“Whatever happens,
dear brothers and sisters,
may the Lord give you joy …”
Philippians 3:1 (NLT)
| (b. Viewmont, Albermarle County, Va., Dec. 12, 1840; d. Kobe, Japan, Dec. 24, 1912). Missionary in Tengchow and Pingtu, China, for nearly 40 years; instrumental in instigating first Christmas offering, 1888. She was educated at Female Seminary at Botetourt Springs (later known as Hollins) and at Albermarle Female Institute, Charlottesville. She was converted in the spring of 1859 in a meeting by John Albert Broadus, then pastor at Charlottesville. She taught at Danville, Ky., and Cartersville, Ga. She volunteered for missionary service in Feb., 1873, in response to a sermon on the text, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest,” and she was appointed to China, July 7, 1873, by the Foreign Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention. In 1888 she wrote to the Baptist women of the South, pleading for reinforcements. The first Christmas offering in 1888 provided three additional missionaries. She spent 14 years in China before taking her first regular furlough. Toward the end of her days, she suffered with her Chinese people in the terrible famine. She gave all she had. In the time of deepest trials she wrote, “I hope no missionary will be as lonely as I have been.” Literally starving, she grew steadily weaker. Before Christmas, 1912, Cynthia Miller, faithful nurse, started back to America with Lottie Moon; death came to the frail missionary, Christmas Eve, while the ship was at harbor in Kobe, Japan. The present Christmas offering for foreign missions, sponsored by the W.M.U., is named for Lottie Moon. http://www.sbhla.org/bio_moon.htm Yesterday, I had opportunities to learn from several missionaries: John Schaffner, the BCM director at SLU and pastor of Roseland Baptist Church, told about returning a few days ago from a two week mission trip to China. He learned many lessons there. One was that the loss of his camera, exta money, and GPS system caused him to lose sleep, but the had not lost enough sleep over the lostness of people. The Sloan family of King’s Mountain, North Carolina told us of three recent trips to Romania. They ministered to the Roma and chose that people group because of Jennie. Bro. Chip baptized Jennie! Holly K. spoke last night of her future work in West Africa where she will teach four MK’s. She leaves in one week for a two year commitment as a journeyman. Pray for Bro. John as he leads college students and chuch members to be more aware of missions. the Roma and a desire to minister to their lostmness. who do not know the Lord and an example for those who are new Christians. I pray I will use what I learned to further His kingdom. I pray you will become more mission-minded. God has a plan for each of us! |
The Prayer Link 