| Echoes
February 1997
1970s Gerald & Carol (Palmer '71) Strickland live in Bothell, WA, with their son, Nicky, who was one year old in April 1997. Carol is a part time nurse, and Gerald is an architect. Dan ('72) and Nancy Grudda came to the States for furlough in June 1997 They are living in Albion, Maine, with Dan's folks (Dennis and Shirley, staff) and next door to Dan's brother, Bill ('75) & Dianne who are also on furloughfrom ICA with their four sons. Pray for Dan and Nancy and family as they continue to grieve the loss of five-year daughter, Julianne, of cerebral malaria in August 1996. Dan and Nancy's sons are David (now in 6th grade) and Steven4th grade). They are attending public schools this year and enjoying playing soccer. Becca (Bobbett, '74) and Rick Ahlgrim live in Greenwood, Indiana. They have three children: Nansie (18), Sarah (15), and Ryan (12). Rick teaches social studies and computer science at Greenwood Middle School and Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis Campus. He is also pursuing a Master's degree in counseling. Becca is working full time as a legal assistant and office manager for a Christian attorney in Indianapolis. She also leads a ladies Bible Study in their church and sings in the choir. E-mail the Ahlgrims at ahlr@indy.net. For the next 1-3 years, Dave Bothwell ('74) is Director of Aviation, managing flight, maintenance and aviation training department of more than 60 people based at JAARS in Waxhaw, NC. He also coordinates equipment and personnel needed by the nine field aviation programs that serve Wycliffe Bible Translators in other countries. He was recently able to visit Cameroon, Chad, and Kenya on a business trip for JAARS. It was his first time back to Africa in 20 years and he was impressed with the quality, vibrance, and depth of the African church. [Another note: Dave ran the Charlotte Marathon in February 1996 in 3 hours, 34 minutes.] Michelle
& Ken Palmer ('74) live in Kunkletown, PA, (18058) where Ken
is a computer manager for a 10-store building supply chain. Michelle
is with their children's schools. Kids are Joelle (10), Jacqueline
(8), and Kenneth III (6). (Fall 97) Dave Pinkston ('75) enjoys having a little part in cleaning up so much through his job at Procter & Gamble in Ohio. Sons, Morgan and Luke are enjoying home schooling with Carol, and are playing soccer and t-ball. The Pinkston family had a reunion in Panama City Beach in June 1996 taking advantage of furlough time with sister Debbie ('77) and Hugh Redmon and also Dave's folks who were home from Cote d'Ivoire. Martha (Silvis '75) Downey is married with three children, David (16), Matthew(14), and Diana (11). She lives in Corry, PA. Sara Hayes ('75) is a BMM missionary in Techiman, Ghana, a colleague with her brother and sister-in-law, John ('77) and Juleen (Swinborne '77) Hayes. Sara teaches John and Juleen's three children in the mornings and also teaches a children's Bible club and a junior church in Techiman Ken Slater ('75) has taken a new job as a logistics planner and buyer with International in Miami, FL. Jon ('76) & Judy (Weidman '76) Bobbett live in Charlotte, NC with their three children, Stephen (15), Joel (12), and Laura (10). The kids go to a Christian school. Judy plays piano at the local E-Free church they attend. Jon is overseas most of the time with his business, a company that manufactures athletic footwear. Judy's younger brothers, Joel and Jim, both work for Jon and live in the area with their families. Joel is an account manager and Jim is a designer. Joanne & Paul Friesen ('76) and four kids are living in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where Paul works an early morning shift on a truck dock. Paul is working with a group of MKs, trying to raise some issues to the point where better policies and communication can be taken between churches, mission boards, and families. The Friesens had 2 MKs live with them last summer, leading to Paul's interest in developing a web site to bring the resources for missionary kids and families together, including information on everything from telephone cards to safe houses and financial and school support. Contact Paul at mfcs@sk.sympatico.ca. Jim Silvis ('76) is married with three boys. He lives in Leesburg, FL. Brent ('76) and Inell Slater would appreciate your prayers for Uganda. There has been significant rebel activity in Western Uganda for many months. On September 23, 26 men, women and children were killed in Slaters' home town of Kasesse. Many others were wounded, and the Swahili church three blocks from Brent's house was ransacked. Gunfire was heard throughout the night. The Slaters evacuated to a hotel in Mbarara about 2 hours away. Many Ugandans also left the town at the same time. On a lighter note, the Slaters report that son, Luke, is learning to read and his little brother, Garrett, is a chatterbox even though he only knows a few words. Dennis Smith ('76) is married with three children, the oldest of whom graduated from high school. Dennis works in construction. Tara & Sam ('76) Watkins are church planting in Cote d'Ivoire. They are starting a new Benjy Youth Center in memory of their son, Benjy, who died 2 years ago at age 8. Their three younger children, (ages 6-13) are Garrett, Zack, and Julia. E-mail them at 104146.325@compuserve.com. Janet Gardner ('77) married Jim Weiss, a C&MA pastor she met while on tour in his church in 1996, on August 23, 1997. Janet is a homemaker now, and works along side Jim in their small church plant in Clinton, Georgia, about 30 miles from Toccoa Falls. She will be working with the church's children's ministry and is also looking into getting teaching credentials for Georgia so she can substitute teach there. John ('77) & Juleen (Swinborne '77) are ministering with BMM in Techiman, Ghana. John is very busy pastoring the church there. Juleen teaches junior church in a nearby village church and a Bible class at school in town as well as managing a household with generator electricity only a few hours every day. The Hayes' children, Michaela (12), David (10), and Rachelle (5) are homeschooled in the mornings by Aunt Sara Hayes ('75). Rod Ragsdale ('77) has been through a difficult year as vice chairman of the CI-CB field conference and now the leader of the mission/church Church Development Team. CB's association of churches and missionaries celebrated their 50th year of ministry in Cote d'Ivoire which involved a lot of planning for Rod and his team. Also a pastor with whom Rod worked closely and the wife of another close pastor friend died recently. Pray for Rod and the Cote d'Ivoire team of missionaries and churches as they work through these difficult days. On a lighter note, Rod has gone sky-diving several times in Yamoussoukro in the past year, and reports that, 'It was cooking!' Lynda Pittman ('77) is working as a respirator therapist and head of her unit, a very stressful job. Lynda lives in Winston-Salem, NC. Dave ('77) & Marianne Ruten returned to SIM Burkina team leadership in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in October 1997. Their kids enjoyed Canadian public schools during the 96-97 year, after four years of home-schooling in Burkina. Pam (Watkins '77) and Barry Shultz have lived in Winston-Salem, NC for 10 years. Pam is an RN in the Orthopedic unit at a local hospital, working Saturdays and Sundays 7pm-7am, with full-time benefits. Barry does not punch a time clock but works on some businesses of his own and is a jack-of-all-trades. They are enjoying the benefits of home-schooling Brittany (age 6). Pam returned to Africa with Brittany this summer to visit family there, and was able to fit in a trip to ICA. During the trip she saw the following alumni: Rod Ragsdale ('77) in Bouake, and Joan (Watkins '82) & Dan Cuthbertson, Tara & Sam ('76) Watkins, John ('78) and Merri Holmes in San Pedro. Heidi (Zobrist '77) Zobrist-Guzman lives in Ft. Mill, SC with husband Jorge, an engineer, and two daughters. Heidi's mom, Irene, passed away in December 1996 after a long fight with cancer. Ken ('78) and Sarah Beckley are ministering in Dire, Mali. Their son, Marc, was 8 months old, and crawling everywhere as of their August 1997 prayer letter. The letter also mentioned their plans for a vacation in Ivory Coast and buying a 4WD vehicle. E-mail the Beckleys at Kbeckley@maf.org. Snail mail: B.P. 7, Dire, Mali, West Africa. Joy (Bowman '78) and Terry Stephenson live in Thomasville, GA. Joy is a stay-at-home mom and volunteers at her children's school. She has a son and a daughter. Curt ('78) and Karen (Slater '78) Cole are missionaries with HCJB World Radio in Quito, Equador. The Coles recently purchased a home about 30 minutes from Quito in the country. They plan to return to the U.S. in May of 1998 when Curt plans to attend the graduate school at Wheaton College. Kids: Carissa (1984), Brandon & Bryan (1987). (Fall 1997) Priscilla (Silvis '78) Goff is married with four children and living in Trenton, FL. She and her husband are both nurses at a hospital in Gainesville. Donna (Jones, '78) Juillerat is living in Corpus Christi, Texas. Phil Ruten ('79) and his wife, Esther, have four children - David (1985), Michael (1987), Joel (1989), and Amy (1991). Phil is presently the Athletic Director at Millar College of the Bible. He also teaches part time at the local public school. The family lives in Pambrun, Saskatchewan, Canada. Carl
('79) & Theresa Crooks are expecting a new addition to their
family in Andy Gardner ('79) and family, wife Janice, and sons, Danny (now attending ICA), Nathan, and Peter, work in Conakry, Guinea with the C&MA. Stan Griffin ('79) and wife, Dana, purchased a home in Santa Ana, CA, last year. Their daughters are Kayla and Lindzey. Stan has a graphics and printing business and sells Amway. Judi Nehlsen ('79) is a nanny for a family who summers on Nantucket and winters in Miami. (3/97) Kayleen (Slater '79) and Steve Merry have a lovely a-frame home on the bay in Rapid River, near Escanaba in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Editor can say this because she has been there and enjoyed their hospitality and the wonderful, peaceful view of the bay. Kayleen is enjoying twins, Matthew and Marielle, who turned four in June 1997. Steve is practicing medicine at a local clinic and hospital and is also an administrator with the hospital system. The Merrys hope to return to medical missions in Africa one day. Albert Stombaugh ('79) and family are living in Libreville, Gabon, where Al teaches Bible and theology at the Alliance Bible Institute. The Stombaughs have a son, Joshua, and a daughter, Kayla. Kevin ('79) and Jodi van den Akker welcomed new baby, Jonathan David on July 17, 1997, about two months early for his due date. Jonathan spend three weeks in the hospital in Ft. Wayne, IN, in the Neonatal ICU wing. He was born by emergency c-section because he was breech and his left leg was presenting. Daddy's guess is that he must be a left footed soccer player. Nathan ('79) and Karol Watkins are living in Indianapolis, IN, during their furlough from Cote d'Ivoire. They have four children: Nathan, Jr., Laurelyn, Micah, and Lois (ages 5-11). Email them at 72050.3117@compuserve.com. Carol (Wiens '79) and Steve McLaughlin have three children, Christopher, Matthew, and Anna Marie. Steve has a financial business and Carol was recently considering studying for an insurance license. Rick
('80) & Elisabeth Arnold have had a harrowing spring and summer.
Renee (Osterwind, '80) and Gary Johnson live in Marinette, WI, with their two children, Caleb (born 4/5/93) and Mark (11/28/94). Renee is a stay-at-home mom who does some accounting work at tax time, and Gary teaches math at a technical college. Sheri (Slater '80) and Don Fuller are living in the Chicago area. Don's plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Theology at Oxford University with Evangelical theologian, Alistair McGrath, is currently on hold. Meanwhile he is CFO at the Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. Sheri is at home with baby Jonathan. Shari (Arnold '81) and Jim Timberlake have a new son, Cory, and returned in 1996 to Gabon to their work as house parents for missionary kids. Alan Bobbett ('81) and wife, Angie live in Greenwood, Indiana. The Bobbetts have two sons, Kyle and Ryan, and a daughter, Taylor. Alan runs his own professional window cleaning and painting service and is very involved with Overcomers Ministries and at their church. Angie is a homemaker. SnellFontus ('81) is a doctor specializing in general surgery, but he does NOT work in a hospital in Haiti, but rather works for an HMO on the island of Guam. He moved to Guam in 1994 after finishing his residency in Hawaii. Snell is originally from Haiti. (We regret the error in Snell's information in the February 1996 Echoes. - Editor) Kathy (Morrison '81) and Don Barron welcomed daughter, Sydney, on February 29, 1996 ( a leap year baby). The Barrons (with Lorree-Lynn, 6, and Brandon, 9) now live in Pretoria, South Africa and are developing Missions Exposure and Training (MET), training Africans from southern African countries in missions. They are on a short home assignment this fall and hope to return to Pretoria in January 1998. They say hi to everyone! (10/97) Esther & Dan Penney ('81) are expecting their first child in February. The Penneys are living in Glen Ellyn, IL and hoping to be appointed as career missionaries to Senegal with CB International in January 1998. Dan preached four times in the summer of 1997. (09/97) Pamela (Bowman '82) and Joe Collier live in Millen GA. Pamela is a nurse practitioner and works at a OB/GYN office nearby. Joe has a landscaping business based out of their home. The Colliers love visitors. (3/97) Tami (Bowman '82) Fritz has gone back to school to get a degree in graphic design. Tami has two boys, Ian and Cody, and lives in Gainesville, FL. (3/97) Bonnie (Pinkston '82) and Steve Williams lived in Cincinnati for four years after their marriage. Daughter Abby was born there in 1991. The family moved to St. Louis in 1993 and built a house. Benjamin Daniel was born prematurely on 2/21/95. Giving praise to God, Bonnie reports that he was not seriously ill for long and has since grown out of ALL his health problems. The family has now returned to Cincinnati where Steve really enjoys his job and gets to spend much more time at home. Bonnie's curtain business (Window Magic) has taken off with a bang. She is booked through Christmas, working 20 to 30 hours a week.. Write the Williams at 7977 Blairhouse, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or sbwill@worldnet.att.net. Phone number is (513)474-6992. (11/97) Susan McKinney ('82) taught English and teacher training for two years in universities in China and a few months in Cambodia before hitting her head on a stairwell which required her return to the US. “After all the medical analysis and passage of time, I'm stuck with head pain due to nerve injury for the rest of my life. I can function fine, and I'm learning to deal with it as I go along,” she writes. Until she goes overseas again, Susan is working as an Administrative Assistant/Senior Secretary for the 'think tank' part of the company, DataCard in Minneapolis. Email Susan at sqmk25@geocities.com. Donna (Skinner '82) & Brian Phillips ('82) moved in January 1996 to the eastern suburbs of Memphis, TN, following a good job opportunity for Brian at Tradigrain, the international branch of Farmland Industries. He is responsible for negotiation and selling U.S. grain to customers all over the world. Although he only works 10 minutes from home, he also travels world-wide for business and gets to use his French often. Donna's full-time mom to Nathan (02/01/92), Andrea (12/25/94), and Hannah (09/24/97). According to cousin, Rindi Bowman ('77), Russ Bowman ('83) has bought a house in Eastonallee, Georgia where he works at the nearby college, plays soccer and enjoys life. Ron McGinley ('83) his wife, Ranett, and their four sons, have lived in Cincinnati for six years. Joy (Dudley '84) and Jon Bigley are moving in December from Canton, MI (near Detroit), to Bowling Green, KY, where Jon will work with Holley, a company that makes carburetors for NASCAR. God has closed the doors once again for them to serve at ICA before Joy's folks retire. However, they hope to visit the field next summer. Son, Jerod, is 7 years old, and baby Jamie Elizabeth was born 4/14/97. (10/97) Eric Bosenberg ('85) left ICA after his tenth grade year (1983). He finished high school in the U.S., and for the last six years has been directing a refugee program in Guinea (Conakry) for the C&MA. Eric, wife Beth, and children Alex (3) and Elisa (1) returned to the U.S. in early March 1997 and are now settling in to Raleigh, NC. Eric is working as an office administrator for a company that teaches networking with computers. (4/97) Christine (McKinney '85) Tracey and her husband, Bryan, have two sons, ages 3 and 6, and live in Pleasanton, CA. (9/97) Kirk
('86) and Laura Slater arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, in March
1997, starting Kiswahili language study there in preparation for
church planting and leadership development ministry in Uganda. Laura
also hopes to work with learning disabled children. The Slaters
recently announced the coming of a new baby in March. After many
years and prayers, this is a miracle child. Due to complications
the couple came back to Laura's home in Holland, Michigan, in the fall
of 1997 to await the birth. As of the end of October the pregnancy
was continuing as prayed for. (10/97) Hope Jenkins ('87) graduated in 1996 from Computer Learning Center. She would now like to study law. Hope has a 3 year old daughter, Darian Joy, who is the absolute apple of her eye. Hope would love to hear from classmates. Her home phone number is (703) 768-1877 and her work number is (703) 749-3520. Kathy Shady ('87 and current ICA first grade teacher) is engaged to marry Peter Thomas, an Australian missionary stationed in Bouaké with CMA. The wedding is planned for ICA's chapel on Dec. 16, 1997. Alan Shea ('88) graduated from Houghton College in 1993 and has worked in the chapel control booth doing sound, the college Quick-Print shop, and also worked on telephones, computers and video-conferencing, and on the college radio station. In all he spent nine years at Houghton and felt it was good preparation for his planned ministry back at ICA as a technical support person at the school for everything but the school's computer lab (which will remain Elmer Baxter's domain). Alan hopes to leave for language study in Switzerland around 01/01/98, and for ICA in August of 1998. This all depends on his support discovery. Alan would love to hear from any alumni. His fairly permanent email address is ajshea@broadcast.net. (10/97) Scott Wilson ('88) works for a computer company called TMS/Sequoia, and is also pursuing a degree in multilingual communication. Scott is setting up a web site for ICA alumni, which will include as many mail-to links and home page URL's as he can get. If you know what this means and you're interested, contact Scott at kc5vmn@amsat.org or 802 S. Hester, Stillwater, OK 74074 or phone (405)377-4136. Garth McKinney ('89) is being trained as a manager at Sears. He lives near San Jose, CA. Lisa Slater ('89) has moved four times in the last two years and is hoping to stay put for a bit. She is now sharing a townhouse with a friend in Colorado Springs, CO. Lisa is a graphic artist and designer at missionary radio station HCJB's headquarters in The Springs. Lisa was much encouraged about young people's interest in missions as she attended Urbana '96 as a representative for HCJB. Lisa is serving as vice president of her large singles Sunday School class and is leading a Bible Study. She is considering developing a program for MKs within HCJB and appreciates all suggestions/ideas. Laurel (Watkins '89) and Paul Timblin live in Winston-Salem, NC and have a one-year-old daughter, Bethany. Laurie is an RN and only works on call and Paul works maintenance for the church. They are headed into missionary aviation. E-mail them at lptimblin@juno.com.
1990s Rhonda (Shemwell '90) Williams married Bryan Williams in December of 1995. The couple graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in May of 1995. Rhonda has a B.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences and a religion minor. She is a youth/children's director at her church. Bryan is a web analyst for AR Electric Co-op. Rhonda and Bryan live in Little Rock, AR. Carla (Bissett '91) Croaker and her husband, Andy, visited ICA and did a stage at Ferké Hospital in October 1997. Andy will finish up his MD studies soon. Becky (Watkins '92) and Andy Messer welcomed Leah Autumn to their family on July 8, 1997. She weighed 8 pounds and was 19 inches long, with lots of thick black hair and a round face. Auntie Pam (Watkins) Shultz reported that everything went great with the home delivery. The Messers are on deputation with BMM. Becky just graduated from nursing school (RN) and passed her boards. Ruth
Conkle ('95) is a junior at Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster,
PA. She Rachel & Becky Conkle ('97) are enjoying college (Simpson in Redding CA), and being in the U.S. again. Rachel is playing basketball this year and doing well. Becky is assistant editor of the yearbook and loves her job. Becky has an impressive list of her ICA classmates' e-mail addresses. Contact her at beckylovesyou@juno.com.
Staff Cheryl Adams (teacher, 1981-1992) was married to Larry Parker on July 6, 1996 in Vestal, New York. The couple spent a year in Diyarbakir, Turkey, where Larry was site supervisor for a flight simulation project. They are now living in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Sherry hopes to find a teaching job and Larry is working for FlightSafety, still in flight simulation. Jan Daugherty may take an early retirement due to her parents' poor health. She came home in July 1997 and moved in with them at 204 51st Avenue Drive West, Bradenton, FL 34207. Call her at (941) 758-6909. Plans are still uncertain if she will stay home this time with just a quick trip back to the field to pack up and say goodbye, or return for one more term. Jean & Bud Hotalen (CMA High School Girls dorm parents) are enjoying retirement in Toccoa, GA.
Births Emily Ruth, born December 14, 1995, to Bruce ('73) and Jana Jacobs. This is their fourth child, second daughter. Benjamin, third son born to Bob & Brenda (Jacobs '75) Kopp in July 1996. Jonathan David vandenAkker, born July 17, 1997, to Jodi and Kevin vandenAkker ('79), their first child. Correction: Alyssalyn Marie Arnold born October 24, 1995 to Rick ('80) and Elisabeth Arnold their third daughter. Taylor. Angie and Alan Bobbett ('81)'s first daughter, third child, born September 1997. Sydney, a daughter born to Don and Kathy (Morrison '81) on February 29, their third child. Hannah Ruth, born September 24, 1997, to Donna (Skinner '82) and Brian Phillips ('82). Hannah joins a brother and sister. Jamie
Elizabeth, born April 14, 1997, to Jon & Joy (Dudley
'84) Bigley. Leah Autumn, born at home on July 8, 1997, to Becky (Watkins '92) and Andy Messer, their first child. Marne Rae, born February 7, 1996, to Bill & Trisha (Davis '93) Cast. Connor Drake born October 23, 1997 to Bill & Tricia (Davis '93) Cast, their second child.
Weddings Elaine Perry (staff, '62-70) and David Keith, March 23, 1996, in Plainwell, Michigan. The couple is making their new home at 507 S. Farmer, Otsego, MI 49078. Many Cote d'Ivoire missionaries attended the wedding, including alumni, Linn Boese ('70), Dwight Slater ('72), and Lori Gould ('77) Janet Gardner ('77) to Jim Weiss, August 23, 1997. The couple is living in Clinton, GA.
In Memory Julianne Grudda, 5-year-old daughter of Dan ('72) and Nancy Grudda, niece of Bill ('75), Carol (Grudda) Corso, and granddaughter of staff members Dennis and Shirley Grudda. Julianne died of cerebral malaria on August 8, 1996. Eileen Bader (Bethany dorm assistant and school nurse in the 60's) died October 23, 1997, in Kissimmee, FL, after a long illness.
ICA News April 15-20, 1996, was ICA's spring Spiritual Emphasis Week and according to Jan Daugherty: The Lord really moved in a mighty way. Many students made new commitments and several made first time commitments for salvation. One of them was an Israeli boy who has been here since 8th grade. Many people have been praying for him. There was a lot of “garbage” burned at a student organized bonfire (tapes, magazines, books, etc.) The whole atmosphere on campus has changed and everyone can feel the difference. Pray that it will continue and that we will all encourage one another. Teacher, Sheryl O'Bryan, reports: Technology is making inroads to Bouake and ICA—-each of the dorms has its own cell phone now so it should be easier to get in touch with people on campus. And for those of us not living in the dorms, or for those wanting to reach the dorms the old fashioned way, there is an autoattendant on the regular line. If you call after business hours and know the extension of the person you wish to speak to, you needn't disturb whoever is on phone duty. This also means that your phone call receiving hours don't end at 10 pm. We also have a satellite phone, but with the advent of the cell phone, the satellite phone is rather obsolete. She continues, The Community Center is in use . . . sports abound, the commissary is operating there, Sunday nursery meets there and you can watch CNN there every evening before supper. The chapel has had a facelift. New paint, evergreen trim, matching curtains in the front, chair rail all down the sides, one of those altar rail with curtain things on the front. Pretty spiffy.
Miss Marlene's Memorial Service As reported in the last Echoes, Miss Marlene Decker died of cancer on April 6, 1996. Her memorial service was held April 13, 1996 at First Baptist Church in Salem, OR. A retired missionary lady and friend of Marlene's from C.I. (Ruth Casey) wrote a letter to many of the CB missionaries about the service. Parts are excerpted here: ....There was a picture of Marlene surrounded with some flowers and copies of her biography from CBI. On the table in the sanctuary they had a 16”x24” smiling picture of Marlene in a rosy-red blouse, with a Bible lying open in front of it. And there were many baskets and other arrangements of lovely flowers on each side of the table and on the platform. In giving her life story, the speaker didn't just read an obituary, but reviewed the main points of her life in such a loving and personal way. He said he thought these words described her: Sweet (always with a smile), Committed/Dedicated, Patient (especially during the long months of treatments), and Giving (he mentioned how she thought of some fellow missionaries in her will and also talked about the loving, giving between all the members of her family during her illness. ...He talked about how she took her mother and her father ...with her most of the time as she traveled on deputation) Since [CBI's Africa secretary] was [in Africa at the time], they sent Dick and Ruth [Jacobs] out to the memorial. He too gave such a personal tribute. He talked about how much she cared for her students, and especially for the little people like his daughter. He told of her noticing that some of them sat at their desks with their little legs not touching the floor, so she went out and got some concrete blocks for them to use as footstools, and recounted how the kids teased her for wearing her highest heels the first day of school so folks could tell that she was a teacher and not one of the students. He read a wonderfully touching thank-you letter that Brent Slater ('76) had written to Marlene telling how he had felt so lonely in the dorm, but when she got in class she made him feel at home with her love and caring. Ken and Julie Vaughan came up from California to represent ICA; he read a letter that Dave Baldwin had written for the occasion expressing their appreciation for her life and ministry at the school. There was a sermon about The Wonderful Attraction of Heaven, a duet, He Touched Me, slides of Marlene from her stroller up through her days of ministry at ICA. The church provided lunch for all of those from out of town, which was like an Ivory Coast reunion of sorts.
Help Wanted Early
Childhood Education MK
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