Faith on the Move
Inspired by FMC’s recent focus on storytelling and the corresponding theme of this issue of MennoExpressions, we reminisced about some of our own times of resilience, hope, and God’s faithfulness. Here we have chosen to share two experiences from early in our marriage where we lived on the edge, faced myriad challenges, questioned our own abilities, and basked in God’s presence and faithfulness.
I (Stan) served as staff for a Mennonite Church sponsored program called Out-Spokin’ from 1974 to 1978, and Sandy served as a short term VSer for the same program in 1977. This innovative program provided bicycles, staff, and supporting equipment for groups to have bike hikes. Trips lasted from a weekend to a seven-week coast-to-coast tour. The program’s tag line was, “Christian community on the move.”
In keeping with that tag line, Out-Spokin’ definitely kept us moving. Sandy served as nurse and head cook. She rode 50-80 miles daily on top of fixing meals for up to thirty hungry bikers. And then there were sunburns, dehydration, skinned knees, open wounds, and bruised egos to attend to. Stan kept the entourage on the proper route, found rest stops, and sought out overnight facilities. Oh yes, and he also led worship around the campfire each evening. We never knew how many miles we would cover in a day. Progress depended on energy levels, the strength of the headwind, the weather, and the steepness of hills. We learned (sometimes with difficulty) that we could only move as fast as the slowest biker. We were in it together. Through generosity of people, we always found a campground, gymnasium, town park, or church basement to spend the night. Out-Spokin’ was often an unknown entity, but God opened the hearts of people along the way to meet our needs. In Colorado, we were ecstatic with a seven-mile downhill coast, only to be confronted by a tunnel with a “No Bikers” sign. What to do? Climb back up the mountain? Fortunately, a couple of pickup trucks stopped and carried bikes and bikers through the tunnel. We merrily went on our way!
Biker safety was always paramount. Yet, we still had a few accidents; some traumatic and tragic. But God provided the strength to deal with each situation. God placed people in our path who ministered to us and led us out of predicaments. Viewing God’s creation from the seat of a bicycle was indeed a marvel. We were blessed time and time again in our attempts to create Christian community on the move.
The second transformational experience was leading Goshen College’s Study Service Term (SST) program in Costa Rica. We had both experienced SST as students and personally knew the power of living in another culture. In the 1985-86 school year, we had the opportunity to direct the program. What were we thinking? Dragging two daughters along, aged 5 years and 18 months, now seems almost foolhardy.
Sandy was the unit nurse and chief coordinator with host families. Stan directed the curriculum, scheduled lecturers, arranged educational field trips and found community service projects scattered throughout the country where students met the “service” part of SST.
Our goal was to help students experience the world through another reality or, as professor Dan Hess would write, “from the others’ point of view.” Again, student safety was at the top of our list. We studied Costa Rican culture through the lens of the family structure, and we encouraged students to get out of the classroom and experience the culture with their host families. Yet, students weren’t always in the safest of locations or activities, and there were quite some … “adventures.” But, what happened in Costa Rica stays in Costa Rica! 😊
Once again, we experienced God’s presence on a daily basis. God walked with our students. Our students experienced close family life. When our ability to communicate in a second language seemed impossible, God always provided a way. When we had to respond to cultural challenges, we relied on trusted Costa Rican confidants for advice. For example, when a student received unwanted sexual advances from a host father, a program assistant helped us remove the student from the family and exclude the family from future hosting. Costa Rican friends nourished our souls and strengthened us for our tasks. And God provided our family with the opportunity to live in beautiful Costa Rica and see life with another point of view.
PS. Little did we know that one day we would become FMC friends with the parents of one of our students, Chad Stutzman.
PPS. Seven years after our first round of SST leadership, we re-enlisted for another year. We’ve been doubly blessed.
About the Author
Stan and Sandy Miller
Stan and Sandy are both graduates of Goshen College. Stan worked three decades in administration at the college. Sandy was a pediatric nurse in Elkhart. They have two adult daughters and four grandchildren.
