Issue 2010 #1
Table of Contents:
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Persevering Against Heavy Odds
Kathleen Statham is counted as one of our missionaries, but some have wondered because they never see her. She is very shy, but we managed to get an interview with her recently.
As an authorized missionary, she brought in her own support when she began working at Western Tract Mission in 1994, when missionary Laureen (Ens) Pattison was leaving and Chuck Aney was the director. Laureen suggested Kathleen step in to fill her place in the office. Her role was general office help and she spent many long Thursdays typing about 3000 subscriber names and mailing addresses into the computer, for the newsletter which later was renamed, Reflections.
Later, when there were more staff changes, she became a Mailbox Club corrector and has replied to about 100 students. Of course, many of those have grown up or moved on. Still, Kathleen comes into the office very early in the mornings to take care of the lessons set aside for her to grade.
In a recent interview, I asked what difficulties she might have had to persevere in and overcome. I gasped when I learned that she has twice been the victim of a hit and run accident. In one of those instances she picked herself up and took herself to Emergency, but was sent home.
Once, she was also in a house fire. As a result of someone's legal suit over that she receives some Workman's compensation for loss of wages, but she must keep working to maintain that bit of income. The same is true, she has been told, with her Canada Pension income.
So Kathleen continues her missionary work, which includes some cleaning and lawn-raking in fall, and she delivers flyers door-to-door, so she can say she is earnestly doing her best to be working.
For the last two years another problem has plagued her; hyperthyroidism and tremendous pain in her neck. A chiropractor visit every few days gives a bit of relief, but she worries most about not being able to get her medication. There are long waits too, to see her specialist.
Kathleen has a sweet, gentle spirit, and prays for those who have wronged her, as she perseveres against heavy odds in her Christian walk. Let's all lift her up in prayer, and see if her load cannot be lightened.
- Ruth Marlene Friesen
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