Imagine going to a foreign country. You don’t know anyone. You don’t know the language or the laws of the land. Who would you turn too? Who could you count on? Who could you trust?
This is what many people face when they move here to the United States. They come seeking to better their lives as well as their family’s lives. Catherine Vance is making a difference in the lives of many Hispanic families in Lancaster, SC.
In 1990 Catherine’s husband died. The Vance’s did not belong to a church, so Catherine had difficulty finding someone to perform her husband’s funeral. One preacher in New England reached out to Catherine and offered to do her husband’s funeral under these conditions, one she had to attend church on Sunday, and the other was that he could preach the gospel at her husband’s funeral. Catherine agreed and it changed her life.
“This preacher taught me, discipled me, and I came to know the Lord,” said Vance.
Then in 1991, Vance moved to South Carolina. Over the years Vance has worked with many ministries, but on her 70th birthday God called her to the Hispanic ministry. In February 2005, Vance was commissioned as Moriah’s Associational Missionary to Internationals.
“God gave me such a love for the Latinos,” stated Vance. “They took me under their wings and in five and a half months they taught me their language.”
Vance also works for the Children’s Council in Lancaster. She visits the homes of ten Hispanic families two times a week and is teaching the mothers how to teach their children how to read, write, and learn their colors. Vance is basically getting the children ready for school. “I am building relationships,” said Vance.
Vance also works with the “Care and Share” program out of the Moriah Association. If anyone needs help, this program provides assistance to them. “You have to meet their physical needs first before you can reach them spiritually,” stated Vance.
Vance attended the Hispanic Evangelism Conference on April 22-23, sponsored by the Church Multiplication Group of the SC Baptist Convention. The conference is for the pastors and leaders of Hispanic churches. It is also for lay people in the church who want to prepare and equip themselves in certain areas, such as starting new churches and missions.
Vance said, “I came to this conference last year. I couldn’t speak the language. Now this year I am being blessed by the messages.”
God is using this little, elderly Italian lady for His purpose. “I just can’t wait until I get to Heaven and hear my Father say, “Well done my good and faithful servant,’” stated Vance.
