From Generation to Generation: The Faith Journey of Barbara Porter


My name is Barbara Porter. I was born in Caswell, Maine, into a large family with deep roots of faith. My father’s side of the family was Irish Catholic, and my mother’s side was Pentecostal. My grandfather was a Pentecostal minister, and my great-grandfather was a Baptist minister. Faith was always around me from the very beginning.

I was the youngest of eleven children. We lived on a farm in Happy Corner, Maine. At the time, I thought farm life was hard, but now I look back and realize it was a beautiful childhood. We did not have much, but we had family, faith, and love.

Life was not always easy. My family experienced much sorrow. My little brother died at five years old from measles and pneumonia. Later, one of my sisters died from leukemia when she was only twenty years old. Through all the pain and loss, I saw my parents continue to trust God.

One thing I remember clearly is prayer. Every night, my parents knelt beside their bed and prayed. People do not always do that anymore, but I never forgot it. Their faith became part of my life.

After high school, I met the man who became my husband. We were married for almost seventy-one years. He worked hard in construction and served in the Army as a cook. He loved cooking for our family and church gatherings. After he retired, we attended church faithfully together every Sunday.

One of the hardest times in my life came when my husband became very sick. He spent months in the hospital on a ventilator, and doctors told me many times to let him go. But I kept praying and trusting God. Our pastor, Pastor Taisung, came to the hospital and prayed with us. He sang “The Lord’s Prayer” for my husband. Even the nurses stopped to listen. It brought peace into that hospital room.

By God’s grace, my husband came home and lived two more years. I cared for him at home, and God gave me strength each day. I truly believe the Lord was watching over us.

My favorite hymns are “I’ll Fly Away,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” and “Beyond the Sunset.” I love Christmas and Easter services. I especially remember sunrise Easter services and the joy of worshipping together as a church family.

Today, my greatest prayer is for my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to know and follow Jesus Christ. I want them to be strong believers and stay close to the church. I especially pray for my great-grandson Kaiden. He came to church a few times, and I pray that one day his faith will grow strong.

Faith must be handed down from generation to generation. My grandparents handed their faith to my parents. My parents handed it to me. Now I pray that my family will continue walking with God long after I am gone.

I am thankful for the people God has placed in my life, for my church family, and for the love we share together. Through every joy and sorrow, God has been faithful.

And one day, by God’s grace, we will all meet again in heaven.

 

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