Inspire, Fall 2006

28 Fall 2006 Bryan continues to manage his real estate investment properties and is a manager at Sanatoga Corporation. Janet enjoys staying at home with the children. Samantha Polgardy Mulder ’98 and her husband, Matthew, announce the birth of Ethan Frederick on November 20, 2005. Samantha recently accepted a position as professor of obstetrics in the midwifery department at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Nicholas Chou ’99 and his wife, Sarah, announce the birth of Tyler Benjamin on March 22, 2006. Nicholas is a chaplain in the Michigan Army National Guard and is currently deployed to Kuwait. Sarah is a nurse at Metro Health Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Sheryl Buckley Fessler ’99 and her husband, Andrew, announce the birth of David Laymon on May 2, 2006. Andrew is a network engineer at SafeNet, Inc., and Sheryl enjoys staying at home in Xenia, Ohio. Jim ’99 and Melissa Adam Keenan ’00 announce the birth of Alaina Joy on July 21, 2005. Jim is a project engineer, and Melissa enjoys being a stay- at-home mom. They reside in Middletown, Ohio. Alicia Baisley Parker ’99 and her husband, Clai, are excited about a new church plant they are starting in the southeast part of Volusia County, Florida. They have been very encouraged and are thankful for their partnership with Servant’s Quarters Fellowship. 2000s Jamie ’00 and Nikki Luckmann Hall ’00 announce the birth of Brooke on November 20, 2005. They reside in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Jamie owns Nelson’s Corporate Catering. Nikki is taking classes for her master of community counseling degree at Xavier University. Scott ’00 and Shanna Lenhart Lehr ’00 have started a church plant, Southbridge Fellowship, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Pray that they will meet several people who desire to be a part of the start-up team and share their vision for the area. Chris Gideon Meyer ’00 and her husband, Scott, announce the birth of Caelan Ruth on March 30, 2006. She was welcomed home by her big sister, Haley Elizabeth (4). They reside in Martensdale, Iowa, where Scott is a network administrator and Chris is a stay-at-home mom. Kalamazoo, Michigan. Michael is an internal medicine physician, and Renee stays at home with the children. Jonathan ’97 and Sarah Jenks Weber ’97 rejoice that God has provided much of their support need. They pray that the remainder will be provided in His perfect timing so that they can soon help Belgians reach their country and their world for Christ. Sarah has been struggling with some pain that the doctors can’t identify, but through this struggle God has given Sarah many opportunities to exalt the Lord and encourage others. Janet Kollmeyer Wittenmyer ’97 and her husband, Bryan, announce the birth of Bryanna Jean. She was born November 14, 2005 and was welcomed home by her brother, Luke (2), in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. Grady ’00 and Sarah High Peeler ’00 announce the birth of Grady Lee Peeler IV on June 11, 2006. Grady is a CPA with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and Sarah writes/edits part-time while watching Grady IV at home. They have recently relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina. Janene Pereira Bradley ’01 and her husband, Chris, announce the birth of Isaiah James on February 17, 2006. After four years of being a pediatric nurse in Dayton, Ohio and an elementary school nurse in Las Vegas, Janene is now blessed to stay at home. This winter, they will move to Edwards Air Force Base in California for their next assignment. Chris will be attending test pilot school to train as a flight test engineer. Brian Neises ’01 is a teacher at KIS International School in Bangkok, Thailand. Joel ’01 and Carla Clevenger Shank ’01 announce the birth of Charles Martin “Marty” on June 13, 2006. He joins his sister, Ally (2), in Dallas, Texas. Joel is completing his final year at Dallas Seminary. Tim ’02 and Aamie Guptill Blow ’02 announce the birth of Carter Stephen on May 11, 2006. They reside in Beavercreek, Ohio, where Tim is the youth pastor at Hillside Chapel. Erin Knowles ’02 received her master of social work degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago Jane Addams College of Social Work in 2003. She is now serving as the foster area supervisor for Lydia Home, a Christian social work agency in Chicago. Matthew ’02 and Sarah Daniels Peeler ’03 announce the birth of Alaina Madison on June 21, 2006. Matt works in IT infrastructure for GE Industrial, and Sarah enjoys staying at home with Alaina. They reside in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Julia Roberts ’02 received her master of community counseling degree from the University of Toledo in December 2005. She is a clinical therapist at a community mental health center in Toledo, Ohio. Greg Sanderson ’02 and Emily DeLathower were married October 8, 2005. They enjoyed a honeymoon to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Greg is a video director at Willow Creek Community Church, and Emily works in sales in the medical industry. They reside in Lake in the Hills, Illinois. Harry ’96 and Echo Tuinstra VanderWal ’98 are doing their part to help the impoverished people of Swaziland. As part of The Luke Commission, a medical missions team the VanderWals lead, Harry, Echo, and their four children will spend September and October of 2006 in Swaziland. Harry is a doctor and Echo is a pediatric physician’s assistant; together they will work at mobile medical clinics often held in schools out in the bush. Along with their professional efforts, the VanderWals will distribute clothing to Swaziland’s huge orphan population. As on previous trips, they will show The Passion of the Christ in the evenings using a laptop computer, generator, and projector. “The Swazis Christians we partner with give an invitation after the showing,” Echo explained. “We see so many accept Christ! One night during the last trip 148 were saved, the next night 159!” Echo says Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS population in the world and an average life expectancy of 35. As a result of the death rate, there are many orphaned children. “At one school where we held a clinic in June of 2005, 200 of the students were AIDS orphans,” she said. “When we returned in October the number had swelled to 400.” Through The Luke Commission, the VanderWals have started to build a permanent clinic in the Swazi bush. The walls are up, and a well is being drilled that will serve a 25-kilometer radius, supplying good water to Swazis who are currently drinking from dried-up river beds where the cattle feed. In advance of their departure, the Vanderwals collected and shipped 1,400 boxes of clothing and medical supplies. Swaziland has a 75 percent unemployment rate and so the supplies that the Vanderwals bring is greatly appreciated. “We collect clothes for months!” Echo explained. “For us we can’t just be missionaries — we like to show people the spirit of Jesus and His helping hand.” The Luke Commission estimates that last year it treated 5,000 patients, clothed 10,000 orphans, and gave blankets and baby clothes to 3,000 new mothers. To learn more about The Luke Commission, contact the VanderWals at vanderwal@lukecommission.org. Saving Swaziland Harry ’96 and Echo Tuinstra VanderWal ’98 with their triplets, Zeb, Jacob, and Luke (5). Not pictured is son Zion (2).