Ruth is a young sister, 23, and in her second year of
pioneering. She has grown up outside Vinto, Cochabamba, Bolivia in a small
rural community, Vila Vila, known for their crops and produce. Her family, and
she herself, has beautiful land where they grow onion, carrots, squash, tomatoes,
and potatoes – all within its season. They take their produce to La Paz, a
seven hour bus ride, and sell in bulk. However, this gives her a flexible
schedule for pioneering because while her crops are growing she can be in
service almost every day during the week, but when it is the harvest she is
hard at work in her fields, and those of her family members, until they can
sell in La Paz. From there, she starts fresh with planting her next round of
crops and does this throughout the year.
On top of maintaining her land, she goes to school part-time
to learn how to sew. She chose this route, instead of deciding to study at a
university, to be able to pursue a career as a pioneer. It was not an easy decision because she
desired to pursue other things but realized the importance of her relationship
with Jehovah and made that sacrifice for Him. Now she has an extra income
making dresses, skirts, and doing repairs on clothing for sisters in the
congregation. She does not regret her decision in any way and encourages young
sisters and studies in the congregation to pursue a simpler education as well
to be able to give their best to Jehovah.
Both of her parents are Witnesses but none of her siblings
or relatives are. Which, that alone, has
its daily challenges when she is doing the absolute most she can for Jehovah
and His kingdom and they don’t necessarily understand her stand for the Truth
nor how important her service schedule is. Nonetheless, she is solid in faith
and an amazing support in the congregation and preaching work.
One of the many reasons that she is an amazing support in
the ministry is because she is fluent in Quechua. We live in one of the most
densely populated areas of people that speak this native language and on a
regular basis we find people in the ministry that don’t speak or understand
anything else. She willingly and thoroughly gives them a great witness when so
many of the rest of us cannot.
With all of this said, she makes me think of the song Make
the Truth Your Own because she truly has made the truth her own. She has had so
many different opportunities to pursue other courses in her life but has chosen
to live with a simple eye and rely on Jehovah. She is so happy to be serving
Jehovah full time and it shows through her enthusiasm and encouragement. Her
willful spirit is contagious and is truly an example for all of us to follow.
Ruth and I in service
Ruth in her fields
Ruth's mom
