His Legacy Continues

By Kristi Johnson

I still remember the linen placemats with elephants stitched in the corner adorning the dining room table of my childhood home in South Carolina. They were beautiful and exotic. Not the kind of placemats meant to be used for everyday dishes like spaghetti or meatloaf. They were special to our family because they’d come all the way from India in the suitcase of Carlisle and Marie Hanna.

The Hannas were the first missionaries I ever met. They often visited my home church, always remembering everyone by name. Even as a small child, they made me feel important each time we talked. I often wondered if the children to whom the Hannas ministered in India felt as important as I did when I was around them.

Their ministry to me continued when they were far away in India. Opening the mailbox to find an envelope stamped from India with Brother Carlisle’s beautiful cursive handwriting inspired me to do the same when I became a missionary. Now, I have the privilege of working at IM and encouraging new missionaries to follow Brother Carlisle’s example of sending handwritten notes to supporters.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant. When I received the news of Brother Carlisle’s passing, one of the first things that came to mind were the placemats they’d given us. I can only imagine Brother Carlisle feasting with the Lord Himself, a banquet deserving special placemats.

Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. What a sad day for those of us who grieve his absence on Earth, but what a joyous one for the heavenly feast our faithful friend is now enjoying.

About the Author: Kristi Johnson, a native of Johnsonville, South Carolina, served as a missionary to Spain with her husband Tim for 25 years. She now works in the IM office as development communications manager, where she continues telling IM’s story to supporters.