Every once in a while I check out what's happening at SBC Outpost. Today I found this post about Bobbye Rankin that is very much worth a moment of your time.
Bobbye is the wife of Dr. Jerry Rankin, president of the IMB. Both of these godly people had a powerful impact on my life and ministry from the time I got to the International Learning Center for orientation on. I listened intently their stories of struggle and pain during their first term overseas, and they gave me comfort, especially once I was in the middle of my own hellish "first term." Bobbye led a women's conference our region held about three months after I arrived and God used her words to strengthen my spirit and encourage my soul. As I walked through the following years of agony and darkness, I kept hearing Bobbye's words of hope ring in my ears. Knowing that she had survived life-threatening illness, deaths of loved ones, loneliness, fear, and incredible obstacles to their ministry, all within their first few years on the field gave me hope and determination that I could and would make it through my own struggles. If she could do I it I could do it.
She probably doesn't remember me at all -- nor would Dr. Rankin remember me either. But I remember them. I remember their graciousness, their kindness and generosity of time and energy; their treatment of every one of us missionaries as one of their own children or close friends. I never had any doubt about Dr. Rankin's or Bobbye's care and concern for me and my ministry on the field.
I will forever love Bobbye Rankin for her amazing and inspiring servant leadership to all the women serving overseas. This post, written by her son, gives you a glimpse into the woman whose life, ministry and servanthood helped me hang on to God in my darkest times, and it is so worth the time to read. Please go and learn about a woman who helped me become who I am today, and who I am becoming for tomorrow.
Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. -- James 1:27 The Message
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