OMS Outreach May-Aug 2017 | Page 17

Vernon Hall’s involvement with OMS began in the 1960s through a short-term trip to Mexico and later a two-year term in Ecuador, filling in for a doctor who was on home ministry assignment. In 1986, Vernon and his wife Lois arrived in Haiti to fill full-time roles at the Bethesda Medical Clinic, which they did joyfully until their retirement in 1996. Ronald Herrington and his wife Priscilla served in Hong Kong from 1962 until 1970. After a brief hiatus from OMS, they reapplied and served as representatives for Men for Missions in the Northwest. Ron went on to serve as vice president at large in a liaison role with OMS’ affiliate countries. Marvin Luelf went to Haiti with Men for Missions in 1976, which led to his applying to serve at the OMS World Headquarters with his wife Loretta. Marvin’s skills in maintenance were put to good use, but it was his willing- ness to go the extra mile for others that endeared him to them. His burden for their eternal destiny was of utmost importance to him, but he also of- fered assistance in many tangible other forms. Rayford “Dick” Methvin and his wife Polly were accepted as OMS missionaries to Brazil in January 1954. However, due to turmoil in South America, they were not able to go right away. After working in the OMS of- fice in Winona Lake, Indiana, for a year, they finally were able to begin their overseas ministry. After they completed language training, Dick and Polly fully immersed themselves into evangelism and church planting until they returned to North Carolina in 1967. Lorena Murphy, her husband Mike, and their two young children moved to Brazil in 1960. The Murphys didn’t realize at that time the im- pact their lives would have for God’s kingdom, serving for more than 40 years. Lorena was a dynamic, gifted Bible teacher at the seminary and in women’s Bible study groups. She also thrived in personal counseling and discipleship opportunities. 17