A Trip to the Treasure Valley

A Trip to the Treasure Valley:

Our family is planning a trip to the Boise area from the 4^th to the 7^th of October. During our short visit to the area we would like to meet with as many friends and supporters as possible. We want to take time to update you about the ministry work that our family is currently involved with during our time here in Pocatello and also share with you the plans we have for using biblical counseling to minister to families and the church upon our return to Thailand in April 2013. We know that it is impossible to meet with everyone during the four days we will be there, and so we are in need of your help. In order to meet with as many people as possible our goal is to schedule some open house meetings to which we can invite 10 to 15 people to come and hear us at one time. Ideally we would like to set up this meet and greet opportunity around desert and coffee and so we are asking for people who would be willing to help host such an event in their homes. I also need to know how many people would want to meet with us and what days and times work best for them. We will be arriving on Thursday afternoon and will have to leave Sunday late afternoon. The time is short, but if you want to meet with us, then we will do our best to schedule a time during our visit. If it does not work out this trip to get together, do not worry because we will be trying to schedule other times to visit from now until April when we return to Thailand. This is what our family needs from you.

            First we need to know if you would like to meet with us. If so please email me at dan.rutledge@universitybible.org or call me at 208-242-6300 and let me know a time and a place that you are free for us to visit.

            Second we need people who would be willing host an open house meeting that we could invite others to attend. This will involve opening your house and working with me to provide some small deserts and possible drinks. If you have friends who you would like to invite, then please do. Also I need to know a day, time, and location of the open house meeting so that I can invite others. I know this is a huge request but I also know that many of you are always looking for a chance to minister to others and this would be a great opportunity. If you would like to open your house for a small get together, then please email me or call me ASAP so that we can get some invites out.

            Third we are always looking for opportunities to partner with local churches as we seek to provide a way for the local body to be actively involved in ministering internationally. This can be through financial support, short term mission trips, or both. If you or your church would be open to talking more about partnering with our family then please email me or call.

            Fourth we ask you to please continue to pray for our family as we continue our ministry here with international students through University Bible Church and also as we prepare for the upcoming move across the ocean and the start of our biblical counseling ministry in Thailand come April 2013.

I look forward to hearing back from you and I pray that we get a chance to visit together during our time in the treasure valley. God bless and have a great day.

Dan, Mam, Gracie, Joy, Hope, and Kyle Rutledge

Colossians 1:28-29.

For I am confident of this.......

Many of you know that our family is serving God full time as missionaries and that our finances are 100% dependent on God and the giving of our supporters. During the past year and a half in the States we have had some tight months, but always by the end of the month we have been able to have enough support come in to cover all of our expenses. September is a little different in that usually our concern is that we might not have enough money in our account to make it to the end of the month, but when I asked our church treasure how much money was in our account for the month of September, he informed me that the balance was considerably low and that there was only 40% of the needed about to cover our monthly needs. Basically on the 1^st of every month he deposits $2,000 into my account from the donations received. Then again on the 15^th he will deposit $1,000 into my account. We do it this way because at the start of the month almost all of our bills are due. As of August 31^st, only $1,223 had come in from our supporters. That means that he could only deposit $1,000 into our account instead of the normal $2,000 and that leaves us with $223 for the deposit on the 15^th. So as you can see we are in need of raising more support before the end of the month.

The problem lies in that I do not know who else to ask and it is going to require me taking time off from ministry to go and visit more possible supporters. That is the problem our family is facing but we are finding comfort in the promises of God and the continued faithfulness He has displayed towards our family through the years. NEVER have we not seen ALL our monthly needs meet, and we trust that yet again God will provide for all or our needs and grant us peace of mind in God and guard our hearts in Christ Jesus. In one of my classes I have been doing a study in Philippians and on the trials Paul faced and how he responded to those trials. It has been such a blessing to again reflect on the truths that God is in control and that just as Philippians 2:13 says, “it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” God is working in and through our family during this trying time, and we take great comfort in knowing that He is doing it for His glory and also our good.

I ask you to please join with us as we come to God presenting our needs before Him, trusting that He will work in ways that will bring glory to His name and also strengthen our faith in Him. If you would like to join our support team, please let me know. I will be glad to call you and share with you more details of how our family is serving here in Pocatello and what our plans are for ministering once we return to Thailand in April 2013. You can also email me at dan.rutledge@universitybible.org.  If you are currently a part of our support team, please know that we are eternally grateful for your faithfulness in giving and there is no way we would be able to continue our service in full time ministry apart from you. Thank you for your gifts, your prayers, and your friendship throughout the years of our ministry. May God continue to bless and work in and through you for His glory?

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and please continue to pray for our family during this trial we are going through. We know God is able to provide for all of our needs and we are asking for your prayers to help us remain steady in the trust which we have placed in the faithful promises of God.

Your fellow servants of Christ Jesus who is our Lord and present help in trouble:

Dan, Mam, Gracie, Joy, Hope, and Kyle Rutledge

Colossians 1:28-29