In a small rented room in Dallas, Texas, a young woman was arguing with God.

“Denmark? Oh no, Lord. It can’t be. Why, Denmark is a Christian country!”

Minnie Larsen did not want to go to Denmark as a missionary. Denmark had sent missionaries. Many of the Danes she had known who had left there and come to America — including her own mother and father — were Christians. It made no sense.

But God was not mistaken.

It was 1946. Minnie was studying at the newly begun leadership training school of Child Evangelism Fellowship, having already been active in the fast-growing work in her home state of Michigan. A classmate — Harriet Swanson, who sat behind her — poked her one day and said, “We’re going to Sweden. You’re of Danish background. Why don’t you go to Denmark?”

Something began to stir.

Minnie battled it out in prayer. Finally she gave in: “Lord, I’m willing, if this is your will.” But she pleaded for confirmation. The very next day she had a scheduled appointment with CEF’s head, J. Irvin Overholtzer — the man who made all overseas appointments. He knew nothing of Minnie’s background. But as he opened the door and spotted her, he turned to his wife and said, “Ruthie, here’s our girl for Denmark.”

He then explained why. A few days earlier, while praying over a world map, he had run his hand across the countries. When he touched Denmark, the face of a young woman had appeared before him. When he saw Minnie, he knew immediately — hers was the face he had seen.

Minnie saw the Lord in it. And she said yes.

Her widowed mother sold her home and gave up all her possessions to go with her — a provision that would prove to be very much of God, opening doors and providing fellowship along the way. Friends were less convinced. “You’re going to Denmark? As a missionary? You must be joking. Denmark’s a Christian country!”

Minnie and her mother set sail in March 1947. The journey was not without drama — somewhere in the Atlantic, a massive wall of water struck the ship, sending 1,000 passengers reeling. Thirty on board were missionaries.

She arrived in Denmark with a calling, a willing heart, and almost no Danish. The language she had spoken as a small child had been cut off when her father decided the family were Americans now. There were no courses for foreigners. After a stressful month, even her English teacher gave up and sent her away: “You had better just learn from the people.”

It was a hard beginning. But God had sent her, and she found out — yes, very much — that she was needed, even in Denmark.

*This story is taken from the book Harvest Comes in Spring by Ruth E. Turnwall, a former CEF worker.

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