Background

Ruth Black was brought up in Carryduff in County Down with her parents and two older sisters.  She became a Christian when still a very young child through the influence of her mum.  She was privileged to have good Christian friends and to go to a good church that had a very positive impact on her.

At the age of 17 Ruth went to Romania on a mission trip.  This was her first experience of mission life abroad.  At 18 she took a GAP year out with SIM (Serving in Mission) in Niger.  This year had a big impact on her life and gave her a real desire to be a missionary.

She studied Social Psychology and Sociology at Coleraine University.  She really enjoyed her time at University especially the social aspect and being active in the Christian Union.  She also learnt so much about God and herself.  She was able to do her University placement in Ethiopia during which time she worked with Street Children.  Being back in Africa confirmed Ruth's desire to be a missionary.  She also felt increasingly called to work with street children.

After completing university Ruth worked as a Residential Social Worker (RSW) in various Children’s homes in Northern Ireland.  These 4 years were very challenging for her and she learnt a great deal.  She had to be very dependent on God working in a non Christian environment with very vulnerable young people.  During this time she moved to Greenisland and became a member of Greenisland Baptist Church.  Ruth is very thankful to be part of this fellowship, God taught her so much during her time there.

God's Call

Ruth then went to study for a year at Capernwray Bible College in England.  She enjoyed taking this year out, spending time with Christian people and getting to know God and his Word better.  After Capernwray she went back to being a RSW but on a temporary basis.  In Ruth's own words "I knew God had something else for me but just wasn't sure what.  I was open to what He had for me."  It was at this time that she heard about Mission Africa.  Working with street children in Africa was Ruth's vision.  God opened the door for Ruth to come to Nigeria.

Current Work

Ruth is so excited about the opportunity of serving God in Jos, Nigeria.  Already she has seen God working there and feels privileged to be part of this great work.  She works with City Ministries in Jos.  City Ministries seeks to bring the love of Jesus Christ in very real and practical ways including medical outreach, training, city sports and challenge cinema.  Gidan Bege (which is hausa for "House of Hope") is part of City Ministries.  Gidan Bege offers hope for the future.  The motto text is "The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

Kings Kids is a big part of City Ministries, this is were Ruth is involved.  With this program, street children and orphans are given the opportunity to receive an education through CARE (Children At Risk Educational) centers.  Ruth is based in Jos working in 3 different CARE centers.  Her main focus is in the rural Gyero, but she also has a role at the urban Transition House and Gidan Bege centres.  Gyero has over 60 boys, with more transferring from Gidan Bege each year.  Gyero is run by Habilla and a team of "Uncles" who live amongst the boys.  Gyero owns farm land and lakes and is trying to produce crops to help sustain the ministry.  The village of Gyero is poor and needy.  Most of the children attend the local primary school in the mornings; however this is often on strike.  It takes over an hour to walk to the nearest secondary school.  It is a Government school and has basic facilities.  A girls/women’s ministry was recently started at Gyero initially with 9 girls living there.

Gidan Bege is were the boys stay when they are first brought off the street.  Every week City Ministries have a program on Thursday to reach out to the boys on the street. From this some of the boys come to stay at Gidan Bege.