Fred and Wilma Flintstone

Ruthie's Testimony

Here is a part of my testimony. I wrote these words with the intent to share my heart and passion for missions. God is truly amazing! I pray that you see Him at work.

Whomever chooses to read these words, I pray, would see God’s grace in that He is faithful to those who call on His name (Deuteronomy 31:8).  My desire is to be clay in God’s hands; ready to be molded and serve in whatever capacity He calls me to. I remind myself often of Acts 20:24 which relays “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” I take no credit for my life; however, I do joyfully give God the glory that He has allowed me the opportunity to testify to the good news of Jesus Christ.

My walk with Christ began when I was close to 6 years old and the preacher was sharing God’s plan for salvation. I walked down the aisle and prayed that Jesus would forgive me and come into my life. I am simply amazed every time I think of this event; the longing in my soul to be right with the Lord, and my starting point of serving the Lord. I was baptized there at Bellevue Baptist Church in Tennessee. Praise the Lord for His Word; that allows me to grow closer to Him and be renewed day by day in my walk with Christ. At the age of 7 my parents, Steve and Mary Waechter, moved our family to Managua, Nicaragua to be missionaries with the International Mission Board. Living in Nicaragua as a child was truly an amazing opportunity; there is so much that I could share! I went on several medical mission trips to the indigenous group of the Miskito people with Jim and Viola Palmer along the Rio Coco that serves as the border for Nicaragua and Honduras. These mission trips opened my eyes to a new form of abject poverty. In the midst of an incredibly hard life for these people, I was amazed to see that a person who, in our eyes, has nothing, be transformed to a life full of hope and joy by accepting Christ as their personal Savior. 1 Peter 1:3-9 explains this phenomenon of a living hope and an inheritance that awaits those who are born again believers of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord for the hope and joy found in the Gospel! During these medical mission trips, God stirred within my soul the desire to be involved in medical missions as an adult. After growing up as a missionary kid, I came to Edmond Oklahoma to attend the University of Central Oklahoma and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I have always had the desire to be involved in missions; in whichever way that God desired for me. I was introduced to Tom Watkins, my amazing husband, while in college, and found that he too has a heart for missions. Tom and I were married on July 10, 2010 and God has given us two incredible children, who are currently 3 and 1 years old. We have always prayed that God would enable us to be involved in missions; whether living in the U.S and going on short term trips or living on the field internationally. I am overjoyed and overwhelmed with excitement to begin this next adventure as we prepare to move onto the international mission field to serve the Lord and be a part of fulfilling His command known as the great commission found in Matthew 28:19 which says “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” Not only do we have the opportunity to serve as missionaries; but our team that joins hands with us will also be serving to further God’s kingdom. What an honor and privilege it is to be involved in international missions! I could write so much more and yet I know that there is only so much time in the day… God bless you!

P.S. It would be my joy and honor to share more with you over a cup of coffee. If this is possible call and/or email me. For those of you who live too far away to sit down face to face; lets FaceTime or simply talk on the phone. I hope to talk to you soon!