Inspire, Fall 2005

22 Fall 2005 I s it possible for a friendship that has usually been separated by miles, countries, and even continents to survive for 50 years? Two members of the Class of 1959 know it is possible. Ruth Yost Shelpman ’59 and Sandra Millikin Entner ’59 first met in the fall of 1955 when they entered Cedarville College as two of 32 freshmen who were part of what would become Cedarville University. “It was probably a good thing back then that we didn’t realize how different we really were or that we were from totally different cultural backgrounds,” said Sandy, who has gone on to work with many “third culture kids” in her years as a counselor at Cedarville. “I wish I had known then what I know now about the differences in our cultural backgrounds and the way we saw life. I know I would have been much more understanding,” she added. While Ruth had been raised primarily in Africa and had received Christ at the age of four, Sandy had been raised in a small town in northern Michigan, had only been out of the U.S. to go to Canada, and was a new believer. The women believe that only the Lord could have brought such a strong friendship out of such diversity. In those early days, they recalled, there were only about 120 students at Cedarville. Meals were eaten at assigned tables at regular times and on a rotating schedule which made it possible to get to know others. In addition, get-togethers were “all school parties” with a great variety of talent from among the faculty and student body. “We shared so many common things that everyone could laugh at skits and parodies that were often part of such gatherings,” they commented. Each student was required to perform a service for the school each week, which included everything from setting tables to working in the dish pit. Because of the small number of students, many students and faculty were involved in several things at the same time. Faculty members were coaches, class advisors, choir directors, and often truly friends of the students. It was not unusual for an individual to play sports, be in a musical group, and work with a class or student government. “The term ‘wearing many Friends for Life R u t h Yo s t S h e l p m a n ’ 5 9 a n d S a n d r a M i l l i k i n E n t n e r ’ 5 9 hats’ certainly fit that era of Cedarville,” they agreed. The common activities and the fact that the school was small have resulted in many lifelong friendships for the students who attended Cedarville in those early days. “It is amazing to see what God has done in taking that small beginning and building it into the University today. It has been incredible to watch for these past 50 years,” Sandy commented. After college, Sandy and Ruth went totally different directions as Sandy married John Entner ’60 (with Ruth as a bridesmaid) and Ruth began a lifelong missionary career with Baptist Mid-Missions, first in Africa and then in Haiti. At that time the Entners became part of her support team which has also encouraged the friendship for so many years. The friendship has been sustained because of a love for one another and through periodic communications which have often been difficult, especially in the early days when letters often took weeks to go from one continent to another. “However,” Sandy said, “When Ruth walked back into my life, sometimes after four years, I felt like I could say, ‘And furthermore …’.” They now consider it very special to be able to communicate by e-mail. A special blessing came in 2003 when Ruth married Roy Shelpman ’57, who had been a college friend back in the 1950s. Although Sandy was unable to attend the wedding in Haiti, she was able to make silk flower bouquets for Ruth and her attendants and send them to Haiti with the groom. Several college friends were able to celebrate with the Shelpmans at a reception in Michigan about a month after the wedding. “Ruth has been an example to me since those early days when I was a new Christian and I saw her consistent Christian life, her heart for service, her graciousness, and her patience with me as a new believer,” Sandy concluded. “Her faith and faithfulness have encouraged me throughout these years, even though we have often been very far apart.”