Building Friendships for Eternity by Neil Biloff
W
hen I walked onto the campus of Sheyenne River Academy (SRA) for the first time as a 15-year-old student, I felt overwhelmed—yet absolutely thrilled. I had never seen, in all of my short life, so many kids my age in one place.
Some I had met previously at summer camp and some at church activities, but others were totally new to me. Upon entering the boys' dorm with my belongings, the dean, Gordon McDonald, showed me where I would be sleeping for the next few As difficult as it may have months. As we walked up the stairs and down the hall to my new appeared at times, this young room on third floor, I came face to face with a situation for which I was unprepared. You’ve got to be kidding, I thought. Three people lad experienced what I call a in one room. There is hardly space to turn around in here, let alone learning curve—learning to live. How will we survive? But it was all true. Plainview Academy in Redfield, South Dakota, had just closed the spring of that year, and get along with people. now many of those students had come to SRA. It was going to be quite a year. I have often looked back to my time at the academy and asked, “How did we all survive? Survive food that did not smell or taste like Mom’s, lights that went out by 10 p.m. without fail, rules that seemed to make no sense at all, girls in the laundry, who—if upset with you—would starch your clothes so rock hard that you could stand them in the corner of your room. How did we survive roommates who did not shower enough or pick up their dirty clothes? And yes, how did we survive three students in one room?” Truth be told, I have often shared with people that my years spent in Adventist education were some of the best of my life. How could such a statement be possible? I think it has to do with the motto that presently sits at the entrance to Dakota Adventist Academy: “Building Friendships for Eternity.” As difficult as it may have appeared at times, this Adventist education is more young lad experienced what I call a learning curve, learning important now than it has ever to get along with people. There is nothing like a group of to help one come face to face with personal strengths been. There is absolutely no com- peers and weaknesses, and yet still know that you are part of the parison when it comes to building team anyway. There is also nothing like a group of teachers, with whom you may have huge disagreements and deep friendships for eternity. misunderstandings, but deep down you realize that they care about you and your eternal destiny. I can think of many times that academy staff prayed with and for my rebellious heart. I may not have appreciated their guidance at the time, but I sure do today. On the bookshelf in my office sits a row of academy annuals. Often, I pull one down and turn the pages, wondering what may have happened to this girl or that boy. How did their life turn out? Sometimes, I will Google their name to see if I can find out where they live, an address or phone number. And when I place that call, I am suddenly transported back in time to a 15-year-old boy laughing and talking as if there has been absolutely no interruption in time. Some have asked, in the day and age we live, do you still think Adventist education is worth it? From the depths of my heart comes a resounding reply: Yes! A thousand times yes! Adventist education is more important now than it has ever been. There is absolutely no comparison when it comes to building friendships for eternity.
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Neil Biloff is president of the Dakota Conference.
Mid-America Outlook
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June 2010
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