Poor vision doesn’t keep Ruth from blessing children through Operation Christmas Child.

September 25, 2009

A New Vision

Operation Christmas Child becomes a ministry opportunity for an 86-year-old woman with failing eyesight

The news was devastating. Doctors told Ruth Luethy that macular degeneration would continue to rob her of her eyesight and eventually lead to blindness.

Never one to sit still, the 86-year-old resolved to live as normal and active a life as she could in spite of the limitations. She even continued to run errands and visit friends in her community of Redington Shores, Florida.

Ruth remained upbeat until she lost her driving privileges—and her independence—earlier this year.

“She became depressed because she has always been involved in helping others,” said her daughter, Eileen. “We were worried about her.”

Being restricted to her high-rise condominium was a major change of pace for Ruth and her 95-year-old husband. The Luethy’s nine children, who are spread out from California to Mongolia, prayed that the Lord would give her a renewed sense of purpose.

Their prayers were soon answered.

“It became clear Mom’s ministry was in her apartment building,” Eileen said. “She decided shoe boxes would be her ministry.”

Operation Christmas Child was not new to Ruth. Several years ago she started packing a couple of boxes each holiday season as part of her church’s mission project. One year she packed as many as 40 boxes.

“I wanted something to do, and I wanted it to be something that would bring happiness to children,” Ruth said. “I set a goal to pack 100 boxes this year.”

It was an ambitious goal for someone who can’t get out and shop for herself, but Ruth knew she could do it with a little help.

Eileen and her husband handle the bulk of the shopping from their home in California. They look for discounted items online or at department store sales and mail Ruth boxes loaded with gifts. A neighbor in Ruth’s condominium also helps purchase items for the boxes.

Ruth met her goal in early June, when she finished her 100th shoe box. She thought about packing about 20 more, but it wasn’t long before that goal was achieved too.

“I prayed about it, and the answer was to keep on going,” Ruth said with a big grin. “So now my goal is 200 boxes by collection week.”

Eileen commented that her mother smiles a lot these days.

“And I am confident that she will meet this goal also,” Eileen said. “She can do whatever she puts her mind to. She doesn’t let anything hold her back.”

Ruth takes special care in decorating each box. She covers plastic containers with pieces of brightly hued sewing fabrics, and places lace doilies or Christmas card cutouts around the box for extra appeal. Then she adds her own handmade ribbon for the finishing touch.

Ruth delights in promoting Operation Christmas Child and seizes every opportunity to be a spokesperson, whether she is talking to her hairdresser or a plumber.

“Everyone who shows up at my door sees the packed shoe boxes and gets to hear about the project,” she said. “If they seem interested, I give them an Operation Christmas Child brochure. I go over the list of items to include. Then I encourage them to go home and pack a box themselves.”

Sharing her passion for Operation Christmas Child has helped make the life adjustments of the past several months a little easier. Ruth plans to keep packing boxes as long as she is able, and even when she cannot she still will be praying for the children.

“I have asked the Lord many times why this has happened to my eyes,” Ruth said. “I still don’t know the reason, but He sure has blessed me by giving me this ministry to help others.”