Inspire, Spring 2011

Bridging Cultures Carolyn (Hunter) Barnett ‘86, M.S.N., RN Assistant Professor of Nursing Served at Cedarville Since 1997 Mentor, HEARTS, Springfield, Ohio Chinese Youth Teacher, Columbus, Ohio Carolyn and her husband, Michael, live out the mission of HEARTS (Hands Eager and Ready to Serve), a ministry of Southgate Baptist Church for underserved, at-risk elementary children. On Wednesdays, they meet their assigned student after school to help with homework, teach life skills, provide an encouraging environment, and show the love of Christ. Carolyn and Michael also participate in fun-filled activities with the students and their families. And cultivating deeper relationships with these families has allowed the couple to share the Gospel. Every Friday evening, Carolyn and Michael also lead a Bible study for middle school kids in a Chinese church. Even though the students they work with are bilingual, many adults that attend the Chinese church speak little or no English, so Carolyn and Michael are learning basic Mandarin. Involvement in this ministry has exposed them to the richness of Chinese culture. “Though they are recipients of our ministry, these children are wonderful teachers,” said Carolyn. “Through them, I am developing a greater sensitivity to and awareness of the needs of underserved populations, and I am cultivating a love for diverse people groups. As a result of these ministries and my own minority culture, I am able to teach nursing students to appreciate differences in people. We live in a diverse society, and they must adapt and become culturally sensitive to the patients they serve. I am helping my students learn how to ‘do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly’ through the nursing care they provide.” Restoring the Broken David Butgereit ’97, M.S.N., RN Lecturer and Clinical Faculty Served at Cedarville Since 2010 Faith-Based Liaison, The Blind Project, Southeast Asia Although he is in his first year of teaching at Cedarville, David is already modeling for his students a heart for ministry. He is the faith-based liaison for The Blind Project, an organization that promotes holistic restoration for women, men, and children in Southeast Asia who have been exploited by the commercial sex trade (theblindproject.com). “Human trafficking has less to do with sex than it does economics. The Blind Project’s initiatives work to break the cycle of poverty that forces girls and women into the sex trade,” David said. The organization has started a clothing line called Biographe, which provides economic opportunity to women who make the clothing and learn business skills. David expects that their products will be available for purchase in the United States by this summer. Because of his work with The Blind Project, David has a better understanding of the person described in Matthew 25:40 called “the least of these.” He desires to communicate that understanding to his students. “There is a thread that runs through the entire Bible that teaches us not to overlook another human in need,” he said. David’s desire as an instructor is to practice what he teaches. 12 spring 2011