“God has a plan. He plants a seed, and things happen in your life you didn’t even know were possible,” Norma shared. “Whatever is in my life started early and involved the church: Sunday school, church camp, worship services, and mission trips.”
For Norma, mission work grew into a passion of hers. “I traveled with former churches and mission trip organizations, and through connections I made with people. I presented to congregations, led trips of teens to adults, made pillowcase dresses for girls in other countries, and even traveled with my grandchildren to various countries on mission trips.” Norma gave an example. “I dropped off pillowcase dresses for a children’s choir from Africa who were scheduled to sing in Green Valley once. Although the concert was canceled, this connection planted a seed that led me and my grandchildren to travel to the orphanage he ran. What a great experience for all of us.”
Norma’s cousin asked her and her husband, Roy, to come to Desert Hills Lutheran Church. “She wanted Roy to sing a duet with her for a Lenten service. Then, she asked him to practice with them and sing in the choir for a worship service. This started a chain of events that led us to Desert Hills – we belonged before we joined.”
Although music hooked Roy, Norma was drawn to the work Desert Hills Lutheran Church was doing through their Social Concerns Ministry and Global Mission Committee. “I served right away on the Global Mission Committee since mission work is a part of me,” Norma shared with a smile that never left her face. “I learned that mission work looked different here than in other churches. I went on mission trips in the past and still do, but I learned that making a difference can be as a ‘next-door missionary’ where you help your neighbor or community. I love all the serving opportunities at Desert Hills: fundraisers, visits, and volunteering with local organizations. Even the pastor supports the work done through Desert Hills Lutheran Church. He attends meetings and events that the mission group holds. His wife even sells Fair Trade coffee once a month. That is important when your passion is mission work.”
“At the legacy sermon the other week, I thought about my legacy. Through my missionary work, I realized that my grandchildren developed a love of mission trips and missionary work. My grandson is currently doing missionary work in Australia with kids from Africa who went there to sing. He is teaching them for three months as they travel and perform. My legacy of making a difference in the lives of others will continue through them.”
Norma and Desert Hills Lutheran Church invite you to participate as a “next-door missionary” by helping those in need near and far. We encourage you to participate in activities and volunteer at organizations. You never know where the seed God planted in you will take you.