PPR 21 1982

Mary Pruitt
P.O.

Forwarding Agents:

MFBBACF FROM MAPY

Philippine Mission Churches of Christ

January, Fehruarv, *^^rch, 1PR2

Box ^9

Aparri, Cagayan 1318

Mr.

& Mrs.

2784 So.

Philippines

Bob Pruitt

River Rd.

CrnntP Pass, op 07526

Dear Friends in Christ,

C-reetings again from the land of heat and rice.

How nice it is to he hack with mv family

here and to he at work here again. T praise the bord for the time T had in the States, and
iill the love that v.'as shovm, and the times of sharing and praying together. But T am sure
glad to be back liome.

One of the greatest blessings of being in Cod's familv is that

no

matter where vou go, you have family.

There have been some changes in the family here. Some children were return
ed to their families and some have come
live with us. Since the last news

letter we have gained three. nionisio{l yt.) came just before Christmas. Menchtta and Felipe ioined our family in February, ^^enchita is Q vears old and
v;as abandoned in the market by her mother to beg food and take care of her
self, She was there 3 days before the nolire took her to the social worker -

she brought her to us.

learn.
ble.
^

Menchita is a verv intelligent g,irl and i^rants to

She ia alwavs asking thoughtful nuestions about the Lord and the Bi
V.'e pray that soon she will accept Christ as her Savior.
Feline was 1 1/2 months
old and weighed 5 lbs.
when he was brought to
us.

His mother

had

been trying to sell

him.

Because of neg

lect (he had no clothes or name) his body was

covered with diaper rash and he was on the edge
of nnuemonia. Praise the Lord he now is a fat,
healthy, smiley hahy and will he able to grow

un where he is loved and can learn of the T.ord's love.

Thank you to all of vou who have helped make this Home possible so that we can hein these

children.

We sing a song about Jesus being alive, and our being alive through Him.

T al

ways think of how manv of our children would not he phystcallv alive if it were not for the

I.ord, and you, who love the Lord and give so that they can be alive, pbysicallv as well
spiritually.

as

Thank youf

1, thank, t,bP-Lor.d_fo_C...tilE--pnQxl-4ob that-.Joy Collins did of directing the Home -while T wa-s-in.

the States. Everything was in good order when T got back, and what a help that was.
T
praise the Lord for .giving her the strength to carrv on while I was gone. Now she is very
busy mending and making costumes for programs.

"e are thankful that our electricity is now 24 hours.

That means that we always have run

ning water also, for which we are very thankful. T sometimes wonder how we got along with
out these conveniences. Our wash house and store room are next on the agenda, hut we are
waiting for the building permit before beginning the construction.

The bulldozer has been

working well and the ground is leveled and readv. Meanwhile we are using mv office as a
store room and the washing machlne(Mavtag wringer washer) and dryer are sitting on the porch
and being used there.

Ve are thankful for what we have and hopeful for what we need.

The

Lord has been supplying very well through all of you and we praise Him and thank you for it.
Before I arrived hack here two more of our young people were baptized.

Praise the lord for

their committment to Him and pray that thev, and the others, will all be powerful lights of
Cod's love and will serve Him.

We will he having our first marriage in the children's home the end of this month when ^'an-

gie, our mid-wife, marries Joemar, the young man from the Seminary who has been holding our
services for us.

Joemar lust graduated and we praise the T.ord for his love and faith in the

Tx>rd and that he will be loining us in this work, filling a verv important need in our home
for a man around the house and one who is a spiritual leader.

The Seminary just closed the first of March with in graduates and 4 getting two vear certif
icates.

We praise the I.ord for these dedicated voung people who have really committed them

selves to the work of the Lord and we ask your prayers for them as they start out in their
new lives of service.

This last Saturday we had our kindergarten closing program.

going to first grade in June.

We have 10 t.-ho graduated and

Seven of them live in the Home and three are workers*

children. They had a beautiful program and are all excited about going to school next vear.
We will have three graduating from 6th grade and will have 6 in high school next vear.

This month I spent a week in Manila and Cehu.

Vp had our annual missionarv g^t-together in

Cehu at the home of Ray and Tmogene Carlson. Wlint a good time of fellowship and sharing to
gether in song, the Word and praver. An extra blessing was being able to see several people
that T had met when T was there in 1974 with the Traveling College.
there for the meeting, including *^ark and Pauline Maxev from Japan.

There were 26 of us

I have vecn verv busv running around and attending nrojtrairR since T returned.

The children

have been having* many nrograms at Rchool. Thev will have their closinp April 1. T also

spent two weeks in ^anila in February, takinp, the two little ejrls that have Cerebral Palsv

to the Elks Cehebral Palsy Center in Manila where thev received free therapv.

'-'e were train

ed to continue the therapy at home and must take them hack every three months for check-un.
T thank the Lord for this free help that we can pet for our pirls. Already there is much
improvement in them. Our only expenses are travel, room and hoard, Apain T am thankful we
are able to stay at the Baptist Guest Apts. which are very close to the Center. Ve can also
do our own cookinp there and that really helps with the expense.

Maria

*^farin

Deloris

Theresa

16 Months

2 1/2 vrs

Our Cerel>ral Palsied c i r l s

Because postape rates are so hiph I have finally decided that T cannot mail the newsletters

from here. T will not be able to include the personal ntes that T wrote to many of you.
T will try to send letters to you now and then. My parents will be the ones mailinp the
newsletters now,

T want you to know how thankful I am to all of you who have shared In any way in,the work
of the Home.
T do not always pet a personal letter to you, hut T am thankful and praise the

Lord for y^u.

We must all work topether in accompHsldnp_the spreadinp of the_<^snel. Many

of you have been out of work or your hours have been cut, and yet the Lord has increased the

amount of financial help we receive each month, instead of it poine down, as manv had feared
It would. Thank you all who have piven financially, throuph praver, pifts of clothes, tovs,
books, or in any other vny.
It is so wonderful to ^e in the T.ord's care and to be able to
depend upon Fim for all our needs, and to be blessed by beinp in Pis familv.
Because of
your faith in the Lord to supply your needs, ours have continued to be met.
Manv boxes of toys and clothes have been arrlvlnp and we are thankful, for them, dust when
we need what is in them, there thev are. Thanks to all of you who have shared. Manv of
you have sent letters and pictures to me, Jov,and the children, and we thank vou for them.
They are very encourapinp to us, and to know that you are pravinp for us is such a help also
We continue to have some problems and difficulties, which is to be expected, but we praise
the Lord for His love, strenptb and wisdom that pets us throuph each one. We have the power
of His Word and His Spirit to depend on and we praise Him for them, and the difference they
can make in our lives. Thank you apain to each of you who have helped make this work pos
sible here,
and also as vour share in the work of the T.ord in other countries as well as
in vour own towns.
.
.
.
T.ove in Christ,

Marv Prultt

Non-Prof11 Orpanization

PHILIPPINE MISSION CHnRClTps nf CHPTST

TT.S. Postape Paid

CLMTPAL CHrPCH 0? CHPTST

14AO So.

Oakdale

Medford, Orepon

Permit

97501

No.

561

**edford, '^repon

Horizons b*c.{:;azine
hission Services
i.O. 3ox 177,

l^^mpton, Ind.

46049
J

"Li
'

6 3o3,

JUL 19 1982

MFSSAGF. FROM MARY

Mary Pruitt
P.O.

April, May, .Tune 1982

For';ardlng Agents:

Box ^9

Mr.

Aparri, Cagayan 1118

Phillppi nes

& Mrs.

Rob Pruitt

2784 So.

River Rd

Grants Pass, OR 97526

Dear Friends In Christ,

I did not plan to wait until the last day of June to write this newsletter but now I

guess I can give a complete report through June.

As T am writing this I am again In

Manila with Maria Delores and Maria Teresa for more physical therapy training.
We
come back every three months. We praise the Lord for the wonderful progress these
girls are making, especially Maria Teresa.

be able to tell you she is walking.

apy for them. The

cal therapist who
has volunteered to
help she has been.

T hope that by the next newsletter I will

We have been praying for these girls and for ther-

T.ord has given us an added blessing by sending us a retired physi

has worked more than 30 years with cerebral palsied people. Shecome out once a week and work with the girls. What a blessing and
Much of the girls' improvement is a direct result of her help.

Praise the T.ord with us and pray that we might also be able to help her grow in her
relationship with the T.ord.
School has started and with it a

lot of ex-

citement and work. Lola .Toy(Joy Collins)has

been busy getting uniforms readv.

'

graduated from our kindergarten.

We

6 in

enjoying it very much.

They are

All together we

have 11 in elementary and 6 in high school.

'

just

One of them

Is having to repeat the first grade.

i"

have

Two of these are In our two high schools in

Tsabela, and three are first year.

^^.7
||H(
^RSiP^

How an-

xious we are for the time we have a Chrlstschool on the property where the
i \ Home ^'fph
is located
and will not have to send

the children to Isabela or put them in a pubrejoiced and praised the Lord the the IXth.
new

Our
Our First
First Graders
Graders

accepted Christ as

Savior and was baptized.

her

She was alwavs ea

ger to learn and asking me questions and what joy filled my heart as T baptized her in
to Christl

But how sad we were when she left May 16 to return to her mother.

happy she is again with her mother but sad that we have no contact with her.

Me are

Ve just

pray that she will remember her love and commitment to the Lord and His love for her and

that some day she can get further teaching in the Word.

How we miss her!

We were also saddened by the return of Lydia and Nelia to their mother - not because

they returned to their mother but because we love and miss them.

Also because Lydia

will probably not receive any education now*.They are Negritos and there is no school

where they live.

Tydia is a very bright girl and we had great hopes for her.

We are

thankful her mother is a Christian, and also thev live somewhat near and we will have
opportunity to see them now and then.

The T.ord ha.s hies.sed

with the

of

Samuel. He

is two years old and weighs 16 lbs. Samuel is the 6th of 7 BR^B^^BBII^^^^B
children in a very poor family wfio live off of their relatives. Because of his health condition the social worker rec-^BBi^^
omtnended the mother bring him to us for a time. He is from
BBHBP^
IBI
quite a distance away and so we have no contact with them un-

less they come to visit. TTut we pray that somehow we will be

able to share the love of Christ with them. Samuel has a

BT

n|^i^H ^

had hare lip and cleft palate and we are looking into getting

surgery for him.

There are groups who nav for these tvpes

of operations. We prav we can find a good doctor and that

Samuel will be able to live a normal life.

is a sweet

hov and in many ways leminds me of Roger.

,y

Bn

if

^
*

were not enougli teachers for all the places who wanted them. fc.-M
Many new Bible studies v;ere started because of the showing
BbIK

IT '
mII

The summer was very busy.

'

Again there was the VBS Clinic f.

VBS s held all around the Cagayan Valley all summer.

There

W m

B M

of the movie ' Jesus", which Frnle Rutherford has been doing.

We praise the Lord for these, and for our new brothers
sisters in CTirist.

and
Samuel
Samuel

Apa i n -wo had tlio three vnutls camps and the Young Adult's Retreat. There vrere 31 ban~
tlzed during these camps. We prav thev vlll remain strong in the l.ord. Also the stu
dent preachers went out in groups of two for concentrated evangelism and
more v;ere added to the. harvest.

teaching 6.

Ifow we praise the l.ord for these who liave come to llim,

and pray they will remain strong and firm and he His shining lights.

The enrollment in the two liigh schools is up tliis year with close to 650 in Northern
Tsabela Academv(wherp Ninda is studying) and more than AOO In Southern Tsabela Academy
(vliere Ariel is studying). VTiat an opportunity to reach the young people with the Word
of Cod in this special and sometimes difficult time of life.
Prav with us for another
school in Lal-lo where

the Home is located.

The Seminary also has an increased enrollment this year with 90, part-time and full
time. We have been praying Cor the l.ord to send those who should be there and He
has sent plenty.
Nay they be strong fruitful servants of His.

How we praise the Lord for the way He

has continued to supply our needs.

How I praise and thank Him for all of

you who have given so faithfully.

ues to^ increase May each of you

V
V

*
^

continue to give and the Lord contin-

those who send toys and clothes to

''

Ohjft

know that so many are unemployed or

their hours have been cut and yet you

meet our needs we give thanks.

'

Tj

=^5

Re-

cause we are working together in the Lord In this work it is able to go on. Not only
we are getting support from those in the States but even from our sisters in Japan.
How wonderful to bo in the T.ord's familv and to share together in His work.
The wash house and store room should be done wben T get back from *^anila.
all who have made this possible. The T.ord is so good to us!

Thanks to

Again T say thanks, as do tlie children in their prayers each night, to all who are a
part of this work.
I owe so many of you letters and T ask your patience in waiting
and that you will accept this Informal thanks in all the feeling that it is said.
Please continue to hold us up in praver. Pray especially for Minda and Flmer who are
having a hard time resisting the temptations of the world. Pray for their strength
in the Lord and the power of His Word and love in their lives.
Pray for all of us

who are raising these children in the Lord, that we may teach them true love and faith,
and prav for them that thev will grow to be great servants of our l.ord Jesus Christ.
Pray also that we will be able to get a piano for the.Home.
In Christ's service,
Marv

PHTLIPPINE MISSION CHURCHES OF CHRIST

CENTRAL CHURCH

lAAO S.

OF CHRIST

Pruitt

Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid

Oakdale

Permit No.

Medford, OR 97501

561

Medford, Oregon

37

Mary Pruitt

P.O. Box 49
Aparri, Cagayan 1118

MESSAGE FPOM MARY

fidv 1 79^2

Philippine Mission Churches of Christ

August, September 1982

Philippines

4; 3^3

Forwarding Agents:

M/M Bob Pruitt

2784 So. River Road
Grants Pass, OR 97526

Dear Friends in Christ,

OSce again it has been a very busy and full three months. How I thank the Lord for each one
of you who has held us up before the lord In prayer for the wisdom, love and patience needed
and also for each who has contributed financially as our costs have increased. I never cease
to thank the Lord for your gifts as I know many of you are hard up and yet are trusting the
Lord to supply your needs, as you give to help supply the needs of others.
Since the last newsletter we have gained 6 children, one has been placed in a fosterhome,
and two, who were staff children,..have moved out. So we are now 34.

Elena, almost 10 years old and Richelle^almost 2,

were brought to us the same day. Elena has some
very special problems, partly because of neglect
and the fact that her mother has mental problems.
Elena seems to be autistic, although that is not

whole problem and she does not fit the descrip

tion exactly, She cannot talV, but maVes many
sounds. V^en she first camp she was much like an

animal in many ways, but has learned a lot and we

praise the Lord for this.

She now sits ciuletly to

eat and uses her spoon, can sit quietly in devo

tions, knows where the bathroom is, is noticing

others around her and is liaving much better eye

contact. She is about the size of a 6 year old

but is growing rapidly with proper food. Pray
for our wisdom and knowledge in teaching and help
ing her.

When we first savi Richelle we were sure she would

not live through the night but praise the Lord she
Elena

after two months

did, and still does. Although almost 2 years old she. weighed only about 12 pounds and wns
too u-eak to sit. For several davs she would not eat and was kept alive by the grace of -od
and Pedialytc. After about a week she began to eat and has not slowed do^^ yet. ^:hat a
beautiful girl ^hB is-becoming. Thar.k you tc all^who were praying eso^rlally for her.

Aweek later Gerry, 5 months and fi 1/2 pounds and Felicitas(Fely) at 14 months and 10 1/2
pounds joined us. Gerrv's mother is a widow with 3 children under 3 years and was afraid her
baby would die so went to the welfare seeking help. Fely's family had been abandoned by
the father and she being the youngest of 5, was very weak and sick We are thankful that
both are happy and healthy now, although we suspect that Getty may have mild cerebaral palsy.
Next came Joseph at 11 months and very healthy. How nice it is to get a healthy child! Ttie
mother had left them and the father could not work and care for Joseph and relatives were
unable to take him.

As I am writing this I am In Manila (again), this time with Samuel for the first of his oper
ations on his cleft palate. But I heard Just before leaving Aparri that a 3 month
baby,
Daniel, was being taken to the Home. The motherCnot married) had left him with the letber,
who works, etc.. etc. How we praise the Lord that we can help these children and pray
we will be able to help the families also, especially in their spiritual needs.

Ja^on has been with us since he was 8 months old, and just after his 3rd birthday went to

live with the Kutherfords, as they are trying to adopt him. We miss him very much at home,
but get to see him often and it is nice he can have a regular home.

We praise the Lord that we have been able to start 4 Bible studies in our area and we are
beginning to see the Word and'Spirit work in their lives. Pray with us for a great out
reach and harvest among these people.

We would like to give a special thanks to all who ^ave given for special needs. We asked for
zippers and buttons and 50U so abundantly supplied(and Joy has really been using them).
Thank you so much! I mentioned In the last letter about a piano and I praise the Lord for
those who/gave special gifts and we now have a beautiful new piano. The chll^en wait In
line to practice! (Hope It takes a long time for the newness to wear off.) Thank you so
very much!

We do have a few more needs now: We need more sponsors for our new children. Also we could

use more plastic pants, bibs- especially the larger ones for the older babiGs(heavy plfitic
with sleeves,that can be wiped off after meals), and for the older children we need all

kinds of pictures(from magazines) of people, families, animals, houses, room, flowers, etc.
They have need of them in school and they are verv hard to come by. especially In the number

we need.

We are also

lo>>V-ing into the cost of purchasing a vehicle.

As for other areas of the Mission's work: We have a record enrollment in our 2 high schools
and praise the Lord for His iord working in tl'ie lives of these voung people, Six were re

cently hantized into Christ at one school. Last week I attended the Teachers Day as the
faculties of both schools met together for inspiration and sharing.

We thank Cod that A of

the teachers accepted the Lord and were baptized (one has been teaching there for several
years), making both teaching staffs all Christian.

The Seminary is very crowded this year with many good students. Plans are in process for a
much needed new Seminary building and we wouJd appreciate your prayers in this matter and

the decisions that have to be made. Also, Mrs. Selby has been very'ill, but the Lord is get
ting her hack on her feet and we are all thankful for her renewed strength.
Cur Lord has promised to meet our every need.

The Scripture

also says He is able to do above and bevond what we can think

or ask. We. have heen in need of a social worker and also a

man to be the father figure and male Influence badlv needed by

tbc children. T have been praying for these needs and the
Lord has answered the prayers in a wav T never expected. Tn

V'

December Cilhert Biireros will be iolning us as a "ocial worker,

father figure and as mv husband. T first met Pert in Dpcember
1973 when on the Traveling College. I'e were attracted tn each

other at that time and have corresponded through the years.

When the Lord brought us together again in March the attraction
was still there.

Pert has passed the Board Fxam for social

workers and 1s presentlv working for ^'Mrl.d Vision as a super

visor over a project area. Pert studied at Cebii Pihle Pemi
nary and for many years lived in the home of and worked for

Ray and Imogene Carlson.

The Lord told me many times

grace is sufficient for vou," and how I have fotmri that to he

true as I trusted the T.ord and He hrotight me through. Mow T

praise Him for giving me the extra blessing and icy of Rert.
.-X'vi

Please join us in prayer as we step into a new life together

and for all the adjustments that have to he made Bv Rert, mvself and all the children.

Cllbort Purcros

And may the lord's v^ork '>e

in

creased as we join together in His work.

1 want to thank each one of you for the part you have played in being partners with us in

this work. Without your prayers and support we would not he able to help all these children
and reach out with Cod's Word to these people.

We do have our difficult times when Fatan

-t)Tin7T5r"1:TtaT-s-- nuL our "Lord overconios "each one with "Is power'and^love and wisdom, and

know it is because of your prayers also.

Thank vou so much.

x-'c

Mav the T.ord bless vou with

joy as you are His servants at home and abroad.

"Mow to Him who is able to do immeasurahly more than all we ask or imagine, according to
His power that is at work within us, to Him Ho glorv in the churcH and rhrist .lesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever!"

In Christ's service.

Marv T>x-uitt

PHILTPRT^^ MTPST'^H CHrP.CHKF

CEMTPAT. CHT'RCH OR CITRIST
lAAO S. OAKDALK
MEDFORP, ORRCorj 075m

CHRIST

Mon-Profit 'Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit "o.

5hl

*^edford, Oregon