Jon and Katie Ruse Serving In Papua New Guinea Quick Praise & Prayer
Praises:
~We have gained 3 more supporters and are now at 65% of our needed monthly support!
~We have had wonderful visits with a number of churches, individuals, and friend
~We have been able to purchase and organize our supplies for PNG thanks to the generous donations of our friends and supporters!
Prayer Requests:
~For our support to increase to at least 85%. Then we will pick a date and purchase tickets to PNG.
~The timing with shipping of our supplies (the container for our things is filling slowly and may not depart to PNG until late January? (2 mo. trip)
~A refreshing time together for Katie and I as we celebrate our 10 YEAR Anniversary (1½ months early) with a few days away!
~Quality time with our families during the holiday season as our time of departure draws closer!
More Than Meets The Eyes
My eye problem or infection came back again this weekend while we were away in Rothbury, MI. At first I was frustrated and mad about it. It was painful, uncomfortable, and inconvenient for the things I needed to do. The Lord reminded me how Paul had a “thorn in His flesh” that He had asked God to take away and God replied: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” II Corinthians 12:9
How could Paul rejoice in his sufferings and find contentment in any situation? His focus was not on His circumstances but on His Savior and on the Goodness of God. As I began to look around and see the beautiful fall colors (as best I could), enjoy the loving church family and friends God’s given us, and the goodness of God I no longer noticed the discomfort in my eyes. Even though I am thankful the eye infection is gone again and would not wish it to come back. I am more thankful for how I felt God’s love through many people while it hurt and how I was able to let go of the (this isn’t fair attitude) and find joy in Christ despite the circumstances. 
I hope you can relate to this and find encouragement to keep your eyes on Him instead of what you are going through!
Answered Prayers & Requests:
- We’ve gained 3 more supporters this week and are now 60% Supported! (Praise God)
- While in Rothbury we had a great time with our host family, enjoyed participating in a Missions Conference, spent time with friends, and enjoyed activities.
- My eyes are feeling good now after using some special drops. Pray the infection won’t come back again
- Pray for wisdom in scheduling our limited time available (so many people and some churches we would like to spend time with before leaving in January)
- Pray for efficiency with the many decisions to make, communications and relationships to maintain, things to organize and pack or junk, homeschooling, etc.
- Pray that the Lord would lead more churches & individuals to support us by the end of November so we can move forward with shipping and buying tickets.
*Click on the “Photos” tab above to see more recent pictures from our travels!
Enjoy the Father’s Love Today!
I went on a long walk this morning enjoying the crisp cool fall air while praying and evaluating my walk with the lord.
Opened My Big Mouth Again!
I was reminded how easily we are bent towards seeking to please ourselves. Whether it’s saving the best donut for ourselves and giving the kids the others (guilty), or racing past an old lady in the grocery isle to get to the smallest checkout line, or not being honest with others to protect your pride or image. We are all self-seeking sinners in need of the Father’s love & grace.
Katie and I are reading a book called “The Prodigal God”. Our hearts have been challenged as we recognize that both sons in Luke 15:1-32 had a problem with pride and selfishness. The one son is pursuing all of His sinful desires while the other son is seeking to do all the right things. Both sons are motivated by a passion to get what they want rather than to enjoy the Father’s love. Are we living the Christian life to get what we want (eternal life/ blessings) or to enjoy the Father’s love. Jesus came so that we could have “life abundantly” (to the fullest) and this is only found in enjoying Him, honoring Him, praising Him, and living for Him.
Enjoy A Laugh On Ellaina!
Lamentations 3:22-26
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
A Refreshing Vacation in the U.P.
It’s not easy to “Be Still and Know That I Am God“. After a very busy spring and summer we felt drained as a family and in need of some undistracted time with each other and the Lord. This was part of what led us to focus on a week of prayer. God answered many prayers during that time as well as refreshing our spirits. We were then able to go on our first family vacation (with no work attached) in a long time. 
We stayed at a friends cabin in the U.P. and enjoyed many activites, but especally relaxing by the lake or around the campfire. We visited Oswald Bear Ranch were Katelyn had a close encounter with a bear cub, we also visited Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and Cut River Bridge for site seeing and hiking.
Thanks so much for praying for us recently! We are back home and working hard on organizing supplies, catching up on correspondences, visiting with people, a new newsletter, updating this website, planning a trip to Indiana, and preparing for a church presentation Sunday.
Pray with us about these things: more opportunties to share our ministry, timing for supplies and shipping to PNG, preparing to begin homeschooling again, maintaining a passion for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Enjoy all of the pictures of our family!
Will Work for Food!
We have all seen this cardboard sign being held up by the road or at an intersection: “Will Work for Food”. While many of these people are in desperate need we are truly thankful for how God has taken care of us so faithfully. At the same time many of you may be wondering about how the Ruses’s get by? What do we spend our time and energy on? How is your support being used currently while we prepare for PNG?
Even though we have held many different signs along the road of life our theme has been the same; “Will Work for the Lord”. What does that look like for us right now?
1. Support Raising, Deputation, or Partnership Development as New Tribes Missions calls it! This falls into three major areas:
Office Time
- Office work: (emails, research, phone calls, entering contacts, budget, scheduling, maintaining this website, preparing newsletters, printing & mailing information, corresponding with the field of PNG, etc.)
- Relationship building: (spending time with friends, family members, co-workers, individuals, and churches) This takes up most of our weekends with churches & friends as well as at least one or two nights a week getting together with people.
- Ministry Presentation: (we are continually striving to improve and update the information that we share about our ministry as dorm parents as well as the importance of tribal church planting) Whether through preaching or presenting our ministry or meeting with different individuals there is alwasy prep work involved and a lot of prayer.
2. Family Minsitry:
- Recognizing the extra demands that will be placed on our family while dorm parenting, we have sought to invest extra time into our own children and establish habits that we would like to carry into the dorm. Some examples are: a special family fun activity, a regular prayer and worship night (our favortite) together, family devotions, etc.
3. Serving Ministry:
- We have the uniqe situation of living with my parents right now. While no rent or labor is expected we have had many opportunities to “Earn Our Keep“ so to speek! It is great to have the flexibility with office work at home in order to be able to help serve my parents and others when the opportunity arises. Here are some pictures:
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” NIV
It is our desire whether in word or deed to work for the Lord, serving Him diligently through the tasks He has given us and the support he has provided through many of you. Thank You & Praise God!
Your financial support is used for four main things. Groceries (food for a family of six), Partnership Development (office supplie, internet, phone, website, tavel expenses, etc.), Supplies for PNG (clothing/ kitchen & bath supplies for the dorm and our first 4 year term in PNG), and Savings (we put a significant amount in savings each month toward our flight $12,000 and shipping supplies $3500)
How Can You Help Pave The Ruse’s Road?
- Most Importantly! We need comitted monthly supporters at whatever amount you are led by the Lord to Give. We have a specific yearly budget set for our ministry. Each comittment of monthly support shows us how close we are to being able to sustain that budget while we serve with New Tribes Mission. This in turn is the main factor on when we are able to leave for PNG knowing that we are fully funded and will be able to meet the needs of our family and ministry.
- If you are not able to suppor us on a monthly basis would you consider a one time gift? Here are some specific Projects you could give to!
ONE-TIME GIFTS TOWARDS THESE SPECIFIC NEEDS:
- $10,000 for one-way tickets to PNG for our family
- $4-5,000 shipping costs to move the necessary items overseas
- 4 Years clothing and supplies for each family member including certain supplies for the dorm (cooking for 14)
Here is another fun way to look at Giving!
How Is Your Monthly Support Used?
Higher Overseas Expenses:
-
Higher Medical Insurance
-
Housing/ Dorm fees per person
-
High Taxes for PNG + US Tax
-
School fees per child
-
Administrative costs
-
Government Paperwork Fees
-
Travel Costs (in country = rental & fuel or flight)
-
Food (At local market, or expensively shipped in)
Example Expenses (PNG):
-
Fuel (Petrol) $4.36 per gallon
-
Gallon of Milk $7 (unrefrigerated box)
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Pack of Big Red Gum $1.50
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12” x 12” x 5 1/2” box shipped from US $55.95
3 Common Questions on Dorm Parenting
Question # 1:
WHO WILL WE BE DORM PARENTING?
A. 
OR
B. 
Although we will be living in PNG, we will be functioning as support for the missionaries in the tribes. Missionary Kids (MK’s) (Option A) have a choice to make when they enter jr. high age. They could stay in the tribe with their parents, or come to the missionary center where they can experience Christian school education, peer interaction, and a variety of activities. They will live in the dorms for 34 weeks of the year while school is in session. For many this is a hard, but optimal choice. It is also a much safer option for teenage girls. However, parents need to be assured that their teens will be loved and cared for by good dorm parents. That is what we will seek to be with God’s grace!
Question # 2:
WHICH HOUSE WILL WE LIVE IN?
A. 
or
B. 
Seeing how option A would not hold 12 kids and 2 adults, it is safe to say that we will live in a building similar to option B! This is one of 5 dorms at the missionary center. They are family style dorms. This means that we will live with our family of six plus up to 8 teens. They keep siblings in the same dorm. In the middle of the dorm is a mutual living area where all can hang out, eat, and meet with friends. There is also a kitchen where we will make 3 meals and 2 snacks a day for them! One end of the dorm has boys’ rooms and the other side has girls’ rooms. Our private bedroom and office will be located in the middle of the dorm.
Question # 3:
WHAT WILL WE DO AS DORM PARENTS?
A. Disciple, listen, stay up late, go crazy, and have fun.
or
B. Clean, cook, bake, laundry, tutor, discipline, and love?
Option A sounds like a youth pastor’s job and Option B sounds like a home maker’s job. We will enjoy doing both together! We will have a 24 hour, 7 days a week ministry as a family. We will “adopt” these teens as our own and “parent” them while they are in our care. We will be in consistent contact with their parents in the tribe as we come alongside them in caring for their children. All aspects of parenting will definitely come into play as we live with and enjoy these youth. We pray that God will use us in their lives to draw them closer to Him, make wise Biblical choices, and grow as young men and women ready to make a difference in this world for the Lord.