Truly Inspiring

Yesterday, while making my blog rounds, I came across a very fascinating post about a female missionary named Dr. Helen Roseveare. Dr. Roseveare was a Christian missionary in the Congo from 1953-1973. Her story is quite inspiring and I encourage you to do a Google search and read up on her.

Here are some points that amaze me:

• She was a single female in the mission field, which was not considered "proper", and was often isolated by the natives and fellow missionaries.
• She set up medical training centers to help African nurses return to their home communities and offer medical care and the gospel.
• She set up her first training center/hospital after only 2 years in the field.
• She was held prisoner by Congolese rebels for 5 months. While in captivity she was beaten and raped repeatedly.
• Once rescued and treated, she returned to Africa for 7 more years of service.
• She is now a speaker and writer for Christian women's missions.

I love this quote by her, “If you think you have come to the mission field because you are a little better than others, or as the cream of your church, or because of your medical degree, or for the service you can render the African church, or even for the souls you may see saved, you will fail. Remember, the Lord has only one purpose ultimately for each one of us, to make us more like Jesus. He is interested in your relationships with Himself. Let Him take you and mould you as He will; all the rest will take its rightful place.”

Finally, a video clip. Isn't she a doll?! She reminds me of my Mawmaw. When you watch it, pay close attention to her conversation about suffering. I have never thought about it the way she describes.

No matter what God handed her, she was His faithful trusting servant. Now that is inspiring to me.