This little light of mine
My favorite place outside of the United States of America?
That’s a no-brainer. Hands down—it’s the Azores.
In August of 2019, my husband, my brother, and I visited Terceira Island, one of the nine volcanic islands that comprise the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal located in the Atlantic Ocean. (If you’ve never heard of the Azores, you’re in good company for it’s quite the hidden gem.)
Photo credit: John
A month before we departed for our trip, I did a search on the internet to see if I could find any American missionaries serving on Terceira Island. In only a few minutes, I found Dan and Tori Nilsen. I immediately sent the missionaries an email stating that we were coming to their “corner of the world” and would love to meet them.
Below is a portion of the response that I received.
Your email was a pleasant surprise; we don't often
get emails out of the blue. We love meeting new people, especially when we get to share the incredible beauty of these islands with them.
If you don't mind me asking, how did you pick the Azores for your trip? Most people don't even know these islands exist.
Photo credit: Seika Ito
Photo credit: John
In my follow-up email to the Nilsens, I shared that my siblings and I had heard many stories about this island from our father. Daddy served in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Terceira Island’s Lajes Field for eighteen months during the Korean War. As a way to honor his memory, we planned this trip to the Azores.
Did our paths cross with the Nilsens while there? Oh, yes. And we are thankful to God for the opportunity we had to meet the entire family, tour their retreat center, worship together, and share a couple of meals.
The beauty of Terceira Island is truly beyond description. We had a marvelous time exploring the island, experiencing a different culture, trying new foods, and seeing the sights. But the highlight of our trip was being with the Nilsens. Today, six years later, we are still in contact and consider them to be dear friends.
Recently, John and I were delighted to receive a surprise in the mail—a package from the Azores. Yippee! Ripping open the package, I pulled out a carefully wrapped beeswax candle made in the Azores.
I’m sure that Dan and Tori are aware of my affinity for bee “things” following the release of my picture book, You Can’t Judge a Bee by Its Color. What a thoughtful gift and one that we are certainly enjoying.
There’s just one problem. Since receiving the candle, I can’t stop singing a song I learned in childhood.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.
(Lyrics: African-American Gospel Song, Copyright: Public Domain)
Photo credit: Nan
What a treasure to know the Nilsens. May God richly bless this family as they continue to share the light of Jesus Christ with a lost world.
Hide it under a bushel, NO!
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.