Since 2018
Rusty and Kristin Russell first answered God's call to the Philippines in 2012. It was during this first term, with 9 of their 10 children working together in ministry, that God gave them a heart for the Ati people, a discriminated against indigenous tribe living on Panay island.
The Russells joined the New International family in 2018 to return to the work God has called them to among the Ati people for a third term. Today, they serve with their three youngest children-- Luke, Mark and Matthew, in discipleship ministry to youth and church leaders, agriculture and community development projects and medical advocacy outreach.
On Christmas Day 2019, a typhoon ripped through the area the Russells work and live in. Every Ati home sustained damage, the Russells lost their roof, but praise the Lord there was no loss of life. We are praising the Lord for His provision after the storm! We have been able to help more than 160 Ati homes with roofing materials and replaced the roofs of three area churches! Please pray that the seeds of the Gospel so liberally sewn after the storm will produce a rich harvest of committed Jesus followers.
The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening our community and we have serious concerns for the Ati's safety with the limited resources in our area and their weakened immune systems from TB, overcrowding and poor santitation. Please pray that God's hand would protect the tribe, that our ministry would shine bring in dark times and that our family would be safe as we love and serve the Ati people.
