Every message by Bill and song by Karen was anointed by the Lord. Bill and Karen believe there was such an anointing because during the previous year they have separated themselves from television and other worldly influences and focused on seeking the Lord through prayer and fasting. There was definitely a new level of His anointing on everything they did.

Since Bill was there in 1989, the church has grown tremendously. At that time, a church building behind the Cox’s house seated a few hundred. Their new building seats more than 600 and they have started a sister church.

The greatest compliment Bill could receive was after his last service on Sunday night. Pastor Lystra Cox said, "This man has not gotten such wisdom from watching TV, but from intensive time in Scripture and prayer."

Bill and Karen gave hundreds of their books, cassettes, pamphlets and newsletters to the church library, all the pastors, and many of the people,  for their continued growth.

Bill and Karen were ministered to as well by a wonderful praise team – one of the best anywhere in the world. They were also blessed by the warmth of the people and their deep hunger for the truth of the Word of God. They just can’t get enough when it comes to good solid teaching from the Bible.  

Your continued support enables us to bring the message of the Gospel to all corners of the world. God bless you! We appreciate your prayers and financial support.

A PROMISE KEPT AND OBSTACLES OVERTED
By Bill Rudge

Since ministering in Trinidad and Tobago in 1989, I was repeatedly invited back. In 1999, I wrote to Rev. Cox, pastor of Word of Faith Gospel Tabernacle in Gasparillo, Trinidad, that I would return to minister. Before we could finalize our plans, Rev. Cox’s wife wrote to inform me that her husband died in March 2000. She had taken over as pastor and wanted to know if I would honor my promise to him and come for their church building anniversary in August 2001. I assured her I would.

Prices were high and our funds were tight so our travel agent continued to delay booking tickets for Karen and me. We booked our tickets in July for the August 30 — September 4, 2001 outreach. We stepped out in faith and put them on a credit card, not knowing how we could afford to pay for them, but knowing the Lord would somehow provide the funds. 

To make matters worse, my son BJ injured his knee on the 4th of July and would need surgery and rehabilitation. And then my daughter Tabitha informed us that she had a growing mass and her doctor was so concerned for her safety and her unborn baby’s (Carson) safety that she may need to have surgery, so Karen thought she might have to go to California. Still, trusting the Lord to take care of Tabitha and empower us for ministry, I continued with our plans to go to Trinidad.

I knew the Lord wanted me to go, and shared with Karen some of the obstacles that always arise before a mission trip. Knowing God would make a way, we were determined to go.

In mid-August, the Agency on Aging unexpectedly paid the money they owed for the building purchase, enabling us to pay for our airfare. Dr. Wilson was amazed at how well BJ’s knee was doing and postponed — possibly indefinitely — his knee surgery. Tabitha’s doctor decided to wait until September 5, 2001 — the day after we returned from Trinidad — to determine whether to do surgery. Her doctor delayed it again until October, since the mass hadn’t grown. When Tabitha delivered Carson on 10/23/01, the mass had disappeared.The Lord is always faithful and overcomes all obstacles. And I was able to keep my promise and return to Trinidad.

PRAYERS ANSWERED ALONG THE WAY
By KC Chenoweth

From the very beginning of this adventure, the Rudges knew that the trip and the ministry was going to be GOOD because things started out a little stressful. Now Bill is the type of guy, that when things go wrong, he looks for God’s hand working through whatever circumstances are occurring. When you’re trusting in the Lord, you don’t have to sweat all the details! Right off the bat, they learned that their plane out of Pittsburgh was going to leave late because of mechanical problems. This two-hour delay would, in all probability, cause them to miss the only flight out of Miami into Trinidad later that day. This in turn, would make it impossible for them to make the special anniversary service that was planned for the next day. But God had already taken care of things. The Rudges were booked on a different airline. They made it to Miami just in time to catch that once-a-day flight to Trinidad! The Lord handled everything — even their luggage made it through the quick transfer. The hundreds of books and tapes that Bill took to distribute and suits that had been given to Bill — all of which were given away to pastors while they were in Trinidad — made it as well. I can just imagine the relief that Bill and Karen felt, and the thankfulness in their hearts, knowing that God had carried them to their destination under His protective wings! Thank the Lord it all worked out perfectly and they made it safely to their destination in the jungles of Trinidad.

LETTER TO BILL AND KAREN

Hello Pastor Bill & Karen,

It was so good having you both with us. I thank God for sending you when he did. I thank God for the messages that were ministered by Pastor Rudge. A message to motivate us to live a life that pleases God daily. Thank you for the books and the tapes, I know that they will help a lot. It was a blessing having you both here, and I pray that God would continue to use you even more.

I will say hello to everyone for you. How is your daughter, does she still have to undergo surgery? Whatever happens we know that God is in total control.

Thanks again for coming, I know that it was by God’s doing. I look forward to having you again in the future. God’s blessings continue to be upon you and your ministry.

Yours in Christ,

Bernadette, Outreach Coordinator