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Even in uncertain economic times, a good teacher can find a job, especially if she’s willing to
travel. Retired as a special education teacher two years ago, Louise Reimer will find her next assignment in the Peruvian mountains, teaching English to children in kindergarten through secondary school and working with women in support groups.
As a missionary for The Mission Society, she will not be paid.With faith that “if God calls you, he will provide,” and pledges of money from area churches, friends and organizations, Reimer feels
at ease about her new venture.
Even before she retired in 2007, she had begun exploring the possibility of entering into a long-term mission. Her preparation was put on hold for nine months while she worked for the United Methodist Church as a volunteer coordinator following the Greensburg tornado. During the last several months, she has put together a home team who will provide emotional support and foster connections with mission partners here, and spoken to many church groups to raise funds to support her during the next five years.
She has attended training sessions with the Mission Society, both in this country and in Brazil and
Costa Rica. A visit to Peru confirmed for her that that was where she was supposed to go. There is a reading list of at least 30 books on theology, evangelization, spiritual life and adjusting to a new culture. She has supplemented her high school Spanish with two semesters at Hutchinson Community College.
“It’s just like preparing for another career,” Reimer commented.
And a new lifestyle, in a country where over half the people live in poverty. Where the water is contaminated by the mining industry and even the fresh fruits and vegetables that are abundant are questionable. Where three-quarters of the women live with abuse and or abandonment and
have few skills to support themselves.
Under the old model, missionaries lived in a compound and stayed apart fromthe people they
served. The new concept is for the missionary to live among the people, to find friends there, to depend upon their neighbors to answer questions and avoid always aligning themselves with other missionaries. “It’s part of being effective,” she said. “You make friends; an outsider coming
in telling you something just doesn’t work.”
Participation in mission trips to Asia, Europe and South America opened her eyes to needs in the world. Study of Scripture and prayer led to her decision to commit at least two years to teaching in a Christian school in Peru, following a year of Spanish language study in Costa Rica beginning next January.
Even in uncertain economic times, a good teacher can find a job, especially if she’s willing to
travel. Retired as a special education teacher two years ago, Louise Reimer will find her next assignment in the Peruvian mountains, teaching English to children in kindergarten through secondary school and working with women in support groups.
As a missionary for The Mission Society, she will not be paid.With faith that “if God calls you, he will provide,” and pledges of money from area churches, friends and organizations, Reimer feels
at ease about her new venture.
Even before she retired in 2007, she had begun exploring the possibility of entering into a long-term mission. Her preparation was put on hold for nine months while she worked for the United Methodist Church as a volunteer coordinator following the Greensburg tornado. During the last several months, she has put together a home team who will provide emotional support and foster connections with mission partners here, and spoken to many church groups to raise funds to support her during the next five years.
She has attended training sessions with the Mission Society, both in this country and in Brazil and
Costa Rica. A visit to Peru confirmed for her that that was where she was supposed to go. There is a reading list of at least 30 books on theology, evangelization, spiritual life and adjusting to a new culture. She has supplemented her high school Spanish with two semesters at Hutchinson Community College.
“It’s just like preparing for another career,” Reimer commented.
And a new lifestyle, in a country where over half the people live in poverty. Where the water is contaminated by the mining industry and even the fresh fruits and vegetables that are abundant are questionable. Where three-quarters of the women live with abuse and or abandonment and
have few skills to support themselves.
Under the old model, missionaries lived in a compound and stayed apart fromthe people they
served. The new concept is for the missionary to live among the people, to find friends there, to depend upon their neighbors to answer questions and avoid always aligning themselves with other missionaries. “It’s part of being effective,” she said. “You make friends; an outsider coming
in telling you something just doesn’t work.”
Participation in mission trips to Asia, Europe and South America opened her eyes to needs in the world. Study of Scripture and prayer led to her decision to commit at least two years to teaching in a Christian school in Peru, following a year of Spanish language study in Costa Rica beginning next January.
There was no burning bush, no bright light on the road to Damascus, no defining moment, she wrote in a quarterly newsletter she uses to keep partners informed, just a recurring thought, “you need to teach somewhere in the world for Christ.”
“I guess I’ve always been a risk-taker,” Reimer said. “I’ve never been afraid or felt in danger. I think God created me for this kind of task because I am not afraid.”
She acknowledged that she will miss her children and grandchildren, and decisions had to be made about the care of her 94-year-old mother. The house that has been home for 30 years will be rented, and most of her possessions sold.
After the two years in Peru, “the door is open,” she said. “It’s one of those things you have to wait for God to tell you.”
