I am so excited to share today’s interview with you. It’s my first interview with a woman who is not one of our writers. It is SO ENCOURAGING.
Mrs. Joy Young is a 96-year-old woman who served as a nurse and missionary to Aboriginal people in the Western Desert, Wyndham, and Kununurra with her husband and three children. At one point, Mrs. Young was the only medical professional for a thousand kilometers in the Warburton Ranges in the Western Desert!
I had to pester Mrs. Young to share with me, as she was convinced she had nothing to say! The result was a delightfully funny and encouraging interview. If you’re stuck in a hard place or don’t know what to do with your life, Mrs. Young encourages us towards prayer and trusting in God in every situation, no matter how big or small.
In today’s episode, we explore:
Growing up in Melbourne knowing about God but not knowing or trusting in Jesus until she heard a returned soldier speak about what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
Initially training as a nurse and planning to head to West Africa as a missionary, but ultimately learned that God did not want her to go to West Africa. Instead she waited, married and had three daughters. When her oldest was six years old, she and her husband were convicted that God wanted them to share the gospel with Aboriginal people in Western Australia, so they sold everything they owned and went to the Western Desert.
Mrs. Young’s experiences of seeing people healed and the Lord provide for her and her family in miraculous ways whilst serving in the Western Desert, Wyndham and Kununurra for more than thirty years.
How she has remained joyful in her later years and endured the loss of her beloved husband.
You can check out theshow notes for everything mentioned in the episode.
Mentioned in today’s episode:
Keren Master’s book is about the life of her parents, Bruce and Pearl Smoker, who were missionaries in the Kimberly region from 1951-1973 and called No Turning Back. The Smokers served alongside the Youngs.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:15 NIV)
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3 NIV)
The story of Jesus telling a man who was lame for 38 years to get up and walk is recounted in John 5:1-15.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
"He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name." (Psalm 147:4 NIV)
100F = 37.7C
"Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and no rain fell on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." (James 5:17-18)
"The seventh time the servant reported, 'A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea.' So Elijah said, 'Go and tell Ahab, "Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you."“ (1 Kings 18:44 NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NIV)