AN ENGINEER AND A MISSIONARY WHEREVER SHE GOES
Rosalie’s profile doesn’t look like a missionary’s. For a highway engineer willing to serve in Asia (as long as it was not teaching English), she got a job managing the construction of a factory. That put her under a magnifying glass, constantly observed by others. They were curious about this 4th generation Chinese American woman who spoke little Chinese and came to Asia to do what was usually a man’s job.
Rosalie was also different in the way she interacted with the construction team, with vendors and cadres, and those who worked under her. She would not bribe to get power lines laid faster or hire vendors or contractors just because they wanted to give her something or take her out for a meal. When the plant’s soft opening happened on schedule, it was a miracle. All along, Rosalie’s home team had been praying for power and so much more.
Rosalie did not hide the fact that she was Christian, but neither did she broadcast it. One day, one of her subordinates told her he was interested in going to church. He asked her if she would take him since he had never been before. Watching Rosalie piqued his interest. He wasn’t the only one, as others came along later who became interested in learning more about the bible and some of them became believers.
In eight years, Rosalie’s work took her to three cities where she supervised the construction of high-tech facilities. Her community was among fellow tentmakers in business development, marketing, finance, IT, engineering, and education. She became a big sister to the younger bi-vocational workers in the community. Like her, they had real jobs requiring real skills. The jobs were demanding with workplace issues, just like anywhere else in the world, with the cross-cultural setting making it harder. But outreach and discipleship were possible with colleagues, families, and young factory workers from the countryside. This was because people saw the gospel in action and were able to put it together when the Good News was shared with them.
Rosalie’s final project was in a city farther in the interior . During her year there, family health issues took her home twice. Knowing that more support was needed at home meant that it was time to consider returning to the U.S. Once again, the plant’s soft opening was on schedule and she sensed the Lord’s release from the field when the construction project was completely wrapped up.
Rosalie then came home to America to care for her parents. They, along with some of her other elderly relatives, came to faith in their 80s and are now with the Lord.
In the last 15+ years, Rosalie has been working as an engineering consultant. Her overseas experience proved relevant to what she does now. Today, she continues to enjoy what she does, and works with the conviction that work in the marketplace is globalocal mission.
Rosalie might not look like a missionary, but she knew she had a clear calling because God was her boss. Before she left, one of her mentees said, “Thank you for coming to our country to show us how to be an engineer.” On several previous occasions, he expressed interest in the Bible despite Rosalie's practice of not speaking with people she directly supervised about spiritual things. This was because it could get in the way of performance, i.e., they might positively respond to gain more favorable results such as a higher position or pay. When she was convinced that his interest was genuine, Rosalie started an investigative Bible Study for him and a few other guys on the team. Her work as an engineer and leading the construction management team was the light and salt that moved her co-workers towards Christ.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16
Reflection Questions:
How are you engaged in fulfilling God’s Great Commission?
What hinders you from getting involved in global missions?
Read Part 2 of this story.