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I Cannot Help But Smile
By an unnamed writer—country undisclosed
A ready smile, a joyful spirit, and a heart full
of love for the lost describes Ruth. 1 We find
this little lady (standing just under five feet
tall) every Sunday at our church welcoming
visitors, mentoring younger ladies in the
faith, or giving words of encouragement to a
struggling Christian.
Ruth has been coming to our church and
ministry for the Deaf since its inception. She
was 17 years old. She has faithfully attended
our church and was our first female church
member, choosing to make a stand for Christ
among her family and Muslim community
when she was 21.
Ruth met her husband, David, 1 while
attending our church. They became close
friends and eventually began dating. They
put off marriage for a long time because
Ruth and David knew that as soon as they
married, Ruth may not be as free to come
to church functions as she was as a single
woman. That has proven to be true; however,
they have taken a stand in their family that
4 BIMI Number 1, 2024
both would be in church every Sunday. That
has also proven to be true.
Ruth is seemingly fearless in her witness for
Christ. She often puts me to shame as she
tells me of her stands. Since being married,
she has taken every opportunity God has
given her to be a light for and an example
of Jesus Christ in her new home. (They live
with her husband’s parents and brother’s
family.) I have the privilege to meet with Ruth three
or four times a week via video-chat. She
and I take these times to read and study
God’s Word together. We both leave these
conversations encouraged and energized.
Recently, we finished studying the topic
“God’s Plan for Marriage.” Even before
Ruth was married, she told me one of her
greatest desires was that her family follow
the Bible. She desires that when children are
added to their family, they are trained and
guided by God’s Word. Many times children
of deaf couples are essentially raised by
the grandparents, especially if the child is
hearing. Ruth has already been praying that
this does not happen in their family and that
she and David will have the boldness to stand
up to their family if the family interferes in
the raising of their children. During some of
these video-chats, Ruth has shared some of
the opportunities she has to allow Jesus to be
seen in her. She has told me a few different
times that her mother-in-law has asked
Ruth, “Why do you not fight with me or your
sister-in-law?” Ruth responds, “The Bible
has commanded me to love one another and
to honor my parents.” (Many mother-in-law
and daughter-in-law relationships here are
very fractious, often because of the poor
treatment by the mother-in-law.)
Ruth has also told me how she has had
opportunities to read the Bible with her
mother-in-law and her sister-in-law. Both
ladies are softening towards the things of
Christ because of this young woman. Ruth
is very burdened not only for her family but
also for the deaf women and girls who come
to our church.
Recently, she and her husband were able to
get a laptop that they wanted to use for the
ministry. David will be using it to help with
video editing a special video translation of
the Bible for the Deaf, but Ruth faithfully
brings the laptop with her to church loaded
with The Firm Foundations teaching power
points and Gospel tracts. She spends most
Sunday afternoons after church teaching any
women whom she can get to sit and listen to
her. She regularly has three or four gathered
around her eagerly learning. One is Naomi 1
who is one of our most recently added
church members. Ruth has been mentoring
and discipling her for the last year.
Ruth is very eager to continue learning. She
started Bible college a few months ago and
continues to have English classes with me. I
cannot help but smile as I think of Ruth—
remembering her growth and maturity over
the years. I know that if something were to
happen to me, the women who come to our
church are in good hands. W
1 Names have been changed for their protection.
Week A: July 8-13, 2024 Week B: July 22-27, 2024
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