It was the persistent witness of an elderly widow to Linda Mullins, her home healthcare provider over the last five years, which brought Linda not only to a saving faith in Christ but enrollment as a soldier.
A pillar of the Norridge Citadel, Ill., Corps, Irene was a quick-witted witness to everyone. In her charming English accent, she loved talking about Jesus and the life He had blessed her with since meeting her American husband during World War II. Well into her early 90s, Irene continued working part-time and faithfully volunteering at the corps.
Linda and Irene first met when Linda was a dental assistant. A friendship developed which deepened when Irene’s out-of-state children hired Linda to keep their mother safely independent in her home. During the week Linda would drive Irene to her doctor appointments, on errands and to the nearby Norridge Citadel Corps for volunteering and Sunday worship. Linda’s curiosity about Jesus—and the Army—grew.
Linda began volunteering and attending worship with Irene. She even donned a biblical costume every December to volunteer with Irene in the marketplace for the corps’ annual Come to Bethlehem living history. Linda, who also was a former restaurant owner, and her daughter, Angie, soon took over the selling of more than 450 loaves of breads baked and donated each year by dozens of corps members.
Two weeks after Linda was enrolled as a soldier, Irene was promoted to Glory.
“Linda’s faith is growing stronger day-by-day, especially as she involves herself in the corps and studies God’s Word. She’s already very active, from volunteering for social services to just about everything connected with Christmas,” said Pamela Church-Pryor, corps community ministries director.
Captain Kristina Sjogren, corps officer, concluded, “Linda’s hunger for God’s Word is an inspiration to me. She truly wants to know and understand her Lord through scripture. I don’t think I remember a Sunday where she hasn’t asked me, my husband or another person at the corps about a scripture portion over which she’s mulling!”
