Women Making a Difference

I have been so privileged in my life to meet so many women who are truly making a difference in the world. They come in all shapes and sizes. They are of vastly different backgrounds and age groups. Some are tall, while others are "pint-sized." Regardless, their lives are leaving a mark on planet earth and inspiring me every day.

I just returned from Guatemala where I spent one week with missionary, Marla Johnson of Flames of Fire Ministries. She and her husband left everything behind to serve God full-time in Central America. They have very little privacy, serve in an area that is only 3% Christian, and both work as hard as 10 men. Marla's life challenges me to give my all in serving God.

I traveled with a teenage young woman named Katrina Ritchey who had never been on a mission trip before. Katrina served me and everyone else in any way she could - filling a coffee cup, stapling papers, and tying ribbons in hungry Guatemalan girl's hair. She did it all joyfully and never once complained - Katrina challenges me to serve with a joyful heart.

Before leaving for Guatemala, Yolanda Morales spent an entire day editing translated material for people she will never meet. Jamie Archer spent that same day sitting at a computer hour after hour, using a new program to translate the materials for Yolanda to edit. A group of youth, led by Katrina and two other teenage girls from my local church came and spent their afternoon and evening stuffing 600 bags for the feeding programs, running out to get food so "Pastor Carla" would eat. These women inspire me to consider everything I do a ministry unto God.

There are four women who have been praying for me faithfully for years. Linda Neuman leads the team and has been faithful for over twenty years. Even when I have been too busy to meet or keep her updated as I should, she continues to love and pray for me. Linda's life has challenged me to be faithful to others as well.

Then there were the two women who showed up at my house to empty my barn of three truckloads of "stuff" that I'd been trying to clean out for over a year. The list of women who have impacted my world are too many to list here. Making a difference is more than preaching or doing humanitarian work. It's loving and serving in everyday life in a way that honors God. I am privileged to have been surrounded with women who understand genuine Christianity and pray that my life bring the same challenge to those I meet.

Are there women who have challenged your life? Share in the comment portion - we can learn from one another!