What’s my story?

Thursday, February 24, 2022

I was the child no one wanted around: a troublemaker, obnoxious, vengeful and mean, especially at summer camp. No counselor wanted me in her cabin. At age 10, my counselor Sharon was different. No matter what I did, even purposely hurting her, she demonstrated love to me. That caught my attention. What made her different? That day, after chapel, she shared the love of Christ with me. He loved me so much He died for my sins. He took the punishment I deserved. Then He, being God, came back to life after three days to prove He had the power to forgive my sins. I hungered for His forgiveness. So, I put my trust in Him and what He did for me.

Anger and hatred left my life that day.

One of my favorite verses is: Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love, with lovingkindness I am drawing you to myself.” I can see all through my life where He continues to draw me to Himself through His love. My relationship with Him is a continual to growth process through the difficult struggles of life. I have gone through periods of doubt and worthlessness, still His love is drawing me to Himself. He reminds me, in different ways, of His great love for me which never ends despite myself. It is everlasting. Because He loves me, He gives me love and compassion for others, especially those who struggle with self-worth and God’s love.

Have you experienced something like that in your life?

Working with children has always been a part of my life since I was 10 years old. My desire to go to Austria began before that. In my early 20’s, while being a preschool/daycare teacher, I was given the opportunity to go to Europe for a year. I attended Bible School in Germany then was a nanny in Austria a few months before joining a short-term mission in Austria. By the end of that year, I knew I wanted to go back to Austria as a full-time missionary. Nevertheless, it would be a few years before God would show me the how and with whom.

While on staff at Prairie Bible Institute, after graduating with a degree in Christian Education, God brought into my life a family who had spent many years in Austria telling children about Jesus. After a few months of getting to know them and listening to their stories, God made it clear to me that this was what He wanted me to do. YES, was my response to His plan. Five weeks later, I found myself back in Europe for another year. Again, I was a nanny with the same family in Austria then took care of a German lady for a few months before going to the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) three-month training school in Switzerland. While there I applied with CEF to work in Austria and was accepted before the end of the year.

I loved Austria. I loved the people. I loved the ministry. My plan was to grow old in Austria. After taking almost 2 years of language school, I was sent to the province of Carinthia (Kärnten). The next 17 years proved to be the most difficult and rewarding years of my life, reaching children with the gospel of Jesus Christ; God, who became man and died to pay the penalty for our sins. Furthermore, He rose again so one can have an eternal relationship with God in heaven. This I did through weekly Bible Clubs, 5-Day clubs and camps, party and holiday clubs, children’s groups at retreats and conferences (also in Eastern Europe), and discipleship. Furthermore, to grow the ministry I had prayer groups, teacher training and seminars, spoke at churches, home groups, prayer meetings and with individuals.

God’s plan wasn’t for me to grow old in Austria though. Still, it took two years of fighting Him, before I realized it was time to leave. CEF of Alberta, Canada had been after me for a few years to join the team there. So that was the next step. While working with them, I learned all about their Christian Youth In Action (CYIA) ministry working with teens in the summer, training them to do 5-Day clubs during the summer months.

Then my future husband crossed my path at International Conference. We were married 10 months later and I joined his CEF ministry in Hawaii where we served together for three and a half years before God had us on the move. Moses Lake, Washington was the next place God took us. The next 6 years in Moses Lake we worked for CEF North Central Washington which consists of 6 counties. Teacher training, Good News Clubs and the Story Barn ministry kept us busier than ever.

Did you know two of our counties in Washington have the highest suicide rate in the state amongst children! Children need Hope – an eternal hope that will never fail them. That hope is found in Jesus Christ. We are so excited to be sharing that hope of Jesus Christ with the children in our area through the fairs and weekly clubs. Before Covid, we had GNC’s in 25 schools. Furthermore, the Story Barn ministry was participating in over 30 Fairs and festivals during each spring and summer. With the Story Barn we can tell children, teens and adults who may never put a foot in a church, or Good News club, Jesus Christ’s story and His love for us. God has blessed the ministry and many of all ages have put their trust in Christ.

For the past year we have been mobile, travelling between Washington, Tennessee and Missouri in our 36-foot RV. Our desire is to keep pursuing God’s delicious unknown at each step in this amazing journey, whether helping our parents, preaching and teaching, singing or serving at the CEF Home Office.

80% of all believers come to faith in Christ as children, that is why we are in this very vital ministry. Jesus said, “let the little children come unto me…” Children are that important to God. Children need Hope – an eternal hope that will never fail them. That hope is found in Jesus Christ. We are so excited to be sharing that hope of Jesus Christ with the children wherever God has us.

So, what about you, what’s your story?

Blessings, mari