Comment from Stan

I have been keeping up with this blog (where did “blog” come from, anyhow?) and I am always amazed at y’all’s timing to bring things further to the Glory of Jesus! As you travel, rest assured that all of us at Camden Christian/Calvary Community are bathing you in prayer, believing for miracles in your lives, and in miracles being assigned jewels in the crown of Joy, even as she sits at the feet of our Lord.
God bless
stan

Excerpt from One of Joy's Last Support Letters

While we did not think much about it when Joy distributed this letter in the Spring of 2010, looking at it now seems like her words were prophetic. Below are the first two paragraphs:

" Greetings Friends, Family and Coworkers in the Gospel! I Googled the word 'Travel' recently and found this definition: TRAVEL - TO ADVANCE, TO MOVE FORWARD!

"Almost two years ago now, I was traveling in Indonesia when the Lord gave me a picture in my spirit and began speaking to me. In the picture, I saw Jesus above me reaching out His hand as if to say 'Come up here my Beloved Child. I want to show you this and lead you here.' I remember being initially afraid; afraid of the unknown and not sure what the next step would look like. Now, almost two years later, as I prepare to 'TRAVEL' again, He has given me a bit more insight on how to walk that word out.

"Early in 2009 I finished up my 2 year commitment to Overland Missions. The lessons I learned and the friendships I made during my time in FL with them will last a lifetime. Knowing the Lord was calling me back to my South Carolina 'home', and clinging to the promise that Heaven is my real 'HOME', I said goodbye again and moved away. I prefer to say it more like 'I'll see you later' as I part ways with my friends. :) ...."

I am glad she made it HOME!

Dan Bausum

Kind tribute from Mr Stan

When Joy left on her first trip we all laid hands on her to give her the courage to do all that her Lord wanted her to do. In those ensuing years since that trip, I drew encouragement from her, and her contagious enthusiasm.
I went to Camden Christian as a 'scared, but sort of willing' witness for her Lord, the sovereign King of All Kings.
Through these years, I've tried to be an encourager to her, and all the Bausum family. We went through square-dance classes as I watched the Bausum girls grow in grace and stature. Their early dance routines, grew more and more graceful and they became beautiful women of God, all the while under the watchful eyes of a God-fearing Mom, that bathed them daily in the Word of The Lord.
There were countless pot-lucks to send out other "witnesses" into all the world to bring the Gospel to all the world, Matthew 28:19,20 some were service members going to other parts of the country,  some were long time missionaries, whose families often travelled with them. There were organizations out in the mission field, some as trainers for other to teach, and still others that came from other lands and spoke of the wonderful Works being done in foreign lands. Our Joy, I know that I had little to do with her love of witnessing fields of foreign lands, but I still felt like a part of the "whole village that raises up a child," who was such an encouragement to a "timid" witness as I was. I will never hope to reach the numbers of people that Joy has, and will continue to touch through her work for The Lord that she is now walking with in the cool of the day, but there are souls that that same Lord has used me to make the prayer of repentance, and acceptance of His saving grace, that were probably a direct result of my taking encouragement from a child raised up to serve the Lord.
I truly thank My Lord for loaning me a few of that precious child's hours of her strength and fearlessness and having been blessed to know parents that were not afraid to raise up a child in the way they should go and they won't stray from it.

Mr. Stan

Note from Chris Ellison

I just wanted to contribute something about my friendship with Joy, and also my relationship with Dan Bausum. I have been through some struggles in my life that have changed me. They have made me doubt, and they have made me falter at times. I have lost faith and confidence in the Lord's willingness to bring me out of situations. Life has made me harder, and I have even felt toyed with on occasion. The one thing I have always appreciated about Joy, and Mr. Dan is the fact that you two always had a knack for reminding me that God never left me. He never forgot about me. I am not some science experiment in a jar that undergoes stress tests to see when I will break. I can't thank you enough for how you have poured into my life. It was one of the truest expressions of friendship I have ever felt.
As I was driving down the road today, I heard a song that reminded me of Joy, and Dan Bausum. Thank you for helping me realize that I need to recognize that the Lord is already here for me.
Chris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YkmZBV6AXc

A Note From Carrie Bausum

This isn't blog-worthy, but I wanted to tell you my favorite memory of Joy. When I was working at Plumline, whenever she'd come in the office she'd leave a sticky note on my desk that had a big smiley face and said "here's a note, just 'cause it's Monday" or "just to cheer you up". Sometimes that little piece of sunshine on my desk was what got me through the day. I loved that her ministry wasn't only to the widows and orphans, but also to her little cousin who needed that smiley face and those sweet words.
  I love you guys, and hope to see you soon. ~Carrie

Tribute From Teresa De Leon

As friends and Joys family attended her memorial service. I found myself in the midst of Mexico City. I had been having a hard time with the death my dear friend Joy. I had just spoken with her right before she left for Malaysia, just like we always would about once a month, since I had also been living a busy life in Mexico; we would catch up on each others adventures, and she told me all she was going to do. She was actually going to be the reason it would be my first time in Asia. So since her passing, I been having long nights, still in shock, and just trying to process. I had to keep reminding myself that she is home now, that she left a imprint not only on my life but anyone that surroundered her and knew her.
So on this day, that friends and Joys family attended her memorial service. I found myself in Mexico City, preparing  a message I was going to share to a church of about 300 people. My unulce, who is the pastor, wanted me to encourage his congretation about missions, what missions is about, and the reality about missions. Many of the people had only been going to church about a year, and many were also new members and were still learning the basics of christianity. As I gave the message about what God gave me to share, and spoke about having a strong foundation in Christ. Being a Christ follower, hearing the voice of God,surrendering to Him then sharing pictures about some of the places God had taken me to after being a missionary for 9 years now..and well still am. I knew the moment came where I would speak about Joy. I was challeneged, I didnt think I would make it through..but as her picture came on the big screen, I was movitated to share even more. I let loose,  I told them how Joy was a instrument of God, how she was a chatter box for the Gospel, her smile left a imprint on many. And as I spoke, with tears rolling down my face but yelling  this challenge to the congretation. I asked the final question. “How many want to Follow Christ”. And as 40 hands went up in the air, and Joys picture on the screen, I began to have flashbacks, and picture that smile. I was reminded this day, I was challenged. Many more came the the Lord that day, just one day after her memorial service. I was able to pray for the sick, and was able to encourage many. It was a awesome, awesome time..then I had to get ready to do it all over again for second service. Joys testimony made a difference, and I would continue to carry that on, that is something I have promised. After sharing her life to the 300 people with 40 people giving thier lives to the Lord,  I can say I do feel at peace and know Joy is home. And I just need to remind myself.
For Joy
--
In His Service,
Teresa D.

Tribute from Russell Board

Joy Bausum went to be with the Lord while serving as a SOWer in a children's home for Burmese refugees in Malaysia. Only 26 years old, her life was brief, but certainly full. She traveled more miles, visited more countries and touched more people with the love of Christ than the vast majority of Christians who live three times as long.
When I met Joy for the first time and interviewed her at IPHC School of Missions in 2009, I was very impressed by her enthusiasm to take on any challenge and travel to any location in order to serve the Lord she loved. Later that year we met again in Nepal, where I was impressed again by her spirit of service toward the people she worked among, her cheerful willingness to endure hardship, and her keen insights into the culture. Energetic and irrepressible, Joy took great delight in sharing the love of Jesus, especially with children.

The last time we met at School of Missions this past August, we were making plans for the mission to Malaysia she was about to embark upon, and I told her how much I admired her courage and her commitment to Christ.
Joy was an inspiration to colleagues who served with her all too briefly, and she will be greatly missed. She finished her course all too soon, but finished well. While her family and friends back home will endure great grief and sorrow at her passing, they can be proud that Joy laid down her life in service to the gospel, and met the Lord while doing what she wanted to do in the place she wanted to be.
I pray that Joy’s example will inspire many others to follow her to the mission field. Lord, send us many more like her, if You can find them!
--
Russell Board
Director of Missions for Asia/Pacific
IPHC World Missions Ministries

Note Found in Joy's Bible

8/4/02 Oh God, I commit from this day on that nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing will come between You and me. Not what others think about me, not friends, not being smart and knowing everything. Definitely not what my future holds and the man God  has for me. Lord, I know that I have committed everything to you before, but obviously it wasn't a true commitment. Devil, you do not have the victory. Sin, you are gone in the name of Jesus. Doubt and fear have no place in my life anymore. I am a child and woman of God and my love is going to continue to grow more every day for You. And, it's because of that, that I can and will have an impact on this world. Me, Joy Elizabeth Bausum will make a difference that no one else can. I love You and rip my insides apart Lord that things will fall in the place and order  you have ordained them to. Thanks that in You there is VICTORY!

Article from IPHC Magazine written By Dan Bausum and Charity Bausum Martin

            “I want to be a world changer, Mom.” Joy Bausum was fourteen years old when she said those words. She didn’t really seem like the type who would change the world in her lifetime. She was a thin little girl, shy and unassuming, quiet and kind. She liked to be at home, she liked order in her life, she dreaded change. How could such a sweet, innocent little girl become the “world changer” she wanted to be? While some may have questioned the possibility then, no one who sat at her memorial service twelve years later would doubt that she had accomplished her heart’s desire.

On August 5^th, 2010, at the age of 26, Joy left the United Sates for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She was going to work in a refugee home for several months, and then travel to Bangladesh to serve in a school for two years. She had been in Malaysia for a little over a week when she collapsed and was taken to the hospital. She had a blood clot in her brain. Two days later, on August 18^th, she went to be with the Lord.

In her life, Joy visited 20 countries and did missions work on five continents. She served in orphanages every chance she got, touching countless children overseas and in her home state of South Carolina. She sent cards and letters, too numerous to count, encouraging and edifying those she knew. She never missed an opportunity serve, even among her peers. She never backed down from a chance to share the message of Jesus with a stranger. She started out as the most introverted member of her family, but she became the most fearless of all.

Joy sought the Lord wholeheartedly from the time she was a girl. At the age of 14 she began reading her Bible and spending time in prayer daily. The Lord’s presence in her life was evident, her love for Him growing. When she was fifteen, she went to Poland and the Czech Republic with Global Expeditions. She had found her calling. She worked during the year and saved every cent so she could continue to take God’s love to other nations. She loved having a new stamp to show in her passport, and often said her goal was to fill it completely. Slowly, little by little, the shy, reserved girl melted away. One prayer, one scripture, one trip at a time, an evangelist emerged. She asked the Lord daily to use her for His glory, to prepare her to do His work, and the Lord answered her prayers. He gave her boldness, He gave her confidence, and He gave her opportunity to put them into practice.

When Joy was nineteen, she was snowed in at the Chicago airport. Knowing she would be spending the night on the cold, hard, uninviting floor should have made her a little grumpy. But instead of wasting her time wishing she were somewhere else, Joy initiated conversations with pilots, witnessing to every one of them who would listen. A few weeks before her death, she led a man to Jesus in Wal-Mart, and on her last trip to buy supplies before leaving for Malaysia, she asked her cashier if she knew Jesus as her savior. “Don’t blink” she said, “because the days go by so fast. So much love God has given us! Get out there and share it.”

Joy pursued people. She kept in touch with people from every mission trip she ever went on. She refused to lose touch with someone, even if that person wasn’t as excited about maintaining the relationship. She often said “I’m not giving up on them. God’s not giving up, and so neither am I.” She never forgot birthdays, sending homemade cards to people for many years after she had last seen them. She attended every wedding she could squeeze in amidst her travels, using the chance to reconnect and swap stories with old friends, as well as make new ones.

No matter where she was, Joy was serving. She ministered in a nursing home when she was a teenager, giving manicures and pedicures and listening to long stories of days gone by, praying for those who were sick, and smiling ‘joyfully’ at everyone. Whoever’s home she was in, she was always looking for a chance to lend a hand. If there were dishes to be washed or laundry to be folded, she was there. Helping with children gave her pleasure more than anything else, though. She was quick to play a game, go for a walk, or read a book with any child who needed attention. She was the one most likely to wrestle with a rowdy boy, or play babies with a little girl. She gave of herself unreservedly, showering the love of Christ on as many forgotten children as she could get her hands on.

“Unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone, buts its death with produce many new kernels-a plentiful harvest of new lives.” (John 12:24 NLT) Joy’s life touched everyone she knew, but since her death, the story of her life has touched countless people she never met. The way that she pressed into the Lord and allowed Him to change her, the zeal with which she pursued relationships, and the ‘joyful’ way she modeled Christ’s love by serving others have been a common theme when spreading her story. She discovered her true calling, she never wavered from it, and she has become “an example to all believers.” (1 Timothy 4:12) She will be greatly missed here, but her work for the glory of her Savior will continue as the seeds she planted begin to sprout and grow.