Mary Pruitt ^^SSA(EMABSf - - •• ^ .J. . ;v v5^iwajCHj^^P.O. Box 49 ^ \ 1977 J;-•Aparri, Cagay^ III8 ;y v January, February, ,J^ch,xl97S^" ', ,. ;2784 S'i I^yer^^,^ . ; ^Philippines " > . :^ ^o i- ^ :^V. ; ' / • . "̂ ' c > ^Gr^ts Pass, OR 97526

Greetihig"^.-innthS"' name of "pT^r Lord Jesus...Ohris't^ ' I- would like first .,to express'ray i^anks t© allof ybu^wfo haye/heen suppoidiing this work here in Aparri.. Without"yp^ both"in.^^finances / 5and prSyers, this work would not be _able to continUie .and be effeotiye. . Thank-yop for .your ^part in the Lord's work. ''' r, ' 1,. - . ' . , ' ' ' '

Right now we are .in..^e break between the Spiritual Retreat (for tbie teachers from thp-. two HighSchools' and the . Seiwary)- 6^ summer campo The Retreat was again a real timeof blessing ,and Isarning'from the; Word of Godv What an uplift it is ix) meet-together with thechildren of ^ and groWtogether. We also praise the Lord because, three -teachers one"student were baptized during the retreat. -

The 24th Annual Commencement exercises; were held on Feb. 24 with six boys, graduating with ;de-.O -grees and diplomas and five ^ris receiving Christian. Education Cetificates. All arn.-now; out -working.for the Lord, as they use.,.what they.have learned at the Seminary. Some are now-in vchurch homes, preaching and some are inyolved in^evangelistic teams or teaching. We praise theLord for these fine workers ofHis' V •

The week of graduation was;, also bur Conference on EyangeliSm,;.va^ churchleaders in attendance; This included 50 women who came for tfie .Vacation Bible School Cli.nic.Both the conference and the ^ble school;.ci^^ic wSre a great success Praise ^e'Lord! .;

In Decemiber, after a wonderfUl•an.d.exci;fcing .C^istma^ for the childreftv this being their first,we had a Missionary Convention. Ihere. were'I8. of us>^; including children^ shared, four days ^of feasting on the Word. I praise. '''i®®M il4^® 'theSe of spiritual refreshment, fellowship and prayer togetherir V .. .. "

Ihe second Week of Evangelism, or Spiid.ithai ®®Pb9-sis Waek^: ;1bhe two High Schools was th^.first week of this month. We praise tile-Lord for &e %reat .opportunity to teach the Word toalmost 1,000 students#, daily for 10 months, and'ASomS lof for four ySara. There were 7.^110confessed Christ as Savior and were buried with Him in baptism at Northern Isabela Academy and12 at Southern Isabels Acaden^. This makes a-..tqtal/.tOf 185 students baptized this year. Alsbas a result of this week, there were 5'OtHsns" wl^r^ baptized and" a new church •started. Ne :'praise the,LOrd and ask your prayers for them-'all.

As to the progress of,the;; CAGAYAN CHILDREN'S HOM,' 'we haye" not yet started building. We arestill waiting the arrival of our architect v/ith the certified drawing so we can apply for the ';'peimit. We are alsb still waiting the funds needed to ^bhild. Because of our pressing needs Wbhave also been-looking for a house to rent untile wb c^ get our own built. We have found on©with five bedrooms and ,4 baths, but we do not know yet about the rent. We.-.will need funds .forthat. If one-person, class or church would:.lik3'tb'^t^e -this on as a project we would appreciate it very much. We estimate the cost.toi be about $80.00-100.00 per" month. The owner isin the States and as. of.,now.we have not been able to contact him. We a^„also, very anxious ;tbget started on the building of the home in Lal-lo. Our fira^ .^if ^11 .8®, a two story building;containing about 5,850 sq. feet. It is .estimated that'the home-can bid at a* cost of $5*00or $6.00 per sq. foot. If you would like to help '^th just mahk you gift "for Children'sHome". Maybe you would like tb buy ohe,. two* oh^more square feet.

On March I3 our family grew from three boys aajd-^one gful to include three more girls. I havewritten to some of you about the woman in the jail, that we have been ministering to. She hadthree girls with her, two of them half-American. The conditions there are horrible and we hadbeen very concerned about the children, because of the dirt and sickness. When she found outshe was going to be transferred to the provincial prison she asked us to take the two half-American girls with her and another one vho was living with some realtives. We were very happy to bring them into our home and give them a chance to grow physically, spiritually, give

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"bhem an education, and get them away from that horrible enviroranent* The one who was with herrelatives has not yet arrived, but we expect her soon.. Then on this last Sunday,, the 26th, shefound out she would be transferred the next day. So on the 26th we gained another girl. Ournew members aret Sherry Ann, 6 (March 30)) Mary Ann, 4 (Sept 2), Jo Ann, 3 (Dec. 3) Olivia,1 (May 25)» Mary Ann is the one not yet here. 'Please remember us in your prayers as we raisethese children on the Word of God and make them useful citizens.

We are very thankful for all these children, but it does create a problem. We are living in avery small 3 room apartment, each room about 12^x12', Besides the children, there is Tessie •and myself. That makes 10 of us, when M^ry Ann arrives.. We all crowd in and are a very closefamily because-of it. But it does have its drawbacks. News of our accepting children •willsoon be wide-spread and will bring others. Not only do vje need funds for building, but alsofor equipment, personnel, food, medicine, etc. We also, need clothes for small children andbabies, especially diapers- If you can help us in any way we will be very thankful. But mostof all we need your prayers-

The children are. growing so fast. It is so exciting to v?atch them change and grow in their lovefor the Lord as they grow physically. Just in the two weeks that Jo Ann has been here shehas changed from a sad-looking quiet girl who could not talk to a happy, singing, trying totalk big girl, and gets mad if someone starts to eat before we pray. Even Olivia, in Just 3days has lost scane of her sad look and tries to sing. Michael, Elmer and Ariel are gettingused to the little ones ,and are a good-help in watching them. Minda is a good help with theincreased amcsunt of washing "and frpning. We do have our times of jealousy and trouble, butpraise the lk>rd "fie brings us through them all. It is such ,a joy and comfort to know that Heloves eabh of us the same and that He is always here to help Us and bring us through if we willtrust IhLm and commit it all to Him. ..His power over sin and Satan and the love that He showsto us is beyond words. Just an example of how the Lord keeps His promises and answers prayersOne day when it was time to eat lunch Michael said he did not want to eat, which he does sometimes to cause trouble. So I told him to go to bed and to our surprise he did<. When he wokeup two hours later he was burning with fever and crying very loudly and his whole body hurt.After about 30 minutes of this pain and crying I said to him, "Michael let's ask Jesus to makeyou well." So we prayed asking the Lord to take it away. And even though Michael was stillcrying I started praising the Lord for healing. When I praised Him immediately Michael stoppedcrying, the fever and pain left and he went out and played like he had never been sick. How_we praised the Lord and how our faith grew! Michael was so excited and was telling everyonewhat happened. The Lord does keep His promises and takes care of His children, Prai^Fis namci

Just as the Lord is taking care of our daily needs ard has taken care of Michael's need forhealing we know that He will take care of our needs for the home. We praise Him because wewill be able to bring in others from worse conditions than the ones vje already have. Many areabandoned, neglected, mistreated. Please pray with us as we continue to work in this ministry.

Another matter of prayer: We have just received v;ord from Ann Tolliver, the gill I am replacing in the office for her year of furlough, that she is getting married and will not be returning to the Philippines. Ann .will be going to work in India. This means we are in need of anoffice worker, if I am to concentrate my time on the Children's Home. Please keep this in yourprayers. Please keep Ann in your prayers also.

Thank you again to all of you who have been helping us. How we need the prayers and help. Maythe Lord bless each of you as He has blessed me this last year. What a wonderful year it hasbeen. I praise the Lord for all He has taught me and done for me. May His name be praisedi

In Christ's service,

MESSA® PROM MARY Forwarding Agents:F^oTbox^ April, May, June 1978 Mr. and Mrs. Bob PruittAparri, Cagayan III8 Philippine Mission Churches of Christ 2784 So. River Rd.Philippines Grants Pass, OR 97526

June 16, 1978

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let me first expressmy thanks and gratitiude to all of you who have been helping so wonderfully with this workhere in Aparri. Hiank you for your financial help as well as your prayers. They have allbeen badly needed and appreciated. The Lord is answering our prayers!

Many exciting things have happened since the last news letter went out. In April and May wehad three wonderful and large camps, held here at the Seminary campus. There was a total of178 campers and we praise the Lord that from these I78 we have 3I new brothers and sistersin Christ, as they came to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and be buried with Him inbaptism. We praise the Lord for each of these, and especially for one during the Jr. campwho was our own Ariel. Although he has been with us less than a year, he has grown to lovethe Xord and to see his need to have Christ as his Savior. How we rejoiced as he was baptized.

Sometimes as we wait for things to happen it seems that all moves very slowly and our patiencebecomes short. But praise the Lord that He does not become impatient with us and continuesto work. As He worked we saw the answer to many of our prayers. We were in need of a largerhouse and were looking for one to rent. But the Lord answered our prayers and in a betterway, by making a house available to us without rent. The last of April the Boudreaux familywent to the States for a year of furlough and so vje viere able to have the use of their house.They were not sure of their furlough this year and that is why we were looking for a different house. We praise the Lord for this house with three bedrooms upstairs, and two smallrooms downstairs, off of the kindergarten, that we are able to use for bedrooms also. Wehave a nice large kitchen and living room, making it possible for many things to happen atonce, and for very comfortable living. We moved into the house on May 1. Praise the Lordfor supplying our needs, just as He has promised. Thanks to all of you who were praying forus in this matter.

Also on May 1 our architect arrived with the final drawings of the home and the applicationfor the building permit. On May 2 they went to Tuguegarao and came back that evening withthe building permit in hand! Hov; vje praised the Lord for that. Some times it takes muchtime to get the permit. We praise the Lord for our Christian brother who is doing our architectural work and who was very complete in his preparation so that we were able to get theperm-it qiiickly.—The permit coBt-a:t6- about and-the—CGs^of the-entire home vrill. beabout $36,000.00. We know that the Lord will supply this needed amount so that this home willbe completed. Thanks to all of you viho v;ere praying about this need, and thanks to all ofyou also who have given for the building fund. The cost of the home is about $5*00 squarefoot. If you would like to buy some square feet, or help in any other way send funds to theforwarding agents marked accordlingly.

April 1 we hired a new worker, Esperlita Pascua, who is a registered nurse. We praise theLord for her and her dedication to Him and the work we are doing. Esperlita is a great helpin all areas, as v;ell as nursing. She has just returned from, a month of training in Manilawith the DSSD at the Study and Reception Center for Children there. We have much to leam inoperating a children's home, and we are thankful for opportunities like this one to help usin our learning.

On May 1 we hired another worker, Glory Morales, who is our seamstress and in charge of thehousehold duties. Glory is a good hard vjorker and loves the Lord. She is finishing herstudies at the Seminary and will be graduating next February. Praise the Lord with us as wework together in this project of CAGAYAN CHELDREW'S HOME, bringing help and life to many whootherwise would not have a home, love, education, and even life. Pray with us also as wecarry out our most important task of bringing these children up in the way of the Lord andin the love and Word of God.

I praise the Lord for the good workers and help vje have in the home and for the wonderful waythe children are growing and changing. It is a real miracle, to see God's working in theirlives every day and to see them develop. How gloriously and wonderfully man is made!

As you can see the Lord is answering our prayers and we are moving in His work. As we growand as we start the building, our funds are going to need to grow also. The cost per childis $30*00 per month, which includes food, medicine, clothing, schooling, salaries, etc. Ifyou would like to support a certain child, write to me or my forwarding agents and we willbe sure that the progress of that child is made available to you, as well as pictures andletters.

I have just returned from a week in Manila, and on the day I returned classes started in theSeminary and all other schools. This year we have two in Grach' 1 (Elmer and Sherry Ann), onein Grade 5 (Ariel) and one in Grade 6 (Minda). Michael is again in kindergarten and also JoAnn is giving it a try. We are a busy house in the mornings with everyone getting reac^ forschool and office.

Just now as I was writing tlxLs we had a visit from the DSSD District Supervisor and she broughtus four children to take care of (and we do not yet have our license!). They are Negritochildren, whose village was involved in a military encounter vjith the NPA (New People's Aipiy)and were separated from their parents. When they were bringing three of them to us this morning they found out that the parents of the brother and sister were possibly being held in thebarracks here in Aparri, So they checked it out and fo\md them there. With them was anothersister. Since children are not allowed to stay in the barracks they brought them to us. Theyare Junior, about 7) Lydia about 4, and Imelda about 2. There is also another little boy,Judy, about whose parents have not yet been located and are believed dead. So Judy may bestaying with us permanently, but the o"drers vjill be with us only until their parents are released. Please pray for these little ones, that they may be comforted and that we may be ableto teach them the love of God while they are here. Their background and life style are verydifferent from the way vie live. Their homes may have one or two walls, they have no furnitureand eat' only rice and meat, as the are able to kill. It will be hard for them to adjust, butwith God everything will work out fine.

I would like you to pray with us concerning our need for a bull doser for the clearing andleveling of the property, so that we may be able to begin the building. It is very expensiveto rent or hire a bull dozer but we knovj the Lord can provide the funds. But we also believethat He can make one available to us for little or no cost. VJe are praying for this and arelooking into the possibilities. Please pray with us that those vjho have bull dozers will befavorable in helping their people in this way.

As you can see our expenses are rising daily. We have had to slow up some of the prepatoryvjork at the property because of lack of funds, and are also looking for other ways vje can cutback on expenses in the Seminary and other work because the funds are not enough to cover allthe costs. Please pray with us that the Lord will supply and increase the income of the mission so that we can continue to carry out the Lord's work in all areas.

Please continue to pray with us about an office replacement. We know that there is someonewho can take this work and serve the Lord in this way, and so we continue to praise the Lordbecause that person will be coming at the right time. Pray for me as 1 continue in this workas well as the work of the children's home.

1 want to say thank you again to all of you for sharing with us and being concerned about theLord's work and the people here. How 1 praise the Lord for sending me here to work for Him.How I praise Him for how He is working in my life and in the lives of the children. 1 praiseHim for your love and wanting to show that love by helping us here to meet the needs of thepeople here, especially the children. It is truely wonderful to be able to turn to the Lordfor all our needs and know that vje have them because He has promised. Please continue tohold us up in your prayers. May the name of God be praised and glorified,'

In King Jesus' sejyice