“You’ve changed,” said Mary-Vonn’s friends to her with concerned expressions. “What’s wrong with you?”

When the slender sixty-year-old woman explained to them that she had finally put her faith in Jesus and become a true believer, the news didn’t go over well.

“Aren’t we Catholics, after all?” They objected, clearly offended. “What could you possibly mean by that?”

The Alpha course

Mary-Vonn’s companions couldn’t deny, however, that she had a sparkle in her eye that they had never seen before. All of this had come about since she’d decided to attend an Alpha Course, taught by Greater Europe Mission worker Roy Nagelkirk, at her son Greg’s church. Greg had been witnessing to his mother for a long time and was thrilled when she decided to take part.

A Woman Changed

Mary-Vonn had always had a love-hate relationship with the Catholic Church. At times, she had wanted to leave it and look elsewhere, but guilt paralysed her. Her deep, internal struggle was visible to Roy and his wife Jennifer. She seemed so close to a decision to trust Jesus, but something always held her back.

Then, one day, they witnessed a stark change in Mary-Vonn. The grandmotherly woman with a warm smile showed up at church looking as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Before, she had always seemed withdrawn and preoccupied. Now her eyes sparkled. Her countenance had brightened. She radiated joy when she told the Nagelkirks that she had prayed and decided to trust in Jesus Christ.

Encouraged faith workers

Mary-Vonn’s salvation encouraged the Nagelkirks in more ways than one. It not only pleased them to know that Mary-Vonn was now a believer, but it confirmed that they had taken a correct turn in ministry. It hadn’t always been so clear. Because they had originally come to France to reach Muslim immigrants, Roy and Jennifer had never pictured themselves ministering to French people like Mary-Vonn.

Source: Greater Europe Mission