Long-time Friends

In March and April of this year, we have had three special couples visit us in the Dominican Republic - couples whose friendship we value and whom we have known for a many years.

Sam and Katie Lapp are from Pennsylvania.  I first got to know Sam in 1981 at a volunteer service program in Virginia, where he and I served for a year.  We were best friends.  After our term of service ended, Sam moved back to Pennsylvania, and I moved back to Indiana.  We both married southern girls.      
Through the years we have stayed in contact - a few visits and yearly Christmas cards and updates.  Imagine our excitement when Katie contacted Maggie through Face Book and talked about a possible trip to the D.R.  They were able to spend five days with us.  What fun it was to show them the ministry of Students International, catch up on family news, and talk about old times.  We even spent a day at the beach on the north coast.  Sam invited me to try wind surfing and rented equipment.  I can't say that I mastered the sport, but it was fun trying.
Thanks, Sam and Katie, for your visit. 

Mike and Karen Unternahrer (center) are from our home town, Shipshewana, Indiana.  Mike and I worked together at a animal feed processing plant in the early 1980's.  Mike has been involved in missions and has been on numerous short-term outreaches to the southern part of the Dominican Republic.  On several of those trips, he visited us at Students International here in Jarabacoa. 
Last fall, one of Mike and Karen's daughters, Rachel, participated in our semester program and worked in our school for special needs children.  In November, they came to the D.R. to visit Rachel.  Since they have three adopted children with special needs, they particularly connected with the work Rachel was involved in at the school. 
Mike and Karen have been sensing a call to long-term missions and began inquiring about staffing needs with Students International.  They filled out applications for positions at our special needs school, and in March came for an interview.  Together we are pursuing the purposes of God for their lives.
Mike and Karen, we commend you for your committment to missions and for being open to being sent to bring God's love to the over-looked and often rejected children with special needs in the Dominican Republic.

Cliff and Cheryl Miller are from our home church in Indiana, River of Life Fellowship.  Cliff and Cheryl and Maggie and I, began attending River of Life at about the same time in 1985.  Cliff has served in various leadership positions and currently is an elder at the church.

Cliff, Cheryl and their son Christian came for a visit during the first week of April.  It was good to have time with them.  In the picture above, Cliff, Cheryl, and Christian pose with Melvin.  Melvin is young man with cerebal palsy who when younger, came to our school for children with special needs.  Melvin has come to faith in Christ and has been baptized.  He loves sharing about what God has done in his life.  With the help of Students International staff, Melvin has written various praise songs. 

Cliff, Cheryl, and Christian, thanks for visiting us in the D.R.  You're continued interest in the ministry here and your words of encouragement were a blessing!