Tell us what's happened to you since high school
(Feel free to tell us THE WHOLE STORY):

One month out of high school, I was engaged to Norm Brinkley, a guy I met through the infamous Campus Life Club. He was on staff for them, working in the West Covina area, and we had met at the HAUNTED HOUSE that Campus Life put on, was it in San Dimas? Starting college at MT. Sac I studied psychiatric nursing, working with drug babies, hydrocephalics, and the severely mentally retarded. It was a sobering, come-down-to-earth kind of a time. We married in June of '73 with Devany, Elvira, Christy and my sister Deb as my beautiful bridesmaids, and Sam who sung at the wedding.

Norm and I started attending a Bible Study in Claremont which became Life Bible Fellowship, which moved from Claremont to a renovated chicken coup in Cucamonga, then to an old beer hall, then into the present facilities at 2426 N. Euclid in Upland. Norm was the 2nd guy to come on staff with that church, which we worked  for many years, first here in the Pomona Valley, then overseas. It's amazing how quickly life can change. We left for Tampico, Mexico at the end of 1978, a three day trip in a 6 seater plane to join a non-denominational missions agency.  We had been invited to come on their big ship as Bible Study coordinators for the staff and crew of over 200 people, that went from port to port around the world with educational supplies, Bibles, and medical supplies. When we arrived at the ship, we found out that another couple had been asked to do the same job, and since they didn't have a 1 year old at the time were deemed more suited for the job, and somehow their communiqués to us had been lost in the shuffle. So, there we were in a strange place, with a group that didn't seem quite together, having sold everything we owned except 3 small trunks, a baby in tow, and wondering in bewilderment "What next???".  It was one of those life changing moments, with a few choices; would I trust God when everything was going wrong? Would I get bitter? Would I blame everyone? Would I put the next foot forward? Growing up happens in hard places. In hindsight, it was a beautiful thing that God took our willing hearts, honoring us by directing us to a place we would never have dreamed of going, but which we were ultimately more suited.

We spent 3 months training in London before moving to Egypt where we lived for 2 years. My daughter, Harmony, was born there in an unbelievable place... another story for another time. Then we were asked to move to Sudan, where we lived for 4 years, and which has stolen my heart forever. My son Stefan was born there, in the city of goats where thieves lost their hands to the literal axe of the law... another story for another time.  Sudan, a country violated by ongoing civil war, was at the time moving from some Islamic moderation to a strict fundamental Islamic regime.   From there, we moved to Tunisia, a somewhat more moderate Muslim nation where French was the second language. Tim and Harmony attended a French / Arabic school when I wasn't home schooling them, and Norm an international company. While there, I had a "mom's vacation" to mark the end of my 9 year pregnant or nursing era, a trip to the island of Jerba off the N. Africa coast. Since I'm not much one for the typical tourist scene, I ventured off the beaten path, literally, down a dirt footpath behind some young girls who had reminded me that Friday was the holy day and no, I wouldn't find any bread stores open, but could you come home with us? An offer I couldn't refuse... another story.  From there we moved to Spain, the southernmost tip of the Costa del Sol, just across the bay from Gibraltar, where we lived for 4 years. We relocated back to California 1991, just a year before the last reunion.

Since then, it has been such a joy to raise my kids, and be a support to Norm in ongoing ministry opportunities. Now that they are raised, Norm and I are once again moving overseas to finish the work we started, where the influence and focus of our lives can benefit many who need some good news.  I've taken more schooling these past 10 years, something I've looked forward to much of my life. I got certified as an EMT / beginner paramedic, and had fun at a part time job with an ambulance company that handled local car and motorcycle races as well as concerts.  I also got  a Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certification for eventual use which may just come in handy to make friends and settle into a community in our desired location. 

I just want to add that we have met so many precious, inspiring people through the years. What a privilege to work with international people who want to make a difference. My perception of the world has been so enhanced and influenced by dear friends with whom I've been blessed to rub shoulders through the years.
 

Married? Kids?

Norm and I have been married 31 years. He's a whole-hearted kind of guy with lots of sincerity and exuberance. He has most recently been the CEO of a non-profit called Somebody Cares, a group that joins Christians together for city-reaching and meeting obvious community needs like food for the poor, training for better jobs, rehab resources, and the like.

My oldest son Tim works full time at Azusa Pacific University in their computer dept and is beginning to teach some courses there.  He married Catherine, a creative beauty who teaches JR. high. They are praying and dreaming about moving to Southern Europe to set up a ministry base.  We were all recently blessed with their first son, Jessiah, who has stolen my heart forever.  It's amazing that your heart expands to make room for these little darlin's whom you love as much as your own kids!

My oldest daughter, Harmony, is married to Jeremy, and they had our first grandchild, Isabelle, in 2001. She is the joy of my life and we hang out together a lot.  (Being an "Oma" is a wonderful thing!) Harmony has been majoring in music although she's been accepted into the nursing program at Cal State, and Jer writes computer programs. They live very close by, as do Tim and Cat, a wonderful thing!

Stefan is 22 and lives nearby. He's been my football / soccer guy through the years. He is presently serving in a great restaurant while he goes to school and finds his way forward. It's a funny thing... since he was born in Africa, his ears always perk up when the PC correct term "African American" is used. He, a veritable blonde haired, blue eyed cutie, raises his hands and says, "That's me!" He's a photography nut and is a great drummer, presently trying to put a band together and is in the worship band at his church.  He has a very special girlfriend from Minnesota, the state where I came from.

Grace is 18, and is currently at a dental college.  She was recently married to Brian, a great army guy stationed in Korea.  It has been such a joy that all of our kids and their families get together at our house on the weekends for games, food, fun, talks, movies, etc.) 

Career? Job?

For the past 21/2 years, I've worked for our church, Water of Life Community, as director of our Food Ministries Warehouse. We help to feed over 10,000 people a month in the Inland Empire, as well as provide resources, prayer, and counseling to those who are interested. I was recently writing to Joe Martinez about the challenge of keeping product flowing, trucks going, finding forklift drivers and all the volunteers to keep it running. Yet there has been obvious divine intervention, and it is pure joy to do this kind of a thing.  By the way, a former classmate from the year 1971, Dan Carroll, is doing an awesome job as senior pastor there at Water of Life.  Come and see!  It is located at 7625 East Ave., just south of the 15 Fwy. and Baseline crossing in Fontana.  Call 909-463-0103 for info.
 

Where do you live?

Our home is "up the hill" near Victorville, up over the Cajon Pass, up where you can see myriads of stars at night, where the hype of the big city isn't quite as strong. My commute into Fontana is about 30 minutes.  Very recently we have decided to move overseas to do relief and development in the Middle East.  It is an exciting yet sobering opportunity.  We leave in May, 2004, and will be at this post for at least 5 years, God willing.
 

Which of your classmates
are you most curious about?

Sandy Miller, Brian Manning, Cindy Delunas, Terry Yarborough, Janet Fisher   I've also tried these past years to get in contact with schoolmates from 1970 and 1971, attending some of their reunions, and am also happy to be in touch with Charles Crouch from 1973 who was a mascot with Devany and I .
 

What was your favorite music then? Favorite song?

 I was a Motown lover. Wait, that doesn't sound quite right... Songs: "Walk on By", "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay..", Love Story Theme "A Time for Us", Three Dog Night, Elton John, Chicago (I'm with you Dev !) We had the song from the Beatles "In My Life" in our wedding.
 

What is the best CD you've listened to recently?

One of my favorite Christian singer / songwriters has been Keith Green. Although he was killed in a plane crash in the 80's, his songs are timeless like "I make my life a prayer to You" and "So you wanna go back to Egypt". He sings from the heart about the issues of life. His ballads reveal his life questions as well as point a telling finger at society's lies. I also like Gypsy Kings. My newest CD is a "must have" called WORSHIP, by Michael W. Smith.  "Music Machine" is an awesome collection for kids, cute songs based on character development.  I also love all that classical, philharmonic, symphony-type stuff like Tchaikovsky, Brahms' Lullabies, and "Balero".
 

What is the best book you have read lately?

Philip Yancey is a good author. He wrote, "Disappointment With God" which is an honest search for answers to deep questions. He writes not as someone who has all the answers, but more like a pilgrim, a fellow sojourner on life's road with all its twists and surprises. His recent book, "Reaching for the Invisible God" is easy but meditative reading, and deals with broken expectations. I'm also a Mitchener fan, and am currently reading "Poland". In his descriptive style, and his historical approach to indigenous culture, he acquaints you with peoples and places you often read about but have no comprehension as to lifestyles, values, etc.. ONe of my favorite historical fiction series is "The Zion Chronicles" by Bodie Thoene, a broad sweeping look behind the scenes of the Holocaust and settling of Israel as a nation. Chuck Colson has written some awesome books. His views on life issues have a broad perspective, and although I don't always agree with him, he makes me think. He challenges my comfort zones and forces me outside the box. Some of his blurbs can be found through the website (www.crosswalk.com)   "Blood Brothers" by Elias Chacour has a great perspective on the land of Palestine. I'm slogging my way through "The Moors Last Sigh", by Salmon Rushdie, a Muslim guy who was booted from his country and all Islamic countries for his writings. My latest "thing" is trying to read books in Spanish... the key word being "trying". ;-)  "The City of God" by St. Francis of Assisi is a fascinating look at the development of Christianity in North Africa in the 100s-400s.  "The Birth" by Gene Edwards is fantastic reading... the Christmas story imaginatively told from the angel's viewpoint.  I'm currently reading "Inside Islam" by Reza Safa, " A Knock at Midnight" by Martin Luther King, Jr., (I was recently able to visit his center in Atlanta) and "A Revolution of Love and Balance" by George Verwer.  And, of course, the Bible... never give up trying to assimilate this good "book" into your life; it is a "light for your path".
 

What is the best movie you've seen lately?

 SHREK was an interesting compilation of current American life. I didn't think I'd like it. Denzel Washington is one of my favorite actors; his most recent movie about being a desperate father was good. I saw THE PASSION this past Easter and was reminded that my peace with God is a costly arrangement.  It's absolutely stunning that this film is being shown so widely internationally, and by all reports, it's having an incredible effect on many who have either never heard the good news or who have not become immune to its message.
 

Additional Comments:

The longer I live, the more I realize how difficult life can be... and how beautiful. There are many more questions than answers, yet I am grateful for an irrefutable peace within that since I belong to God, the lover of my soul, One who sees all and knows all, that I don't have to sweat understanding everything. I can rest in His care, despite the circumstances. For example, Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are burdened and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am gentle..." I need Someone to carry my burdens, they are way too much for my shoulders. But what does that mean that He will give me rest? That since I belong to Him I will have no troubles? That I won't feel pain, rejection, bewilderment, abandonment, discouragement? That somehow I'll be exempt from difficulty? Even Jesus Himself, who didn't deserve it, went through all of that; He can relate to and have compassion for all that troubles me. It means that in the midst of darkness and confusion and the pain of sin, that He will carry my burdens, and carry me.

What is success in the light of eternity? Will I strive for happiness, that illusive butterfly, or will I strive to honor God, the God who said "I will never leave you or forsake you", and enjoy the comfort of His love, despite all? There are severe storms in the sea of life, but He is the anchor. Sometimes, experience doesn't seem to bear this out. Sometimes I feel alone, even abandoned. Sometimes it seems like a prayer I prayed in good faith, a reasonable prayer, an urgent prayer, goes unnoticed, unanswered. What then? Where is this mighty, loving God? If He were really there, if He really cared, He would... (fill in the blank). And we draw conclusions based on limited evidence. We see one square inch of a marvelous tapestry that covers a castle wall. We are so limited. But God isn't offended by honest questions. Search! Ask! Some things we will get answers to now, some answers are way beyond us, like an unknown force of physics which we know by its effects, not its essence. One day we will know. But I want to say, that even if there were no heaven, no "sweet by and by", no throngs of worship before the throne of God, no forever, it's been worth it, just having the Lord in this life. He has been my song in the night.

People will fail me. I will fail me. I regret my pride and small mindedness, which have been offensive to many. God's people will disappoint. ( I can relate to a good friend of mine who says, "I love God, I just can't stand His people.") Here is another dichotomy relating to me and others - how can God love such imperfection? Go figure. Another mystery. Yet, I know He does, and it gives me meaning and purpose as I draw closer to Him.

I am so looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion. We are going to have a blast!  The reunion WAS a blast.  I will be forever grateful to those who put in so, so, so much time to make it happen... you know who you are... and happen so successfully!  Every time I talk to people about reunions, they can't imagine so many people showing up as what happened at ours.  It was wonderful reconnecting with so many, and I enjoyed many in-depth conversations with people I haven't seen in decades.  I only regret not having more time together AND that I won't be able to participate in some of the follow up plans for more good times together in the future in smaller groups that were talked about, like a weekend bike trip, etc.

I would love to hear from any classmates at njb@swissmail.org   You may also want to check out the website for "Operation Mercy" at www.mercy.se or www.mercy.se/index.php

BLESSINGS!

JONI