I recently read a book entitled, "Sarah and Her Missionary Daughters" by Bonnie Markham. It was a rather unique look at 30 United Pentecostal Church missionary ladies. It was unique in that their stories tell not what they accomplished on the mission field but their lives before they went to the field. The stories showed that God calls a wide variety of normal women from normal and abnormal backgrounds to work for Him.
Some of the women grew up in the ministry while others came from non-religious homes. Some of the ladies received their calling as children while others were called later in life. (One lady received her calling at the age of 61. More about her in a few minutes.) Most of the women were married, while a few were single.
These women faced a variety of challenges leaving North America to go and live in a foreign country. Some had to leave elderly parents. Others left behind large and close families to go to a country where they did not know a single person. Some had children and were concerned for their childrens' health, education and overall well-being. Every mother testified afterwards about how God met their childrens' needs while living in a foreign country. In fact, many of the children grew up and became missionaries themselves.
One lady's childhood story was similar to mine. Her story resonated with me because I often wondered if God could use me with all the problems I had as a child and young adult. This lady's story gave me much hope and encouragement. It shows that God can use anyone as long as they are repentant and available.
Another lady was a single widow and 61 years old when God called her to Portugal. The foreign missions board told her she was too old to apply. She used her own money and went anyway. She learned two languages, Spanish and Portuguese. She did a wonderful work for God. Foreign missions board contacted her and asked her to apply, so she did. She continued to work on the mission field until her late seventies. Her spunky story made me laugh.
I have personally met many of these women throughout the years, yet I never stopped to consider their lives before they were missionaries. This book and its message was a timely and encouraging read for me.
Some of the women grew up in the ministry while others came from non-religious homes. Some of the ladies received their calling as children while others were called later in life. (One lady received her calling at the age of 61. More about her in a few minutes.) Most of the women were married, while a few were single.
These women faced a variety of challenges leaving North America to go and live in a foreign country. Some had to leave elderly parents. Others left behind large and close families to go to a country where they did not know a single person. Some had children and were concerned for their childrens' health, education and overall well-being. Every mother testified afterwards about how God met their childrens' needs while living in a foreign country. In fact, many of the children grew up and became missionaries themselves.
One lady's childhood story was similar to mine. Her story resonated with me because I often wondered if God could use me with all the problems I had as a child and young adult. This lady's story gave me much hope and encouragement. It shows that God can use anyone as long as they are repentant and available.
Another lady was a single widow and 61 years old when God called her to Portugal. The foreign missions board told her she was too old to apply. She used her own money and went anyway. She learned two languages, Spanish and Portuguese. She did a wonderful work for God. Foreign missions board contacted her and asked her to apply, so she did. She continued to work on the mission field until her late seventies. Her spunky story made me laugh.
I have personally met many of these women throughout the years, yet I never stopped to consider their lives before they were missionaries. This book and its message was a timely and encouraging read for me.
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