A publication for alumni and friends.

Vol. 4, Issue 4, Winter, 2009

When asked why he had come, to get in my car and drive west down Bill responded: “I went to a health fair Leonard to a place called Oasis of Hope at a church, and they took my blood Center and that they would help me.” pressure. Suddenly, there were a lot of Since that time, Bill has been a regular people around me urging me to go to patient of the Center, and today, his see a doctor because my blood pressure blood pressure is back to normal, his was so high. They told me it was 265 overall health is stabilized, and he is over 150-something. Well, I am afraid beginning to take ownership of his of doctors, so it took me a few days to own well-being. get the courage to go to a clinic to have That is just one of thousands of my blood pressure checked and treated. stories that serve to describe the Oasis When I did, I was told that the soonest of Hope Center (OHC), a free medical I could be seen was nearly a month clinic located on W. Leonard Street in AnAn OasisOasis away. I don’t know what my face looked Grand Rapids, Michigan. The OHC like when I walked out of that clinic, lives up to its name by offering help, ofof HopeHope but a woman came up to me and said, health and hope since April of 2007. ‘Are you all right, sir?’ I said, ‘No, I am Oasis The Oasis of Hope Center not,’ and I told her my story. She said continued on page 4 Horace our helpful garbage man Kuyper’s social work Editor’s Note: As a teacher, foreign missionary, tossed the contents of our can into his law enforcement official, and even as a former compactor. But, this was not the company program affirmed bed and breakfast owner on the shores of Lake we’d hired to pick up our waste! Finally, Upon very thorough review of the more Michigan, both Shirley (Zwart) Witt, class of the maroon truck came by. The driver than 1,000 page Self-Study developed by 1960, and her husband, Dave, have many stories looked down at our empty container and Kuyper College’s social work program faculty to tell about bringing God’s grace into many drove on. members Judi Ravenhorst-Meerman and cultures. Following is one of those stories. We got on Greg Scott, a site visit and other significant At Briarcliffe Bed and Breakfast, we the phone to data, the Council on Social Work Education often recount the exciting experiences the yellow truck gave its highest affirmation for Kuyper’s social we’ve enjoyed while running a B & B. company. work program—a vote to reaffirm the program’s One of these stories is about Horace, a They told us accreditation for an additional eight years. gentle and uncomplicated young man that their The Council on Social Work Education who taught us about living and forgiving drivers have —composed of a partnership of educational in new and profound ways. clipboards and and professional institutions, social welfare Shirley and Dave Witt On Lakeshore Drive traffic is slow and addresses right agencies and private citizens—is recognized at Briarcliffe Bed and by the Council for Higher Education rare. Monday morning usually finds us in with them and Breakfast Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency the living room reading the morning paper know exactly for social work education in this country. as the garbage trucks roar by. There are who should have a pick-up. According to Professor Scott, Kuyper’s three garbage companies that do business After that we were determined to get social work program director, the affirmation on the lakeshore, and we’ve contracted things straightened out once and for all! from CSWE is gratifying. “It recognizes the with the local company with a maroon So a couple of weeks later, on a cold winter quality and continuous growth of our program truck. One such Monday, we watched as Monday, we asked the yellow truck driver, and the major role our graduates play in the first truck—bright red—passed by. Horace bringing a biblical worldview to the work Next, the yellow truck stopped. The driver continued on page 7 to which they’ve been called,” he said.

Kuyper College equips students with a biblical, Reformed worldview to serve effectively Christ’s church and His world. L E T T E R F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T The world of

At Kuyper College we have the unique—and Islam—two hours exciting—opportunity to interact with people who are from Grand Rapids sensitive to God’s call, sensitive to opportunities for ministry or service, and sensitive to inner re-formation. Nothing in their upbringing prepared Of the characteristics that distinguish us from sister Sarah Lindberg and Sarah Dickinson for their internship in Dearborn, Michigan, a institutions, it is these that energize and motivate city of about 100,000 and where one-third me the most about being here—sensitivity to the of the population is Arab. Both are members presence and work of the Holy Spirit in and about of the class of 2010 and are cross-cultural the individual and throughout the community. studies majors with certificates in Teaching Sensitivity is evidence of a teachable spirit, and English as a Second Language (TESOL). thus, we feel blessed to work with such open and For one semester they ventured into a caring students in the classroom and throughout foreign world a short distance from the campus life. The accounts shared in this newsletter move me deeply as Kuyper College campus. “The Arabic- I note how sincerely students have been looking for their place in the speaking community and culture in world and how blessed they feel when they know they are called into Dearborn is so all-encompassing that it Kingdom work. I hope that you are encouraged too as you read not only was like being in another country,” said of the young people coming to Kuyper because of their God-given call Dickinson. Lindberg agreed. “When I first but also that He is touching the hearts of older folks who refocus their got there, I remember sitting at a restaurant lives in a more specific way on ministry and service. There are many with Sarah and thinking, ‘Wow, this is the challenges and spiritual battles we see in the world around us, but rejoice first time in my life when I feel like a that there is a new generation of faithful witnesses going forth! minority.’ The program on TV was in Arabic, as were the signs and the language Sensitivity is also evidence of a theological and practical mindset the people were speaking,” she said. characterized by grace. The students who come to Kuyper College “Never before did I feel so unlike everyone belong here because God has already given them a spirit that resonates else in the United States. It was my home, with “bringing God’s grace into today’s culture”—our key positioning but it wasn’t my home.” statement that is seen in all of our publicity. This is not just a slogan to Lindberg, born in Arizona, was raised us, meant to be a catchy phrase to sell the College—it is the very in a Christian home together with her two essence, the truth of who we are and what we strive to do and teach. brothers and one sister. “It’s wonderful We are blessed that we can begin with students who already long to having grown up in a loving Christian know how they can best bring this grace into the lives of others and home where both my parents and all my thus bring reformation into the world. siblings are believers in the Lord Jesus,” she Sensitivity is further evidenced in the fact that you are reading this said. “My parents’ example of self-sacrifice newsletter: You care enough about what God has done and is doing is incredible, and by it I have seen more of through the mission of Kuyper College to learn more fully what our the love of Christ.” Lindberg was also quite impact on students and others is. I am truly encouraged by that! The involved in her church, Rincon Mountain encouragement, support and prayers you extend for the College and the Presbyterian Church in Tucson, where she joy you add to our service are a big part of what is making us even more worked in the nursery, taught Sunday school, mentored younger girls, and served effective today: Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because on the missions committee. you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints – Philemon 1.7. Dickinson was born in Maine, next to Thank you for that blessing! last in a family of seven brothers and sisters. Dr. Nicholas V. Kroeze Her father is a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. According to President Dickinson, her parents taught her how to pray and how to seek the Lord through the Scriptures. “These two things are the most wonderful things I was ever taught while Internship continued on page 6

2 I N M Y W O R D S A summer of service and answered prayers Michelle Norquist for each other and worked diligently toward the goal of having the Associate Director of Library Services collection ready for students when they arrived on campus in the The summer of 2009 was an amazing time fall! Many times we were humbled and amazed by God’s provision. to be serving students in the Kuyper College One morning, while feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, Zondervan Library. Serving students? Isn’t it someone knocked on the Library door as we were praying. It was quiet on campus in the summer…and especially a volunteer who asked, “Could you use some help?” I had never at the Library? And wasn’t the Library closed to mentioned needing help, and we had never worked together the public? Yes it was, but God was at work before. What an answer to prayer. God does knock on doors! through the hands of both the few and the many. Another time I verbalized a “not-so-secret desire of my heart” The Library undertook the large project of prayer request to the team as we were leaving for the evening. reclassifying all materials from the Dewey Decimal I briefly forgot about it, but God did not. The next morning I Classification (DDC) system to the Library of Congress (LCC) walked in with the exact person who could facilitate this request, classification system. This was no small task, and it was entered unknown to her and her family. Coincidence? I know it is not. into only after thorough research, many proposals and fervent God always provided—the big and the small, the unspoken and prayers. Over 50,000 materials were handled by a staff of four the spoken. His hand guided this project and team. library employees. From typewriter to Twitter, and the use of the Dewey Decimal The main reason for undertaking this project was to further Classification system or the Library of Congress Classification assist and equip students as they research and study in their chosen system, the Library’s mission remains the same—to support the fields of ministry. The LCC system is the national standard for academic objectives, programs and curriculum of Kuyper College college and academic libraries. The Library’s collection is now by providing appropriate resources and services. This summer was standardized in relation to peer institutions. This may facilitate a vivid reminder that this mission can only be accomplished collaboration for future endeavors of benefit to the students through “ora et labora”—prayer and work. and College. A blessing throughout the entire project was the gathering for “In My Words” is a feature of The Kuyper College News prayer every morning. God drew us together as a team that prayed highlighting first-person stories by Kuyper College faculty and staff.

S T E W A R D S H I P Seven habits of a highly effective steward Much has been written about the habits of a highly effective Habit 5: Live within your means: As God’s stewards, our person. Since stewardship is part of being a highly effective lifestyle choice is to concentrate on what we have instead of Christian, we hope that these habits will help us reflect on this what we lack. Debt is a terrible trap to fall into and an even area of our Christian life. harder one to escape. Habit 1: Be thankful: Do we thank God for the blessings of Habit 6: Give time and talent: One of the greatest gifts we can life—food and shelter, family and friends, good health, our jobs? give is the gift of self to build up the kingdom of God in our A steward’s heart is a thankful heart. families, communities and churches. Habit 2: Trust God to provide: When it comes to putting food Habit 7: Give treasure: Do we really love God more than on the table or making the mortgage payment, many of us believe money? Everything we have is a gift from God. If we are grateful we are on our own. As a result, we often worry and experience Christians, we will be giving Christians. anxiety. We need to trust in God and believe our needs will be Summarized and reprinted by permission of the Barnabas Foundation met according to His plan. Habit 3: Be content: Even though we have many things, none For more information, please contact Ken Capisciolto at of them actually belong to us. As we come to understand and 616.988.3676 or e-mail [email protected]. recognize that everything belongs to God, our perspective changes, and we become more content. Kuyper College is unable to provide tax advice regarding donations. Habit 4: Be a faithful example: Parents who tithe, save, live on a We recommend you contact your tax consultant with any questions budget, minimize debt, and give of their abilities and time to help regarding your specific situation. others set an excellent example for their children.

3 Oasis was a salesman for a local meat processor married,” said Dan. continued from cover and made a scanty living. But he was While working full time, Dan This Christian-based facility, founded by honest, loyal and very conscientious.” continued to attend classes at the Barbara and Dan Grinwis, class of 1990, Dan credits his father for instilling a community college. As his family grew, provides free or low-cost medical care to work ethic in him that has lasted to this he left school to concentrate on work residents in need on the northwest side day and that prompted him to get his and his family, which had grown to of Grand Rapids. first job—a paper route—at the age of include three sons—Brandan, Ryan According to Dan, the lives that 10. His mother worked a succession of and Kevan. have been impacted by OHC’s presence part-time jobs. “Her entire earnings When Dan and Barbara decided went toward financing my brother’s, to move to Grand Rapids, they were my sister’s and my education in introduced by friends to a group of Christian schools from K – 12,” said people just forming into what eventually Dan. He added, that one of his most became the Church of the Servant important memories of his mother is (COS) CRC. “Barbara and I were that, while she always had a part-time among the first young people making job during those years, he cannot public profession of faith there, and recall a day when she was not at home Brandan, our oldest, was in the first to greet him when he came home group to be baptized,” said Dan. from school. According to Dan, this was an important “Our lives as kids revolved around crossroad in his life. He explained: our immediate family, our extended “COS has a strong emphasis on total family, our circle of friends from participation. That became my initiation Christian school, our CRC church, into a concept I would call the act of Sunday school, Catechism class, serving and ministering to the Body of Cadets and Young Calvinist meetings,” Christ—the lesson that salvation fosters said Dan. “However, although I grew service, and service deepens one’s love up with an awareness of my heavenly for the Body.”

Dan and Barbara Grinwis renovating the Father as Lord, Master and King, I It was some time later, after the family health care center before its opening would describe my coming to Christ had moved to the country and was an as a process.” Dan relates that, as a active part of a small RCA congregation are really known only by God. “We young person, he never questioned that that, according to Dan, he felt God open our doors and offer our services he was a Christian, but he really did not calling him into full-time ministry. “I in Jesus’ name, and continue to be a know what that meant. It wasn’t until missionary outreach in the core of the the middle of his high school years city as we believe God is directing us,” that an awakening of his faith began said Dan. “There are many stories of to take hold. people who have been diagnosed with After graduation from high school cancer and other serious diseases and Dan enrolled at a local community have been successfully treated after college. Soon after, during a Memorial being seen here. There are those who Day beach excursion, he met Barbara. have not known of any options and He explained: “She was on the beach have therefore gone without health care with a friend to watch the sunset when, for up to 10 or more years. They are according to her, 30 or so kids piled Children’s examination room with finally getting the help they need down from the top of the dune down to mural background because of our presence here and the the beach. At the end of the line was a medications that they could not afford.” quiet, introverted, lanky boy with a didn’t know what shape that was to Dan Grinwis was born in Muskegon, guitar slung across his back.” Dan take, so I looked for a place that would a western Michigan community along invited Barbara and her friend to join help me to focus,” he said. “So at 35, the shores of Lake Michigan. “In them around their bonfire where they with a family, I went back to resume addition to life itself, my parents were were playing music and singing songs. what I had started at 19 and enrolled at my first divine gifts,” said Dan. “My father “A year later, at the age of 19, we were Kuyper where I received the focus I

4 “...patients...leave here knowing that, regardless of the despair they came Through a series of events that can only be described as miraculous, they were in with, they have now found someone who cares about them, their able to purchase, gut and renovate health, their dignity and their future.” the building. Today, the Oasis of Hope Center’s Dan Grinwis—Grand Rapids mission is being fulfilled every day as it needed, as well as training, education saw God’s leading. “Our son, Kevan, provides free or low-cost medical care and encouragement. My years at the became involved with a small, and basic life-skills education to the College were truly used by the Lord to nondenominational church in the low-income and uninsured population move me further upward to the next near-downtown area of Grand Rapid’s of the northwest side of Grand Rapids. plane. I am firmly convinced that the level northwest side,” said Dan. “Today he is “We have wonderful and very adequate of academics was higher than what I could the church’s associate pastor. At first, facilities that facilitate that purpose,” have expected from any other college.” Barbara and I were concerned that he said Dan. “We utilize the services of an Regarding the faculty, Dan describes was becoming involved in some sort of all-volunteer staff, we provide both them as experts in their respective fields, off-the-wall fringe church. So we went treatment and medications at absolutely demanding the highest of expectations to check it out. We never left.” Dan and while exercising discernment, flexibility Barbara knew that the neighborhood and compassion toward all students, and around the church was the place clearly committed servants of their where they needed to settle. “The King. “There is not a one that I didn’t neighborhood was in the heart of both like and respect,” said Dan. And what the federal government calls a then with a twinkle in his eye, he ‘medically underserved area,’” said Dan. added, “except for the one who gave me “It was populated largely by the the only ‘B’ I received in four years and ‘working poor,’ people with jobs that messed up my four-point. He is retired provided them with too little to afford now and visited me at OHC a couple health insurance and certainly not years ago. I told him that he was forgiven.” enough to pay a doctor or a clinic During his years of study, Dan said out-of-pocket, but just enough that he was blessed to be working for a money to disqualify them for Barbara Grinwis examines a patient Christian, family-owned company that government assistance.” allowed him to construct a flexible, So during the spring of 2005, no cost, and we’ve been able to do that part-time work schedule that enabled Barbara left WMU to begin preparation on over 4,000 occasions since opening him to pursue full-time studies. After to establish a low-cost or free medical our doors in the spring of 2007.” graduation, Dan began part-time studies clinic in this neighborhood that would However, it has not been easy. Since at Calvin Seminary while going back to target low-income individuals with the middle of 2005, the Grinwis’ have work full time. At the same time, absolutely no insurance of any kind, not had a paycheck. And in 2008, Dan Barbara was enrolled in the physician public or private. The Grinwis’ planned became so ill that he was placed in assistant program at Western Michigan on relying on Dan’s management-level hospice while plans were being made for University. After graduation, Barbara job to provide the money they would his funeral. “Whether it is the miracle of became not only a successful medical need. However, at the end of the my being alive today,” said Dan, “or our practitioner, but later began teaching summer of 2005, Dan’s position of 25 ‘widow’s jar of oil’ medical supply room prospective physician assistants in the years came to an end as the company that never runs empty, or the hope that Western Michigan University College he worked for closed its doors. Without we see in patients’ faces as they leave of Health and Human Services. jobs, yet undaunted, the Grinwis’ here knowing that, regardless of the In the early 2000s, Barbara began applied for a mortgage to buy a despair they came in with, they have to entertain the thought of leaving 100-year-old building on the northwest now found someone who cares about academia for a return to clinical side. They were planning on using the them, their health, their dignity and medicine, but this time with a focus on proceeds from the rental of their their future—the Lord Himself makes ministry by finding an avenue to serve vacation home on Alabama’s gulf coast the difference in every area of our lives, the least of Christ’s brethren. Dan said to finance the purchase—that is until and we are faithfully provided for and that during this time they once again Hurricane Ivan leveled the home. lack nothing.”

5 Internship both she and Lindberg often remembered every conceivable manner—academically, continued from page 2 during the difficult periods of their relationally, spiritually and emotionally— growing up,” she said. She was also involved internship a recurring theme of Professor I’ve struggled. Yet, though it’s been hard and in the nursery, youth group and choir of her Renkema’s teaching. “Professor Renkema my heart at times has waned in misery, the church. “Through all of these experiences would say, ‘Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility value of such lessons has been incomparable.” I learned to experience the love of the is key to teaching English and imperative According to her, such close interaction church family and its deep connection for ministry to a different culture.’ ” “And with Islam has further opened her eyes to in Jesus Christ,” said Dickinson. as it turned out,” added Lindberg, the “astounding beauty of our Savior and Both Dickinson and Lindberg did not “necessary for our sanity.” the blessings of His sacrifice.” She explained: come to Kuyper right out of high school. According to Lindberg and Dickinson, “To see the desperate opposite of our hope Dickinson came after having received an this internship has confirmed their lifts that hope higher. I have assurance worldview. “It’s one thing to study all of knowing that I am washed in the blood of this from textbooks in Room 212; it is the Lamb, which tragically is something quite another to live it, to put flesh on Muslims do not have. To us who follow it…always reforming…always changing Christ, God is not only God, but He is according to His will,” said Lindberg. our Savior! That is both a foreign and a During their time in Dearborn, they taught revolutionary thought to Muslims.” English as a Second Language (ESL) at the Dickinson concurs. “Only two hours away Immigration Oasis Center, built trusting from GR there are more mosques and Sarah Lindberg with a student in Dearborn relationships with the Muslim women they Muslims than churches and Christians. taught, began to learn the history of Islam This is a place where great numbers are lost associate degree in culinary arts from Eastern and the Arabic language, and were in a false prophetic belief and a gender- Maine Community College. Lindberg came involved in an Arabic-speaking church biased and unequal society. How does one two years after her high school graduation. community under the leadership of be light against such darkness? How do I “After I graduated from high school in 2004, Haytham and Kathy Haydar (Haytham is share the gospel with Muslims?” Answers I went to Brazil with a group from my from Lebanon and grew up as a Muslim, church,” said Lindberg. “It was there that while Kathy is Canadian.) And beyond all God began to form in my heart a desire to of that, both of them say that they also be a full-time missionary.” After a year of learned how to give of themselves for work, she realized that to be a missionary, others for the sake of Jesus. she would need the proper training. During this time they met and interacted Going into their last year at Kuyper, with people from Iraq, Syria, Morocco, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Yemen, as both are very satisfied with their choice of Dearborn has the largest mosque in the school. “I came to Kuyper with a desire to well as from several other Middle Eastern United States further understand God and His purpose, and African countries. “The conversations to grow in being a Christ-like servant, to were always challenging,” said Lindberg. “I to those questions have posed great learn to love as Christ loves, to understand remember an interesting talk with a woman challenges to both Dickinson and Lindberg. His word, and how to share it with His at a store. We went from polygamy to “After my time in Dearborn, I am beginning world,” said Dickinson. Lindberg agrees. President Obama, to Jews, to the Trinity, to to fully understand what professor Teja “There have been so many blessings and the hypocrisy of Christians, and the idea taught over and over again. He taught that lessons born out of my years at Kuyper,” she that Jesus wasn’t a Christian.” According ‘Ministry is relationship, and that means said. “It is not what brought me to Kuyper, to Dickinson, the women they teach are time and sacrifice and more time,’ ” said but who brought me—God Himself, in all extremely kind and hospitable. “We’ve Lindberg. “One must know Islamic spiritual His loving sovereignty.” Dickinson and spent much time in their homes,” she said. background, theology and apologetics, Lindberg speak highly of all of their “They often told us how much they miss us culture and politics. Only then will you be professors, with professors Teja and Renkema after the weekend: ‘I miss you too much,’ prepared to respond fully to a Muslim in ranking very high on their lists. “Professor they say, followed by, ‘I love you too much.’ conversation,” added Dickinson. “It is Teja enlarged my scope of understanding Their words still bring joy to our hearts.” hard, and at times the effort seems with knowledge and with heartfelt However, there was also much heartache pointless...but it is not,” she continued. compassion that leads to responsive and at times spiritual attacks as Lindberg “We who are the Lord's servants cannot be action,” said Lindberg. “He not only taught and Dickinson realized that they were in a defeated by evil, for our God has dominion that ministry is word and deed, but also constant state of war against the powers of and authority and brings many, including lived it.” Dickinson agreed and noted that darkness. “This has been the hardest semester people from all Muslim nations, to His I’ve had at Kuyper,” said Lindberg. “In saving grace and knowledge!”

6 Horace reading assignments. right next to Dad under the hickory tree.” continued from cover One Monday morning, as he sat in our My heart was overwhelmed with sadness “Did you know we do not subscribe to your family room sipping from his mug of hot for this precious young man. I told him service?” The driver, a young man, gave us cocoa, Horace shared about his past. He that I knew someone who went through a shy and awkward smile and said, “What told us his father always called him ridicule, rejection and beatings. This man do you mean?” We responded, “We mean, “Horrible Horace.” His mother had died had never done anything wrong. “Who is we did not ask your company to pick up when he was born. He was their first and he?” asked Horace. “His name is Jesus,” I our waste.” He eagerly explained that he only child, and his father had given him to responded. “He loved you enough to suffer picks up whatever is in the containers his aunt who had six children of her own. and die for you. He understands.” Horace along the road. “My name is Horace,” he “She was cruel and demanding,” said Horace. understood too, and from that day on there said. “I do not read, and I don’t understand “Some years later she sent me back to my was a new bounce in his step. my clipboard. I am glad to have such a dad, who always blamed me for my mother’s In the middle of May, on a Wednesday good job. I keep the entire lakeshore clean. death. He told me I was no good and would morning, there was a knock at our door, I am dependable. I do my best. Please don’t beat me hard when I did things wrong.” and there stood Horace with a slight smile tell my boss I don’t read!” Finally, the maroon Horace continued to share how they lived on his face. He was all decked out in the truck came by. We waved him to a stop and off the land and how he hunted squirrels Gant plaid shirt and Dockers jeans we had told him that we were contracted with him and rabbits with his dog. “My dog and I found at the thrift store. “I am going to pick up our waste, but someone usually were close,” he said. “Whenever I was sad, home,” he announced, fighting back his beat him to it. “Yes, I figured as much,” I would talk things over with my dog, and tears. “I’m getting me a new dog and plan he said. “I cashed your check last month on settling near kinfolk.” He told us he had although there was nothing to pick up.” So built a little shack in the Allegan Forest much for getting things settled once and for and lived very much like he had lived back all. But, that’s life on the lakeshore. home where he grew up. His shack was After that, the yellow truck would park furnished with treasures from his garbage on our driveway for a while on Monday route. “A man in uniform came and told me mornings, and Horace would come to our I was squatting on state land and had 48 house to take reading lessons during his hours to pack up and leave,” he said. break. He was so eager to learn. It was Lake Michigan by Lakeshore Drive We were dumbfounded. I asked indeed a pleasure to see him make such Horace, “How do you feel? Are you upset?” good progress. The neat thing about Horace he always loved me.” During his late 20s, He replied: “I heard this long ago, and it was that he was so sincere. I once asked when his father became ill, Horace took care made me think a lot. ‘When life hands you a him why he never learned to read. He told of him. “Dad wanted no part of doctoring, lemon, you are given a choice to suck sour me that in the hills of Kentucky, where he so I fed him and cleaned him up day after or to make lemonade.’ I always choose to was raised, book learning was not important. day,” he said. “We had our own pump in make lemonade. I choose never to be bitter. I “Besides,” he said, “Dad said I could never the yard for water. I cut wood for the stove choose always to forgive and not look back.” do anything right. I was too dumb to do to keep Dad warm during the cold months. He thanked us for the good time he book learning.” “Did you believe that?” I I used the wood stove for cooking too. had in our home and the “learnin’ to read.” asked. “Yeah,” he said, “until my boss and Finally, Dad would eat no more. For some He pulled the children’s picture Bible from the man at the dumpsite told me I was a days I sat by him on the floor. I wiped the his backpack and asked if he could possibly strong, reliable and good worker. That sweat off his face and talked nice to him. I keep it. We smiled, realizing how precious means I can do something right.” started to see in Dad something I had all the stories of the Bible had become to Now that Horace had new friends, he never seen before.” Horace’s father told him. We assured him he could take his could not do enough for us. Once he came him about his own past, about his harsh favorite book with him. “I’m not much for with a black, spindle-back chair trimmed upbringing and difficult life as a boy growing hugging; I only hugged my dog,” he said. in gold. He had found it in the garbage a up in the hills. He also talked about Horace’s “But can I give both of you one before I mile down the road. It turned out to be a mother and how much he had missed her leave?” We hugged. We held hands and beautiful Hitchcock chair. And that indeed gentleness for all those years. “Dad died prayed together, while fighting back our is life on the lakeshore. early one morning before the sun came tears. Horace quietly reflected, “Now I have Each new Monday with Horace was out,” he explained. I was touched by Horace’s the rest of my life...” surely a special day. The reading lessons story and asked him if he was bitter. “No,” We watched Horace leave through our progressed nicely, and soon, he was reading was his reply. “I am glad I could take care back woods in the direction of the expressway. at third grade level. He received much of Dad. I stayed living in our shack for He reminded us that he was not leaving enjoyment from reading the children’s another couple of years. When my dog alone. He said, “I’m taking someone with me picture Bible that he took home for his died—my best friend—I laid him to rest —Jesus—my new-found Savior and friend.”

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Andrew Johnson Calvin. “Over the next two years I visited the schools several Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa times,” said Andrew. “After deciding against two of the three, I visited Kuyper again on a cold winter day. It had snowed, the trees Year: Class of 2010 were heavy with snow and songs of worship were coming out of the Chapel. I felt the Holy Spirit’s prompting that this was the Major: Youth Ministry place for me; I felt that my soul could finally rest.” At Kuyper, Andrew has served as student leader of the After graduating from high school, Andrew Johnson thought Student Activities Committee, helping to cast vision and provide he knew what he wanted to do, so he enrolled at the University advice. He also was part of the team that helped re-image the of Iowa to study chemistry. “While at Iowa I began to drift away College’s bookstore and its product offerings. During these times from the things that mattered and finally hit a wall,” said Andrew. he has put into practice what he learned at home about learning “It was not until I realized that God had something special for me to think for himself. “There were some processes and procedures to do other than chemistry that the drifting stopped.” at Kuyper that I felt were restrictive and did not quite understand Growing up in what he describes as a nurturing and supportive —especially in the area of branding,” said Andrew. “So rather Christian family, Andrew was encouraged to own his faith, think than grumble, a group of us sought a meeting with the school’s for himself, and to stand up for what he believed to be right. “I leadership to ask questions and to share our views. We learned a remember looking at the words from Isaiah 43 printed in banners lot from each other because God was at work during those meetings. that hung in my church—‘I’ve called you by name; you are I now understand the issues more clearly.” Andrew is also serving mine’—and feeling that I was intimately known by God,” he an internship as director of youth ministries at Newhall Community explained. “But it was at a junior high camp that my faith was Church in nearby Wyoming, Michigan. affirmed, where I knew it was real.” This past summer, Andrew married fellow student Christie After he left the University of Iowa, Andrew visited Grand Hochhalter. They will graduate this coming spring and are looking Rapids at his uncle’s invitation. He had advised Andrew to check forward to a future of service. “I am definitely called to ministry,” out the schools on the East Beltline: Kuyper, Cornerstone and said Andrew, “probably in the areas of youth and worship.” Human Trafficking—Third Annual Kuyper College Global Issues Summit—January 22–23, 2010 The modern equivalent of slavery, and child soldiering. 3300 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI. human trafficking involves millions of Kuyper College’s Annual Global To register or for more information: people around the world who are forced, Issues Summit seeks to educate and • Go to kuyper.edu/global against their will, to work for the profit inform the West Michigan Community • Call (616) 988-3639 of others. This forced labor includes on major issues of global importance. • Email [email protected] begging, prostitution, involuntary The global issue summit will be held servitude, debt bondage, pornography, at Sunshine Community Church,

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