Inspire, Winter 1997

faculty member and athletic director for six years. Michael '91 and Debbie Polsdorfer Koenig '91 praise God for His gift of Matthew David, born June 18, 1997. The Koenigs live in Miamisburg, Ohio. Mark '91 and Angie Smith McMurtry'92 rejoice in the arrival of a son, Luke Austin, on June 19, 1997. The McMurtry family resides in Walnut Creek, California. Sue Rogers Wolcott '91 and her husband, Jesse, are excited to share the birth of their daughter, Emily Rebecca. Born March 3, 1997, she joins her family in Grand Island, New York. Sue has been employed by Bedore Tours in Niagara Falls for eight years. She is the marketing manager, dealing with the domestic and international group tour market. Jesse is a foreman with Siegel Landscape and Drainage. The Wolcotts are active in their church where Sue is involved with the music and children's ministries. Phil '92 and Aileen Willsie Baab '92 rejoice in the blessing of Isaac Christopher who arrived three weeks early on November 22, 1996. He keeps Aileen busy at home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Phil works for Greatland Corporation. Matt '91 and Allyson Graham Benefiel'92 rejoice in the birth of Graham Harrison on August 26, 1997. Graham is welcomed home by a sister, Hannah (3). The Benefiels live in Columbus, Ohio. Marti Day Folck '92 and her husband, Chad, share their by in the birth of Alyssa Kary. Born April 29, 1997, Alyssa joins her family in Jamestown, Ohio. Chad is a geologist in Columbus, and Marti cares for Alyssa at home. Todd '92N and Julie Mummey Halsey'93 praise God for His gift of Hannah Joy on March 10, 1997. The Halseys live in Columbus, Ohio, where they are members of Maranatha Baptist Church. Todd works as a structural engineer, and Julie cares for Hannah at home. Clinton '92 and Jennifer DineIli Rice '95 joyfully welcome the arrival of Virginia Grace, born September 2, 1997. Clinton is the resident director of McChesney Hall at Cedarville College, and Jennifer works part- time for the College's Annual Fund Office. Tim Woodward '94 and his wife, Laura, celebrate the arrival of Titus Richard on August 30, 1997. Tim is a design engineer with Glas-Col. The Woodwards live in Terre Haute, Indiana. Paul'95 and Kathryn Simons Dean '95 are delighted to announce the arrival of Nathan Paul on July 16, 1997. The Deans reside in Gig Harbor, Washington. Paul is attending Northwest Baptist Seminary. Mike'95 and Christy Southwell Wilkerson '94 rejoice in the birth of Taylor Rebecca on December 22, 1996. The Wilkersons reside in Carmel, Indiana. Marty '96 and Jennifer Call Simons'95 celebrate the birth of Kielen Elizabeth on September 5, 1997. Kielen joins her parents living in Gig Harbor, Washington. Marty is attending Northwest Baptist Seminary. Focus ON THE FIELD Linda Betts Duffield '72 and her husband, Ken, recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. The Duffields are church-planting missionaries in Mexico. They are currently visiting their supporting churches in the United States. Alex Konya'74 and his wife, Pamela, have returned to Hungary after a three-month furlough in the United States. The Konyas rejoice that during 16,000 miles of travel by car and over 12,000 miles by plane, they were able to report to supporting churches, raise more than S23,000 for a ministry van, and spend time with their daughter, Ann Konya '96, living in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Ruth Teed Finch '76 and her husband, Frank, fulfilled a special assignment last year serving as interim administrator at Palawan Baptist Hospital in the Philippines. Currently on a leave of absence from ABWE, Frank is studying for a master's degree in medical science at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia. He is required to work full-time in primary care in a medically under-served area. The Finches are considering a tent-making endeavor in southeast Asia in the future. They share,"Pray that the Lord will direct us to the perfect place where we can serve Him in a local church, to the medical practice of His choice, to a home where we can entertain visitors and disciple others, and to the right school for our children." Becky Selden Kuhn '78 and her husband, Gary '83H, returned to the Philippines in July 1997 after a year of ministry in the United States. Gary has been asked to become the director of LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) Ministries for northern Luzon, the island on which Baguio City is located. This will involve a ministry among college students, as well as developing the leadership of local pastors and Christian workers through teaching and training. The Kuhns share the burden on their hearts,"We want to be a part of the process of changing the Philippines from a 'missionary-receiving country' to a 'missionary-sending country.' Filipinos have access to many Asian countries that Americans do not. As we train them and help give them a vision for ministry, we hope to see the Gospel infiltrate countries and people groups that do not know the truth of God's Word." Janice Richards Viinalass '78 and her husband, Linden, have spent the last year serving as missionaries in Estonia, a former state of the USSR which regained its freedom from communist control in 1991. Linden's father fled Estonia in 1945 when the Russians invaded. After his father's death in 1994, Linden and Janice sensed the Lord's direction for a ministry in Estonia. Because most preaching aids and commentaries are written in English or German, Linden has been teaching English at the Baptist and Evangelical Seminary in Tartu, Estonia. Linden and Janice also have the opportunity to share Christ's gospel with over 80 other students who are learning English. At home, Janice cares for their youngest child, Joshua (4), while the other children, John (14), Anna (13), Daniel (9), and Amalie(7)are being totally immersed in Estonian language and culture in the public schools. Janice also leads a monthly Bible study for mothers and children. The Viinalass family is active in music ministry, singing in their local church choir and visiting area churches. Tina Wagner Curby '80N and her husband, Patrick, are preparing for missionary service in central and eastern Europe. Tina reflects on her studies at Cedarville, "I learned the truth that there should be no dichotomy between the secular and the spiritual in our lives." The Curbys have four daughters, Anna (13), Erin (8), Allison (7), and Cassie (5). Will Hallman '80 began a full-time pastoral ministry in Pennsylvania churches when he was ordained in 1984. Now God has given him the opportunity to expand his ministry by teaching required Bible courses at universities in eastern Europe through the International Institute for Christian Studies (II(S). In January 1988, he will begin teaching in the Department of Christian Studies and Social Ethics at The Anglo-American College in Prague, Czech Republic. Ruth Yocom '80N rejoices in God's protection and provision during the cyclone which hit Bangladesh in May 1997. She and her co-workers at Malumghat Hospital were on the edge of the cyclone and suffered severe rain and strong winds. Because of loss of electricity during the storms, the refrigerated vaccines were ruined. The government was able to replace the vaccines quickly at no cost to the missionaries. Dave '81 and Carol Cox Merkh '82 have spent ten years as a family ministering in Brazil. They have five children—David (13), Shelly (12), Daniel (9), Stephen (6), and Keila (3). The Merkhs are excited about family ministry opportunities; four of the Merkhs have performed special music together in church services—Dave on the piano, Carol on the flute, young David on the guitar, and Shelly on the violin. Dave and Carol have completed another devotional book for youth and their families. Containing 64 daily readings grouped into 16 topics from the book of Proverbs,0Mapa da Mina("The Map of the Mine")is designed to encourage practical family and individual devotions. Paul'82 and Geri Black Briggs'83 have accepted an invitation to work with Campus Baptist Student Fellowship (CBSF) at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. They have been missionaries in Italy since 1984 and are eager to use their cross-cultural experience to reach the international student community of approximately 2,500 at Purdue. Paul and Geri have three sons, Jamie (11), Zachary (7), and Evan (4). Scott'86 and Jane Romig Brooker '86 have resigned from their full-time ministry with Athletes in Action. For many years, God placed a strong desire in Jane's heart to build into the lives of teenagers by being a teacher. Jane is excited to be teaching business at Lakota West High School, a new high school just two miles from their home in West Chester, Ohio. She will also serve as assistant cross country coach. Scott has accepted a position as a claims representative with his former employer, Progressive Insurance Companies. The Brookers write about these changes in a recent prayer letter,"We are endeavoring to follow the Lord as He directs us. Sometimes He directs with long term vision, but many times we are called to step out on faith, not knowing the paths where He will direct us. Is there a possibility of full-time ministry in the future for us? Yes, quite definitely!" The Brookers have two sons, Judson (10)and Matthew (7). Russ'88 and Melody Dillon Wight'90 are in their third year as AWANA missionaries for western Kansas and southern Colorado. They praise God for four churches from their area which recently chartered AWANA clubs. The Wights serve approximately 90 churches. Christian Pilet'88 and his wife, Mauro, met at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and have two children, Grace(6)and Jonan (3). Two years ago, Christian visited southern India. He shares in his testimony, "I was able to see first-hand the need for Christian workers within the 10/40 window, and I asked God for the privilege to be one of those workers." The Pilets have been working with youth and have also been instrumental in starting a crisis pregnancy center in Portsmouth, Ohio. The Pilets are preparing to serve with ABWE in Mongolia. Terri Lynn VanBeveren '88 has been involved in a pilot project for youth of inner city Norfolk, Virginia. Through a partnership with the National Institute for Learning Disabilities(NILD), Urban Discovery Ministries, and Norfolk Christian Schools, an alternative school was established for youngsters who struggle academically. The goal is to channel them into a Christian school setting for their high school years. During the 1996-9/school year, Terri was involved with eight of the 12 students, remediating their particular weaknesses in perception and thinking/reasoning. Terri also has been taking additional Bible classes to meet TEAM's(The Evangelical Alliance Mission) requirements for career missionaries. She is preparing to develop programs in South America to meet the educational needs of missionaries' children who struggle with learning disabilities. Terri expects to leave for Venezuela in early January 1998. For more information regarding Tern's ministry, call TEAM at 708-653-5300. Peni Howder'89 is excited about the ministry to which God has led her. Through her experiences as an MK (missionsary kid) and student teacher in Japan, God burdened her heart for a ministry teaching national children. In December 1995, God paved the way for her to go to Bangladesh as a teacher for William Carey Academy, a Christian school for Bengali children. The Academy opened its doors in January 1996 with 101 students enrolled in kindergarten through third grade. Although most of the students come from Muslim or Hindu families, the parents are pleased with the Christian curriculum and the moral education classes based on the Bible. Penis parents, Bob'59 and Esther Stutesman Howder'62N,are currently on furlough from their ministry with ABWE in southeast Asia. Heather Fowler'90 is preparing to use her medical degree at Memorial Christian Hospital in Bangladesh. Heather has completed a three-month rotation at the hospital and says,"The time I spent in Bangladesh made me realize that country is where God wants me to serve Him." Jon '90 and Lori Rogers Haskell'90 praise God for their family's safe arrival in Hungary on August 26, 1997 and for the granting of three- year residence visas. As missionaries with ABWE,the Haskells will focus on evangelism, youth ministry, church planting, and youth ministry training. Please pray for Jon and Lori as they begin language study in November. In his first e-mail from the field, Jon writes,"We are truly amazed at what God has done to get us here. Yes, the miracles never cease. But we think that what we have seen is only the beginning!" The Haskells have three children, Justin (5), Ethan (2), and Kayla (1). Dan Rambow '90 is a missionary in Venezuela with The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM). Hosting various college and summer work teams, he provides logistical support and demographics for ministry opportunities. Dan preaches monthly at the International English Church and assists with funerals, weddings, and baptisms. Filling the role of translator, Dan anticipates working with Southern Baptist Medical and Evangelism projects. Jill Ernst Billington '91 and her husband, Mark, are new missionaries with ABWE, preparing for the field of Quebec, Canada. Jill shares in her testimony, "I loved being a missionary child [in Papua New Guinea], and never felt I was missing out on anything. I had many opportunities to share in my parents' ministry." As young people, Jill and Mark were both influenced by Through Gates ofSplendor, recounting the life of missionary Jim Elliot. The Billingtons have one son, Samuel, who is almost one year old. Kevin '92 and Cynthia Reed Reilly '85 have begun their first term as missionaries in Paraguay with ABWE.They have four children, Sean (8), Kaitlyn (6), Colleen (4), and Tara (2). On July 4, 1997, the Reillys celebrated America's Independence Day with Dawn Smith Monzon '90 and her husband, Juan, who have been in Paraguay since 1992. The Monzons are missionaries with Christian Missions In Many Lands and with Open Air Campaigners. Dawn and Juan have two children, Wesley (3), and Ashley (2). Randy'93 and Sarah Good Southwell'93 have responded to God's call for a church-planting ministry in Brazil. Both committed their lives to full-time missionary service during missions conferences at Cedarville College. Randy says,"The godly example of my missionary parents, Dave'70 and Evelyn Hare Southwell'70, and grandparents, Don and Helen Hare, has greatly influenced my life." The Southwells have already served a one-month internship in Porto Alegre, Brazil. IN MEMORY OF Paul Rife '35 joined his Savior in glory October 8, 1997 at the age of 84. After graduation, Paul taught high school math in Hartville, Ohio for four years before returning to Cedarville to farm the family farm. He was a member of the Clifton United Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and Sunday school teacher. For 20 years, he served as a member of the Cedar Cliff School Board. Our deepest sympathies are offered to his wife of almost 58 years, Harriett Rife. Jane Jolley Dunham '43N passed away July 27, 1997 at the age of 75. She lived in Avon Lake, Ohio for more than 50 years. For 30 years, Jane was a special education teacher in the Elyria City Schools. Our condolences are offered to a sister, Frances Jolley Huffman '43N, living in Cedarville, Ohio. Carl Jones'50 went to be with the Lord April 28, 1997. Our sympathies are offered to his wife living in Bryceville, Florida. Rochelle Kinkle Merchant'78 joined her Savior August 21, 1997 while battling rheumatoid arthritis. Our heartfelt condolences are offered to her husband, Robert Merchant'79N,living in Erie, Pennsylvania. Keith Risser'82 went home to be with the Lord October 23, 1997. Keith had been diagnosed with cancer and recently received his second treatment of chemotherapy. Our sincere condolences extend to Keith's wife, Anne (Nikles '82), end their daughters, Hillary(10)and Natalie (2). The Rissers reside in Findlay, Ohio. Debbie Gleichman '97 joined her Savior in glory October 26, 1997. She was involved in a single-car accident on wet roads. Our heartfelt sympathies are offered to Debbie's parents, Mike and Cindy Gleichman, and sister, Beth, who is a freshman at Moody Bible Institute. 11 WINTER'97