Helen McMillan: Obituary

Sep 25 2009

THE modern state of Pakistan was born in 1947 and the following year, on the opposite side of the world, a little girl was born for whom Pakistan was to become home for more than 20 years.

Helen McMillan was born in Newton-on-Ayr and spent her childhood there.

She was educated at Ayr Academy, before heading to Glasgow University to study maths and then to Jordanhill College to train as a teacher.

Helen returned to Ayr to take up a teaching post in Belmont Academy.

She was involved with the school's scripture union group and with the young people in the then Darlington New Church, of which she was an enthusiastic member.

In 1981 Helen trained as a missionary at St Colm's College in Edinburgh and then went to Pakistan, to a hostel for girls in Sialkot.

The girls spoke Urdu and Helen, despite a hearing disability, studied the language diligently and became proficient in its use.

Helen's gifts as a teacher were recognised and she was moved to the Pakistani city of Gujranwala to the United Bible Training Centre where she joined the teaching staff.

Many Pakistani young women remember Miss Helen with affection and gratitude.

Life was not always comfortable for Christians in Pakistan, whether nationals or from elsewhere, especially following the attack on the Twin Towers.

On August 5 2002, when Helen was at Murree Christian School in the north of Pakistan on holiday, the unthinkable happened.

Terrorists attacked the buildings, shooting some dead and injuring others.

Until a few minutes before the attack Helen had been sitting right in the line of fire reading a book.

A shower of rain took her inside just in time to save her life.

Banner headlines in the Ayrshire Post carried the news of what had happened.

The Church of Scotland decided to evacuate all non Pakistani staff from the country.

Helen arrived back home six weeks later.

Such was her love for the people of Pakistan that she left with a very heavy heart, never to return.

Helen trained in administration and found a job with Bethany Christian Trust in Edinburgh.

Helen was a servant-hearted woman. She never sought praise or admiration. She just wanted to be left to get on with what needed done.

Helen, who died in hospital in Edinburgh at the beginning of September, was predeceased by her young brother, Quintin, and she is survived by her sister, Joan, who lives in Ayr.

By Irene Howat