. Hoav anyone
could throAV aAvay such a SAveet and beautiful child I Avill never
knoAv. But again aa'^ c were able to give life to a child. We guess
that Myrtle Avas about tAvo months
MINDA SOUTHERN ISABELA ACADEMY, San Guillermo, Isabela
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old at the time she was found. How wonderful it is to be able to
help achild and see the growth and changes in him. This little Homy
was twomonths old when he came and covered from head to foot with
sores. Nowhe is a strong, healthy and happy boy who is trying to
learn to walk. Eachof them has such a story and we praise God and
thank you for the lifethat they now have.
On January 6 we were blessed with another small bundle of joy.
Thisone was really small weighing only about 3 lbs. Angel is the
smallest littleboy I have ever seen. We praise the Lord He has
continued to give thisboy life, even though we have no incubator (a
good project for somone) andthe weather has been cold. We have done
a lot of praying and the Lord hasheard and answered. Angel sleeps
in a box with jars of hot water to keephim warm (we have had some
record cold weather this winter), fie ate froma dropper at first,
but is now strong enough to take a bottle. Besides justbeing small,
Angel started his life being malnourished. His mother sufferedfrom
dysentary and severe beriberi for more than a month before the
babywas born. Because of her illness the mother had no milk, and
they are avery poor family with many children. But they wanted this
baby to live,so they have given him to us, to raise in the Lord.
They are also Christians and we are happy to be able to help out
our brothers and sistersin Christ.
I want to say a great big, but very inadequate, thank you to all
of you who gave so muchand so many wonderful toys and clothes to
make our Christmas full and blessed. Because of your gen-erousity
we were able to have new clothes and toys for everyone. All our
girls were so happy withtheir new baby dolls, which they love and
cli-scipline, and the boys with their cars and other fittingtoys.
How handsome and pretty they all looked in their new clothes, as
you will see in the nextnewsletter. Thank you all so much. A lot of
work and time went into many of the gifts and we reallyappreciate
it.
It is hard to believe that another year is over and January is
here again. I sure do not knowwhere time went so fast. This last
year has been a good one in the Seminary, with many good
anddedicated students. Our high schools have become more
self-supporting and have had a good harvest in thework- of the
Lord. The radio program went up in cost, but is reaching a wider
area. The press hasbeen kept busy with the regular printing of
Christian literature and special orders. Our preachers
andevangelists have been working hard and are reaping a harvest
also. How we praise the Lord for eachof these ways of evangelizing
the Philippines, and ask your prayers as we start another year in
thiswork for the Lord, that we will work hard and will reach many
with the love and Word of ourSavior. . . _
My furlough plans are not yet completed, but I am taking
speaking dates starting m June. Ifyou would like a speaking date
contact my forwarding agents. They are handling all of the
speakingdates and also the funds for my travel. Please keep this in
your prayers as I finish what has to bedone here before I can
leave, and set my final plans, as well as preparing for tiie
speaking in theStates. Also, a great need is someone to take my
place as the administrator while I am gone. Itmay be an American or
a Filipino that the Lord will supply, but please be in prayer about
thisneed.
..-If you are interested in helping this work, by "adopting" a
child, or in any other way, fundsshould be sent to the forwarding
agents. It is very dangerous to send checks through the mail. It
costsabout $35.00 per child per month, and other expenses vary. I
want again to say thank you to all who havegiven in any way for
this work. We have recei\-ed so many great and precious boxesof
gifts, toys, clothesand materials that a I cannot begin to express
my joy and gratitude. We have all been greatly blessedby your love
and generousity and the evidence of your love for the Lord and the
people here. May theLord also bless you in so many ways for your
love and faith in Him. We pray also for the going forthof gospel
from you as the gospel is also going forth from here, tliat we may
win the world for the Lord.
ROMY
In Christ's Service,
Mary Pruitt
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Marv prulttP.O. Box 49 MESSAGE FROM MARY Forwarding
Agents:Aparri. Cagayan 1118 ; Philippine Mission/" Churches of
Christ : M/M Bob Pruitt
./Philippines Februai-y, March, April . . - 2784 S. River Rd.- '
Grants Pass, OR
April 19, 1981 . : . 97526Dear Friends,
As I am writing this newsletter 1 am sitting in the hospital
with Roger as he suffers withTubercular Meningitis. At times it
seems it is the end, and yet after almost a month ofillness he la
still with us. Vhat a month this has been, but in it all I can say
"praisethe Lord". It has been a great learning experience in
trusting the Lord, in walking in Hispieace -during despair,
lonliriess, hurt, joy and anguish. For two weeks we were in Manila
inthe hospital for infectious diseases. It was "the pits". But I
learned to enjoy and endurelife among 40 other patients with their
40 "agbantay"(watchers), and to love and share with
them in joy as some got better and went home, in sadness ar.d
loss cs; others died, and in' discouragement and- hurt as others
suffered pain and convulsions and never seemed to improve,
Livifig'^ only two feet apart from your neighbor and sharing
three toilets and 2. faucets with
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-- . V
1 Will be leaving the Philippines on May 10, . Joy Collins will
be ,the director in jny placePlease pray for her as there wiU be
times of hard decision, trial and bther things thht 'Satan will do
to try to stop or discourage this work of the lord. But our God
strongeiVNotf. as I finish this, 2 days later than when I started,
I can tell you that Roger is noxonger suffering. Yesterday
afternoon he went before us to join the Lord. How we can rejoice in
the assurance that Roger is with the Lord and we look forward, in
the hope ofChrist, ' to the day we will join him around the throne.
Praise the Lord that throughChrist we have eternal life. Although
was not yet 3 years old, because of his illness wewere able to
share the gospel of Christ with many who may never have heard if
not for us. 'We do not know the results of the seed we planted, but
we pray the power and conviction ofthe Spirit in their hearts will
bring them to salvation. Actually the meningitis is notwhat brought
Roger's death, but pneumonia, a common complication of
meningitis.Because of the late time and so much to do before
leaving on furlough I will not have timeto write the personal notes
of thank you that I do to many of you. But to alL who have 'given
.in any way, through prayer, physical or material help,
financially, rwaiit to tell "you thank you for your faith and love
and gifts to the Lord's work here, I will be seeingmany of you
while I am on furlough and. can then tell you thank you
face-to-face. I lookforward to meeting those of you that I have
never met before. '
,1 -.r [ .
May the Lord be praised and glorified in all we say and do as we
are His light-on this' "-"d.''earth. How encouraging and joyful to
walk in His love, ' ' -
; j'WIn Christ's service. ri -f
' . /
Mary PruittFrom her forwarding agents:
Please keep Mary in your prayers on May 10 and 11 as she flies
home from the Philippines,Also remember to pray for Joy Collins and
the other workers who will be working in theHorae-whi].e she is in
the States, - i
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V :-n 1. -n-
PHILIPPINE MISSION CHURCHES OF CHRXSTCENTP^L CHURCH OF
CHRIST
14^0 S. OakdaleMedford, Oregon 97501
K-
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fid'
a f!. ^ ;";d
Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 561>v Medford, ORegon
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Mary PruittP. 0. Box 49Aparrl, CagayanPhilippines
Dear Family in Christ,
41981
MESSAGE FROM MARYPhilippine Mission Churches of Christ
Hay, June, and July 1981
Here I am on furlough meeting many wonder-ful Christians and
enjoying seeing my old ^friends^ again. The love ^that has
heenpraise the Lord for the wonderful offerings : .
very much and the Family of God in the Phil- 'ippines, I know
the lord is with them and - ^caring for them, "but I still miss
them, - -Right now I am preparing to speak at Wi-ne-ma Week-of
Missions, I would appreciate your prayers for me as I prepare and
speak atthe camp. It is a new and "big experience for me and I
really need the Lord's help,
I have had some special blessings from my home church, Central
Church of Christ in Med-ford, Oregon. They had a special day for me
at the church and presented me with a car,on loan, to use while I
am in the States. Besides that they also bought the insuranceand
gave me a credit card to use, I thank and praise the Lord for this
wonderful part of His family and the love they have shown me, not
only now, but through the years whileI was growing up and while I
have been in the Philippines,
News of what is going on in the Philippines has been somewhat
scarce but 1 will fill youin on what I know.
The summer evangelistic team was out for about two months. In
that time they covered agood area of the Cagayan Valley and there
were 136 baptisms. How we praise the Lord forthis wonderful, way of
reaching the people with the Word of Christ and we pray that eachof
these new Christians will become a strong servant of our Lord,
School was late starting so I have not heard a report on the
enrollment of the Seminaryor the two high schools, but I know that
they will be good and that it will be anotherwonderful year of
teaching the Word of God to the usual 1,000 high school students,
anda good year of preparing others to go out and preach and teach
the Word, Please keepthese schools in your prayers,
Harvey and Helen Beard are back from their summer furlough and
busy at work again,Harvey is teaching again, in:.the Seminary and
Helen is again Carolyn Boudreaux's schoolteacher. She is teaching
second grade this year.
Shirley Toledo is still busy in the office, keeping up with the
books and keeping thebooks up. She is doing a great work and I know
would appreciate your prayers for her,
A lot has happened in the Home since I left the first part of
May. Joy Collins had takenover my job as director, besides her work
as the clothes person. I know she is a verybusy with that and also
working in our kindergarten. She has had some hard times to
gothrough since I left, and I know that she would appreciate your
prayers also. Right ...after I left she had another staff member
quit and also we had to dismiss one of thestaff. It is sad when one
of our Christian sisters falls back to temptation and I askyou to
pray for Julia, that she will again renew her faith and love for
the Lord andreturn to His service.
Another thing that Joy has gone through since I left is the
death of our little Myrtle,She is the baby that was thrown in the
rice paddy by her mother. I do not know whatwas the cause of her
death, or if anyone knows, and of course we do not always
understandwhy things like this happen. But one thing we are sure of
is that Myrtle is with theLord and that she is not sick or unhappy,
but is in the presence of our Lord, How wepraise Him for this
assurance, and His love that makes it possible.
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There have also heen some sick children. Ariel was in the
hospital one and a half weekswith hepatitis and little Angel was
sick in the hospital twice. But at last report theywere all doing
fine. One of our staff was in the hospital for a while also with
whatseemed to 'be anemia. I am sure the Lord has renewed her
strength "by now and that she isback at work, I praise the Lord
that He is in constant care and love for them and thatI can trust
them to His care and although I miss them and get concerned I know
that Heis with them.
Now for some good news. At last report the water tower was being
plastered and so I assume that "by now they have running. It sure
is a wonderful modern convience and a greathelp to have running
water. No one is more appreciative of it than our $ older "boys
whospent a lot of time each day carrying water, I hope that they
will be able to start onthe wash house right away so we can get our
washing machine and dryers hooked up and inuse.
Also some other good news that calls for rejoicing is the news
that our new nurse thatwas hired just before I left has accepted
the Lord as her Savior and been baptized. Alsoanother new worker,
that has been hired since I left, has followed in the obedience
ofof 'baptism. She was a believer but wanted to follow the Lord's
command of baptism. Howwe praise the Lord for this wonderful
spiritual news. Also we rejoice that Sherry Annand Jessie 'both
accepted the Lord as Savior and were baptized in camp just before 1
left.I ask your prayers for all of them as they grow in Christ.
Charles and Roberta Selby will bo returning to the Philippines
in September. Please continue to hold then up in prayer as they
travel. Vfe praise the Lord for the health andprotection he has
given then as they have been traveling for the last one and a half
years,I plan to return to the Philippines right after Christmas.
If. you would like a speakingappointment please contact my
forwarding agents. I still have some dates left. I willbe on the
Northwest Missionary Conference program so that will cover a lot of
Oregon,Washington and Idaho.
The Lord continues to meet our financial need for all ministry
of the mission. In theHome we have 31 children and of those 22 are
partially or fully "adopted" or supported.If you are interested in
"adopting" one of our children please write me at the addressof the
forwarding agents. We figure that it takes about $35*00 a month per
child. Butyou may take only a part of this if you desire. I want to
extend a great big THANK YOUto all who have shared in the ministry
of this work. Those who have prayed, sent funds,clothes, letters,
etc. are all such a wonderful blessing and we thank each one of
you,and praise the Lord for your part in His work. Please continue
to pray for each of usas we work for the Lord in the
Philippines,
PHILIPPINE MISSION CHURCHES OF CHRISTCENTRAL CHURCH OF
CHRIST1440 S, OakdaleMedford, Oregon 97501
In Christ's service,
Maiy Pruitt
Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid
permit No. 5^1Medford,.Oregon
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DEC 1 7
Mar/ Pruitt ME53AC2 FROM MARY Forwarding Agents:P. 0. Box ^9
Philippine Mission Churches of Christ Mr, i: Mrs. Bot PruittAparri,
Cagayan 1118 August Decer.bert 1981 2784 So, River Rd.Philippines
Grants Pass, OR 97526
Dear Friends in Christ,
This newsletter has been a long time in coming. It has been a
long busy summer and fall,but a blessed one also.
Since the last letter I spoke at Wi-Ne-Ma Week of Missions. That
was a real experience,I praise the Lord for giving me the words and
strength to get through that. Also I thankall of those who were
praying for me as I prepared and delivered the messages. It was
anexperience I praise the Lord for because I learned to depend on
Him more I learned Ican dc things I do not think I can if I will
let the Lord work through me.
I was in a wonderful Jr. camp and also on the Northwest
Missionary Conference for 5 weeks.That also was a challenge for me.
Again I thank all those who prayed for me while I wastraveling and
I thank and praise the Lord for nis care and protection and for the
strengthneeded to sneak every night. I also praise Kim for His
wonderful family and all the lovethat was shown me.- in homes and
in the churches where I spoke. Thank you to each one. ofyou for the
love, help, prayers and encouragement. Sometimes I really got tired
but thelove picked me right up again.
It has been wonderful to see many of my old friends again and to
make many new ones; tobe able to help others and to be helped ty
others; to just be blessed by the Lord. Spending time with my
family and getting to know all the new members (like 4 new nephews
andnieces and some in-laws) has been a wonderful thing also. It is
so wonderful to be in aChristian family. Ve saw my oldest brother,
Ernie, and his family off to New Zealand wherethey will be serving
the Lord for 3 years. Kow good it has been to share together.
Now for some news from the Philippines,
Charles and Roberta Selby returned to the Philippines in
September after about Ij years inthe States, They are very happy to
be back, and those in the Philippines are very happy tohave them
there.
Our high schools have about 900 enrolled this year. It is down
some and most likely becauseof the destruction to crops because of
floods and typhoons. Our first "Week of Evangelism"brought about
165 students to the Lord and we praise God for them and pray that
they willbe dedicated servants of our Lord,
There is an enrollment in the Seminary (first semester) of 87.
Some of these are part-time but are receiving teaching from God's
Word and training in sharing it. They will behaving their Christmas
program on December 11,
We were saddened to hear of the death of the mother of Roberta
Selby and Marj Eoudreaux.She was in her upper 80*s and we know
sheis with the Lord, Also we express oursympathy to Joy Collins at
the death ofher mother. She was in her 90's and is ^also with the
Lord, Praise God for theassurance of salvation through Christ,
'
Much has been happening at the Cagayan .Valley Children's Home.
We haveseveral(|new children, the latest a 9 month boy.One cf the
new ones has cerebral palsy.We now have 2 children with
cerebralpalsy, both named Maria, We thank theLord and you, that we
have the Home and y*'yj > '.'.JjiAV/'l*are able to help these
children. We ^ ^praise the Lord that during the summerone of our
new older children accepted mV /the Lord and was baptized.
We now have real running water in ourhome. How happy they are
with that,especially our boys who had to carrywater. Just when the
tower was finish-ed and water was running they had a realbad
typhoon (praise the Lord no damage
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*0 u:;, i/xcept r?.lr. blovr. in), :?o ncelectricity. Then the
electric motorthat ran the pump wan stolen, but .haobeen replaced
nclp with this exT^encewould be appreciated). Now ever^-'thingis
working fine. Zrnie Rutherford hasbeen a great help with
construction ofthe tower and getting things in workingorder and
keeping them that way. Weare thankful for him and his help.Thanks
to all of you who have helpedmako this convenience possible. What
ablessing running water is.
We now have the government hydro-electric power. It is not yet
zk hour butis always a strong current when it ison. That is a great
blessing also.
There was some excitement as the smallrefrigerator in my
apartment caught onfire. Praise the Lord there was nothing else
burned and just minor damage, and that no onewas hurt. It is
comforting to know they are in His care.
Wc are now using the gas dryer that was sent from Grants Pass.
It is hooked up in my apartment. The wash house is not yet started.
The rainy season really slows our construction.
We are happy that everyone is back in good health now. We had a
real spell of sickness;many in and out of the hospital, many with
the mumps (including Janie Rutherfoiawho kissedone of the little
ones with the mumps), but now all is okay. But we did run up quite
abill at the hospital. Since April it has added up to a little more
than $^OC,OC, Helpwith this would be greatly appreciated also.
Because of inflation prices have gone up in the Philippines just
like here. Consequentlyit is costing at least 5^5*00 psr month per
child, for all expenses (not including building). I thank all of
you for the support you have given - the love, toys, clothes and
financial support for the childrer.. I know many of your are
sacrificing already and will not
ab-ie tc increase your-support for the child you have
"adopted**. We praise the Lord forwhat you can do and that through
His people our needs are always met. Thank you for shar-ine: with
us.
Thank you for your prayers for Joy Collins as she has been doing
so much and carrying sucha load taking on my responsibilities while
I have been in the States. She took two weeksvacation she badly
needed and got rested up.
Thank you again to all of you who have made this such a
wonderful furlough. I was not look*ing forward to leaving the
children, but I have been blessed by being here and have grown,and
I an anxious to get back to my family in the Philippines. I will be
flying right afterthe new year.
May each of you have a very joyous and blessed Christmas as we
remember together with ourbrothers and sisters around the world the
wonderful gift that our Lord God has given usthrough His son Jesus
Christ, our Saviour.
In Christ's service,
PHILIPPINE MISSION C-a^HCHES CF CHRISTCENTRAL CHURCH OF
CHRIST
3. OakdaleMedford, Oregon 97501
mittIiary_P-ru
Hon-Profit OrganisationU.S. Postage paid
Permit No, 5^1Medford, Oregon