Ode to a Grandma

Jessie Dean is spending her retirement as a missionary in Togo, Africa.

Togo —

At an age when many people are content with improving their golf swing, 74-year-old Jessie Dean has chosen a different type of retirement.

In 2005, the recently retired schoolteacher packed her bags and headed from Pennsylvania to the West African country of Togo. Four years later, she is still there, serving as a short-term missionary through ABWE’s assistant missionary program (AMP).

AMPers typically serve three-week to two-year terms, but Jessie’s original nine-month term has turned into years as her love for the people of Togo keeps her coming back.

Although she has 23 grandchildren and visits family in the United States once a year, she says she has no plans of settling down here anytime soon. That’s because her work in Africa is not only her joy, it’s also her personal fountain of youth.

“I think that giving your life and heart to the Lord keeps you alert, and the Lord keeps me young because of it,” Jessie says. “I never wanted to be one who retired and gave up. I could have stayed at home and knitted. Instead, I’ve found that serving the Lord is a more beneficial way to spend my time. I plan on being in Africa as long as the Lord needs me here.”

An Unusual Retirement Plan

Jessie didn’t always think that way. After almost 40 years of working in both public and Christian school systems, she approached retirement with a typical American mindset. “If you would have asked me 10 years ago what I’d do in my retirement, I’d have said that I was going to stay at home and quilt. If you would have told me I would go to Africa, I would have told you that you’re crazy,” Jessie said with an effervescent laugh.

Yet God’s calling began to take shape in ways that Jessie never imagined. Close to her retirement, Jessie’s doctor announced he was moving to Africa and was looking for a volunteer to teach his children. He asked her if she’d consider the position. Although she had never traveled outside of the United States, Jessie jumped at the chance. “When I decided to come to Africa, I had a peace that passes all understanding … up to that point I had been kind of a scaredy-cat. But God took that all away from me.”

Jessie’s tasks aren’t so different from her time as a teacher in the United States, but the environment is a world apart. Instead of drawing a paycheck, she now uses her retirement savings to support her work teaching MKs, training Christian teachers, and consulting in schools.

Counting the Cost

As an act of faith, Jessie decided to draw upon her retirement funds to support herself and her ministry. In return God has given her countless blessings. “You can’t out give God,” she says. “He always gives so much more back.

“I always think ‘trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding’. You need to be in God’s will to be happy. It has nothing to do with money.” In fact, sometimes Jessie thinks money can get in the way. “I didn’t have culture shock when I went to Africa. Instead, I had it when I returned to America. I saw how much people had, how little respect they had for those things, and how much they still wanted. But I’ve come to know that until people really give their heart and life to Jesus they will never be satisfied. Christians especially need to give their whole heart to Lord—by supporting missions and working to win souls for Christ—otherwise even they won’t be satisfied.”

Through the AMP, Jessie has been able to experience adventures beyond her wildest dreams. She hopes to encourage others to do the same. “Whether it be money or age, don’t let circumstances get in the way of doing what the Lord calls you to do,” she says. “Just remember that God is good. He takes care of us.”

I read this article and thought "Now there's a hero! Someone who sees the next phase in life as an opportunity to keep on investing!" Oh to have that legacy!
Speaking of legacy and grandparents... my mom was able to visit with us this past week.
My kids don't know it but they have a rare gift - all 4 Grandparents are the "originals". What a blessing for them to not be confronted with the ugliness of divorce even from a distance. Truly a gift.
I am grateful for the influence and heritage that all 4 of our parents are learning to pass along to the next generation. I see great potential as they seek to be intentional with their next phase of life.

Thanks, Grandma, for making us cookies, coloring with us, reading us stories, and telling us about your black and white TV!