Marjorie Barnhart and Virginia Boucher, often remembered as "the Bible Ladies," came to this part of the Ozarks in 1949 at a time when very few were interested in working with children in the "back-woods" schools. They started Bible Clubs in the country schools (that was before the Bible was considered a "dangerous" book) and eventually traveled to 50 different schools each month.
Later, they started Rally days held in their home just off Missouri road KK (close to the Arkansas state line just north of Arkansas Highway 265 which starts across from the High School in Pea Ridge) and many a child received love and a true understanding of the love of Christ Jesus for them. Thousands of children were touched by them, as hundreds have expressed in letter or in person, and as a result had their lives forever changed. These children, now adults, are not only scattered across the United States, but have reached every continent of the world (this was recently mapped out for those who attend Mountain Bible Church). These faithful "Bible Ladies" have trained children for a life better lived, and as result have changed a world.
Two of those children thus trained have recently published a book about Marjorie and Virginia: "The Bible Ladies of Mountain, Missouri: The Ministry of Marjorie Barnhart and Virginia Boucher." Dawn Bohl and Lynette Schmitt's new book reflects on the tremendous challenges the ladies faced as they traveled to country schools, back road homes, changed flat tires, and prayed that their vehicle would run on the gas fumes left in their tank. They relate how lives were brightened by their continual expressions of God's loving light to not only the children they worked with but also their parents. Families were often healed by their faithful work of love administered to father, mother and children.
The book is available on James Duncan's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/james.duncan.18062533 and clicking on one of the links to Amazon or Barnes and Noble or his blog and choose one of the links there.
Community on 12/17/2014