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Lillian's wedding was less than 2 weeks away that June day in 1910 when she sat listening to a missionary speaker. As she listened, the voice of God spoke to her 23-year-old heart with unmistakable clarity: I want you to go to Africa. Lillian's fiancé, a fine young minister, had not heard this call. But Lillian could not deny it. She broke her engagement. With no promised support, except the assurance she was in the will of God, she made a reservation on a ship scheduled to sail for Egypt that fall.

Lillian's sister Jennie decided to go along to help her get settled in Egypt. Just before the ship sailed from New York, some friends prayed with the two sisters. "Lillian," some said, "ask God for a Scripture promise." When she opened her Bible, her eyes fell on Acts 7:34: I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee to Egypt.

Early in 1911 Lillian was called to the bedside of a poor widow lady who was dying. Lillian's heart was moved with compassion when she discovered this young mother had a three-month-old baby girl who was so hungry she was trying to drink spoiled milk from a dirty tin can. As Lillian picked up the child, the mother saw the love and the care Lillian showed toward the child and said, "Please, take her." Then the mother died. This was the beginning of the Lillian Trasher Orphanage in Asyut, Egypt.

By 1916 "Mama" Lillian was caring for 50 children. To take care of this many children, she bought half an acre of land on the east bank of the Nile River. Over the years more people heard of her work, and donations of money and material began coming. And the home grew.

During her lifetime, Lillian Trasher cared for 25,000 Egyptian children. Today, the Lillian Trasher Orphanage is one of the largest and finest permanent orphanages in the world.