Taking up their cross-and following

Four years ago the nicest Swedish couple, Rich and Maggie Sodergren, moved into the town of Rockdale and brought with them blessings galore.

First, they purchased The Kleinhandler, which Rockdaleans had been patronizing in Thorndale for some time, and they moved it into town.

Then they purchased a home and moved themselves into town and joined Meadowbrook Baptist Church. Here they loved and have been loved and worked actively to support both ministry and community.

But, it has been through their little frame shop and custom drapery business that Rich and Maggie Sodergren have been able to touch lives in every capacity throughout Milam and surrounding counties.

Their ability to allow God's love to radiate through them in everything they do is awe inspiring and if you had been blessed with knowing them you knew you had been blessed in deed.

Words do not have to be spoken to know these two are members of The Body of Christ for the Spirit witnesses immediately upon introduction. And once you get to know them personally you know by their living that Christ is in the lead.

In fact, He is so in the lead that they have decided to take the true test of a Christian and give it all to Him. And in the truest form of following Christ.

I must quote Mark 10: 17 through 26. "And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. You know the commandments. Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness. Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother... And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him...loved him, and said unto him. One thing you lack: go your way, sell everything you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.! And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and said unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

When Richard and Maggie Sodergren realized these were the words Jesus was speaking to them, they decided it was time to do it. And they did.

That's right. They sold all they own, purchased a motor home (not a new one) and joined up with The Texas Baptist Men's Furniture Ministry. They intend to spend the remainder of their lives traveling with this ministry and helping them to accomplish their mission for Christ.

The Texas Baptist Men's Mission Statement, by the way, "is to assist Texas Baptist churches as they lead men into a 'love' relationship with Jesus Christ that will thrust them and their families into a lifestyle of missions and ministry that fulfills the Great Commission."

Maggie exclaimed that as soon as they made the decision to do so, all they had to do was sit back and watch God do the work. They never once had to call or look for someone to purchase what they had to sell. Everything was sold from the house to the Semi without their help and for the amounts needed.

No, Maggie and Rich aren't rich in the American term. However, there are those in other countries who see all Americans as "rich". And if we look at it in truth, we are.

Some of us that have nothing but poverty would have a hard time making the decision to let go of everything material to go do the Lord¹s work.

So naturally I had to ask how the idea even came about. I had this idea someone came to the church and made a presentation and they signed up. But, that wasn't the case.

It so happened, Maggie stated, that some years ago, they were living in Round Rock, Texas and were attending the First Baptist Church of Pflugerville when the Baptist Men came to the church and helped finish or add on to the building. They met some of the members of the team, and were very impressed with the entire organization. At that time they actually had thoughts of doing it. The thoughts were general thoughts of "wow, that would be wonderful to do". or "I could do that!"...but, going no further. There were no actual, "I really want to do that and let's go right now" kind of thoughts.

Then through the years, she explained the idea would come back to them and they would discuss that may be later on they might find a way but never dreamed they could actually do it. There have been several occasions when they may have been being guided to go for it, but after looking back "We are sure God was bringing us here so everything would be together to go do it." For instance. The house they purchased in Rockdale. As told by the two of them, they were living in Taylor. They purchased the business and because eighty-five percent of the clientele was in Rockdale, they thought it would be best to operate it out of Rockdale. So, they got the building for the business easily enough, but their house in Taylor wasn't as quick to sell. They found 13 acres outside of town they thought they wanted, but the house hadn't sold so they waited on the house to sell. For four months they commuted to the business from Taylor. By the time the house sold, they had begun to realize they didn¹t really want the acreage, and felt it wouldn¹t be right for them. They couldn't make a decision about the type of house they wanted on the acreage, whether to build or purchase a motor home, or a double wide. They then finally just decided it wasn't right, and as soon as they made that decision, the little house they bought came up for sale. One morning Rich looked at Maggie and said, "I'm going to go find a house". She laughed and said, "good luck", thinking he wouldn't find anything yet. But, instead he came back in about 20 minutes to get her to go see the house they did purchase in Rockdale. Maggie said, "four years later, we still think we want to live in the country, and the house we purchased is already too small." Last July the house was put on the market in the hopes of purchasing one they found in the country they felt was just right for them.

However, the house in the country could not be sold on contingency so, they went with the idea that "if God wants us to have the house in the country, our house will sell and it will all come out perfectly". So when they had a cash offer of their house, they felt pretty much this is the way things are going. But, when they called about the house they wanted in the country, it was no longer on the market.

At this point they found themselves with three weeks to find a home, since they had accepted the cash offer, and Voila!

Richard said to Maggie, "Do you want to buy a motor home and go travel and work with the Baptist Men's ministry building churches like we have always dreamed?" Maggie replied, "You know, I really do want to do that."

Instead of getting disappointed at not getting the house in the country, they took the opportunity to do what had been placed into their hearts since they first met with the Texas Baptist Men¹s association in Pflugerville.

And this is where the adventure has really just begun. The excitement began to swell in their souls as they watched God work miracle after miracle over the next couple of months. He sent person after person into the shop to purchase the business, merchandise, personal items, and even Rich's Semi Tractor Trailer.

It seems Rich took the Semi to Buda to see an old friend there and clean up the Semi and let him know he wanted to sell it and possibly leave it there with him to sell. While he was there cleaning the truck, a man came to the establishment to see the owner (Rich's friend). He was looking for a truck to buy and only had a certain amount of money to spend and stated he wasn¹t interested in spending another penny, and wouldn't. After his explanation, he asked the man if he had anything he could sell him for that amount. Rich's friend told the man he didn¹t have anything for sale at that price, "but wait," he said, "I have a friend here who you may want to talk to". He then called Rich over to meet with the man. The man repeated his tale to Rich and asked how much Rich wanted for his truck. When Rich answered with the amount, it was an exact match to what the man had to spend. He looked over the Semi and the sale was finalized on the spot. God is so good. Glory Hallelujah!

The first project Rich and Maggie will participate in will be a Baptist Camp in Canada approximately 40 miles west of Calgary. It begins June 15th and they should be working there until September 15th of this year.

They will be working with the Furniture Ministry which is actually finish carpentry and each project will be different.

Maggie will be sewing curtains for the cabins. She sold her commercial machines and replaced them with the nicest traveling portable machine made by Elna. It will be very easy to carry and set up to work with. She will be sewing clothes for the needy at times, and curtains, drapes, and who knows.

Maggie says "I am going on my biggest adventure in life."

When Rich was asked how he felt about it all, he smiled the biggest smile and immediately stated "I'm doing what I have always wanted to do.² "I'm ready". "I just never thought I would be able to do it."

What a wonderful blessing for us all. To know them and be a part of their adventure, to have been blessed by their business in town and their friendship together and to be a part of sending them off with our blessings. God is so good to work in every detail. The Sodergrens will of course be back in Rockdale from time to time, it is home now and they do have family here, and their church home, Meadowbrook Baptist Church is here. But, we will all miss their physical presence with us, and look forward to their many home comings and all stories they will be able to share with us when they are back.

Rich and Maggie we love you and send you off with our blessings. God bless you and keep you. May He go out before you and come in behind you. May He shine his light upon you and bless your coming and your going.

Thank you for your touch on our lives.

If you are interested in The Texas Baptist Men Retiree Builders you can contact them online at www.baptistmen.org. or you can contact them at Texas Baptist Men, 333 N. Washington, Dallas, Texas 75246. Phone: 1-214-828-5350.

You may contact any Baptist church Pastor, or Baptist area missionary.