October, November, December

Hello, my friend! Grace and peace to you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I had this update mostly ready, and then whole months flew by before I could sit down long enough to post it! I also lost the charger for the laptop I use, so I couldn't post then, either. Praise God for generous people who send me support and chargers.

My ministry location, Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Starkville, had its first official outreach team in October and November. It was a small team sent from YWAM Maui. They quickly endeared themselves to us! Sweet Megan, Hadassah, Connor, and Ryan became part of our family for that short time that they were with us in Mississippi.

At the beginning of October, I came back from a short trip to Texas, and all of us set off to Tennesee to have a few short days of disaster relief training. It was refreshing to be a student again. Much of the training we received was spiritual, psychological, and emotional, in order to respond well to victims of natural disasters. I am glad to get teaching in those areas. Those who have followed my journey of ministry this year know that disaster relief has been a new and noticeable ministry opportunity for me and that I have enjoyed it immensely!

Mid-October, most of us got The Plague of 2020, myself included. Cue solitary isolation for two weeks. Not so much fun.

During November, there were a nice collection of normal days, with that rare and delightful phenomenon, routine. I have learned that opposites and variety are necessary. Winter gives value to summer; the quiet paths of villages in Asia give value to the busy streets of London; the many ages of people give value to each other; and routine gives value to adventure.

As of this November, we are no longer three. Joining our small staff team is Keisha Bruce! She has an intensely others-focused heart and a knack for listening well. I'm so grateful she chose to be with us.

We ended the November and began December by hosting a school from Nashville for a week when they came to hear a local YWAM teacher. I took on a few roles for the first time, including kitchen manager and leading worship one morning. That experience was transformative for me, like a coming of age story, except growing into my role as a YWAM staffer. I could sense the students' growing respect for me. By the end of the week, sometimes I felt as if I were wearing a crown. Of course, it helped that they liked my macaroni and cheese so much.

Kelly, Keisha, and I spent a few days in Laurel manning a Christmas store charity. The ministry heading it up gave toys out to several hundred children in need in their community. it was a blessing to be part of that.

I hopped on a train, met my mom and sister in New Orleans, drove up to Indiana, and had a nice Christmas with my family! It was lovely and cozy.

That's a wrap! October, November, December. 2020. It's been a challenging year, of course. Each month was packed pretty full. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I might give a more "personal growth" type of update soon, but I figured I need to just post this before it's October again!

Warmly,

Ruthie Jo