Bustos' Adventure in YWAM Switzerland

We took a walk to the vineyard...

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. Every  branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:1-2



The 2 months we had back in the Philippines was great! 

We were able to visit our families, friends, churches and YWAM Families. We had some challenges physically but God showed His faithfulness again, not just in the area of finances but also in healing. The scripture above also speaks a lot to us during our time and now in here. We feel how God is leading us in every was as we abide in His Word. 

Highlights in the Philippines

1. Great time with Christina's mother and family

2. Special time with Benjie's family
3. A one week visit to YWAM Bukidnon
4. Christina joined the Plumbline Teaching at YWAM Antipolo
5. Benjie joined the FEED RIZAL (a feeding program of our church) several times
6. Benjie's surgery and of course recovery :)
7. Christina's birthday celebration with her family and Airah's surprise 18th birthday celebration (Christina's niece)

and not to mention the visits and meetings our good friends - it was all great and we thank the Lord for making it happen.

Families and friends are our treasures and we are so thankful for their lives. We also pray that God will continue to reveal Himself to our friends and family members who haven't met Jesus yet.




We left Manila the 10th of September for Bangkok. We stayed there for 2 nights before flying to Norway. We had 10 days in Norway - great time to be in Skjærgårdsheimen again. We got the opportunity to visit some friends in the island and in town too.

 The 22nd of September - we arrived in Geneva, Switzerland for my (Christina) school "Models and Methods of Biblical Counseling (MMBC) and Benjie started with some work at the base. YWAM Chatel is like a small family. We are 10 students from different parts of the world (South Korea, India, USA, Switzerland, Hungary and of course Philippines). Last Saturday, we have joined one of the popular event here - Des Alpes (not sure with the spelling) but this tradition is for the herders when they move their cows to the barns in the villages before the winter comes - so we watched the parade of cows with decorations on their heads.

The First Week of MMBC

Speaking the Truth in Love

What a great topic! Yves Jacques shared about some very important tools that can be used not just in a Counseling session but also in our everyday lives. We tackled these things: Concreteness, Information, Confrontation, Immediacy and Self-disclosure.

This week's topic will be Plumbline with Dr. Bruce Thompson. And we are going to teach one session each in front of him so I need your prayers here :)

Benjie's Recovery

It seems like no surgery had happened! He's back to work but this time its here in Chatel - a little bit different from Norway but same same :) He's helping in the kitchen and some other things were they needed help but of course with some limitations.

Thank God for His continuous strength and for all of you whose been with me in prayers and support.





Prayer Concerns:

1. The expenses in Switzerland is almost the same as Norway but since Christina is in the school - we are praying for people who would like to help towards her school fees. My (Benjamin) staff fee is also a bit more expensive than what we used to pay in Norway.

* Christina's School Fee Balance - 2,160 chf (about 14,000 kr/ 2,300 USD)

2. Teaching Plumbline is a big challenge for me (Christina), so please keep me in your prayers.

3. And an open heart as MMBC Lecture continues...

4. God's wisdom and guidance for the next steps we will take.

5. Our Visa Extension (again) on the first quarter of 2014. We don't know if Christina will still get the same answer as last time but were hoping...


What's Next?

* It's going to be YEAR 2 for the BUSTOS COUPLE next month :)
* MMBC will end on 13th of December and we will go back to Norway (Skjærgårdsheimen)
* UiO Skjærgårdsheimen Christmas Party is on the 16th of December
* UiO Workers Gathering in Hamar will be from 2nd to the 5th of January 2014.

Thank you so much for all your prayers, love and support to us. We appreciate it a lot and we pray for more of God's blessings upon your lives and you will experience God's love in a deeper level. Please don't hesitate to write to us if you have some prayer concerns too, we would love to pray with you.

Blessings and Love 

Benjamin and Christina Bustos

serving in YWAM Norway, currently in YWAM Switzerland

email us @ benjiechris.bustos@gmail.com

Thank you Lord!

"with a grateful heart, with a songs of praise, with an outstretched arm I bless Your Name, Thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord..."

That song reminds me again and again how GREAT GOD IS! 

We got to know Benjie's situation before we left for Davao in August. We prayed about it and asked God whom to share it with. We asked the Lord to give us friends who will understand our situation. To be honest, we felt frustrated to have another Physical testing. We are raising funds for our ticket, we have some challenge with some family who doesn't know Jesus yet and so we thought we already had enough.

We are not prepared for any of those challenge. We only thought of coming back to the Philippines and enjoy our time here, but it didn't happened that way.

Benjie needs a surgery. We thought it was not an urgent thing to do but it actually is. After some weeks of contemplating and asking God about it, we finally decided to share it to our friends and ask for prayers. After finally giving up control to our Father, then He started showing how HE can do things once again. What a Loving Father we have!

September 3. Benjie had undergone a surgery. One day in the hospital and then went back home to recover.




God's Surprises:


1. His Doctor helped us find a (cheaper) hospital where He can do a surgery 

2. We finally have used our Philippine Health Insurance and got a good discount with our bills.

3. Last but not the least, God has used YOU as an instrument to bless us, not just in finances but also and especially in prayers.








Our Last Challenge before we go back to Norway is our return ticket. We have purchased our one way ticket to Norway already but found out the difficulty of leaving our country without showing them a return ticket. We have already purchased a good deal Manila to Norway for only 6,000 kr.

We still need about 8,000 kr (1300USD) to purchase our return ticket from Norway to Manila.

You can pray about it and feel free to communicate to us as God speaks to you about it.

"Count it all joy,my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.And let steadfastness have its full effect,that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 

Thank you Lord for increasing our Faith!We give you all the Glory.

Blessings,
Christina and Benjamin
email: benjiechris.bustos@gmail.com
call us @ +63915-2045124