Meet the Women at NAOBC – Judy Howe
On Mondays, we’ll take time to meet the women of NAOBC. Five questions followed by how you can connect with the NAOBC women on social media. Today’s interview is with Judy Howe.
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I have five children and seven grandchildren. My husband of 43 years passed away three years ago, and I moved to Louisville from Paducah, Kentucky, to be closer to my children and grandchildren. My husband‘s last five years required “around-the-clock” care as he had Lewy Body Dementia, and I chose to keep him at home with help from some caregivers. I worked at the uranium enrichment plant in Paducah for 34 years, holding various positions, most recently ensuring that systems measuring uranium were in control. My passion for serving the Lord has been through Women’s Bible Study and Ukraine missions. In Paducah, I facilitated small group discussions for 30-40 Bible studies. I have worked for the past 16 years in helping start a church in a small village in Ukraine. I have made four trips to Ukraine and remain actively involved in this ministry.
Q: How long have you been at NAOBC? BFG? Areas where you serve?
A: I have been at NAOBC for about two years and attend Senior Adults BFG, which breaks off into a women’s group after announcements. I attend Selwyn Parker‘s D group. Not surprisingly, I am on the rope-holding team for Ukraine, although the Hugheses have relocated now, with the war going on. I served in VBS in 2023 and also visited shut-ins.
Q: What is a fun fact that most people wouldn’t know about you?
A: A train once hit me, and I’ve also run over a cow in the road—clarification before you refuse to ride with me. I was not driving – only a passenger!
Q: What woman has made the most impact in your life?
A: I want to name two women. My friend Suzanne Thomas lost her husband at 56 years old to a widow-maker heart attack. Instead of flowers, she asked people to contribute to starting a village church in Ukraine. She asked me to go with her, and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. We have visited Ukraine eight times, often leading groups. I have been able to go on four of these trips. The other woman who has had a significant impact on my life is Grace Kim. I have never seen a woman so passionate about evangelism as Grace is. She has a heart for women of all nationalities and all religions. She has a burden for any woman who is lost. She follows up on her initial contact by arranging additional meetings or study sessions. All of this is bathed in prayer. She also organizes social events to promote evangelism by bringing together ladies who share a heart for evangelism.
Q: What is something the Lord has taught you in the last year?
A: The Lord has taught me to pray and wait on him when I’m pursuing a new direction because he does exceedingly abundantly more than I ever ask or imagine. I tend to want to see the whole plan based on my knowledge to relieve my anxiety associated with the unknown. I am learning to wait and depend on Him. Nothing is more precious than to see God‘s fingerprints on my life, knowing that he has intervened in my plans with something better than I ever imagined.
You can follow Judy on Facebook.
