Mission Worker Story

Forward To My Wife Marge from Tony Abram:

I am very happy to write this forward to say that my wife Marge has been a faithful fellow worker in the Vineyard of God with me for these past 40 years. They have not all been easy years as God has sent us into over 120 countries to preach and declare that Jesus Christ is Lord!

She has not complained but in fact has encouraged me time and time again. When living conditions have been difficult she has always reminded me that we are doing it for Jesus. Her conversion to Christ over 50 years ago in a village called Glendon, Alberta, Canada where she as a young girl, experienced the saving grace and keeping power of Jesus.

I will let her now tell her testimony in her own sweet words.

I do congratulate you, Marjorie Abram, for your 50+ years of serving our Lord Jesus Christ and more so thank our Father in Heaven for your life and ministry, that He gave you to me my helpmate and fellow worker in the Vineyard of God, in the ministry of World Evangelism. I am sure that her testimony will be a blessing to you as you read this.

Before telling the story of my conversion, I want to begin with my grandparents leaving their homeland of Ukraine to start a new life of pioneering a farm in Northern Alberta, Canada.

When they arrived in Canada in 1911, my father, the third child, along with his sister and two brothers, was only three and a half years old. Life was very difficult for them. They were very poor so Grandpa and Grandma both worked to help other farmers.

It was one such evening that a horse and rider arrived at their farm. They did not know it, but he was a Bible salesman! Grandma invited him in and prepared some food for him. After the meal, he brought out the Bible and began to read to them. It sounded so wonderful! But it was late and time to retire for the night. Grandma prepared a bed for him on the floor.

The next morning, they all rose and Grandma prepared some breakfast. He read the Word of God to them again. He saw that they were too poor to purchase the Bible so he left it with them. Every day Grandpa read the Word to the family. They began to have knowledge of the Word, God sending ministers to them, especially calling a minister from the Ukraine, Rev. Karp Hrycauk, to go to his own people in the far away land of Canada.

This precious man sacrificed much, walking many miles in snow and bad weather to bring the full gospel message to this needy people. How I thank God for these pioneers of faith who brought the message of God’s Love, Redemption and the need for the Empowerment of the Holy Spirit! It was in this setting that I was born. The family all attended church and Sunday School.

1948 Revival brings salvation to 8 year old girl - MARGE!

In 1948 a revival swept through Northern Alberta deeply affecting our Slavic churches and many others as well. I was eight years old at this time when a visiting evangelist came to our church. I do thank God for our pastor at that time, Pastor Toman, who did not hinder the moving of God’s Holy Spirit in our midst As the evangelist ministered, he asked for those who wanted to invite Jesus into their hearts. I felt a tug on my heart and wondered, "Would Jesus really come into my heart?"

Shyly I raised my hand and went forward in the altar call. That night, while we were praying, my friends had visions. One had a vision of Jesus! Praise the Lord! That night Jesus came into my heart. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus had come into my life and washed my sins away! Oh, the joy and peace that flooded my heart! The next day at school I shared the Lord with my classmates. I obtained a Bible. Since no one told me where to begin, I began to read the Book of Revelation. This is deep reading for a young eight year old. However, I learned that I should read John and the gospels.

Some time later, a young man, Michael Brandebura and two other Bible students visited our church. God planted a hunger in my heart to one day attend a Bible School and study His Word. Michael and his wife Ann are good friends of ours today. After my conversion, we moved to Vernon, British Columbia. Desiring to attend Sunday School, my six-year-old sister and I ventured out to find the church, which we were told, was only three blocks away. However, we soon discovered that we were lost and on the main street of the city.