In 1945, Musa and her neighborhood friend, Georgia Curtis (Bacon) went to Brookline MA to attend New England School of Theology, graduating in 1949. During the years at NEST Musa helped with Junior Church at the Boston Advent Christian Church and conducted Vacation Bible Schools in the summer. These opportunities afforded her many contacts who would later support her as a missionary. Attending Gordon College for a year to take Christian education courses and at the same time living in a Jewish Home, gave more preparation for going to minister in a foreign country.

Musa was the first volunteer to go to Japan under the American Advent Mission Society. In 1950 there was a group of six that set sail for Japan. Bertha Cassidy, Beulah Rediker (Purkiser), Sylvia Whitman, Margaret Metzler, Floyd Powers and Musa Ellis made-up the group. They were met in Japan by Frank and Frances Toothe who had had to leave China. Sylvia Whitman and Bertha Cassidy had also served in China.

Most of Musa’s career in Japan involved opportunities to be a teacher. The first term, she had a Sunday School class of middle school students, an outreach children’s meeting, and a Bible class at a middle school. She also continued Bible classes at the Nisei Hospital with student nurses, where Frances Toothe had been teaching. And Musa continued Ladies Bible Class after Miss Cassidy’s departure.

Later, there were numerous English conversation classes at home, at church, community centers, Prefectural University and a women’s junior college. A rewarding time was spent with ladies who wanted to learn American cooking. The hours were spent becoming friends, teaching the New Testament, and sharing her life as a Christian wife and mother.

Musa and Floyd Powers were married in 1954. As a wife and homemaker, there were always opportunities for hospitality. Three daughters, Carolyn, Ellen and Rebecca were welcomed into the family. More opportunities to share what the Christian life is with mothers. Putting the girls in Japanese public school gave the privilege of monthly visits to the classroom. And attending parent-teacher meetings, even serving as local chairman.

Musa was the family correspondent, writing many letters. She took care of finances, income tax papers for two countries and sometimes served as mission treasurer. Another part of Musa’s life was to be a coordinator. Retreats for church ladies, cooking class families and missionary gatherings were a pleasure. Executives or friends visiting in Japan, or groups of Japanese wanting to visit America could be a challenge. Short-term missionaries in Japan needed help with housing, culture and relationships. And Musa was there for them. The camping ministry at Tyrolean Hill Lodge (7 years) was constant coordinating. Planning, meals, shopping and housing required some skill, but the campers were satisfied.

Musa from time to time was a counselor. A young missionary family of four visited every Sunday evening to share their frustrations. Lady missionaries called for advice in inter-missionary struggles. Pastor’s wives discussed with Musa their struggles with possible pregnancy or relationships with church members. A single missionary and close friend called frequently needing to chat in English. Emotionally disturbed, she often needed a friend to listen to her, and Musa was that friend. Whether Musa was being a wife, hostess, mother, correspondent, coordinator or friend, she wanted to be used by the Lord in each situation. Many will remember her witness.

After retiring in 2002, Musa and Floyd moved to Alfred, ME. The daughters challenged Musa, at age 79, to get a laptop computer. Teaching herself, she became quite adept at using the Internet, e-mail and Facebook. Musa and Floyd attended the Goodwins Mills Advent Christian Church and took part in the services and activities. Musa volunteered to teach an adult Sunday School class. She enjoyed attending local, state and regional conferences as well as Lakeside and Beebe camp meetings.

2007 was the year Musa and Floyd moved to the Vernon Advent Christian Homes in Vernon, Vt. They found places of service at Vernon Homes and the Advent Christian Church. Musa was asked to teach an adult Sunday School class. In their home, Musa entertained family and friends, some from Japan. Late in 2019, Floyd and Musa moved to assisted living. With a hearing disability, Musa was not as active as she desired, but enjoyed the time there. Both she and Floyd had COVID. Floyd died on September 15, 2021, leaving Musa alone after 66 years of marriage. Now Musa awaits the blessed hope of the return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection.

Special thanks to Brad Ellis, Executive Director of Vernon Homes, for his help in obtaining this writing, most of which is Musa’s own words.