Many who live in this region will remember Marjorie Barnhart and Virginia Boucher, or as more often remembered, "the Bible Ladies." They 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.
World leaders of fame affect our times, but it remains a question as to who has the greatest impact on history -- they or faithful servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. After having known Marjorie and Virginia and having met hundreds of those changed by their faithfulness, both in the U.S. and in countries far from our shores, I am persuaded that the Lord's servants do make the biggest difference in lives, nations and the world.
You will be blessed when you read this book of their lives spent in Christ's service. Anyone who has known them will want to have a copy of this book in their personal library.
You may purchase a copy of the book by going to my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/james.duncan.18062533 and clicking on one of the links to Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You may also go to my blog and choose one of the links there.
All of us who knew these ladies have been blessed, and have been reminded that faithful service to Jesus has a reward unmatched by any earthly prize.
"Thank you, Father God, for giving us such examples for our instruction. Amen!"
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Editor's note: Jim Duncan is the pastor of Mountain Bible Church, Mountain, Mo. He may be contacted at P.O. Box 146, Pea Ridge, AR 72751; or by telephone at 417-341-8504; by e-mail at [email protected]. His Web site is www.jamesduncan-writer.net.
Community on 12/24/2014