Welcome to Bridge International
Ruth McClintock Missionary to Zambia
January 2012
Dear Friend,
It is with deep sadness that I write this, what presumably will be my last newsletter. Since my arrival on the mission field in 1996 I have tried my best to keep you updated on a regular basis. Until the past year that was on a monthly basis – that’s a lot of letters over the years.
It has been a long journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, travels, joy, fulfillment, and a lot of plain old hard work – yet always knowing that God’s will was being accomplished. During those years many people have been helped. With God’s help and favor, as well as through your loving support and prayers we have seen salvations and baptisms, began several groups to intercede for the nation, youth have been mentored, orphans and the elderly have been assisted, opened a community school, many have been taught better methods of farming, health and nutrition, etc. – assisting them to obtain an overall better lifestyle. Bridge was able to help one to become a mechanic, another to become a doctor, two to become missionaries, yet another to obtain two years of university, and managed to place a young girl in the school for the blind where she remains five years later. We have run interference with the government on their behalf, taught them how to vote, helped them obtain needed medical care, taught them the Word of God, rejoiced at their victories, saw them through weddings, births, and funerals - cried with them during their grief and have given them hope – LOTS of hope. There are so many things throughout the years that it is impossible to list them all here.
After five years in Romania to my arrival in Zambia in 2002, to the birthing of Bridge in 2005 to the present, it is so difficult for me to tell you that it has become necessary to close the ministry. The finances over the past few years have been very low, but God always provided just enough to keep us going. While that is true, the overriding factor now is that Gedaliah, our Zambian National Director has died. While there is a couple who believe God would have them move there and take over the running of the ministry, the cost of moving that couple plus their eight children and their things seems insurmountable short of a miracle. Therefore, since I am unable to return, the Board and I believe we have no other choice but to shut it down.
I’ve been told that when the people of Kasongo heard that Bridge must close they all broke down in tears and begged us to reconsider, stating that Kasongo was what it is today because of our efforts and caring. That was a difficult email to read, but extremely gratifying to know that we have indeed made a difference. For a period of time God allowed us to be His hands and feet in an obscure place on the other side of the planet - and we are very grateful.
Gedaliah’s death (aside from our deeply felt grief) has left us in a bind, and we still have outstanding debts there – not to mention that we are obligated by law to pay his family a considerable sum for his years of service (he had been with me since 2002). Ged’s older brother has agreed to handle funds and see to it that everyone is paid there. So may we prayerfully ask that you continue to give what you can – and even a bit more - through the month of February? We are looking at needing $5000 to cover everything. If you can do that, we will be able to leave the country with a good reputation, having satisfied all our obligations. I believe that would please God.
The Bible tells us that we are to be thankful for both the goodness and the severity of God. So I can say with Job, ‘the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.’ Thank you so very much for your love and support throughout the years. The lasting impact can only be known in eternity.
All God’s blessings be yours,Ruth
You may send support by check to Bridge International, 78 Brookside Drive, Terre Haute, IN 47802. -OR- You may make a bank transfer directly to our ministry account in Zambia. For simple instructions on how to do this please contact me at mcclintock_ruth@yahoo.co.uk, or write to the address above. Either way is tax deductible. Thank you!
