EVANGELICAL WOMEN IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1800; LILIAN TRASHER P/72

 

In this post I will continue sharing the story of a woman named Lillian Trasher. She lived from 1887 - 1961. Lilian went to Egypt where she worked with a missionary couple. While in that country she found herself responsible for an infant whose mother had died. With no one else to care for the child she determined to do it herself and believe God for provision. 

Lilian's ministry gained the respect of the Egyptian people and political leaders, so that she was able to survive political and social changes. Now known as the Lillian Trasher Orphanage, by the end of her life the ministry cared for and educated more than 1200 children.

By February 2019, the "Church of God Evangel" reported that Lillian's monthly expenses were $260 to care for 80 children. Readers of the "Evangel" regularly sent financial support and letters of encouragement, and her expressions of gratitude frequently appeared in the publication. With a growing orphanage, however, she had to seek support from many sources. 

With most of her support coming from outside of the Church of God, Lillian applied for an appointment as an Assemblies of God missionary in 1919. Her last correspondence printed in the "Church of God Evangel" appeared a year earlier. She graciously thanked general overseer Tomlinson for an offering with a commendation that he had "always been so faithful in sending to us." With the orphanage having grown to 90 children, she requested that the overseer reminds the Church of God people to pray for her ministry. Her letter concluded, "It is a comfort for us to know that those at home are praying for us."