I just received an email from friends that I knew in my single days, when I was a part of a Christian ministry back in the 70's. It is so special that I thought I would share it with you.
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Dear friends,
I am pleased to pass on a very special announcement to all of you.
Helen Arnseth, missionary to Madagascar and long-time staff member of Daystar is engaged to be married on September 8, 2007 to Olav Torvik in San Antonio, Texas!
She was engaged on June 28, 2007 to Olav, whom she has known since September 13, 1948. Olav and his wife Eunice served in Madagascar as missionaries along with Helen and Eunice was Helen's best friend during their years of ministry there.
Eunice passed away earlier this year after a 10 years struggle with several health issues. Olav voiced his loneliness to one of his daughters after Eunice passed away and she suggested that he consider getting married again. His daughter asked him who he would consider if he was to remarry and he said he would consider Helen first of all. So the rest is, as they say, history. Olav called Helen shortly after this conversation with his daughter and they have developed their relationship over the phone. It culminated when Helen went to San Antonio on June 20th to visit him and his children for 10 days.
Helen and Olav both speak Norwegian, French, English and Malagasy and Helen knows all five of his children well because of their time together in Madagascar.
As most of you may know, marriage has been a dream for Helen all her life so she is more than overjoyed at this unexpected turn of events. Olav is 88 years old and Helen is 85.
There will be a reception in the Minneapolis area for the newly weds in October for those who wish to rejoice with them ...
What an amazing and exciting story this has been. Rejoice with us and with Helen as she enters into the fulfillment of a life-long dream.
Blessings to you all
Larry Ballard
1 comment:
I am curious about Ms. Arnseth because my piano teacher in the 50's from Moorhead, MN, had a daughter with your name, who was a missionary to Madagascar. I met you at least once at a piano recital. I have a couple of mementos from Helen too, one a hankie with the map of Madagascar embroidered on it. Also, Ingrid Trobisch, who recently passed away, belonged to the same Lutheran church as I,here in Springfield, MO. Ingrid said she roomed with Helen Arnseth in France, I believe, when they were both training to be missionaries. I would love to correspond with Helen. Jeanine Siewert
siewertdrs@aol.com
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