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A verse from Dorothy Degnitz’s confirmation days that came to mind when she asked God for advice on where to work after graduating from nursing school was “Here am I! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). Inspired by a missionary nurse’s presentation, she said “Yes!” to working in the LCMS mission field. In 1966 her first assignment was to Immanuel Lutheran Hospital in Eket, Nigeria.

After serving for about a year, war broke out between Nigeria and Biafra. All missionaries were called home. She used that time to earn a midwife certificate. When it was safe, she returned to Nigeria, serving with the International Red Cross in refugee camps where many languages were spoken. She realized that each dialect, in addition to the actual words spoken through interpreters, contained culturally-based, non-verbal cues. She studied her patients’ cultures to more accurately diagnose and treat each person. “As Americans,” she observed, “we needed to remember that God’s way is not always the American way.”

Dorothy then served the Lord for 11½ years in Papua New Guinea at Immanuel Lutheran Hospital in Enga (highlands area), followed by four years as deputy principal and senior tutor at the Lutheran School of Nursing in the coastal city of Madang.

Admittedly, Dorothy did experience a few “scary” situations. Many prayers were said when she passed through countless checkpoints during the Nigeria/Biafran war and when she needed to deliver a baby in difficult circumstances. Once an intruder cut the phone line and entered the home where she was living. Her roommate was assaulted, and her car was stolen. Through those trials, Dorothy said she felt God’s presence, knowing that He would protect her. She recalled comforting verses: “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b) and God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Dorothy is a member of the Papua New Guinea Mission Society and follows the work God is still doing there. New missionaries are serving now; some are children of Dorothy’s co-workers from years ago. She has even found a few former students on social media!

It is unlikely that a number can ever be placed on how many people — patients, co-workers, and students — were influenced, healed, and inspired by Dorothy and the work she did in those far-away lands. Undaunted by unique cultures, unfamiliar languages, and travel woes, she served people and the Lord with gladness. When she returned to the United States after retiring from active service, she spoke about her work to many LWML groups, influencing a new generation to consider mission work as their career.

Today, looking forward to celebrating her 90th birthday, Dorothy continues to reach out with God’s love to those around her. By volunteering at her church and in her assisted living complex, she inspires other women to use their God-given talents to do the Lord's work.
 

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