Dear Friends,
Merry Christmas from our home to yours. Our hearts are humbled at the goodness of God over this last year. As we look at the year in review, it is almost overwhelming to see the good hand of our God upon us. From transitioning FIBC to their own pastor; to dealing with Angie’s cancer diagnosis and surgery; to traveling to most of our supporting churches on our eight-month furlough; to enjoying the blessing of our oldest two sons getting married to godly young ladies; to watching the Lord provide for EVERY need as we prepare to move to Ghana: it has been a blessed year.
In 1994, as a nineteen-year-old, I left my parents and siblings in Maryland to move to the mission field of South Dakota. Three weeks from today (January 4th), we will leave our children to go to our mission field of West Africa. While we hate saying goodby to family, we love seeing souls saved and added to our spiritual family. We are thankful to have children who understand this and desire to serve the Lord themselves.
Angie had her first ‘cancer surveillance’ appointment on December 7th, and she received a good report. Though the medical profession will not consider her ‘cured’ until she receives the five-year mark without reoccurrence, we believe she is healed.
On December 9th, our container was loaded and shipped. With all the container issues around the world right now, we are thankful that even though there were some last-minute changes with the container, it was shipped and is on the way to Ghana. We want to thank each of you for your faithful prayers and sacrificial giving regarding the needs list that was sent out two months ago. God has answered your prayers. I can say with the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:18-19 “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received … the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Our next prayer letter will be sent from Ghana, Lord willing. We appreciate your prayers as we transition, begin learning the Fante’ dialect, and get very much involved with ministry. God has given us an intense desire to win souls, disciple converts, plant churches, and train others to do the same. We will continue to send prayer letter updates through snail mail and Mailchimp. If you would like to receive our prayer letter and other updates electronically through Mailchimp, please send me your email address. Our email address is [email protected]. For those ladies who want to correspond with Angie, her email address is [email protected]. My international phone number will be 233-55-733-4881.
Your Missionaries to West Africa,
James and Angie Ruckman