Advancing Mission in Europe
‘Privilege and sacrifice’ seem apt words to capture the paradox of 26 years missionary service for Ray and Cathy Busuttil. Since taking the leap of faith in 1991 and leaving his profession in IT programming, they have held onto God’s promises and experienced him provide.
When Cathy and I set out for Ukraine in April 1995 with our three children, it was still the days of dial up internet connections and when powerpoints were what you plugged electrical appliances into. However what we found was a people prepared for the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that we hadn’t ever seen in east coast Australia. Post-soviet Ukraine taught us much about church-based intentional discipleship and we have cherished the way God changed people’s lives. That 11 years was full-on and in certain ways took a toll on us.
Since being called back to Australia and to serve in mission leadership, the sense of privilege has scaled up in helping raise up new workers for Europe and seeing new ventures for the first time for ECM into Bulgaria and even my homeland of Malta.
2018 will again see a significant change as Cathy steps aside from service with ECM for family reasons and other ministry. However my prayer is that the Lord enables me to continue in the wonderful task discipling new missionaries. It continues to be a privilege to be released into full-time Christian ministry with ECM. Despite the financial sacrifice and not being at the coalface of mission in Europe, it continues to be a commanding privilege to see God raise up and send more new workers into His harvest field. Thank you for partnering with us in faithfully praying and giving generously.
Busuttil Family in 1986
Busuttil Family in 2017
In a neighbourhood of Tirana, Albania, mothers and caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities are finding something they rarely experience — support, encouragement, and a community that understands their daily reality. 
When the task ahead feels bigger than the resources available, it can be tempting to focus on what is missing. Yet God often calls His people to move forward not with great strength, but with the strength they already have — trusting Him to do the rest. 
In Lviv, Ukraine, Nazar and his wife Iryna continue serving their community amid the ongoing challenges of war. Recently, what began as a simple haircut became an opportunity for encouragement, friendship, and meaningful spiritual conpversation.