SB: Well I was raised on a farm in Canada...raised in the great outdoors you could say. There were five of us (kids), so when mom and dad went into town, they'd leave us home. But we were not raised in any kind of church, never prayed before our meals, or anything like that. But I remember such a hunger in my heart. I would go to bed at night and many times I'd lay there wondering if God really existed. One night I prayed, God if you're really there, just show yourself to me! I believe that was the prayer that God heard and answered, because right after that we were invited to go to Sunday School. The Pentecostal Church there was having a big Sunday School drive and a friend of mine invited me. Her aunt lived close to my home and gave me a ride. God answered that prayer because of my hunger. He sees that hunger in each of us. I'll never forget that church. That's where it all started.

AG: Looking back now, what are some things in your past that you now realize, where preparation for your current ministry?

SB: One interesting thing that happened during High School, was that they always taught two languages. French and German. The year I started however, they started teaching Russian. I tried it and ended up hating it, but I learned the alphabet and the very basics of the language, which opened up the door to the Slavic dialect. It was after that when I met my husband who happened to be Slovak. When we got married and went to Slovakia, I was able to understand some of the language. I actually started learning it a year before I got saved, but even then God knew what I would need in my future as a Missionary's wife. When we traveled, I was able to read the maps, give directions and was amazed that I could understand the language! I thought that was amazing how God did that. Not even knowing that I'd ever go to Europe, he prepared me. 

AG: Now how exactly did you and your husband become involved in Missionary work overseas?

SB: When my husband and I were dating, we met with a missionary to Europe, Bro. Ted Tennis. I remember my husband telling Bro. Tennis that he felt God wanted him to move back to Europe, not in the ministry, but just to live there with his family, work a job, and attend church. Barely two days after our wedding, we moved to Europe and both got jobs in a factory there. But Bro. Tennis actually pushed my husband into the ministry. At first he was so shy he could hardly testify. I had to play the piano in octaves with two fingers and my husband played the guitar because there was no music. We were newlyweds in a new church and in that way God slowly put us into the ministry. Later that year Bro. Tennis passed away. My husband agreed to keep the church open until the new minister arrived. He became a licensed minister and decided to become a Home Missionary, but needed a little more experience. So we worked with another missionary in Germany for 5 years, until we became official Home Missionaries.

AG: We understand that you were working in Eastern Europe during the reign of Communism, which was a dangerous thing for a Christian to do. Did you ever find yourself in the midst of conflict?

SB: Oh you want stories! (laughs) Well in Slovakia we were on a trip and didn't know it, but the police were looking for us. They had found letters in a pastor's house from my husband's father. He had written that we were coming by. The police found that letter and started searching for us. We found out later, that they had only been a few hours behind us. We figured it out when we tried to re-enter the country and were told that we were an "undesirable element" in their society and our visas were denied. That was the same year that one of our pastors was put in prison for seven years.

AG: Now after all these years, you are moving to France! How did that come about?

SB: Well, my husband's ministry in Europe dealt strongly with Communism. It was totally different than it is now. We had agreed to stay till there was enough help until we felt that it was time to move on. We felt we were a little too old to build something new. On the other hand, we're too young to quit! We made ourselves available to God, and he said France! One afternoon we got a call from a friend of ours who worked as a missionary in France. He was unloading on my husband, telling him that he was trying to keep up with several churches and a Bible School, since he was the only missionary there! Something came over my husband and he said...I'll go! The Lord confirmed it and the Missions Board has appointed us!

AG: You have lived a life of sacrifice, following the calling of God all over the world! What advice can you give to young people, who might feel a calling to Missions like you did yourself at a young age?

SB: You must be sure it's a definite calling of God. Even myself, when we go to Home Mission churches and I see their sacrifice and work, I just want to weep and stay to help them. That's compassion in your heart makes you like that. So when you feel a call to a Missions Field, it takes a lot of prayer and fasting to make sure it's from God and not your emotions. In today's fast paced world, people don't want to hear that. You know, it all sounds romantic and exciting, but it's something like getting married. When the honeymoon's over and you wake up to bad breath, messy hair, and dirty socks you've got to really know that this is the man you are committed to for life. You made a commitment, for better or worse. It's the same with any calling. So many people lack commitment. But when the "Honey-moon phase" is over, you've got to remember that commitment you made to God, and stick with it.