Seasoned citizen finds renewed purpose in foreign mission work

Caption: Sue Foster (center) served on a missions trip in Panama a few years ago. Today, she is working in eastern Africa. Photo originally appeared in Kentucky Today.

After Sue Foster’s husband died two years ago, the 68-year-old not only lost the love of her life, she also lost her sense of purpose, The Baptist Paper reported.

“When he passed, I was just lost,” she explained. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t feel like I had much purpose in life. I was having physical illness and depression.”

I can certainly relate to Sue’s feelings. I experienced the same thing a few years ago. It’s a debilitating feeling to believe your life has little or no purpose.

However, Sue soon discovered God had a greater purpose than depression and grief in store for her. He set her a path that was not only a passion for her, but one that had been for her late husband, too. That way, it would be like they were still working together on a shared experience.

Sue’s God-assignment was the perfect remedy for her depression. After stepping out on faith to pursue it, Sue received confirmation after confirmation, and a new joy began taking hold of her life.

After completing her first international mission trip in Kenya, Sue was inspired to go on another one.

Sue scoured the International Mission Board (IMB) website looking for long-term mission trips. But she also learned about the International Service Corps, which is designed for retirees.

Based on her life experiences, Sue found a logistics job working in finance and administration. She will be working in eastern Africa helping IMB missionaries with travel plans, getting new medical attention, preparing reports and engaging in some ministry with women.

Sue’s complete story can be found at The Baptist Paper.