August 9, 2013
Bruce and I both began attending Bible college mid year. In a small school of under one thousand students, we were instantly thrown together as the "new guys" on campus. We were the same age, were married, had previously attended state universities, and had been out in the working world before returning to follow a spiritual calling to train for the ministry. We very soon discovered that our minds and personalities meshed, and became close friends. Susan and I lived off the edge of the campus in a moble home, while Bruce and His wife, Lina, lived up in the hub of campus buildings in a little cottage that was originally a mail order prefab house, ordered from a Sears catalog! It became a hang out and study hall away from home for me over the next few years.
Lina drove off campus to work everyday, but was always around in the evenings to add seasoning to our conversations and escapades. She was, and remains, a high energy person who never could be happy unless she was working on a project of some sort. Since none of us had any money, she was a master at decorating on a shoestring income, creating crafts and sewing projects out of almost anything she found, and making you always feel welcome when you showed up at the door to visit.
Over the years, Bruce and Lina have served a number of churches. Lina went to college and graduate school and became a teacher and skilled educator and continues to be a leader in her field in the Florida education system. Bruce went on to earn a string of graduate degrees in theology, education, practical ministries, and history. He also experienced first hand how challenging ministry can be, especially for someone with a giant heart of compassion like his. Some years back, Bruce came within inches of death with an illness directly connected to the high stress issues often connected with the calling of a minister. As he slowly regained life, he has found himself expressing his passion for people and God by teaching in the public schools. Bruce, however, continues to stay positive and carries out the true ministry of encouragement and compassion to those who pass his way.
It was refreshing to spend the day in their company. After sharing breakfast together we all set out on a driving tour of Tampa. I sat in their Honda Element and remembered the days when we buzzed around the back roads of east Tennessee in their spartan Volkswagen Thing! I haven't seen one of those on the road for many years!
Our tour ended at a bakery where we picked up the best coconut cream pie I have ever tasted. We then dropped Lina back at their home and headed out once again for some guy time.
My day included several firsts. I stepped onto the white sands of the gulf coast and waded into the warm water. We visited a Greek community along the coast, where all the signs and shops were Greek. There I ate my first real Greek food and learned about the sponge industry. Through it all was woven the important sharing of our lives and insights.
The day ended with a bluegrass style band playing at a local music outlet. It was a day to be refreshed and to renew an old friendship. It was also a reminder that there are a lot of phoenix people around us who have risen up from the ashes of physical or spiritual hardships and disappointment to find new life and hope.
Bruce and I both began attending Bible college mid year. In a small school of under one thousand students, we were instantly thrown together as the "new guys" on campus. We were the same age, were married, had previously attended state universities, and had been out in the working world before returning to follow a spiritual calling to train for the ministry. We very soon discovered that our minds and personalities meshed, and became close friends. Susan and I lived off the edge of the campus in a moble home, while Bruce and His wife, Lina, lived up in the hub of campus buildings in a little cottage that was originally a mail order prefab house, ordered from a Sears catalog! It became a hang out and study hall away from home for me over the next few years.
Lina drove off campus to work everyday, but was always around in the evenings to add seasoning to our conversations and escapades. She was, and remains, a high energy person who never could be happy unless she was working on a project of some sort. Since none of us had any money, she was a master at decorating on a shoestring income, creating crafts and sewing projects out of almost anything she found, and making you always feel welcome when you showed up at the door to visit.
Over the years, Bruce and Lina have served a number of churches. Lina went to college and graduate school and became a teacher and skilled educator and continues to be a leader in her field in the Florida education system. Bruce went on to earn a string of graduate degrees in theology, education, practical ministries, and history. He also experienced first hand how challenging ministry can be, especially for someone with a giant heart of compassion like his. Some years back, Bruce came within inches of death with an illness directly connected to the high stress issues often connected with the calling of a minister. As he slowly regained life, he has found himself expressing his passion for people and God by teaching in the public schools. Bruce, however, continues to stay positive and carries out the true ministry of encouragement and compassion to those who pass his way.
It was refreshing to spend the day in their company. After sharing breakfast together we all set out on a driving tour of Tampa. I sat in their Honda Element and remembered the days when we buzzed around the back roads of east Tennessee in their spartan Volkswagen Thing! I haven't seen one of those on the road for many years!
Our tour ended at a bakery where we picked up the best coconut cream pie I have ever tasted. We then dropped Lina back at their home and headed out once again for some guy time.
My day included several firsts. I stepped onto the white sands of the gulf coast and waded into the warm water. We visited a Greek community along the coast, where all the signs and shops were Greek. There I ate my first real Greek food and learned about the sponge industry. Through it all was woven the important sharing of our lives and insights.
The day ended with a bluegrass style band playing at a local music outlet. It was a day to be refreshed and to renew an old friendship. It was also a reminder that there are a lot of phoenix people around us who have risen up from the ashes of physical or spiritual hardships and disappointment to find new life and hope.
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