Michael & Veronica Henderson
In 2015, Michael and Veronica and their, at the time, six children, now nine children—Michael Jr., Mariam, Kevin, Thomas, Lydia, Sarah, Bernadette, Catherine, and Evelyn—answered God’s call to sell their house and their belongings and leave the familiarity of home and family behind to follow the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
Their first mission post was General Cepeda, Mexico, serving the poor and, in particular, the young men of the small desert town. It seemed that they would be serving here for a long time because their ministries, such as the men’s workout ministry, were flourishing. God had different plans for them, however. In prayer, Michael heard the Lord very clearly ask them to further discern where the family was supposed to serve in the future. Michael says he heard the Lord say, “You never asked me where I want your family to be next. What if I want you to go where they have never heard My name?” After discerning this further as a family and with the guidance of the FMC directors, they felt the Lord asking them to go to Asia.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” –Isaiah 55:8-9
The Hendersons arrived in Asia in July of 2017 and worked hard to learn the language and spread the Gospel! They encountered people on a daily basis who did not know of Jesus. They served in schools, orphanages, on the streets, and at local parks sharing the truth of Jesus, and they found the time with friends in their home extremely fruitful! They also had the opportunity to help restore an old church building and convent while hosting mission trips from America! They also worked to establish an FMC presence there for future missionaries before they returned to the states in March of 2020.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Feeling called back to the States but not out of mission work, they live in Kingwood, Texas, serving their longtime parish, St. Martha’s Catholic Church, by teaching a Bible study, speaking at youth retreats, and giving catechesis classes. Michael opened an automotive shop but closed it in early 2022 as they return to full-time work with FMC once again!
Now the Hendersons live in Abbeville, Louisiana as the “camp family” at the beautiful Stillwater Retreat Center. They maintain the current facilities and aid future growth of the property along with hosting men’s and women’s ACTS retreats, youth confirmation retreats and a variety of other retreats for the surrounding parishes of the diocese.
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