What do ten young adults from Pennsylvania, Indiana, Manitoba, Iowa, and Illinois have in common?  A passion for service fueled by love for Jesus.  Their backgrounds, calls to We Care, and personal interests vary, but their desire to grow spiritually and live faithfully has connected the volunteers’ lives for God’s purposes.  For several of the young adults, their We Care term continues a pattern of service.  Canada, Ohio, China, West Virginia, Vermont, Ecuador, Haiti, Costa Rica, and Ghana are some of their previous assignments.          

I was disappointed not to have more time with Christina Adams (Picture at right) while I was in Atmore, but she was in Montgomery, caring for twenty-one children at Adullam House.  Devoted to the care of children of incarcerated women, Adullam Houe means “refuge,” and it is obviously just that.  Besides being a haven for children, the ministry provides a refuge for the deep concerns of mothers who must entrust care of their children to others.  Christina is an only child and a “city girl,” so she has been stretched by caring for twenty-one children two weeks out of three and living with a big We Care family during the third week.  Also, she had never cooked before arriving in Atmore (“Making toast was a challenge”), so she values the skills she’s acquired from Doris.

 (Doris with Christina Adams, Maria Martin & Brenda Steury)

Many of us remember Kenton Bucher from the “Amazing Grace Tour.”  Kenton brought a number of previous cross-cultural experiences to Atmore.  Besides participating in several short-term youth service projects, he had accompanied two “Song for the Nations” tours to Russia, Albania, Bulgaria, and Hungary.  Encouraged by Maria Martin and Blaine Copenhaver, Kenton applied for a seven-month term with We Care and has recently recommitted for an extra term.  He is thankful for his experience in prison ministry and for the “amazing things” God is teaching him.  When the volunteers presented an excellent program at Mennonite Christian Fellowship during my visit, Kenton played the guitar and led singing.

Blaine Copenhaver, whom you may recall as the prison chaplain in the “Amazing Grace Tour” skit, is fast becoming a long-term volunteer.  He signed on in October 2005, extended his term a couple of times, and has recently agreed to stay on until May 2008.  God’s words in Lamentations 3:27, “It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth,” and in 1 Corinthians 16:9, “For a great and effective door has opened to me,” have guided him in his decisions to remain in Atmore.   Regularly assigned to Fountain Correctional Center, a medium security prison, Blaine wears a number of hats: working with the new-believer program, teaching once or twice a month on Sunday nights, counseling one-on-one, serving as assistant chaplain, and mediating among religious groups.  Seeing men’s lives changed by the amazing grace of Jesus is Blaine’s reward.  His leisure time pleasures are photography, bicycling, and all sorts of outdoor activities.

Hailing from Winkler, Manitoba, Jake Peters attended three crusades before signing on for his seven-month term.  His older brother had served with We Care after learning about the ministry at Rosedale, and his experiences pointed Jake toward Alabama.  Among the blessings of serving with We Care, Jake considers seeing men changed by God’s mercy and grace the top of the list.  He also appreciates the family atmosphere with the Rancks and the other volunteers, and he’s grateful for learning to listen—really listen—to others.  Jake is interested in youth ministry when his We Care term is over.

Like several other volunteers, Sheila Schrock postponed personal dreams and opportunities in order to serve with We Care.  An avid volleyball player, she had been offered a full athletic scholarship.  Not having God’s peace about her college plans, Sheila responded to the nudging she felt at a Rosedale Missions Conference and called Dave Landis, We Care president.  Although Sheila’s decision called for sacrifice, she has received personal as well as spiritual blessings during her time in Atmore. She is assigned to the We Care office where she exercises her considerable skills in graphic design and business, areas of study she had planned to pursue in college.  Sheila’s creativity is apparent in the beautiful We Care newsletters.

for Delmar Weiler.  When a young dairy farmer from East Earl, Pennsylvania, “just happens” to attend a church service in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on the same Sunday a We Care couple from Atmore, Alabama, “just happen” to be there, it would be hard not to suspect a divine appointment!  Ed Ranck planted the seed during that “chance” meeting, and the seed was watered when Delmar returned home to continue dairying.  While volunteering at a youth center, he was encouraged by Ernie Glick, who had just returned from service with We Care, to consider a term in Atmore.  The persistent call of God finally struck home with unmistakable clarity one morning when Delmar rode his four-wheeler to a favorite spot on the family farm for his devotions.  While reading Ezekiel 37, the familiar passage about the valley of dry bones, Delmar knew that God desires to restore the lives of men in prison and wanted him to be part of that ministry of love and forgiveness.

Being with the young adult volunteers was a tremendous blessing, and I was challenged by their lives.  As becomes children of God, they are full of joy and know how to have fun.  They find time to play games (tennis, darts, board games), and (alas, poor Doris) they’re planning a camping trip for the week after Easter.  Whether working or playing, these young men and women are compelled by the love of Jesus, and wherever they go after We Care, they will continue to follow Him and serve others.                                                   

 Donna Wyatt sent down a package of pens

which the guys have just discovered!