Most often we read articles of remembrance when a loved one has departed from this life in death, but I would like to take a moment to honor, in remembrance a dear friend who is embarking on a new life, a new beginning.  On October 17, Baptist Mid-Missions' missionary, Miss Linda Earnshaw will be united in marriage to Dr. Kent Peterson and begin a new life of lay service beside her husband.

As a single woman missionary, "Miss Linda" served in Ghana, Africa, in the Spanish ministry in Philadelphia, in church planting in New England, and most recently worked with military wives and children in Virginia.  She also was used of the Lord through many months of deputation ministries.  Most importantly in my life, she was used as my co-worker and special friend.  I could not have loved one woman more dearly than I have loved Linda in Christ.

The same week my husband and I requested a single woman to work with us in a team ministry of church planting, Miss Linda requested that she be assigned to work with a couple in just such an assignment.  From the very beginning, it was clear that God placed us together.  The Home Office requested that we read several books about single women missionaries.  Perhaps it is for the best that we were never able to follow that request, because Linda taught us every right and good thing about such a person.  Not only did she become my husband's trusted co-worker, and my children's close confidante, but she became my co-laborer, friend, and sister.  Whatever false images others might convey about a single woman missionary on a mission team, Miss Linda certainly dispelled them all.  In the ministry, she was a full co-worker, a vital part of the team.  Without her, we truly were missing a functioning part.  For every plan, program or ministry, she was ready, willing and able to be used of the Lord.  Her character, convictions and commitments were a constant source of encouragement and reassurance to us as co-workers and to those she ministered to in the work. 

As a single woman, Linda always met the Lord's goal for her in her personal life and ministry.  Never once was there anything but harmony, support and loyalty in our relationship together within the team of three. 

But Linda was more than just a team member to me personally.  Because of her deep love for the Lord and her sensitivity to His leading, she was able to be used as a friend to me, the missionary wife, and as a sister in Christ to my missionary husband.  She planned and dreamed with us, she prayed and cried with us, she worked and laughed with us.  Through hard times and through victories, through achievements and conquests, Linda was always a loyal friend.  I am glad I never read any books with warnings or suggestions, because Linda wrote her own epistle in Christ.  She made our entire family upholders of the precious and unique contributions of the single woman in our mission family.  Every memory I have of her is blessed.  I trust and know that the Lord will give her a married life of blessed memories as His unique reward.  Thank you Linda, for being all that God wanted you to be in your life and in mine.