The Legacy of Lillian Dickson

“Why didn’t you come sooner?” was the response from the native Papuans when they met Lillian Dickson in the 1960s.”

Most women in their late 50s would probably be preparing for retirement, but not Lillian. She was too busy roaming around the dense jungles of Papua, building schools and delivering medical supplies.  It was her heart of love and courage that took Lillian into the interior region of Borneo and Papua, interacting with head-hunters and cannibalistic tribes.

Anchored in her faith in God, Lillian’s life and work brought hope and healing to many in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. She ministered with eternity in mind, while realizing the importance of meeting people's practical needs before their spiritual ones. “The Good Samaritan didn’t just preach to that man… he helped first. First… meet their needs, and then you can meet their needs for their Savior.” Lillian shared (Billy Graham Center Papers – Collection 593).

She ministered to lepers, built children's homes, set up trade schools and obstetrics clinics. In Borneo and Papua, she built vocational schools and teacher training centers to help the indigenous people to become self-supporting, self-reliant and self-respecting. The lives that she impacted created a ripple effect that will never end.

Although it’s been 37 years since she passed, Lillian's legacy lives on through Mustard Seed International. Love is our motivation and hope is the foundation of why we travel into remote and under-served areas to reach the most vulnerable. As we remember Lillian Dickson on her birthday today, we are honored to follow in her footsteps to see hope and love transform lives.

Matthew 10:18  “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

With your support, we hope to reach more children who can be discipled at Lillian Dickson's legacy sites across Southeast Asia. Prayerfully consider giving today. Click here to donate

Pictures: Lillian Dickson's South Seas Story, The Mustard Seed Inc.