From the Pen of my Son Caleb Matthias Gutierrez Marshall, two hours after Ruthie, his mother, went to be with our Lord. Behold “Fresh Food for Thought”. This has the aroma of biscuits just brought out of the oven of a disciple of Ruthie.

I thought I would stop crying; but these are different kind of tears. Please Praise the Lord with me.

Gerry Gutierrez

In memory of God's servant Ruthie.

“My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” – Phil. 1:23

The apostle Paul’s ministry centered around the advancement of gospel. Through his life he served the Lord using every opportunity to minister God’s word to the world. From prison Paul wrote, “I want you to know brothers that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.” (Phil 1:12-13) Paul wasn’t discouraged, nor did he complain about his current miserable state, for he knew that God had a higher purpose for his suffering. It is possible that had Paul not been in such a situation as he was, that his witness would have been less effectual or lacking in strength. However, things were as they were and the Lord used Paul to continue to influence and encourage the Church.

Today, February the 26, 2012, my mother has gone to be with the Lord. Having lived 65 years in this world and working to expand the Kingdom of Heaven, the Lord had decided that her work here was done. Throughout her life my mother Ruthie has had many illnesses, including Hepatitis, TB, Polio, Breast Cancer, Typhoid, hiatal hernias, etc. and surgery after surgery. When she had breast cancer the doctors told her she only had 2 more years to live. But the Lord heard my mother pray Hezekiah’s prayer and granted her 15 more years. She broke her leg trying to get into a vehicle. That turned out to be blessing because we discovered that the cancer had moved to her bones and had mutated into her organs. Treatments of chemotherapy and radiation made her more sick than sick already was. It was as though the Lord was telling us to stop trying to keep her our side because He wanted her home with Him.

Incapable of moving around on her own and spending most of her time in bed, my mother longed to return to Peru to continue working in the Lord’s ministry. I would tell her not to worry and to rest so she could feel better. But she would tell me in her soft voice that there is work that needs to be done.

As it was for Paul it was for my mother, “For to me to live is Christ…If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.” While she was alive she wanted to serve the Lord.

Many times I have read testimonies of people who had died and about how passionate they were even in death. At time I’ve questioned whether or not those stories were merely happy stories someone put together to leave a positive memory of the ones they loved. Now I can say, I have seen and can testify that God’s light does radiate from those who love Him. “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” (Ps. 35:5)

During the last few days of her life my mother’s condition worsened everyday, as she could no longer eat, speak or even open her eyes. The only sounds she could make were groans of pain. The hospice nurse informed us that hearing was the last sense to go and that she could still hear what we said. I spend a few hours next to her bed talking to her and reading the Scriptures to her unresponsive. It was only when I said, “Momma, Jesus loves you,” that a smile as clear a day came over her face. My mother recognized her savior’s name. It reminded me of Psalm 91 where it says, “I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’” And God will answer, “Because he hold fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Our God is worthy of praise and honor and glory forever and ever. He cares for us His sheep in ways we don’t always understand. The peace that comes from Him is so strong, so great and wonderful! My hearts pounds wanting to explode at thoughts of God’s greatness, His grace and His love for an undeserving people like us. The psalmist words are true when he says, “Oh, taste and see the Lord is good!” Once you taste the goodness of our Lord Jesus and I mean truly taste it, nothing else will ever satisfy our spiritual needs nor our desire to be fulfilled.

Through all that has happened, “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.” I thank the Lord for 24 years that He has let me have my mother. Even though she is with our Savior her testimony is still reaches far and wide. Like a small stone thrown into a pond, though small, its waves reach far corners. Her suffering was for the Glory of God.

I hope that my mother’s testimony may serve as a testimony to you of the goodness, love and grace that is found in Jesús Christ. We need to be strong in our faith, ever preserving that our time in the flesh may yield fruitful labor. Yes, “to die is gain” and to “be with Christ, for that is far better.” But while our souls wait for the Lord, we must live as Paul lived saying, “…to live is Christ!” May our hearts be glad in Him, because we trust in His holy Name.

In loving memory of God’s servant Ruthie Gutierrez,

“Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we now hope in you.”

Caleb Matthias Gutierrez Marshall