“Get out on the mission field!” Those words sparked a journey that would span continents, decades, and many lives changed. From rural India to mentoring future leaders, discover the remarkable legacy of Ron and Muriel Larsen.
“Get out on the mission field! Don’t make a big thing about doing advanced studies and getting further degrees.”
Muriel Larsen was inspired to go after hearing these words. Through her studies at BTI (Bible Training Institute), Muriel became determined to become a missionary. After the example of another BTI student, Muriel decided to apply to join the Poona and Indian Village Mission (PIVM, which later joined ICF, then merged with SIM). She did not realise that another BTI student (Ron) was also heading in the same direction. However, not just because of her interest in Ron, she knew God was calling her to India.
Upon arriving at the PIVM headquarters, Ron gave Muriel an engagement ring. Later, Muriel travelled to Mahableshwar, Pandharpur and Barsi to participate in language study. It was in Barsi, Muriel became very ill. Friends took her to a hospital in Poona where polio was diagnosed. After a long period of treatment back in New Zealand, she was able to return to India.
Ron and Muriel married in Pandharpur in 1964. They set up home in Lonand, despite it being a place of isolation for them. Soon their daughter Sharon was born. A few years later, during their next term of service in Bhor, their other daughter Naomi was born.
These places were a lot of hard work for Ron and Muriel and coping with necessities took up a great deal of energy.
The family moved to Nasrapur, and in time Sharon and Naomi went to board at Hebron School, a train journey two days away. This was very hard for them all.
Those early rural years in India prepared Ron and Muriel for what was to come – facilitating theological training (The Association for Theological Education by Extension or known as TAFTEE) and bible translation. They had now returned to the mission headquarters and ran the TAFTEE course several times for Marathi speakers. They were able to give support to local churches and camps. Ron was also very involved in the leadership of PIV.
Ron and Muriel were both very talented musicians and had an effective ministry in the Poona (now Pune) New Life Centre. For the last years here, they were able to mentor many young professionals.
Meanwhile, Muriel was becoming more aware of the long-lasting effects of polio. Yet she pressed on and helped to form ‘Love Maharashtra Outreach’ (LMO), to help disciple those who had completed correspondence courses.
They returned to New Zealand in 1989 after almost 30 years in India. Ron eventually became the pastor of Grey Lynn Baptist and was also involved in Spiritual Renewal Ministries. They were very diligent in attending the prayer days at the SIM NZ office. Ron and Muriel’s journey was marked by perseverance, deep faith, and a lifelong commitment to the gospel. From remote villages in India to theological training and discipleship, their legacy continues to echo through the lives they touched.
To learn more of their incredible story, you can read ‘Joy is the Flag: A Memoir of New Zealand and India’ by Muriel Larsen.
