Winter 2016 newsletter for web

Winter 2016

Vigorously Academic · Beautifully Diverse · Thoroughly Christian

Dr. Don McGavran Accepts Executive Director Position at Rehoboth

D

r. Don McGavran has been selected to serve as the Executive Director of Rehoboth Christian School, starting officially on August 1, 2016.

Dr. McGavran comes to Rehoboth with over 16 years of leadership experience in Christian mission schools. Dr. McGavran earned his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Columbia International University and holds a Master’s degree in Counseling.

Don, and his wife Vicki of 27 years, have served at Woodstock School in India for four years, Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, Kenya for six years, and for the past 5½ years at Mountainview Christian School in Indonesia. They are praising the Lord for His guiding them to Rehoboth Christian School where they look forward to being woven into the tapestry of Rehoboth’s rich history.

“Rehoboth was particularly interested in Dr. McGavran’s successful experiences leading schools,” stated High School Principal, Chris VanSlooten. The schools for which he has been an administrator have been similar to Rehoboth in both ethnic diversity and socioeconomic makeup. Although McGavran does not have experience working with Native American students, VanSlooten said, McGavran’s “willingness to listen, learn, and lead,” along with his background in counseling, gives Rehoboth administrators confidence that McGavran has the competence to work with the Rehoboth school community.

Don and Vicki have 3 children: Tyler works for Caterpillar, Brittany is a sophomore at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and Hunter is a senior in high school. Don enjoys swimming, cycling, and hiking.

The staff at Rehoboth looks forward to the new leadership of Dr. McGavran as they continue carrying out the school’s 113 year old mission.

Quotes from this article were originally published in the Gallup Independent newspaper.

Choir Tour Schedule Friday, March 25 (Good Friday) Decatur, IL

St Paul’s Lutheran Church· 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 27 (Easter) Brookfield, WI

Easter Vigil at Brookfield CRC· 8:30 a.m.

Easter Service at Brookfield CRC · 10:00 a.m.

Monday, March 28

Hudsonville, MI · Holland, MI

Hudsonville Christian Middle School · 8:45 a.m.

Hudsonville Christian Elementary School · 10:00 a.m.

Holland Christian Middle School · 1:00 p.m.

Harderwyk CRC Concert · 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 29 Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Christian High School · 9:15 a.m.

The Potter’s House · 1:00 p.m.

Calvin College Concert in Chapel · 7:00pm LIVE STREAM at https://livestream.com/calvin-college

Wednesday, March 30 Elmhurst, IL

Elim Christian School· 10:00 a.m.

Chicago Westside Christian School · 1:00 p.m.

Navajo Taco Dinner at Elmhurst CRC · 5:30 p.m.

Elmhurst CRC (with Westside Christian) · 7:00 p.m.

LIVE STREAM at https://livestream.com/ecrc

Friday, April 1 Pella, IA

Pella Christian HS · Navajo Taco Dinner · 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 2

West Des Moines, IA

Lutheran Church of Hope Worship Service (WDM) · 5:00 p.m.

Lutheran Church of Hope Concert (WDM)· 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 3

Des Moines, IA

Lutheran Church of Hope (Ankeny) · 9:15 a.m.

Lutheran Church of Hope (Ankeny) · 11:00 a.m.

Lorretta Smith: A Big Loss For 25 years, Lorretta Smith was a faithful face for Rehoboth Christian School. As Director of Admissions, she was often the first encounter that new families would have with Rehoboth.

On Feb. 6, she succumbed to what appeared to be a form of cancer. She was 59.

By: Ron Polinder, Former Executive Director

F

or 25 years, Lorretta Smith was a faithful face for Rehoboth Christian School. As Director of Admissions, she was often the first encounter that new families would have with Rehoboth. That came to a difficult conclusion as, this Fall Lorretta began to struggle with her health. While she had a case of shingles, we all knew there was something else going on, but even the doctors found it difficult to identify. Mysteriously, she continued to decline and finally on Feb. 6, she succumbed to what appeared to be a form of cancer. She was 59.

Of course, there is so much more to the story—Lorretta’s story is worthy to be told, and attended to. God took this girl from humble and difficult circumstances and made her a blessing to hundreds of people in the Rehoboth school community. Lorretta was raised by her father and paternal grandmother in the Tohlakai area of the reservation. She had four brothers and a sister which prompted Lorretta to say she was raised around too many men—“nobody to teach me the finer things of life.”

She graduated from Tohatchi high school and worked part-time jobs. She became a mother of her daughter, Nicole Hawthorne, and returned to the church of her youth, Bethlehem chapel, now called Tohlakai CRC. She made some promises—to raise Nikki in a Christian home and to give her a Christian education at Rehoboth. Supt. Gordon Kamps offered her a job, which eventually led to her role as Director of Admissions.

Thus, Lorretta became the staff member who knew “everybody.” As she welcomed people into the school, she became familiar with their stories and where they may fit into the life of the school. She helped identify committee and board members; and who needed tuition assistance and scholarship help. Beyond that, she was a friend to many parents, a counselor, encourager, prayer-partner, but also one who would challenge parents to see the value of Christian education. One of the sweet offshoots of Lorretta’s passing was the myriad of Facebook comments that confirmed the appreciation of parents for the way she welcomed and enfolded them into the school.

One admirer put it

This further demonstrates this way: “Lorretta’s another vital point about Lorretta’s faith and work. life leaves none of While she loved to serve her own Native people, she was us with an excuse not bound by ethnicity. She not to dig in and was a model of cross-cultural friendship and collegiality. On make a difference.” a personal note, I will forever cherish my friendship with Lorretta, but even more so, her working relationship and friendship with my now deceased wife, Colleen.

Their love and respect for each other was simply remarkable, a model I wish could be multiplied many times over.

Lorretta worked hard, often too hard. She rarely took a vacation—just a day here or there. But she knew how to have fun too. There was always plenty of laughter in the office, and how she loved a good ballgame! She loved to “take tickets” at our games, where she could greet parents, alumni, and visitors from other schools.

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All this combined enabled Lorretta to grow into a wonderful ambassador for Rehoboth Christian School. She came to understand the theology underlying Christian education, and did her best to communicate it to new and veteran parents. Rehoboth was her home, her dwelling place, her refuge, her place to stand. All of which flowed from her Christian faith, which was deep and sincere.

Most admirably, Lorretta was determined to move her life in a different direction from the family and societal dysfunction that she too often experienced around her. One admirer put it this way: “Lorretta’s life leaves none of us with an excuse not to dig in and make a difference.”

The school had planned a retirement event to celebrate Lorretta’s contribution to RCS. A dinner was planned to be followed by a public acknowledgment for her during our Homecoming weekend. A dozen people, former colleagues all, came from out of town to celebrate with her. Unfortunately, she became unresponsive the day before the event, and could not attend. She entered heaven the day after the event.

But as is so often God’s way of redemption, those final hours were filled with grace and comfort. In her apartment, we gathered to sing and pray, and weep. Some of us strangers to each other, different ethnicities represented, holding hands—a picture of the heaven she was about to enter—singing Navajo and English from different tribes and tongues.

Such is the beauty of the Kingdom, and Rehoboth Christian School at its best.

We thank God for giving us Lorretta Smith. Those who wish to give in Lorretta’s memory may do so by contributing to the Lorretta Smith Jubilee Assistance Fund to help families who are enduring hardship cover their tuition responsibilities.

Please designate on the memo of your check.

V i g o ro u s l y A cade mi c · Beauti f ul l y Di v e r se · Th oro ug hly Chris tian

Senior Spotlight: Matthew Begay

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ehoboth senior Matthew Begay can often be found writing on his teachers’ whiteboards, translating words and phrases in sometimes as many as 12 languages.

Linguistics is his passion, one he hopes to continue pursuing upon graduation in May. Matthew has attended Rehoboth since 6th grade after transferring from nearby Indian Hills Elementary School.

Matthew’s family has a long history with Rehoboth as his mother is a graduate of Rehoboth Christian High School and even taught art classes at the school for a period of time. Matthew has flourished during his time here, transforming from a shy and passive student into a passionate learner and highly respected young man. He attributes his success at Rehoboth to the influence of his teachers who saw his potential and encouraged him to work vigorously to achieve his goals. Matthew is Salutatorian for the class of 2016.

Throughout his high school career, Matthew has participated in the Cantabile choir and serves as a member of the Rehoboth chapter of the National Honor Society. He also has enjoyed serving our student athletes on the soccer and track teams as the team manager. He enjoys attending their games and matches so he can encourage his classmates through service. Amidst these activities, Matthew has

“

Linguistics is his passion, one he hopes to continue pursuing upon graduation in May.”

Alum Scores Spot on UNM Lobo’s Basketball Team

By Geoff Grammer Albuquerque Journal Staff Writer Saturday, October 3rd, 2015 Excerpt reprinted with permission

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s the UNM Lobos men’s basketball team held its first official full team practice of the 2015-16 season, 17 players were in practice jerseys. It was a far cry from a season ago when the injury-riddled Lobos had as few as eight healthy players practicing at times during what became a painful losing season.

Sixteen of those Lobo players we knew about. But the team made an unexpected announcement. Connor Joy, a senior who was a team manager last year and often asked to help serve as a practice body during those thin times when the Lobos were so injured, has been added as UNM’s fourth walk-on player discovered a love for languages. This began with his exposure to the Navajo language from a very early age, but he is also now focusing on becoming proficient in Navajo, Japanese and French along with learning the basics of Russian, Esperanto, and Mandarin.

Matthew is undecided on where he will attend college but has it narrowed down to New Mexico Tech, Hope College, or Calvin College. He plans to major in Electrical Engineering with a focus on computer programming. He’s hopeful his college education will assist him in creating a website where the Navajo language can be translated into many languages. His dream for the website is that it is fun and interactive, like playing a game.

Joy is a 6-foot-4 guard and 2011 graduate of Rehoboth Christian. Connor played on the varsity team at Rehoboth Christian School from 2009-11. As a senior in 2010-11, Joy helped guide his team to a 24-5 overall record and an undefeated mark in district play. Joy was named to the Navajo Times All-Star Team as a senior at Rehoboth.

Matthew knows that his ability to learn languages is a gift from God. He in turn hopes to be able to use this gift to spread the gospel. Matthew has learned from Gandhi that, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.

If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

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Kids’ Corner

Fun Facts about the Navajo Churro

The First Sheep

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the words below, then put the letters in the correct spots

S

heep are a way of life for the Navajo people, and represent living in harmony and balance on the land. In the mid-1600s, sheep were used as a source of meat for Spanish explorers and missionaries. Churro sheep found their way into the hands of the Navajo who used the sheep for meat but especially came to value the wool, which they used to weave beautiful rugs. This inspired a radical lifestyle change from hunting and gathering to pastoralism and farming.

Survival of the Navajo Churro

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n 1863, the U.S. government made many of the Navajo people leave their homes and travel far away to a small reservation. They could not bring or take care of their sheep. This event is called the “Navajo Long Walk”.

to answer the secret message! deserts

triplets

fat

bones

weaving

twins

brown

horns

disease

lanolin

Unlike wool from other breeds, wool from the Churro is low in

, so it does not require (2) valuable water for washing or time-consuming carding. The yarn absorbs indigo and native vegetal dyes, ideal for (4)

Ewes often have

or

(8)

(7)

and are excellent moms!

Wool comes in a range of colors-including white, silver, blue,

During the drought of the 1930s, Navajos were forced to make their herds smaller to try and preserve the land.

Government agents went from hogan to hogan, shooting a percentage of the sheep in front of their horrified owners. First to be shot were the Churro, because the agents thought this hardy breed was “scruffy and unfit.” Today, elders tearfully recall that time.

The Churro sheep were bred with other kinds of sheep to try and make them better, but the new mixed breeds were not as good. Their wool was not good for weaving and they needed more grass and water. Weavers started buying commercially produced and dyed yarn instead.

By the 1970s, only about 450 of the old type Navajo-Churro existed on the entire Navajo Nation. In 1977, conservationists started to protect the breed from extinction. The Navajo-Churro is still rare, but its survival now seems assured.

Source: http://www.recursos.org/sheepislife/history.html

, red, black, and spotted.

(3)

The meat has superior flavor and low Churro are resistant to

(10)

content.

(6)

Rams often grow four

(9)

The Navajo-Churro sheep is a hardy breed, adapted to the extreme conditions found in hot, dry (1) and sub-zero climates.

It has long legs, a narrow body, and light (5)

Answer to the Secret Navajo Message: (1)

(2)

(3)

´ ´

´

(4)

´´

(5) (6)

’!

(7) (8) (9) (10)

SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR OUR TEACHERS The staff has recently added new items to the school’s Amazon wish list. Visit the link below to see some of their classroom needs from pencils and paper to furniture and sports equipment.

http://smile.amazon.com/registry/ wishlist/1EGWMH4HZDTJG 4

V i g o ro u s l y A cade mi c · Beauti f ul l y Di v e r se · Th oro ug hly Chris tian

That means “Sheep is Life!”

The House That God Built

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n April 2014, Rehoboth High School junior Amber Yazzie listened to her high school custodian, Jon Emerson, give his testimony of how God’s unconditional love changed his life and gave him the desire to serve others with his construction skills.

He had just completed a home for a family using his skills and the skills of a host of Destination Rehoboth volunteers. After the chapel, Amber asked Jon the question. “Is there any way my mother and I could have a home?” Amber had been living in a one room 96 square ft house for many years.

God has a unique plan for each group and each individual that comes on to the Rehoboth campus. His Kingdom building is His work. We praise Him for the houses that He repairs and He builds. We also praise God for the generosity of folks like Amber and Eunice who now share their home with others.

Jon and Destination Rehoboth joined forces in promoting the cause of Amber and her mother Eunice. In the fall of 2014 Oak Grove Lutheran High School (Fargo, ND) chose Rehoboth as a destination for ministry. After raising $5,000 through a Penny War, Oak Grove came to Rehoboth and worked on three projects- one being the construction of a temporary 192 square ft house for Amber and her mother. Other groups and individual volunteers were able to finish the house so that it was habitable already for the winter of 2014. Like their first home, Amber and Eunice continued another year with no electricity or running water and cooked all meals outside. However, they enjoyed having the extra square footage for Amber’s senior year of school.

Lutheran Church of Hope (West Des Moines, IA), Sonlight CRC (Lynden, Washington), Denver Christian Middle School and Denver Christian High School Soccer Team (Denver, Colorado), Sioux Falls Christian High School (Sioux Falls, South Dakota), Pella Christian High School (Pella, Iowa), Timothy Christian High School (Elmhurst, Illinois), Grand Rapids Christian High School (Grand Rapids, Michigan), Third CRC (Lynden, WA), St Paul’s Lutheran (Brenham, Texas), Oak Grove Lutheran High School (Fargo, North Dakota), Harderwyk CRC (Holland, Michigan), Maranatha CRC (Holland, Michigan), Lexington Christian Academy (Boston, Massachusetts), Lancaster Bible College (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Hope College (Holland, Michigan), Calvary CRC (Wyoming, Michigan), Intermountain Christian School (Salt Lake City, Utah), Rock of the Southwest (Littleton, CO), Escalon CRC (Escalon, CA), Cornerstone Community Church (Chowchilla, CA) Crossroads CRC (San Marcos, CA) , Lebanon Presbyterian Church (Lebanon, Ohio), Oostburg CRC (Oostburg, WI), Ferrysburg CRC (Ferrysburg, MI), Comstock CRC (Kalamazoo, MI), Ebenezer CRC (Berwyn, IL), Rosewood CRC (Bellingham, CA), Sully CRC (Sully, IA), Visalia CRC (Visalia, CA), First CRC (Grand Rapids, MI), Oakwood CRC (Belding, MI), Phoenix URC (Phoenix, AZ), Orland Park CRC (Orland Park, IL), La Grave Ave CRC (Grand Rapids, MI), Aquinas College (Grand Rapids, MI), Cascade Fellowship (Grand Rapids, MI), The River CRC (Redlands, CA), Hanford CRC (Hanford CA).

In the spring of 2015 Joel Donselaar from Ferrysburg CRC (Ferrysburg, MI) called Rehoboth and shared a vision of bringing a group of adults and young people to build a house. They were willing to stay for two weeks to work on the project. In June, eight students and seven adults from Ferrysburg CRC came to Rehoboth with $20,000 worth of materials to provide Eunice and Amber with a more permanent house that would be able to have electricity and plumbing. A group from Oostburg CRC (Oostburg, WI) followed up with mudding and working on the bathroom and kitchen area. Still other churches involved in DR 15 provided electricians, plumbers, and the finances to continue the project. Johnny Harvey, Rehoboth’s Navajo language teacher, joined Jon Emerson to continue the project throughout the fall of 2015.

Monies donated to Destination Rehoboth for projects were able to continue the progress of the home. Amber and Eunice are expecting the hook up of the electricity and plumbing by the Navajo Nation by the summer of 2016. They are eager to move into their new 480 square ft house.

God’s Hands of Service through Destination Rehoboth Since 2012

Amber and Eunice are one family of many who are so grateful for the way God has blessed them through individuals connected to Rehoboth (specifically the Destination Rehoboth program). We are humbled that

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Homecoming 2016 R

ehoboth Christian School celebrated its 2016 Homecoming on Friday, February 5 and Saturday the 6th.

The weekend kicked off with the girls basketball games on Friday at the school’s Sports and Fitness Center. After a valiant effort to come back from behind to win it all, the Rehoboth Lynx girls basketball team lost Friday’s game against Navajo Prep by a score of 40-37.

During halftime of the Varsity game, former Executive Director, Ron Polinder honored former Director of Admissions, Lorretta Smith, for her 25 years of faithful service. Her daughter Nicole spoke on her behalf and

thanked the Rehoboth community for their support. Immediately following the girls’ Varsity game, a cake reception in honor of Lorretta Smith was held in the lobby.

On Saturday in an early afternoon game, the Rehoboth Lynx boys basketball team defeated Crownpoint High School by a score of 39-28. During halftime of the Varsity game, the traditional Homecoming festivities took place.

Thank you to all of our alumni and supporters who came out to help us celebrate!

Homecoming Court 2016 (L-R): Senior Representatives: Kayla Cowboy and Jon Kinsel; Mariah Begay and Randolph Alonzo Queen and King: Thea Benally and Matthew Begay; Junior Representatives: Maria Grace Harrison and Tyler Sherman Sophomore Representatives: Halle Lizer and Ivan Vestal; Freshman Representatives: Shawna Drake and Levi Sowers

HELP US BUILD

Financial

Update

Preparing the Way – We hope

Tuition Assistance -

Through the end of January, gifts to our tuition assistance fund have totaled over $1,397,000! Our need through the remainder of the current school year is $565,000. Please contact our advancement team to see how you can help by sponsoring a student, encouraging support from your church congregation, or by making a specific gift to our tuition assistance fund.

Current Needs – We are currently in need of:

A suburban or minivan for student groups/sports teams to replace one of our aging vehicles.

• A Shoot-a-way gun 8000 for our basketball program.

• Tires for our school buses (approximately $4000 - $5000).

• Rain gutters for three buildings and three houses on campus.

• Building access control unit for our Sports and Fitness Center ($5100) • A new or used steamer for our kitchen and food service.

• A wheelchair for students with leg injuries

to be in the final year of fundraising for the new High School. Due to the remaining need, we have moved back our initial goal of breaking ground in summer 2016, and hope to be able to complete the campaign by January of 2017 to begin construction in summer 2017.

Our updated need to complete this campaign is $2,844,000 and the double match grant from our lead donor is still in effect. Please continue to think and pray about how you can give to bless our current and future High School students.

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Other needs from our teachers and staff are posted on our amazon wish list at http://smile.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/1EGWMH4HZDTJG (be sure to go to smile.amazon.com and choose Rehoboth Christian School Association as your charity to support.)

Our Goal 13.7 Million What Has Been Pledged

10.8 Million

Choir to Tour the Midwest this Spring T

he 50-voice Rehoboth Christian High School Choir invites you to join them as they tour through the Midwest. The choir will explore the theme of “BeLonging” through song, dance, and drama. The concerts will explore the reality that we are a longing people, and that we find our joy in belonging to Jesus Christ and the body of Christ.

Joining the choir will be Lakota singer Abe Benson, and “Stomp,” Rehoboth’s percussion group. Gospel singer CJ Grier will join the choir during their tour of Michigan.

As in past tours, the group is planning several days of inspirational concerts and chapels at Christian schools, with one day off to explore downtown Chicago. (See page 1 for full schedule.) Near the end of the tour the choir will be recording a new CD in Pella, IA. The choir will also have the privilege of serving at the Milwaukee Mission in downtown Milwaukee.

Free-will offerings will take place at the concerts to help raise funds for a new high school building.

If you’re in the area, please come join us during this Easter season and be blessed by our amazingly talented students who love the Lord.

See Page 1 for full tour schedule.

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V i g o ro u s l y A cade mi c · Beauti f ul l y Di v e r se · Th oro ug hly Chris tian

Arthur Bosscher—1914-2015 By: Ron Polinder, Former Executive Director

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ou read that correctly and counted up 101 years. The long life of this good man must be honored by all friends of Rehoboth Christian School. Born to Jacob and Nellie Bosscher in Rehoboth in 1914 when Rehoboth was a fledgling mission, he was raised in the house of the Superintendent, who was responsible for not only Rehoboth, but the developing ‘rez’ churches, including Zuni. So Art grew up with Rehoboth in his DNA. Daughter Kathy Bosscher, principal of the Zuni Christian Mission School, wrote a lovely description of her father. With Kathy’s permission, I have borrowed some of her sentences. The theme of her writing was that her dad never knew a stranger, except for twice.

Their home was always one of helpfulness and hospitality.

After his graduation from Rehoboth’s 8th grade and Gallup High in 1932, Art headed to Calvin College. Most non-New Mexicans don’t quite understand the difficult adjustment of New Mexico natives, Indian and Anglo, to life in the mid-west. Kathy writes: “He did not thrive… homesick beyond reckoning, chilled to the bone under the cheerless Michigan skies—a year was enough.” It was his first experience as a stranger.

He returned to Gallup, worked at Gallup Mercantile, met his wife-to-be Geneva, better known as Nip. They were married in 1942, though Art joined the military in 1944 serving in Manila in the Signal Corps. Postwar he came home to Nip and a marriage that produced five children and eventually numerous grands and great-grands.

He was promptly offered at Rehoboth the job of campus engineer overseeing the boiler and water system, and numerous other duties, including digging graves with his student helpers for the well-populated Rehoboth cemetery. In the Summer 2015 edition of the Rehoboth newsletter, we described more fully the work of Art and others in our “Underground Heroes” article.

His 40 years on the Rehoboth industrial staff was marked by serving the Rehoboth campus as well as around the vast spread of CRC churches. He did so with a warm spirit of neighborliness with missionaries and families. Here again, the outreach to strangers and newcomers was steady, part of the fabric of their family, a family not averse to heading out to the “rez” to visit the Native churches.

Kathy describes well his second encounter with himself being the stranger.

(L-R) Ed Berkompas, Ken Piper and Art Bosscher “In 2002, he put away his boots and bolo-tie and moved with Nip (then suffering from dementia) to Sunset Manor in Jenison, MI. ‘Hardest thing I’ve ever done,’ he told a friend. There in a foreign place, Nip died in 2006. But being a stranger was a temporary state. His unpretentious friendliness, his natural interest in others, the stories of travel exploits and outstanding bowling scores that circulated through the retirement home again secured for him a certain status. There in that good place, on December 10, 2015, he died.”

The Rehoboth community, with enormous gratitude to God, is thankful for His servant Art Bosscher, who served so many, so well, for so long!

Stewart C. Barton, Jr.—1940 – 2016 By: Ron Polinder, Former Executive Director

S

tewart Barton Jr. was born to Stewart Sr. and wife Jennie in 1940. He spent most of his early life in Ft. Wingate, while his father served as a Christian Reformed missionary in Gallup and the surrounding area. From an early age, he was enrolled at Rehoboth Mission School graduating in 1959. During his school years, he was quickly recognized as a fine athlete and played on some of Rehoboth’s best basketball teams.

After high school, he attended technical school in Oklahoma for two years after which he returned to New Mexico and developed an eye for the indomitable Florence (Flo) Johnson. He began working for the Rehoboth Industrial Staff but also became the JV coach under Roland Kamps and then Keith Kuipers. In the meantime, he married

the lively Flo, 2 years his junior, and thus began a strong and blessed marriage.

Early on in his Rehoboth work, he developed the reputation of being “no nonsense.” He had high standards for his work and his ballplayers. But he knew his calling was to finish his college degree and become an Industrial Arts teacher. They moved back to Oklahoma, to Southwestern Oklahoma State University where Flo was on scholarship from the Indian Health Service, and Stu excelled in his teacher preparation. During those years, because he was somewhat older than the normal college student, Stu was identified as a college counselor for

students, particularly athletes. Their home was the “hang out” for dozens.

Upon graduation in 1976, he was offered an Industrial Arts position at Wingate High School where he served with distinction for 30 years. In the classroom, again, he demanded respect and his

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Stewart Barton students responded with affection. At one point early in his career, he realized he was not getting through to his students—they were not really learning auto mechanics. So the next day he had all his students bring their books to the front and dump them in the garbage can. They all went out into the shop, and the learning began, hands on.

During his Wingate years he was always coaching, most often as the JV coach for the formidable Adam Bull. He loved coaching—again he was demanding, and he always found out who was ready to pay the price. And his own athletic talents did not go to waste, playing on good teams in city league basketball and baseball.

Upon retirement, with grandkids and other relatives at Rehoboth, Stu and Flo were fixtures on the Rehoboth campus (and Bethany church)— cheering, encouraging, coaching the young ones.

Flo had become Alumni director for a few years, and together

Ken , and n a d in ark, L eratio ons: Mew refrig cooler in o h c The Sstalled a ne walking all. h th In m for wship syste our fello

WE LOVE

VOLUNTEERS!

Have you ever considered doing a “volunteer trip” with some friends or with your family? Rehoboth has lots of opportunities to serve. Lodging is available on campus. Please note that we usually have the most openings August- December.

Completion of projects depends on volunteer hands. Thanks for considering spending some time at Rehoboth! We really try to match your gifts with the service area!

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• • •

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Tutors, Classroom Aides (From Pre KHigh School) Food Service Maintenance- General, Electricians, Plumbers, Roofers, Painters, Stucco Mason, Construction Tile/Carpet Layers Grounds and Landscaping Office Work- Mailings, Data Entry

Continued from Page 9

they were advocates for RCS, and deeply appreciative for the Christian education they, and now their grandkids, were receiving.

There was pain, particularly when they lost daughter Tammy so unexpectedly. And then after Stu’s total knee replacement surgery, complications with his diabetes became more problematic, resulting in a nasty infection over the summer and fall. He was hospitalized for 5 months, and could not overcome, even with the enormous love and affection of children, Trudy and C.B. and grandchildren. Stu died on Jan 1.

The loss is deeply felt by his beloved family and friends. But we celebrate his commitments as a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach, churchman, follower of Jesus. Like many other Rehoboth graduates, he was led to serve in public and government schools. We are grateful for his contribution there and over the years at Rehoboth as well and thus the Kingdom of God.

Picture: Stu Barton with Gallup Mayor Jackie McKinney at a Rehoboth fundraiser this past Spring

Upon retirement, with grandkids and other relatives at Rehoboth, Stu and Flo were fixtures on the Rehoboth campus.

Thank you, Volunteers!

Short-term Volunteers Krisanne Burr Sandy Destrempes Joyce Phillips Justin Den Ouden Eileen Denner Steve and Sue Kass Barbara Terborg Lori Pegues Gary and Michelle Sheldon Randy and Nancy Peters John and Ellen Nicodemuis Tim and Christine Nicodemuis Randy and Nancy Peters Ron and Judie Zwiers Clifford and Joanne Soodsma Barbara Top Marlilyn Vanden Hoek Ronald and Marlene Kuypers Paul and Lila Clapp Betty Nikkel Martha Weg Carl and Fern Wiersum Richard and Winifred Meyer Jim and Suki Brasser Uko and Jane Zylstra

Local and Long - Term Volunteers Andrew Swetz Jack and Cindy Ippel Liz Wilson Nikki VanSlooten Trudi Barton John Van’t Land Denny and Ruth VanAndel Gloria Dennison

Destination Rehoboth Groups: Denver Christian Middle School- Denver, CO Oak Grove Lutheran School- Fargo, ND Lutheran Church of Hope- W. Des Moines, IA Pella Christian School- Pella, IA Timothy Christian School- Elmhurst, IL Bethel CRC- Manhattan, MT

V i g o ro u s l y A cade mi c · Beauti f ul l y Di v e r se · Th oro ug hly Chris tian

Gifts in Memory of: In memory of Jantina “Lynn” Baker Ms. Jennifer Baker In memory of Stefan V Balogh Mr. and Mrs. Tim and Cynthia Maher In memory of Stewart “Stu” Barton Dr. and Mrs. Jack and Kyse Kamps Mr. and Mrs. Roland and Ruth Kamps In memory of John Bosch Mr. and Mrs. Calvin and Florence Sall Mr. and Mrs. Carl and Jeanne Boersen Mr. and Mrs. Larry and Glenda Grassmid Mr. and Mrs. Gerald and Lillian Braun Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Gladys Heyboer Mr. and Mrs. Gary and Judy Boetsma Mr. and Mrs. Jerold and Jan TerHorst Mr. and Mrs. Ronald and Janet Dertien Mr. and Mrs. William and Marsha Schreur Mr. and Mrs. Joel and Angie Blauwkamp Mr. and Mrs. Roger and Joyce VandenBosch Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Patricia Voetberg Mr. and Mrs. Leonard and Grace Brink Mr. and Mrs. James and Jane Krol Mrs. Dorothy Bosch In memory or Rev. and Mrs. Marvin and Esther VanDonselaar Mr. and Mrs. Randy and Deb Bosch Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey and Cindy Bosch In memory of Art Bosscher Anonymous Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Ellen Hoekstra Ms. Gloria Fauble Mrs. Marjorie VanderPloeg Mr. and Mrs. David and Diane Boyd Rev. and Mrs. Rodger and Marijane Buining Mr. and Mrs. David and Sheryl VanderPloeg Mr. and Mrs. Leonard and Grace Brink Mr. and Mrs. Bruce and Elizabeth Matthews Dr. and Mrs. Robert and Esther Koops In memory of Ann Boyd Mr. and Mrs. Merle and Karen VanderSluis In memory is Karl DeHaan Ms. Nancy D. Gritter In memory of Richard De Mol Mrs. Karen A. DeMol In memory of Julius and Jeanette Den Blyker Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Madelon Gelder In memory of Jim Dow Ms. Anita M. Head In memory of Bert Gjeltema Dr. and Mrs. Jack and Kyse Kamps In memory of Thomas Grant Ms. Nancy Visser In memory of Robert S. Grassmid Mrs. Susanne Grassmid In memory of Frank Gritters Mr. and Mrs. George and Margaret Duren In memory of Jacob and Kathryn Hekman Ms. Carole Miller

In memory of Henry Ippel Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Trudi Ippel Mrs. Phyllis Bratt Mr. and Mrs. Randall and Elisabeth Zylstra Mr. Lester Ippel Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Mary Ippel Mr. and Mrs. David and Barbara Ippel In memory of Christopher Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Carl and Barbara Piersma In memory of John Lamer Mr. and Mrs. William and Ardene Lamer In memory of Pete Lubben Mrs. and Mr. Angela-Mia and Mark Kilmer Mr. and Mrs. Serenus and Janice Ellens Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Tillie Kloosterman Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Anita Ruimveld Mr. and Mrs. Burt and Ruth Cilley, Jr Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Deanne Bolt Mr. and Mrs. Frederic J. DeYoung In memory of Richard Meyer Ms. Betty J. Kacos In memory of Jean Persennaire Mr. and Mrs. Don and Shirley Oppenhuizen Ms. Lois Verkuik Ms. Debra Bond In memory of William Posthuma Ms. Nancy J. Sutterfield Van Portfliet family Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Janice Eargle In memory of John Ruiter Mrs. Lois Ruiter

Mr. Larry Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Al and Delores Veltman Mr. and Mrs. Steve and Veronica Veltman Mrs. Martha Weg In memory of Helen Vander Velde Mrs. Jacquelyn Vogelzang In memory of Pete Vanderlugt Mr. and Mrs. Darrel and Diane Kuiper Mr. and Mrs. Randall and Karen Holt In memory of Rev. Frederick and Alice VanHouten Ms. Mary A. VanHouten In memory of Mae Visser Mr. and Mrs. Micah and Kyla Popma In memory of Rena Wilderom Ms. Linda G. Philo

Gifts in Honor of: In honor of Owen Aukeman Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Linda Schutt In honor of Lorraine R. Bossenga Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Joyce Braschler In honor of Dr James Cook Mr. and Mrs. Tim and Elizabeth Bolt Mr. and Mrs. Dan and Allison Vandermolen Ms. Janet Dixon Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Andrea VanDerMolen

In memory of Jean Schepers Mr. and Mrs. Jon and Beverly Plooster Wrigley, Hoffman & Hendricks Mr. and Mrs. Edwin and Joyce Koster Mr. and Mrs. Jerry and Kate Stephan Ms. Gerri L. Bekkering Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Laura VanderLugt My Tribute Gift Foundation, Inc.

In honor of Jeff and Noell Engbers Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Ilah VanKlompenberg

In memory of Mick Scholten Anonymous

In honor of Rob and Kristy Rempalski Mrs. Glenda K. Middleton

In memory of Gordon Stuit Mrs. Mae E. Ms. Luella Helland

In honor of Dave VanderHart Mr. and Mrs. Gary and Joan VanderHart

In memory of Adrian Sytsma Mr. and Mrs. Ray and Betty Kerkstra Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Pam Schuringa Mr. and Mrs. Bernard and Patricia Groenink Ms. Joyce Vandenberg Mr. and Mrs. Loren and Nancy Slager Mr. and Mrs. George and Pat Vanderlaan Mr. and Mrs. Dave and Nancy Horjus Mr. and Mrs. David and Sharon Sytsma In memory of Howard Tazelaar Mrs. Sharon K. Tazelaar In memory of Marlys VanBeek Mrs. Mary E. Ham Mr. and Mrs. Norman and Arlis Kay Ruter Mr. and Mrs. W.O. and Belva Beyer Mr. and Mrs. Ronald and Laura Smith Mr. and Mrs. Al and Deloris Veltman Mrs. Shirley Sweetman Mr. and Mrs. William and Ida VanBeek Dr. and Mrs. Ronald and Betty VanderKooi Ms. Jean D. VanBeek Mr. and Mrs. Barry and Marilyn DeGroot Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Lorraine Katte Mr. and Mrs. Wes and Carolyn Weg Mr. Mark VanBeek Ms. Marcia Ruis Mr. and Mrs. Mitch and Kris Rae

In honor of Betty and Bruce Matthew Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Joyce Braschler In honor of Dirk and Melodee Pikaart Mr. and Mrs. Philip and Marilyn Pikaart

Friends We Will Remember John Bosch · October 2, 2015 Art Bosscher · December 10, 2015 Richard De Mol · June 1, 2015 Pete Lubben · January 24, 2016 Jean Persenaire · September 4, 2015 William Posthuma Jean Schepers · October 3, 2015 Gordon Stuit · October 19, 2015 Adrian Sytsma · September 15, 2015 Marlys Van Beek · October 20, 2015 Peter Vanderlugt · January 17, 2015 Stewart Barton · January 1, 2016 Lorretta Smith · February 6, 2016 Rachel Showalter-Claw ‘91 · February 4, 2016

PO B ox 4 1 · Re h oboth , N M 8 7 3 2 2 · 5 0 5 .8 6 3 .4 4 1 2 · www. rcs nm. o rg

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BUILD PAGE 8

Winter 2016

Dr. Don McGavran Accepts Executive Director Position Page 1

Rehoboth Mourns Loss of Lorretta Smith Page 2

Homecoming 2016 Page 6 - 7

Volunteers Build Home for Rehoboth Family Page 5

Choir to Tour the Midwest this Spring Page 1, 8