Inspire, Fall 1995

Cedarville engineering students took third place in the 1995 Midwest Supermileage Competition in Marshall, Michigan.They competed against 33other schools and enjoyed the best finish ever in an SAE competition for the Department of Engineering. Six Cedarville students participated in the competition along with Dr. Larry Zavodney,chair of the Department of Engineering,and Mr.Sam SanGregory,assistant professor of engineering. The supermileage vehicle, Eklektos II, averaged 708.6 miles per gallon in competition. The Alumni Association extends a hearty congratulations to 1982 graduate Roscoe Smith, recently hired as director of public relations for Cedarville College. Roscoe has served as associate director of admissions for the College since 1987 after completing a master of business administration degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Living in Springfield, Ohio, Roscoe and his wife, Rhonda (Crist '83), cherish their two children, Kalie (2)and Jaden (six months). Taking Christ TO Lithuania W hen Milton Palmer'71 was able to give a teacher in Lithuania enough New Testaments in her language for the children in her class,she shed tears ofjoy. "Each year for the last several years,she had been making 30hand written copies of the New Testament so that her students would have their own copies," he says."That was an experience I'll not soon forget." Palmer,principal at Northwestern Middle School in Springfield,Ohio,was one ofa team ofeducators who Making A Difference Ail Howe inda Gagnebin Ulmer'91 became involved in Christian ministries early."I was taught by my youth pastor to be involved and was encouraged to witness and to serve.I learned that even though I was young,I could make a difference," she explains. Following her parents' examples of Christian service,Linda became active in various ministries. This practice continued at Cedarville College with participation in Swordbearers,open air evangelism,and involvement at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Xenia, Ohio. Today,Linda is making a difference with ministries close to her home in Xenia, where she lives with husband,David'90,and their two daughters,Sylvia (3)and Victoria(4 months). When Linda is not directing the Wednesday night Adventure Club for first through third graders at Emmanuel Baptist,she's possibly assisting in the church nursery or helping to lead the church's Heart-to-Heart women's ministry. Linda helped begin the Heart-to-Heart program last year,after hearing about the book Women Mentoring Women during a Focus on the Family broadcast. "This program is designed to match up older and younger women in the church for friendships of encouragement,support,and guidance,"she explains. In the first year,24 women participated in the program. In addition to these church activities, Linda volunteers at the Greene County Crisis Pregnancy Center(GCPC).She began volunteering three years ago,answering the hotline. After training to be a counselor,she primarily works with teenage girls. She also trains other counselors,assists with fund-raisers and special events,and helps wherever else she is needed."WhatI love about this ministry is that I can share Christ with every girl who seeks help," Linda says."It's rare to have a structured opportunity in which to share Christ." Linda finds herself continually learning more about God through these ministries.GCPC is a constant demonstration ofGod's power,according to Linda, especially as the girls accept Christ."The ministry at the Center,more than any other,keeps mefocused on what's important—sharing salvation," Linda explains. "There is one reason for ministry—to show people Jesus, what He's done in my life, and how much He's changed my outlook." While Linda enjoys these opportunities to use her people and teaching skills,she feels her most important ministry takes place at home."My biggest ministry is to my family—David and the girls," she explains."Athome you do things that require more sacrifice. It's where you have the most opportunity to demonstrate Christ's power in your life." For Linda,making a difference means serving wherever God places her."That's the real test ofa heart of ministry," Linda says,"desiring to serve Christ in your everydayjob." 4FALL'95 went to Lithuania from June 21 to July 10 as part ofthe International School Project. Association of Christian Schools International(ASCI),which developed the elementary and secondary curricula given to the Lithuanian teachers to learn and use,and Walk Through the Bible are among the organizations involved with the International School Project. This year, 15 teams of educators are scheduled to take their convocation on "Christian Ethics and Morality: A Foundation for Society"to public school educators in former USSR countries. AsofJune 1,87convocations had been held in nine countries for over 2,700 teachers. Milt's was the first team to go to Lithuania. "The teams go as educators and at the invitation of the host city," Milt says."In a four-day seminar we have the freedom to present Jesus Christ as the ultimate model of morality." A multifaceted approach presents the Christian worldview and how it relates to society, the philosophy based on morals and ethics,the fundamental tenets of historical Christianity,and the Bible as an authentic document."Next we look very seriously at the person ofJesus Christ through the viewing and discussion ofthe Jesusfilm, which is based on the gospel ofLuke,"he continues. Palmer's team went to the cities ofKaunas and Vilnius."I was assistant leader for the administrator track," he says. Ofthe 400 participants in Kaunas, about50 were administrators or directors of schools. "These educators knew only the lecture method of teaching. Weintroduced them to other methods,like using small groups,one-on-one discussion,and role play, with topics all centered around Jesus Christ.Each received a New Testament in their language and used it. It was beautiful to hear one ofthem read the story ofthe prodigal son in Lithuanian.Then they acted it out." Milt and his team members were able to stress the impact the teachers would have on their students when Compassion In Action B om to an upperclass Brazilian family, 1982 Cedarville graduate Vini Jaquery never wondered where his next meal would comefrom or where to find shelter at night. Buton a warm Sao Paulo summer evening in 1985,Vini experienced a single event that would profoundly influence his future. With a pleading voice and tearful eyes,a young Brazilian boy with no family or home approached him on the street,"I need your help, sir. Not money or food.I don't know what I need, but please help me." Driven by compassion for Brazilian orphans and street children, Vinifounded International Reach,Inc. (IRI)in 1986"to rescue abandoned Brazilian children by facilitating their adoption into Christian families in Brazil or other countries." Like the United States, adoptions ofinfants and toddlers are prevalent in Brazil. Vini's burden is for the older children who have been forgotten, most ofthem abandoned to grow up in an orphanage with little hope for a family life. Extensive legal work in thejuvenile courts is necessary to determine each child's eligibility for adoption.This year, Vini has personally visited over 1,200 children in Brazilian orphanages,getting to know them and identifying possible candidates for adoption. In 1994,the mayor ofSao Paulo invited International Reach to develop and coordinate a program to address the needs ofabandoned children.The city has granted IRI 17 full-time social workers to interview and keep records on the nearly 6,000 children in 170 orphanages. %NO they taught the Christ-centered curriculum and that the effect would be lasting."We shared with them that the moral and ethical values you have as a teacher are what will be passed on to the next generation," he says. "Besides the New Testament,each participant also received a copy ofthe curriculum and a video ofthe Jesus film,both in Lithuanian,"says Milt. Others who heard about the convocation eagerly sought the curriculum.The leftover materials remained with a missionary in the area and inquirers were referred to him. "This is a Catholic country," he shares."Since the breakup ofthe Soviet Union,Lithuanians have resumed teaching a 'religion' class in each curriculum. The people wecame in contact with knew about Jesus and prayer, but they had never experienced a personal relationship with Christ. Daily we saw the Lord work in their lives." Milt knows that many of the Lithuanian participants trusted Christ during the convocation, "But," he says,"only God knows the number." As they work tofindfamiliesforabandoned Brazilian children, Vini '82 and Alexandra Jaquery delight in their own, Gabriella(1)and Chip(3). Vini is grateful that"the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord."The Brazilian senate recently passed a bill to make international adoptions exceedingly difficult, but on July 12,the president of Brazil vetoed the bill! Each prospective adoptive family must then be carefully evaluated and matched with a child. IRI is currently working with 150families considering adoption;only afew are engaged in active preparation. Adoptive families from the United States must overcome many challenges—adoptions are costly,and the family is required to spend 35 to 40days in Brazil. During their stay,the adoptive family bonds with the child on field trips to the zoo,parks,and beaches. Translation,discipline, and counseling are a part ofthe process as well. Since 1991,close to 100children have been placed in loving,Christian homes. During 1995,Vini and his wife, Alexandra,and their two children have settled in Lake Forest,Illinois to share their ministry in churches and to recruit adoptive families. Speaking in cities from San Francisco to Orlando to the Mid-West,Vini is grateful for skills which he gained in Christian ministry at Cedarville College."Traveling with Swordbearers and on an MIS trip to Brazil,I stayed in over 150 homes and tasted many life situations. As a member ofthe Advisory 7 and as a Sunday School teacher,I developed skills in public speaking and diplomacy which greatly enhance my ministry today." For more information on your involvement with this ministry,please contact Vini Jaquery atInternational Reach,P.O.Box809,Lake Forest,IL60056,or 708-234-6389.