Her application was ready to send, but college student Ruth Siemens didn’t even have money for the three-cent stamp. “Lord,” she prayed, “If you want me to train with Wycliffe Translators, * I ask that today you send money for the stamp!”
The mail arrived, but no money. The last letter came from an elderly woman Ruth had met just once. Out of that envelope fluttered a three-cent stamp.
So began what Ruth expected to be a career as a missionary—a dream she’d held since a girl—which narrowed to Peru while studying Spanish at Biola College.
But that dream shattered in 1945 when, at age twenty, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis, leaving her with only one functioning lung. What mission board will accept me now? she thought.
Deeply disappointed but still determined to serve God, Ruth enrolled at Chico State in California to earn a degree in education and English.
She joined IVCF (InterVarsity Christian Fellowship) and attended every training session they offered. Frequently she didn’t have the money to get home afterward, but God always provided.
“It’s not easy to get first-hand experience of God’s love and power, if loans and credit cards are easily available!” she observed.
As Ruth began teaching in San Francisco she met two other teachers with IVCF training. They volunteered with the local chapter and also established a Christian fellowship for teachers which grew into Bible study groups, outreach breakfasts and teas.
Soon such events were being held beyond their district.
In 1954, Ruth happened to meet two missionaries, Don and Nadine Burns, who suggested she apply for a teaching position at the binational school in the city where they served: Lima, Peru!
Ruth didn’t even know such schools existed. She applied and was accepted.
But when she arrived, no one met her at the airport. All she had for contact information was a post office box number. While she wondered what to do next, Don Burns approached.
“How did you know I was coming?” Ruth asked.
“I didn’t!” Don declared. “I just brought another person who’s departing today.”
Once again, God proved to Ruth his presence, love, and power. She made her way to school the next day, confident that God would guide and provide.
Ruth soon met Peruvian teacher, Marta. While the two were getting acquainted, Marta suddenly remarked, “You probably know what’s in the Bible. Would you teach me?”
Marta soon became a believer, and then brought her three teenage sons so they could know Jesus.
Ruth began teaching a Sunday School class of sixth graders (all of whom became Christians) and started a Bible club for high school girls.
In her spare time (!) she audited classes at San Marcos University to improve her Spanish. There she met Maria who agreed to give Ruth Spanish lessons which turned into Bible studies, and Maria put her faith in Christ.
She brought friends and Ruth realized God was guiding her into college student ministry. When she approached the local chapter of IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students), they invited her to join their staff–effective immediately–since Ruth didn’t need to raise support; she was already employed.
And it dawned on Ruth, I’m a missionary—just not in the conventional way!
Ruth led campus Bible studies, wrote Bible study materials, and worked with other missionaries to host week-long training conferences. By the time her three-year school contract had ended, numerous students were serving in leadership positions with IFES.
Ruth began to pray about teaching in another Spanish-speaking country and starting a campus ministry there. She applied for a number of positions but heard nothing. Again, funds dwindled and her visa would soon expire.
Then a telegram arrived from a Brazilian school, asking for her decision concerning their job offer. Although she’d briefly met the head administrator, she’d never applied. Brazilians speak Portuguese, and Ruth still felt inadequate in Spanish.
“But when all doors close except one,” she explained, “guidance is clear.”
For eleven years in Brazil, Ruth undertook much the same work among students she’d accomplished in Peru—and experienced more miracles. “It would take a book to tell of all God’s constant provision and protection,” she wrote.
In 1968, Ruth was sent by IFES to Spain and Portugal to pioneer student ministries there—this time as a full-time staff member.
And God continued to bless her efforts. Opportunities there led to large-scale conferences, attended by representatives from fifty-five countries.
She even held secret training sessions in Communist-controlled Poland.
Upon her return to the States in 1975, IFES asked Ruth to participate in missions promotions and training sessions on campuses across the country.
Many students accepted Christ into their lives; Christian students wanted to know how they could find employment overseas to combine “work and witness” as she had. Ruth collected their names and addresses—six hundred of them.
As a result, she established a ministry called Global Opportunities, to find employment abroad for such individuals, and offer them counseling and training.
Making inquiries by mail was laborious, but Ruth and her volunteers persisted. Then, with the introduction of the internet, the task became easier. By 2018, the team was posting 70,000 job openings per day.
Today the network is known as Global Intent.
Missionaries live and work in ninety-one countries, ministering and sharing their faith as God provides opportunity.
And provide he does. Ruth Siemens (1925-2005) would be the first to affirm that.
* An organization that translates the Bible into languages that do not yet have it.
Image credits: http://www.picrylcom; http://www.canva.com; http://www.wikimedia.com; http://www.easy-peasy AI; http://www.canva.com; http://www.dailyverses.net.
SOURCES:
https://intervarsity.org/news/ruth-siemens–in-his-presence
Severance, Diana Lynn. “Tentmaker Training Tentmakers,” Her Story, 388.
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Thank you so much, for sharing this remarkable story and testimony of Ruth’s. What a blessing she was to the body of Christ.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Ruth’s story. ‘Couldn’t agree more that she lived a remarkable life, because she trusted in God so implicitly! (Self, take note!)
What an amazing story, and it began with one woman’s trust and another’s following God’s leading to send a stamp. He uses what we have when we give it to Him! Then He worked miracles time and again in Ruth’s ministries.
An astute observation, Linda. That three-cent stamp was the catalyst propelling Ruth on her missionary journey. Who knows what God might use in each of our lives to accomplish great things!
A most interesting story, Nancy! An amazing affirmation of God’s faithfulness in her life!
I’m glad you found her story as interesting and amazing as I did, Dwight. God certainly proved his faithfulness in her life–an affirmation we can take to heart for our own lives!
Incredible story! Ruth was phenomenal at planting her seeds of faith. Thanks for sharing, Nancy. 🙂
You’re welcome, Nancy. God certainly did use Ruth in a phenomenal way!
Thank you Nancy for sharing Ruth’s story. It shows how God orchestrates a life that is totally given to Him. I always find it encouraging to read the stories of missionaries of the past. I have a niece who is serving in a place that I cannot name due to safety. I have always thought of missionaries as the unsung heroes of the faith! I hope your husband is recovering.
I too find encouragement and inspiration from the stories of missionaries. Many have given up much in order to serve God–sometimes in very difficult circumstances. Yet they often exude more joy than those who live in comfort and ease. A lesson for us all! / Thank you for remembering my husband, recovering from his small stroke. Yesterday he signed his name with his right hand. It was a slow, laborious effort, but he did it. A couple of weeks ago not even that was possible. We are seeing progress!
I enjoyed reading Ruth’s story. It’s amazing how God still gets the job done, even when we can’t. Time after time, the Lord put her right where He wanted her! Thank to sharing these uplifting stories, Nancy. Blessings!
I’m so glad, David, you enjoy uplift from these hero-stories. My spirit experiences uplift also while doing the research, especially since I get to read more information than fits in a blog post (of reasonable length)! Ruth’s story does indeed remind us that God can get us wherever he needs us!
Ruth’s story is a testament to God’s power when we trust absolutely in Him. So inspiring, Nancy! Thanks for sharing with us here on your wonderful blog.
Thank you, Martha, for your encouragement. I’m so glad you found Ruth’s story to be inspiring. AMEN to your statement about God’s power. We may not be serving him in a foreign country, but every seed of faith we plant in others serves his purpose. Our work for God is never done in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58)!
God is so good, I never get tired of reading of His wondrous works!
I don’t either, Dana. We’re always in need of fresh encouragement and inspiration, aren’t we!
For sure!
Thank you for sharing this Nancy. I am so amazed when I read such stories, and also very encouraged to stay obedient to God. What a wonderful reminder that we tend to expect things to pan out a certain way but God will use a willing heart and do so much more.
You are so right, Manu: “God will use a willing heart and do so much more.” That’s true for all of us, isn’t it, even if we serve more locally and see less visible results than Ruth Seimens. We don’t always know how or when the seeds we plant will produce a harvest. I’m thinking of the man who led D. L. Moody to Christ. Little did he know the impact Moody would make in the decades to come!
True stories like this are so encouraging to my own faith. I always appreciate what you share with us, Nancy.
And I always appreciate what YOU share, my friend! I’m so glad you find these stories encouraging. I do too!
Thank you for sharing Ruth’s story! She never gave up and trusted God every step of the way!
Indeed she did, providing a worthy example for us all!
I always enjoy these stories about real people who served the Lord. Indeed, this is proof that God does work in mysterious ways. Often, not how we expect, but nevertheless His wisdom sees the whole picture and His way is always the best even when we often despair while waiting. His is faithful!
I’d say you’ve summarized just about all the stories I’ve shared here in the Heroes of Faith category! Most if not all of them include the elements of surprise, God’s hand at work producing amazing results, and his faithfulness to his people.
Nancy,
What wonderful things God can do with one dedicated person. There is always hope there.
Thanks,
Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Amen, Gary–so true!
I love Ruth’s perseverance and powerful faith! Her challenges with her health didn’t deter her from following God’s direction. I love the comment of it not being easy to get firsthand experience of God’s love and power if loans and credit cards are so easy to come by. She felt the power of His presence and provision because she had nothing else to go on but the Lord. This was wonderful, Nancy. Thank you.
I’m so glad you found Ruth’s story inspiring, Dayle! I too found that quote inspiring. Few of us have ever suffered such poverty that we don’t have three cents! But I do know from the experience of tithing when finances were tight, that God supplies in some amazing and interesting ways! (You might remember from a previous post the story of finding Keds for one of our children–for 50 cents!) Our God does supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19)!