Front Porch Missionary

Mrs. H. was a sweet elderly lady with a heart for missions. She was involved in Sunday School, church, and the women’s mission organizations for as long as her health permitted. When we announced that we would be taking a mission trip to Africa she wanted to be involved. By this time her age and health kept her homebound except for coming to church on Sunday morning. She told me that all she could do was pray and that she would pray for us every day.

Mrs. H. had a habit of sitting in the same chair every day with her Bible and prayer list and spend much of the morning praying and reading her Bible. When spring brought warm weather she began to sit outside on her porch for her early morning devotions. It was a special time for her to talk to her Lord about people including many missionaries who were on her prayer list.

One morning she noticed the children walking by her house on the way to school and she began to pray for them. She did not know any of them. As she prayed she wondered if these same children came by her house on their way home. That afternoon she watched and spoke to some of them as they passed by. Two middle school girls stopped and visited with her on their way home. After that the girls would stop by everyday for a friendly visit.

As the days got warmer she made some lemonade and brought some glasses with her to the porch. When they stopped by she shared her lemonade. The girls acted like they enjoyed their daily visits with Mrs. H. They began asking questions about her life and she was happy to share her stories and the kind of wisdom that an older woman can share with young girls. The conversations quickly included the Bible beside her chair. As she told stories of her long life and handed out wisdom born from experience she also shared about Jesus and the difference He made.

One day she asked them if they would like to pray and receive Jesus and they both said yes. She listened to them pray and told them to go home and tell their parents. With their parents permission she would be happy to teach them more about Jesus and the Bible that meant so much to her. Mrs. H. continued to mentor those girls for many months after that.

Her story inspires me. When she was not able to go on a mission trip she prayed and God brought the mission field to her. She stayed on her front porch and led two young girls to salvation. Jesus calls us all to go and preach the Gospel, (Mark 16:15). It is not about where or how far you go. It may be to the ends of the earth. It might be no farther than your front porch. God can use you in His mission.

This summer we have a mission program for children here at home. We are also sending mission teams to the Dominican Republic, Alaska, and Vancouver. Pray for us. Pray for God to use you where you are.

Bro. Robin