CHAPTER 9
CALLING US TO SERVE THE NEEDY
April was a turning point for us. We knew by this time that God has sent us to North Carolina but we were now asking God “what are we supposed to be doing here?” Bill dutifully scanned the classifieds every evening and I remember well the day he was sitting in the TV room, reading the paper while I was working on a jigsaw puzzle. Bill read out loud: “Executive Director for Allied Churches want.” Then he said to me “This sounds like something you’d like to do.” I responded- “I’m not looking for a job, we are looking for a job for you, not me!” I was not interested in going to work yet; I felt that I should concentrate on getting Bill happily settled with employment and then I could look around and find something interesting for myself. I had no intention of pursuing employment and put the thought aside.
The very next Sunday we went to New Mission and Dace preached on “don’t hide your light under a bushel”. I just knew that message was for me. All kinds of thoughts went through my head as we exited church. As we shook hands with the minister, I quietly asked him if he knew anything about Allied Churches. He immediately responded and couldn’t wait to make a call for me and find out about the position. Then I decided that I ought to at least apply for the job—if it weren’t right, I wouldn’t get the offer. I had to prepare my resume frantically before the mail deadline. The day of my first interview I KNEW this is where God wanted me to be. I think I could read it written n the wall, “MARY RUTH, this is why God sent you to North Carolina.” It was overwhelming because I just wasn’t quite ready—but God evidently felt I had rested long enough.
Once again the ANGELS led us along. Not only did I answer a call to serve the homeless, the hungry and the discouraged but new opportunities awaited Bill. Soon after I began working for Allied Churches, Bill volunteered in the literacy program for Alamance Community College. To his surprise, he enjoyed the task. He was good at motivating students to learn and was willing to work odd hours. The college soon hired Bill to teach adult literacy and G.E.D. programs. They were glad to have a “positive male role model” to teach the classes and Bill was comfortable in the textile industry locations. The only previous teaching experience Bill had was Sunday School. One day, one of Bill’s students said “Bill is there anything you DON’T know?” This, it seems is in many ways a higher compliment than a fancy financial raise from Travelers.
Much to our mutual surprise, both Bill and I took jobs in 1991 that assisted the less fortunate. Many evenings we would share stories of our day and know that the ANGELS were helping us better understand that everyone is a child of God.
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