Testimonies From The Lighthouse
Bettie Orchard
Beginnings
I am a farm girl from southern Alberta and attended the Milo school from grades 1 through 12. My family consisted of my parents, me, my identical twin sister and a brother 13 months younger. We were a happy out-going family, always involved in community and sports activities. My upbringing was based on “the golden rule” and Sunday school at a denominational church. I considered myself to be moral and upright and of course a Christian. In reality, I didn’t understand the Bible or its teachings and lived a worldly lifestyle. Guidance was limited in my teenage years and I sensed that my parents just assumed I would know right from wrong and make good choices. Instead I was confused and insecure and unwise in my choices. This led to a teenage marriage and future unhappiness and instability.
Life as a Christian
As a young mother, I attempted to be a good wife and a good mother to my two children. However I had married an alcoholic and this made life very challenging. Hope filled my heart when, after reading a book “A Man Called Peter” I truly came to know Christ and my heart was filled with joy and spiritual adventure. Unfortunately, my husband was threatened by my new-found faith and life got even worse. After 11 years our marriage ended and I was a single mom supporting my two sons. The good thing was that I was involved in church activities. I studied the Bible and had a close relationship with the Lord. I became successful as a secretary working for the president of an oil company and later an administrative supervisor overseeing a staff of 44 people. I loved my work and the challenges that came with it. I was also very active in the Christian community.
Ministry Opportunities
Early in my Christian life, I was asked by church leaders to facilitate a single-women’s ministry. This was way back in the 70’s when divorce was quite rare but there was a need for ministry for these women and I was pleased to serve in this capacity. I also taught Inductive Bible study as one of the team-teachers in my church. Later I was privileged to take and teach Bible School courses. Eventually, God made his purpose clear to me and I was sent as a missionary to Russia – 1992-1994. This was an incredible experience and has greatly influenced my life. During a devotional time one Saturday morning many years ago, the Lord spoke clearly three different times in three different ways and each time the theme was “feed my sheep”. This has proven to be the most fulfilling thing in life for me. I love to disciple and teach. Whether in church, at work, in my home, or overseas, God has provided amazing opportunities to encourage other Christians and seekers of Christ. As an ESL teacher, the emphasis is still teaching and guiding. The joy that comes from this ministry is seeing how God draws people to Himself through serving them.
Senior Years
Now as a senior, I have the joy of my grown children and their families. My four grandchildren are a blessing. Sometimes I regret my past mistakes. I never thought I would still have so much to learn but actually the more I know, the more I realize how much more there is to learn. I’m grateful for God’s grace and patience. As I reflect back over the many years since I first believed, my heart is full of thanksgiving for His relentless love for me, for the millions of answers to prayer, for outright miracles and of course His everlasting faithfulness that continues forever.