Marv PruittP. O. Box 49Aparri, Cagayaa 1118Philippines

Dear Friends in Christ,

MESSAGE FROM MARYPHILIPPINE MISSION CHURCHINovember, December, 1080, (January 1981

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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

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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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. '

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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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PHILIPPINE MISSION CHURCHES OF CHRXSTCENTP^L CHURCH OF CHRIST

14^0 S. OakdaleMedford, Oregon 97501

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Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 561>v Medford, ORegon

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.

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

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

*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