Dr. Helen Roseveare was a medical missionary to the Congo between 1953 and 1973. She passed away last December at the age of 91 and left behind a rich store of thoughtful writing about her experiences.
A single woman, far from her home in England, she frequently sought guidance from the Lord.
When war broke out in the Congo, should she stay or retreat across the border to safety? When funds ran out, should she continue in faith that God would provide by the time bills were due? When her will conflicted with that of other missionaries, should she stand her ground for what she thought best or humbly back down? These sorts of decisions kept her in her Bible and on her knees, searching for guidance.
Central to Roseveare’s trust in God’s guiding grace was Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” She wrote, “When we ask God to guide us, we are asking to be shown the job he has already ‘prepared in advance for us to do.’” Her confidence in God’s sovereignty spurred her desire to be led—even if submitting to his leading went against her inclination.
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