From Farm Girl to Missionary / Anderson, Jean M. / Paperback / LSI

Go back in time to the early 1900s when the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was still in its youth and walk with Mary Haskell as she trudges from house to house selling Adventist books. Sympathize with her as her mother torments her and her sister, Susan, as they remain true to God and the Adventist faith, even after the rest of the family falls away. Rejoice as some of those who buy her books also give their lives over to Jesus.

Share Mary’s happiness as she falls in love with Clarence Rentfro, marries, and shares his dream of being missionaries in Spain. Feel the bittersweet emotions as she says goodbye to sister Susan and her young husband, Edwin Wilbur, as they leave to be among the first missionaries to China. You’ll also feel Mary’s and Clarence’s shock when the call finally comes for them to go to the mission field—and it’s not Spain!

You will learn the lesson that the Rentfros learned that God sometimes sends us to places, not of our choosing. But He always goes with us and blesses our efforts to do His work. Mary and Clarence clung to God through privation and plenty, sorrow and joy, as they faithfully did the work placed before them.

It is good for us to know what our pioneers did and how the Seventh-day Adventist Church has grown through the years. We can find inspiration, in their faith and efforts to build up the kingdom of God on this earth, to continue the good work until Jesus comes again.

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About the Author

Born in upstate New York, Jean Anderson began writing as a student and sold some articles while in college. She graduated from Andrews University with a double major in English and education. She also holds master’s degrees in clinical psychology and education.
She taught kindergarten and elementary school for several years, then worked as a counselor for over twenty years with experience in child abuse counseling, crisis intervention, marriage and family counseling, and play therapy.
She has written two books and over forty published magazine articles. Because she loves to read biographies, she enjoyed researching material and writing this book about Mary Rentfro. Jean and her husband are currently retired and enjoy spending time with her two sons and their families.

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