Thank you Marilyn Chan

By SALLY SEARS

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We’ve been praying for her in the church so long I thought her first name was ‘Missionary.’

Now I learn she’s retiring.  I’m feeling a little guilty at knowing so little about the people on Glenn’s prayer list. When someone comes OFF the list, it’s worth asking about.

So I asked a few questions. Lots of Glenn members know her story, but many of us, like me, could use a good reminder.

Turns out her mission is a glory for all of us who have prayed even if I wasn’t paying close enough attention.

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Here’s a photo from her recent retirement with her husband Joseph.

From Deborah Marlowe, I hear of the dramatic, powerful life she’s led. A child refugee from the murderous Khmer Rouge, she found Christ in a refugee camp.

During missionary training at Candler School of Theology, she found Glenn Memorial.

Or did we find her?

When she came back to America on missionary leave, she worked the Methodist lecture circuit, raising money for projects in Cambodia. Glenn was a frequent stop, most recently three years ago.  The dollars she collected helped build a dormitory for Cambodian women to continue education after high school. Deborah Marlowe and Jane Thorpe helped inaugurate the dormitory in Siem Reap.

In Cambodia, Marilyn led Bible studies.  She managed microloans for women. 

We at Glenn Church pay about $2500 a year out of our mission budget to help Marilyn Chan and her mission to women and children in Cambodia.  Nobody could easily remember how long Glenn’s backed her. So, I checked with the church finance whiz, Pam Gwinner. The answer stunned me. Two decades. Our easy to reach records go back to 2000. Since then Glenn has raised and sent $44,500 for Marilyn Chan’s mission.

Of course, it is more than money. All these years of prayer from Glenn supported her work. And now she’s retiring. I hope she’s hearing the joyous gospel words “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

We may support other missionaries in other countries. But for this moment, I’m pausing to appreciate the lives she’s changed with our dollars and prayers.