Mae Allen and Julie

Today, I stop all things to share a bit about from my sister, Julie Mad-Bondo and her mom, Mae Allen. Today, we are all pause to celebrate Mae Allen and her going. I met this family a few years ago and was thrilled and awed at the story of how they came to be. You see, Mae Allen shared how as a young woman she went to Africa as a missionary nurse. Now, what many people did not know was that she turned down a proposal by a young man because she would not let anything hinder her calling. She went to Africa and during her time there; adopted a beautiful baby girl, Julie.

Who would know what was in store for them? Well many years pass and many lives saved for Christ. We come to a few years back. Mom, fell and was in hospital. Julie was in Africa helping another sister in Christ with the unexpected passing of her husband a true man of God. Can I tell you how the troops rallied to be in mom's hospital room to take care of her and to support Julie and Cyrus and they ministered to others. When Julie returned I watched her care for her mother with such loving kindness. The gift that she had been given by her mother was being returned to her mom in spades. The bible tells us to "honor thy mother and father," Boy, did she do just that. The love and dedication that Julie gave to mom during this time was beautiful to watch.

If you know this family, you would know how much Mom loved Julie. Her eyes always lit up when Julie entered the room and she would have a soft smile on her face when she talked to her. Julie, struggled with whether she was always doing the right thing for mom or not, whether she was doing enough, she struggled with the balance of her taking care of her family and mom also but she was diligent to a fault. Mom's mantra has been to take care of others, to bring others to Christ. I believe it lives on in Julie, I have seen this mantle taken on by her and know that it will continue on.

One single woman, missionary nurse and one little baby girl have changed so many lives. What is God asking you to do in your life to change others and bring them to Christ? I have been fortunate to know and be a part of this family and even to ask mom to share with some young women. May we look at each day carefully and choose to change someone's life for the better.

In Honor of Mae Allen......Julie's mom!