 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Free
Methodist World Missions Stories [Click on the "Missions" link above to enter FMWM's web site.] [Click here to go directly to Free Methodist World Mission People Magazine online!] |
||||
|
A Missionary to Cherish: Recognizing 23 Years of Service
Bolodar was 16 years old when she knew God was guiding her to become a missionary nurse. She attended Spring Arbor University, Greenville College and completed her nursing degree at Michigan State University. She was an elementary school teacher before attending nurse's training, which proved to be a great asset since teachers as well as nurses were needed in Africa.
Leaving first for French language study in Belgium in 1962, Bolodar then went to Burundi. She put her nursing skills to work at Kibuye Hospital and then taught for a year at Muyebe School for Girls. In addition, she taught English classes, women's sewing classes and promoted Sunday school activities. After serving eight years in Africa, in 1970, Bolodar was granted a medical leave. She returned to Michigan where she married her husband. He passed away in 1977. Going through this grief led her to become a member of a bereavement committee, providing support for grieving family members. Bolodar went on to earn her master's degree and served as an instructor at a nursing school in Grand Rapids, MI. She became a leader in the Saranac, MI Free Methodist Church. In 1985, the conference elected her to the Conference Board of Ministerial Education and Guidance, its only woman member. In 1988, after 18 years away from foreign missionary service, Bolodar was asked to assist in a new school of Nursing at Nundu Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She sensed this was a renewal of her missionary call and found opportunities for evangelism, as well as nursing instruction, counseling and bookkeeping there. She believes that sharing about Christ and encouraging patients to find Him are a Christian nurse's responsibility. In 1993 Bolodar served in Rwanda as liaison between the hospital and nursing school in Kibogora. For a time she also worked under Samaritan's Purse, assisting in a refugee camp and restoring nursing services at Kigali's Hospital Center. Africa Area Director Henry Church says, Harriet Bolodar is "an indefatigable missionary, working long hours to get the job done. A deeply caring person who wants to see God's best for the people she serves. Unafraid to confront sin and wrong doing, even in high places. Willing to speak the truth in love, when it would be easier to keep silent. A great cook of guava jelly and homemade refrigerator ice cream! A gracious hostess. A competent and committed teacher. A person with a vision who is willing to follow the vision, no matter what the cost. I like Harriet. She is a very special person. We miss her in Africa. It is not the same without her."
After completing 22 years of service in Africa, Harriet served one year assisting the ministry team in Gyor, Hungary. Jerry Coleman, Europe Area Coordinator, writes: "I am so thankful for the ministry of Harriet Bolodar in Hungary. She was only here for a year, but the impact of her presence was greatly felt. "Harriet lived in Gyor, a city of 170,000 people in western Hungary where we are establishing the Free Methodist Church. Her participation/leadership in English Club, English Bible Study and the hospitality she extended to many people helped to reach out to the community. Harriet was well respected and loved by many people. "I heard and still hear comments about Harriet's ministry from Gerry McNamara, pastor, and from Eric and Heidi Barnes, VISA missionaries. All three have expressed to me that they have been greatly helped and encouraged by Harriet's gentle words of direction, her fervent purpose in the Lord, her example and practice of prayer and her knowledge of the church and the Bible. "After so many years of missionary service in Africa where she had to make so many things from 'scratch,' our team affectionately called her 'a real missionary.' I have been personally encouraged and challenged by Harriet to be faithful through the long, sometimes unfruitful periods of ministry. She also challenged me to initiate restoration where communication and past hurts have festered. "We as a ministry team in Hungary continue to honor Harriet and to cherish her. She was, and remains, a blessing to us and to the Hungarian community she touched." |
|
|||
Free
Methodist missionary Harriet Bolodar was honored at the North Michigan
Conference Family Camp on Sunday, July 25, 2004. Bolodar, who is retiring
after 23 years of global ministry, was thanked for her faithful service
by Dr. Art Brown, executive director of Free Methodist World Missions.
Rev. Sam Tinsley, superintendent of the North Michigan Conference — which
has partnered with Harriet through financial and prayer support — also
expressed appreciation. He commissioned Harriet for future ministry in
Spring Arbor, MI, where she will be living in her retirement, with these
words: "Now with senior adults in Spring Arbor, the Spring Arbor
FMC and Spring Arbor University, we commission you as our missionary continuing
ministry in these places and wherever you may go and to the glory of God."
