In 1991 my mum did a year with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in the Philippines. She stayed with the lovely Ruel and Daisy Merca and their family whilst she was there, and is still regularly in touch with them to this day. She is the godmother of their daughter, Dawn Twila. Ruel is the pastor of the Vineyard Church in Baguio, a city in the north of the Philippines. His outreach to poor people in the local area is life-changing and vital. In February 2017, Ruel had a heart attack and after being treated initially with medication, he has now been told that his heart is only working at 35% efficiency and that the only option is to have open heart surgery (CABG). This costs $15,000, about £11,400. The heart specialist has told Ruel that he requires the procedure urgently, but as a pastor working with a poor congregation, he does not have the funds necessary. Ruel is now aged 52 - he is an amazing man with a great ministry who has worked with Jackie Pullinger in the past and we are desperate to help him pay for this surgery as soon as possible. Any donations towards our target would be so appreciated as we know that God has so much more for Ruel to do.