Inspire, Spring 2011

Connected by Cotton by Jennifer (Kamauf) Kuczynski ’96 Last spring, alumni relations received an e-mail from Candice Rankin, a young woman trying to get in touch with a Cedarville graduate named Jennifer, a member of an MIS puppet team that had visited her church in South Africa in 1995. A little investigation led them to Jennifer (Kamauf) Kuczynski ’96, who was thrilled to reconnect with the special girl she had never forgotten. During the summer after my junior year of college, I spent five weeks helping lead vacation Bible school programs with puppets at missionary churches in Durban, South Africa. Each week, I stayed with a new host family as our team worked its way across the city, ministering at different locations. I prayed constantly that the children and their families would see and feel God’s love through me. Making a Friend One gracious host family holds a special place in my heart. The couple’s 8-year-old daughter, Candy, reminded me of my own little sister, and we connected immediately. She was my shadow for the week, always wanting me to pick her up and hold her in my arms. We spent hours singing along with The Lion King sound track and dancing around her room. After spending such a happy week together, I knew it would be hard to say goodbye. As a parting gift, I gave her one of my Cedarville sweatshirts even though I knew it would be much too large. She put it on right away so her mom could take a picture of us each wearing our Cedarville sweatshirts. Saying Goodbye On the day our team flew home, Candy’s family joined many of the church families who came to our send-off. As my friend ran toward me, I couldn’t stop my tears when I saw that huge Cedarville sweatshirt wrapped around her little body. serendipi ty Last March, my husband, Kevin ’96, received an e-mail from Cedarville letting us know that a girl named Candice was trying to find me. I was thrilled! Even though I thought of her often, I couldn’t believe that she still remembered me. Renewing a Friendship I wrote her a long e-mail, including memories of my stay at her home. I also attached pictures of us from my scrapbook and recent photos of my family. At the end, I asked if she remembered the sweatshirt I gave her. Replying with a sweet letter, Candice — who now lives in New Zealand — said that she had never forgotten me. She also shared memories and sent pictures of what she looks like today at 22 — the same age I was when I met her. Still a favorite item in her closet, she had kept my old Cedarville sweatshirt for years, and it always inspired her to try to find me. We have been corresponding ever since, and it has been a great blessing to have her back in my life. One day as I was praying, I expressed my hope to see Candice again. I felt God saying, “With Me, all things are possible.” After praying about it as a family, we invited Candice and her husband to come visit us in June. We’re planning to take road trips to see Chicago, New York City, Walt Disney World, and of course, Cedarville. It has been amazing to see how God answered our prayers and brought us together again. Our lives have been forever changed, and we can’t wait to see each other face to face. Jennifer (Kamauf) Kuczynski ’96 and her husband, Kevin ’96, live in Macomb, Michigan, with their children, Hannah and Ty. Jennifer is a stay-at-home mom and teaches piano. She is also involved with women’s ministries at her church. You may contact her at blessingsandlove@comcast.com . Left: While serving with an MIS team in South Africa, Jennifer (Kamauf) Kuczynski ’96 met Candice Rankin. Incredibly, the two friends reconnected 15 years later. Right: Candice, now 22, will visit Jennifer this summer. Serendipity is a new space featuring your stories about the delightfully unexpected ways our Cedarville roots bring us together. Essays can be humorous, heartfelt, or surprising. Please limit your story to 500 words and include your name, class year (for alumni), city, and state. Submit your essay for consideration to Inspire , Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH, 45314, or cedarville.edu/inspire .