Inspire, Fall 2001

John '83 and Robin Strope(aules'83 have been appointed missionaries to the country of Luxembourg under Greater Europe Mission. John will be involved in church planting, with hopes of one day having an international church established. Robin continues to home-school their three children, J.D.(12), Tiara (9), and Ariana (5). They currently reside in Roselle, Illinois. Joe'83 and Carla Marling Griffin '83 announce the birth of Risa Grace on October 2, 2000. Big brothers Chris(10) and David (7) prayed for her safe arrival. They reside in East Point, Georgia. Curtis '83 and Carol Stoltzfus Hoke'82 announce the birth and adoption of Jesse Andrew on March 13, 2001. He joins his sisters, Cindy(12)and Abby (3), in Elverson, Pennsylvania. Debbie Dower'84 is thankful for the students at Black Forest Academy (Germany)and the impact they have on her life. She enjoys helping the seniors by proofreading their essays because it allows her to obtain an inside view of their lives. Tim '84 and Alice Boyd Dysert'84 continue to make plans to depart for Spain by December 2001. They were thrilled to be able to go on a missions trip to Madrid in June with one of their supporting churches. Rebekah Jewell'84 and Mario Cruz were married February 17, 2001 at Gulfview Grace Brethren Church in Port Richey, Florida. Rebekah is in her third year of teaching at Grace Christian School in Hudson, Florida. The couple has settled in Port Richey. Dale Moore'86 was presented the 2001 Science Teacher of the Year Award from Northern Michigan University's Sigma Xi Organization in April 2001. Each year, Sigma Xi recognizes one math or science teacher from the Upper Peninsula who promotes honor and enthusiasm in the fields of science and engineering research. Dale has been teaching junior and senior high science classes at Engadine Consolidated Schools in Engadine, Michigan for the past five years. He and his wife, Kame, have two children, Daniel(12)and Heather (9). Vanliere Brings Out The ChristmasShoes If you enjoy the chart-topping tune "The Christmas Shoes" by NewSong, chances are you will be interested in the latest novel by Donna Payne Vanliere '89, The Christmas Shoes. "Eddie Carswell of NewSong played the song for me when it was still in the working stage," Donna recalled. "I thought the song was the perfect story to be turned into a book." Donna's book tells the tale of Robert, a successful attorney who has everything in life—and nothing at all. Focused on professional achievement and material rewards, Robert is on the brink of losing his marriage. He has lost sight of his wife, Kate, their two daughters, and ultimately himself. Eight-year-old Nathan has a beloved mother, Maggie, whom he is losing to cancer. But Nathan and his family are building a simple yet full life and struggling to hold onto every moment they have together. A chance meeting on Christmas Eve brings Robert and Nathan together. Robert is shopping for a family he hardly knows, and Nathan is shopping for a mother he is soon to lose. In this one encounter, their lives are forever altered as Robert learns an important lesson— sometimes the smallest things can make all the difference. The Christmas Shoes is a universal story of the deeper meaning of serendipity, a tale of our shared humanity, and of how a power greater than ourselves can shape, and even save, our lives. The Christmas Shoes marks Donna's third published book. Her first book, Sheltering Trees: The Power, Promise and Refuge ofFriendship, contains inspiring stories of friendship from well-known artists, speakers, and authors like Point of Grace, luci Swindoll, Rebecca St. James, Randy Travis, and many others. Donna's second book, They Walked with Him, contains poignant stories based on the lives of the apostles. Both Sheltering Trees: The Power, Promise and Refuge of Friendship and They Walked with Him can be found or ordered through your local Christian bookstore, www.amazon.com, or www.barnesandnoble.com . The Christmas Shoes will be available in October 2001 at all major bookstores, along with Wal-Mart, KMart, and Target. Dave'87 and Vol Hite Smallman '85 are thankful for a missionary team and a group of believers from Campinas who surveyed about 1000 people in Bauru, Brazil, to gather information that will help in planning the first new church. Tim '88 and Connie Harvey Gault'88 are stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, where Tim is the chaplain for Destroyer Squadron 28. In March 2001,Tim graduated from the Naval Chaplains School in Newport, Rhode Island. Jill Slayton Puett'88 and her husband, Stephen, serve with Unevangelized Fields Missions(UFM)in Guyana. In June, Jill accompanied some Guyanese ladies on a Ladies Retreat to Trinidad. Mark Baker'89 and his wife, Yvonne, announce the birth of their daughter, Brynn Anmei, on April 6, 2001. They reside in Kirkland, Washington. 90s Jon '90 and Lori Rogers Haskell'90 were involved in many activities in Hungary this summer. They held a four- week evangelism program that included using English as an opportunity to build relationships. Simultaneously, they held a two-week Vacation Bible School, which is the first time they have tried a program targeted at children. Carol Holtz'90 is the office manager for Legacy Five, a southern gospel quartet. She is a member of Thompson Station Baptist Church and resides in Franklin, Tennessee. Mary Price Homoelle'90 and her husband, David, announce the birth of Benjamin Price on April 6, 2001. He was welcomed home by his siblings, Mary Jo (7), George (5), and Samuel(3). Jill Scowcroft Keel'90 and her husband, David, announce the birth of Dylan Luke. He was born April 3, 2001 and joins his three brothers, Caleb (5), Tyler (3), and Jakob (2), at home in Leesburg, Virginia. Dan Rambow '90 serves with Latin America Mission in Venezuela. He is the pastor of Valencia Community Church and is really enjoying this new ministry capacity. The church is a neat way to reach his target group within Venezuela because many people come just to practice listening to English. Todd Seljan '90 and his wife, Deneen, announce the birth of Elyssa Saye on April 1, 2000. Todd and Deneen were married December 5, 1998 and now reside in Bay Village, Ohio. Todd is an expeditor for Aluminum Line Products, and Deneen has resigned from teaching high school English and journalism to stay home with Elyssa. Deneen has teamed up with another stay-at-home mom to form Photos Forever Video. They transfer old photos and video to digital or compact disc format. Todd loves being a dad and in his spare time gives pitching lessons to local students. Robert Blenis '91 and his wife, Karen, announce the birth of Danielle Faith on December 19, 2000. They serve as the singles ministry leaders at Northside Baptist, where Scott Boggs'88 is the pastor. Robert and Karen reside in St. Petersburg, Florida. Inspire 23