Inspire, Fall/Winter 2009

features: 10 A Merry Little Christmas What makes the holidays so memorable at Cedarville? For some students, it’s a caring professor, time with friends, unforgettable stories … and French toast. by Sandi (Welch) Harner ’64 12 Shoebox Travels Who would have thought that gift-wrapped shoeboxes could change the lives of children around the world? Joey Turner ’09 journeys to South America to learn how. by Sharyn Kopf 18 Home for the Holidays ... Redefined Facing the holiday season in an unfamiliar country, a unique group of Cedarville students finds a home away from home. by Donna Messenger 22 Unwrapping The Christmas Secret In an excerpt from her new novel, Donna (Payne) VanLiere ’89 uses a porcelain nativity and a pointed question to demonstrate God’s faithfulness through trials. by Donna (Payne) VanLiere ’89 Editor Janice (Warren) Supplee ’86 Managing Editor Julianne Sandberg ’08 Copy Editor Sharyn Kopf Alumnotes Editor Monica (James) Bowen ’92 Creative Director Chad Jackson ’05 Graphic Designer Carrie Savage Photographer Scott Huck Alumni Council Chair Sue Terkelsen ‘88 Vice Chair Kara Robertson ‘07 Secretary Brittany (Smith) Napier ‘00 Members Jason Atwell ‘98 Dana (Daniels) Campbell ‘92 David Dykema ‘91 Sandi (Welch) Harner ‘64 Ruth (Hussey) Hess ‘67 Rachel Mahl ‘04 Beth Prentice ‘79 Clinton Rice ‘92 Matt Shiraki ‘06 Jason Tovey ‘00 John Wambold ‘95 Jearl Ward ‘81 Alumni Relations Director Jeff Beste ’87 Coordinator for Programming and Communications Stephanie (King) Minier ’05 Administrative Assistant Mark McDaniel ’05 Administration President William Brown Provost John Gredy Vice President for Academics Thomas Cornman Vice President for Advancement William Bigham Vice President for Christian Ministries Robert Rohm ’68 Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing Janice (Warren) Supplee ’86 Vice President for Finance Philip Grafton ’89 Vice President for Operations Rodney Johnson ’86 Vice President for Student Life Carl Ruby ’83 Inspire is published spring, summer, and fall/winter by Cedarville University and mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of Cedarville University. Please direct inquiries and address changes to: Inspire, Cedarville University 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314 inspire@cedarville.edu 937-766-7808 contents Cedarville University supports the highest environmental market standards in paper use and printing. ’ Tis the Season 10