Linda Murdock, Ministry Assistant, Living Water Church
When you think of favorite spring/summer flowers, the sunflower often comes to mind. It grows slowly and persistently into the summer months and by late July exhibits a glorious radiance, always turning its head in the direction of the sun.
A few days ago I read an article in the The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter about a 40-year old North Korean woman named Esther, who left her country and illegally lived in China for seven years as a refugee. Working on a fish farm, Esther was in danger of being sold into slavery so she escaped with a believer, who brought her to faith in Jesus. Whenever Esther met other Koreans, she told them about God and never feared for her life saying, “If I perish, I perish.” Eventually Esther was repatriated to North Korea and severely beaten there. She again escaped to China but felt called to return to North Korea to share the gospel. She did so and endured much pain and suffering in the process. Esther’s witness and that of others like her, makes her a “Sunflower Girl,” because her face was always toward the Son!
Please join Lutheran Women In Mission on Saturday, April 16 when we will hear more stories about Christian martyrs and the ministry that works to support the persecuted church abroad. The Voice of the Martyrs is an interdenominational organization that is based on Hebrews 13:3 “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Our featured speaker is Cindy Kern, who will share the main purposes of The Voice of the Martyrs and inspire us to a deeper level of commitment to Christ and His Great Commission.
Women of St. Luke and area churches can look forward to a morning of worship led by Brooke Orozco and Lisa McLeary, devotion time with Zone Counselor Rev. Robert Mikkelson, and updates on what LWML is doing through in-gatherings and the collection of mites to support mission grants such as Women of the Pearl and MOST Ministries. There will be an opportunity to hear reports from the mission field by our own Michell Porisch and Kelly Bone as well as an announcement about our candidate for Young Woman Representative to the LWML District Convention at Boyne Mountain, July 29-31!
The LWML Spring Zone Rally will be held at St. Luke Ann Arbor and begins with coffee and registration at 9 a.m. followed by the program at 9:30 a.m. A salad lunch will be served at 12 Noon. RSVP is appreciated to Linda Murdock. A suggested donation of $5 will help defray expenses for the luncheon.
Serve the Lord with Gladness!
