Burl & Viola Cantrell
by Office staff
IN 1971, Burl and Viola Cantrell set out for Blue Hills on Providentiales in the Turks and Caicos Islands to help build a cistern for the mission to have water. It was designed for rain to run off the mission house into the cistern, and pipes were run into the kitchen to pump the water into the home.
It was during this time at Blue Hills that Sis. Cantrell felt a burden to begin a ladies' missionary society. Soon, men wanted to join as well, and the ladies consented. This society took on and accomplished many projects to help lighten the work for the missionaries. Sis. Cantrell led the missionary society for 31 years before giving it up due to health problems.
Cantrell's trip to Blue Hills began a nine year relationship with FEA Missions in relieving missionaries from their fields during deputation or illness. Bro. Cantrell preached and helped build missions, cisterns, churches, and schools.
The Cantrells filled in for Rev. and Mrs. Raines in the summer of 1972 while they were on deputation. They assisted with preaching in six villages.
1979 found them in Conch Bar on Middle Caicos during Hurricane David. Because Bro. Cantrell was not well physically, Mark Vernon flew them out. They were within 60 miles of the eye of Hurricane David at one point. Though they had a tempestuous ride for awhile, the weather cleared up, and they arrived safely in the States. Bro. Cantrell was hospitalized once reaching Stuart, Florida, where they discovered he had blood clots in his legs.
Bro. Cantrell went to heaven in September 1990. Sis. Cantrell remains active in the local prayer meetings and helping her friends and neighbors. Their history of service is an inspiration to this and future generations to see the work of God go forward.
