Page 60 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2019- Online Magazine
P. 60
B. Ruth Shelburne
Of One Mind
by Donna Carter
low, pleasing voice on the say much deeper, more important
phone, delicious grilled common threads would bind them
A cheese sandwiches, long together for a lifetime.
dark hair - these are some of the
memories that first attracted B. This Lubbock couple, now married
Shelburne to a certain young lady, for 63 years, have experienced life
Ruth Hayes, many years ago. Even like few have. They married in
though they had first met in Eden, 1956, having dated while attending United in their decision, the young
Texas, when B.’s father preached at Amarillo Bible Training Work. couple moved to Malawi and stayed
her childhood church, it would be Following the wedding ceremony, for nineteen years, dedicating their
several years later, in Amarillo, that “friends” kidnapped the couple and lives to spreading the Gospel.
they became better acquainted and forced B. to pull his new bride in
fell in love. a wooden wagon down the city’s B. and Ruth had dreamed of raising
main drag!
Ruth had wished from a young age a family, but it was eight long
years before their first son, Ian,
that her future husband would love Soon thereafter, the lovebirds was born, followed two years later
the Lord with moved to Abilene, where Ruth was by David. Twelve years later, they
all his heart. As secretary to Allen Baird adopted their beautiful baby girl,
she continued at Mrs. Baird’s Bakery. Anne-Marie. Initially, a main goal
to date B., it was B. continued his Bible of the mission was to start a Bible
clear that she had studies and received school to teach Malawian men
met the man of a bachelor’s degree about Christ. These men went to
her dreams. This at Abilene Christian surrounding villages, teaching other
gentle man had College (Years later, men, thus starting new churches.
a heart for God he earned a master’s The Shelburnes were instrumental,
that was not only degree.) Like many along with others, in establishing the
evident to her but newlyweds, B. and Namikango Mission. Ruth started
to anyone he met. Ruth barely scraped by a women’s Bible study, which led
“He was a very financially. Once, when to reading and even sewing lessons
caring, loving, there was no money and sometimes administering first
serving person. for groceries, they used aid.
He has always their “savings” - a stash
been so good to me and to others,” of dimes - to buy soup ingredients Though their lives were full of
Ruth says of her husband. Humbly, and ate soup for breakfast, lunch, blessings, circumstances could often
B. says he still doesn’t understand and dinner! be quite difficult. Early on, their
why she married him. He admits Three years after their Abilene house had no indoor plumbing or
to being a painfully shy introvert. move, they were asked to consider electricity. Kerosene lamps and
On the other hand, Ruth is a strong moving to Malawi, Africa as a kerosene refrigerator made life
extrovert. The personality traits, missionaries. Ruth responded bearable. Army ants were a common
however, were no deterrent. They with, “If God calls, can we say no?” Malawian nuisance. One night
60 Lubbock Senior Link
