Olympic Rower Who Worships God With Her Rowing, Credits Girl With a "Permasmile" for Leading Her to Christ
She can't sing, but she can row. "That's my expression of worship. I'll be giving my best 'thank you' performance on the water on the biggest stage in the world."
(Beijing, China)—On the subject of worship, Canadian Olympic rower Jane Rumball says she can't sing but she can row. "That's my expression of worship," says Rumball. "I'll be giving my best 'thank you' performance on the water on the biggest stage in the world."
A report in Baptist Press News quotes Rumball as saying God used rowing to bring her to Christ. According to the report, she tried out for the university's rowing team and made it, but forever remembered the reactions of two young women who did not. (Photo by Jackie Skender/Rowing Canada)
"One went off, kind of cursing the coach and the system, and saying it was completely unfair," Rumball recalled. "The other girl (named Laura Jackson and nicknamed Permasmile) even though she went through the same process, seemed totally at peace with it. She was also very genuinely encouraging to everybody. It really, really bugged me, because I had made the team, and I knew the reaction I would have had if I had been cut. I knew I would have been more like the other girl."
On Jackson's happy disposition, Rumball recalled, "She seemed to always be smiling, and she smiled so big that you could barely see her pupils. I had no idea what color her eyes were."
Later, a representative from Athletes in Action (AIA) spoke in one of Rumball's classes. She filled out a survey he passed out to the class saying she didn't believe in God but that she was interested in knowing more about having a relationship with Jesus. The report notes that when Rumball attended a subsequent AIA meeting, she felt an indescribable peace and joy.
"It's like I walked into a whole roomful of Lauras. It was so unsettling to me." Alone in her room that night, Rumball wept and gave her life to Jesus.
Read more of Rumball's powerful testimony by following the link provided.
