My Missionary Colleague (by Carol Anne Eby)

Ruth Blowers was certainly unique and one of the most interesting individuals I have ever met. She was my neighbor in Papua New Guinea, my colleague in ministry, and a dear sister in the Lord. I have so many wonderful memories of her.

She was funny, had such a big heart, and her walk with the Lord was an inspiration. I remember her pouring a pitcher of pink Kool-Aid over my 2-year old Tim's head when his fever went to dangerous levels from a Malaria attack. We were going up the Tun Mountain heading home from William Bromley's funeral. Poor Tim had pink tears but he survived from Aunt Ruth's quick action. She was like a second Mom to my kids loving them like her own.

I smile to myself when I think how she orchestrated her departure to Heaven. To have all her family near and having such good family time before it was time to say goodbye would be the way she wanted it. I know it was in God's hands, but I can see Ruth saying a special thank you to Jesus when she met Him. When we all meet her in Heaven, we can learn the real scoop!
Carol Anne Eby

MY HELPFUL SISTER/TUTOR (by Sara Mitchell Gerig)

 

As unbelievable as it may seem, my first memory of our big sister Ruth (hereinafter referred to as Sister, because that's the way we affectionately thought of her and called her) is when we lived on the McLaughlin farm near Stamford, Texas.  I know I should remember her from farther back, but for some reason those days were not deeply etched in my brain.

I have a vague image of Sister and me sitting cross-legged on the ground at that Texas farm, while Sister taught me all I ever learned about embroidering.  Likewise, all I learned about crocheting was from Sister, during the short time she was home with us "on the hill" in Grants Pass, Oregon.  That was following her return from China.

Sister inherently took the time and effort to impart to others whatever craft or skill she possessed.  I believe that as a child I took for granted her God-given teacherly attribute.  But now in retrospect, I admire her for those handicraft lessons!  She also patiently taught me the rudiments of guitar-playing and piano-playing when she was with us for a very brief hiatus during our one-year "sojourn" at the Beacon Drive home in Grants Pass.

The only other memory of Sister at the McLaughlin farm was when she took me aside and told me that we were going to have a little brother or sister.  I don't know at what point of Mother's pregnancy that was, but I think it was not very long after that joyous revelation, that the baby-of-the-family badge passed from me to Lyneva Joy (Neva) Mitchell.  I was over 9½.

I cherish these early memories, as well as the later ones when Sister and Bruce (aka Bruth and Ruce) were on furlough from New Guinea (now Papua New Guinea, or PNG).  It seems as if there were never segments of time long enough to really develop a growing, reminiscent relationship with Sister; but I loved her deeply and "looked up" to her from a geographical distance during my teen years and my married years, until her Home-going this past August.  That perspective has not changed, and I can only hope to emulate Sister's eagerness to do God's bidding and to be about His business.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also [and siblings], and he praiseth her.  (Amen! to Proverbs 31:28.)

SARA ELLEN (MITCHELL) GERIG (age 75)

MY SISTER RUTH (by Eugene Mitchell)

My earliest recollection of Ruth (Sister) was when we lived on Johanna Street in Austin, TX in 1934. 

At that time I was four years old and Sister was eight years old.  She took it upon herself to teach me how to tie my shoes, not an easy task, since I was naturally left-handed and she was right handed.  But she persevered until I could do a passable job.

As adults we would reminisce occasionally about our shared childhood.  One incident that she recalled on more than one occasion occurred at the Johanna Street home.  As she related it, I was near the sidewalk in front of the house when a neighbor man came by.  He stopped briefly and asked me my name.  Sister, standing nearby, heard me reply that my name was "Blockhead", a not-so-endearing identity given me by our Daddy.  Sister was sorely saddened and hurt by the insensitive label.  As she recalled the incident in later years she would become almost tearful.  At four years of age I was scarcely aware of her response to the event.  As an adult I came to know her as a truly loving, caring, and sensitive big Sister.

During my adolescent-teen years, Ruth spent considerable time away from home and in Bible School in Colorado Springs, CO.  God was getting her ready for missionary service.  In 1946 or '47 she went to China with our Aunt Ina and Uncle Harry Shreve.  She returned to the USA in '48 or '49 after being run out of the country by Mao and the Communists.  Upon her return to Grants Pass she was asked to give a missionary service at the local Nazarene church.  As a part of that service she asked me to sing a missionary song entitled "So Send I You".  With younger sister Dera at the piano, I sang the song. I was pleased with her request, because I was so proud of her and what she was doing for the Lord.  Little did we know that her missionary service was just beginning.

In 1951 Ruth worked as a nurse's aide in Grants Pass.  At some point in time she traveled in states back East.  She met a young man (I believe it was in Allentown, PA) that met her high qualifications as husband material.  But it is many miles between Grants Pass, OR and Allentown, PA.  However, Bruce Blowers was a resourceful fellow who wasn't going to let a few thousand miles prevent their courtship.  He climbed on a bus and came West!

Arriving in Grants Pass without a set of wheels made courtship a bit awkward and they really did want to go to Crater Lake.  So, little brother Eugene to the rescue!  I loaned them my car and they went to the lake.  As Cupid's helper I take a smidgen of credit for helping this romance to blossom.  But more than that, I feel that I partially repaid my dear Sister for teaching me to tie my shoes at four years of age.

Our six children, Glenna, and myself, believe that Ruth's judgment of good marriage material was remarkable.  We all love and admire Bruce Blowers, her dear husband and life mate.

Eugene Mitchell