Ariel Magazine Purim Edition Cover copy - Ariel Ministries

Emily Glisson: Why did you write this book?
Ruth Wardell: It actually wasn't my idea to write this
book. Jeff Gutterman's wife, Ana, was in a class I was
teaching. She took my course and was enthralled with
everything she was learning. She went back and
mentioned to Jeff that I should write a book about my
life. Jeff ended up co-writing it with me. The rest is
history.
Emily: In your book, you mention a young man by the
name of Louis Wineke. Can you tell me a little bit
about him?
Ruth: Louis was a
Jewish student from
Germany. He came
to the United States
by a woman who
was rescuing people
from the Holocaust.
She was a believer in
Jesus who would
preach to Louis.
Eventually, he
accepted Jesus as his
Lord and savior. But
Louis had lost contact with his parents and sister after
fleeing Germany. He didn't know if they had survived
or not. Anyway, we attended the London Bible
Institute together, and he was the first saved Jew I
became good friends with. When school was over, he
went back to Germany and miraculously found his
entire family. I was so excited when I found out his
family was still alive. It was remarkable to see what
God did in Louis' life. I believe his sister eventually
became a believer as well. That was my introduction to
becoming friends with a Jewish believer.
Emily: What or who initially prompted your desire to
minister to the Jews?
Ruth: It came from a call from God, specifically in
Matthew 10: 5-6. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged
them, saying, Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not
into any city of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of
the house of Israel. I had heard about a school in Dallas
called The Child Evangelism Center. I was interested
in this school because I had such a love for children,
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the tuition was $500. So one day I asked the Lord, "If
you give me $500, I will know that you want me to go
to this school." I wanted that confirmation from God.
Well, the answer to that prayer came through Isabel
Smith. She was an older woman who was serving as a
missionary to the Jews in Ontario. One day, Isabel
asked me to visit her and something miraculous
happened. She had saved up exactly $700, but she said
the Lord had been prompting her to give me $500. It
was so clear. The call always came back. God knows
everything we need and He supplies it.
Emily: Whom do you credit for your strong faith in
God?
Ruth: I credit the spirit of the Lord. I have always had a
close relationship with Jesus, for as long as I can
remember. He was always my friend. My father was a
great example too. He believed in the power of prayer.
But whenever God said something to me, I believed
Him and went on. I didn't question it. When God
called me, it was such a marvelous call that
automatically I had faith in God. He gave me all of the
training I needed. If God can do all of that, He will see
you through everything. God is so great because He
knows our future. He opens doors for us.
Emily: You talk about doing the will of God in your
book, and there are many examples of you doing just
that. Some Christians struggle in discovering the true
will of God. What would your advice be for them?
Ruth: We have to know and believe that God is
faithful. If He has a plan for your life, then He will
direct you. But most importantly, you have to be open
and willing to follow His plan, no matter what that
plan is. You have to surrender and listen for whatever
He's asking you to do. He will supply those answers. I
had to have faith to know that He was the one leading
me. We trust in God's faithfulness. People are not
always willing to submit. Start by asking the Lord,
"Did I do your will today?" That's what I always ask
Him.
Emily: You have a very special relationship with Arnold
Fruchtenbaum, and your book describes you as being
his "spiritual mom". Can you tell me how you first met
Arnold?