Mimi Update

In February, 2016, I shared with you the story of Mimi.  She worked for us as a ‘helper’ in 1997 and 1998 while finishing college.  As she grew in her relationship with the Lord, Mimi quickly became best friends with my daughters.  For the past 12 years she has worked as an English teacher in Vietnam where she led Bible studies and helped grow 3 churches.

Mimi with Hannah and Martha in 2008

Mimi, now age 37, never had a boyfriend, content to remain single as she served the Lord with gladness.  Last November she met a Frenchman, Antwan, at her church in Vietnam who was visiting relatives.  Their friendship grew and by March he proposed to Mimi and she joyfully accepted.  They will be married here in the Philippines later this year.

In April, Mimi returned to the Philippines to make preparations, yet she wanted to stay involved in ministry.  One of our pastors had been praying for a young lady who could work with the young people in his church, discipling them and training them to lead worship.  Mimi was the perfect fit.  So, for the past several weeks, Mimi rented a room near the church and spent several hours each day with selected young people.  They studied the Scriptures, sang, prayed, and shared their lives.

During the last week of May, they retreated to a small island where they spent several days focusing on growing their relationship with the Lord and committing their lives to Him.  By the first of June the pastor reported big changes in the lives of these young people.  They were more obedient to their parents, participating more in worship, talking about their growing relationship with the Lord, and even leading their own Bible studies.

Mimi’s faithfulness to the Lord reminds me of 2 Timothy 2:2 "And the things you have heard me say in presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”  Mimi has been an encouraging example to many of living out our purpose in life to be mighty in spirit and to lead others to do the same.

Early in their courtship, Antwon asked Mimi what he could give her that would make her happy.  Mim's response, "I don't need anything to make me happy; I'm already happy serving the Lord."  Mimi has learned that the one most ready for marriage is the one who doesn't NEED to be married in order to be fulfilled.  The Lord, Jesus Christ, fulfills and is the only one we cannot live without.  Marriage is simply a new avenue of growing our character, having a partner in ministry, and if the Lord wills, birthing a new generation of servants to the Lord.