Sometimes God Brings People Into Our Lives From Thousands of Miles Away

Girl, have you ever stopped to think about how God can bring people into your life whom you might never have met otherwise?

Sometimes those relationships begin in the most ordinary ways.

A conversation. An introduction. An opportunity to work together.

And before you know it, years have passed, friendships have grown, and you realize that someone living thousands of miles away has become an important part of your everyday life.

That's how I feel when I think about Ruma.

Ruma lives in the Philippines, where she works as my virtual assistant for Y.O.U. Ministries.

She's been with me longer than any of our other international team members, and she has watched this ministry grow through many different seasons.

But what makes her story special isn't simply how long we've worked together.

It's what that opportunity has meant to her and her family.

And today, I'd love for you to meet her.

Meet Ruma — The Woman Behind the Work

Photo caption: Meet Ruma and her beautiful family in the Philippines. We're grateful she shared this special family photograph with us.

When you visit Y.O.U. Ministries, you see Bible studies, creative journaling resources, videos, and opportunities to spend time in God's Word.

What you don't always see are the people working behind the scenes to help make everything possible.

Ruma is one of those people.

As my virtual assistant, she helps me with the many responsibilities involved in running a growing ministry.

Over the years, we've built a working relationship based on communication, trust, and a shared commitment to doing our work well.

And while our work happens across computer screens and different time zones, the relationship has become much more personal than simply assigning tasks and meeting deadlines.

I've had the privilege of watching Ruma grow professionally while she has watched Y.O.U. Ministries grow.

That is something I treasure.

An Opportunity That Reaches Into a Family's Life

One of the things I've always wanted Y.O.U. Ministries to do is make a difference beyond the resources we create.

Of course, sharing God's Word is at the heart of everything we do.

But I also believe we should look for opportunities to help people in practical ways.

Sometimes that means providing food or essential supplies during a crisis.

Sometimes it means helping someone through a difficult season.

And sometimes it means creating meaningful employment for someone who has skills, determination, and a desire to provide for her family.

For Ruma, her work with Y.O.U. Ministries has been one of those opportunities.

Recently, she shared a personal testimony with me about what these years have meant to her.

Her words touched my heart because they reminded me that something we might think of as an everyday working relationship can have a much greater impact on someone's life.

In Ruma's Own Words

I want you to hear part of her story directly from her.

Ruma wrote:

"Looking back on all these years, I can honestly say that working with Tammy has been one of the greatest blessings in my life, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity she has given me."

She went on to explain that the opportunity has allowed her to support her family, provide for their needs, grow in her career, and experience opportunities she might never have imagined possible.

And then she shared something especially meaningful:

"More than the work itself, I am thankful for the trust Tammy has placed in me, the kindness she's shown, and the chance to be part of something that creates opportunities for people like me, even from thousands of miles away."

Girl, I don't share those words to draw attention to myself.

I share them because I want you to see what can happen when a ministry creates opportunities for people to use their God-given abilities.

Ruma's story isn't just about a job.

It's about a woman, her family, her growth, and the relationships that can develop when people work together with kindness and respect.

Growing Together Through the Years

One part of Ruma's testimony made me smile.

She wrote:

"Having been with you the longest, I have watched this journey grow, and I feel incredibly blessed to have grown alongside it."

I love that she sees herself as part of this journey.

Because she is.

As Y.O.U. Ministries has grown, so have the responsibilities involved in keeping everything organized and moving forward.

There are Bible studies to prepare, creative resources to develop, projects to coordinate, and countless little details that need attention.

Having someone dependable working alongside me has been a blessing.

But I also recognize that this relationship has given Ruma opportunities to build her professional experience and continue developing her skills.

That's something worth celebrating.

We often talk about ministry growth in terms of numbers.

How many people watched a video?

How many people joined a study?

How many resources were downloaded?

Those things can help us understand how far our work is reaching.

But there's another kind of growth that doesn't always appear in a report.

It's the growth that happens in people's lives.

And Ruma's testimony is a reminder of that.

Behind Every Screen Is a Real Person

It's easy to forget that the internet connects us with real people who have families, responsibilities, hopes, and dreams.

We send an email.

We assign a project.

We receive a completed task.

But behind that computer screen is a person whose life extends far beyond the work we see.

Ruma is a wife and mother.

The family photograph she shared with me is such a lovely reminder of why meaningful employment matters.

Her work isn't simply about completing tasks for a ministry in another country.

It's also about helping provide for the people she loves.

And when she tells me that her work has helped her family, I am grateful that Y.O.U. Ministries has been able to play a part in that.

We may live thousands of miles apart, but our lives have become connected through the work we do together.

What Scripture Reminds Us About Our Work

Colossians 3:23 encourages believers to work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.

I think that's a wonderful reminder for all of us.

Whether we're teaching a Bible study, creating digital resources, organizing a ministry project, or working behind the scenes, our work deserves care and integrity.

And in Philippians 2:4, Paul reminds believers to look not only to their own interests but also to the interests of others.

That verse challenges me to remember that the people who work alongside us have lives and needs beyond the projects we're completing.

It's important to value people, not just the work they produce.

When I think about Ruma and the other women who contribute to Y.O.U. Ministries, that's what I want our working relationships to reflect.

Respect.

Kindness.

Encouragement.

And appreciation for the gifts each person brings.

More Than a Ministry Team

Today, Y.O.U. Ministries works with six women in Nigeria and the Philippines.

Each woman brings different skills to our ministry.

Some create digital Bible journaling resources. Others help with videos, blogs, Pinterest, and the many responsibilities that happen behind the scenes.

Their work helps us share Scripture-centered resources with people around the world.

And providing these opportunities is one of the practical ways our ministry reaches beyond our own walls.

Ruma's story is especially dear to me because she has been part of this journey for so long.

She has seen changes, new ideas, new projects, and new seasons.

And through it all, we've continued working together.

When I read her testimony, I was reminded that the relationships we build along the way are just as important as the projects we complete.

A Message of Gratitude

Near the end of her testimony, Ruma wrote:

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in me and giving me a place where I can contribute, grow, and make a difference not just in my life, but in my family's life as well."

Those words are a gift.

And I want to say something in return.

Ruma, thank you for the years you've spent helping me with Y.O.U. Ministries.

Thank you for sharing your skills, your time, and your dedication.

Thank you for growing alongside this ministry and for being someone I can count on.

And thank you for allowing me to share a little of your story with our ministry friends.

I am grateful for you.

When Love Reaches Beyond Our Walls

Girl, I hope Ruma's story helps you see another side of Y.O.U. Ministries.

Yes, we're passionate about helping people read their Bibles.

Yes, we love creative Bible journaling, Scripture studies, and spending time together in God's Word.

But we also want to put love into action.

Sometimes that happens through outreach assistance.

Sometimes it happens through encouragement and friendship.

And sometimes it happens through meaningful work that helps a woman provide for her family.

Ruma's story is one example of how our ministry has been able to make a difference beyond the resources we share.

And I am thankful for every person who helps make this work possible.

Because behind every ministry project, there are people.

And every one of them matters.

Be Part of Their Story

When you support Y.O.U. Ministries, you're helping us continue our mission of sharing God's Word, creating Scripture-centered resources, and providing opportunities that reach beyond our own community.

We invite you to explore more of the stories behind our ministry and discover how your support helps us continue this work.

Explore More Stories: Visit When Love Reaches Beyond Our Walls to meet the people and families connected to our ministry.

Support Our Mission: Visit our Y.O.U. Ministries donation page to help us continue sharing God's love in practical ways.

With love and a heart for God's Word,

Tammy

Y.O.U. Ministries

“I'm walking in the Scriptures.”