Cascade Christian Chronicle June 2009

Telling the story of Cascade Christian Schools where we’re dedicated to developing discerning leaders...

2008-2009

Don JohnsonSuperintendent of Schools

Tim Kleefeld, CPADirector of Business and Finance

Gail MehrerDirector of Early Education

Shawn ManleyDirector of Development

Naomi WarrenDirector of Marketing and Admissions

Glenna Frederick, Ed.DDirector of Curricular

and Professional Development

Don SimpsonDirector of Leadership Development

Paige WescottInternational Program Director

HIGH SCHOOL

Frank Washburn, Principal

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Terry Broberg, Principal

FREDERICKSON ELEMENTARY

Mary Severeid, Principal

PUYALLUP ELEMENTARY

Joyce Blum, Principal

TACOMA ELEMENTARY

Bonita Cheshier, Principal

FREDERICKSON ECCJennifer Mahlum, Director

PUYALLUP ECCRuth Williams, Director

TACOMA ECCKaren Curtiss, Director

The Chronicle is a publication of Cascade Christian Schools, an interdenominational school district in Pierce County, Washington.

For more information aboutCascade Christian Schools, go towww.cascadechristian.org, or call the District Offi ce at 253-841-1776

For Development/Business Partner information ask for Shawn Manley; for Admissions/Marketing information ask for Naomi Warren; ask for Susan Pierce if you have story ideas for the Chronicle.

Cascade ChronicleThe

On the Cover: CCHS Principal Frank Washburn looks on as Assistant Principal of Academics Suzanne Keil congratulates graduating senior, Desiree Horsley.Commencement photos (cover and pages 3-4) by Jeff Hobson

Inside Connections...

SeussicalTacoma Elementary production unites students, staff, and families page 7

Swing Into Spring: CCS fl oat wins award for second time in three yearspage 8

Commencement ‘09Sixty-four graduates celebrate successand their futurespages 3-4

Cascade Christian Schools Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to StudentsCascade Christian Schools admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Our Core Purpose:Transforming cultures

through teaching and trainingpeople in their purpose

before God.

Our Mission:To glorify God by providing quality,

Christ-centered educationdedicated to developing

discerning leaders who arespiritually, personally, andacademically prepared to

impact their world.

Where we are:www.cascadechristian.org

District Offi ce815 21st Street SEPuyallup, WA 98372

253-841-1776• • •

Junior High and High School811 21st Street SEPuyallup, WA 98372

253-445-9706• • •

Puyallup Elementary601 9th Avenue SEPuyallup, WA 98372

253-841-2091• • •

Puyallup Early Childhood Center1818 S Meridian

Puyallup, WA 98371253-848-7165

• • •Frederickson Elementary and ECC

3425 176th Street ETacoma, WA 98445

253-537-9339 Elementary253-537-5195 ECC

• • •Tacoma Elementary and ECC

1819 E 72nd StreetTacoma, WA 98404

253-473-0590

Superintendent’s Message will return in the Fall

Thank you for a wonderful yearof being the difference.

News & Notes:

Cascade Christian Schools Receives High Commendations, Re-accreditation from ACSI On Monday, May 4, Cascade Christian Schools hosted the ACSI Accreditation Team. The team found that CCS had met all of the ACSI Accreditation Standards, and had made signifi cant progress on school improvement goals, most signifi cantly the Leadership Development Program, and re-accredited Cascade Christian Schools for the next six years.

CCHS Athletic Teams Earn 5th Place Finish in the 2009 WIAA 1A Scholastic Cup The Wells Fargo Scholastic Cup recognizes performance in the classroom as well as on the playing surface. Top fi nishes in athletics, academics, and sportsmanship earn points towards cup totals. See the WIAA web site for more information.

Cascade Christian and New Media Solutions Team Up to Create Award-winning Videos The four-video series entitled “Who We Are, What We Believe,” by creator Tom Layson, developed for and with Cascade Christian Schools, won an bronze Telly Award for 2009. The Telly’s honor both online and cable productions around the world. The four videos each highlight a different age-related segment of Cascade Christian Schools: Early Childhood Centers, Elementary, Junior High, and High School. All four videos can be seen on YouTube and on the Cascade Christian web site.

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CCHS Commencement 2009

3 TheCascadeChronicle

Class of 2009

Fast Facts about the Graduates64 Graduates

579 Combined years in Christian schools (not including preschool)

9 Average years in Christian schools per student

3 Students with a 4.0 GPA or above (Highest Honors)

16 Students with a 3.66-3.99 GPA (High Honors)

25 Students with a 3.0-3.65 GPA (Honors)

3.619 Total Class Grade Point Average

29 Students offered potential scholarships and grants totaling approximately $1,737,945.00 over the next four years. (This is money that does not have to be repaid.)

CCHS Commencement 2009

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Wisdom from the Class of 2020The Chronicle recently asked CCS Frederickson, Puyallup and Tacoma Elementary fi rst graders, “What advice do you have for the class of 2009?”

“Be sure to follow the Bible’s instructions.” ~ Bethany

“Serve the Lord with all your heart.” ~ Malachi

“Remember to attend church.” ~ Tyler

“Try your best to make Godly choices.” ~ Seth

“Keep working hard at math and spellingand celebrate at Pizza Time.” ~ Alexya

“Eat healthy.” ~ Dylan

“Don’t interrupt people.” ~ Emma

“Help your friends when they fall down.” ~ Gavin

“Do to others as you would want them to treat you.” ~ Talon

“Make sure you don’t do anything bador you might get suspended… or arrested.” ~ Jaycee

“Get a job working mornings so you can get it over with.” ~ Kyla

“Get a job with high prices and is easy, and work only afternoons.” ~ Jackson

“Be a missionary and tell people about God.” ~ Skylar

“Give money to people in Africa.” ~ Matthew

“Always take God with you wherever you go.” ~ Sophia

“Go be the President of school.” ~ Caleb

“Don’t stop doing homework.” ~ Ashlie

“Worship Jesus his whole life and have a wonderful life.” ~ Hannah

“Go on vacation when the butterfl ies are out.” ~ Gavin

“Go to college in Hawaii.” ~ Megan

“Read!” ~ Mateo

“Keep God in your life.” ~ Shai-Ann

“Have good friends and show respect.” ~ Kaitlyn

“Don’t steal stuff and eat more vegetables.” ~ Amy

“Follow good teachers.” ~ Isabelle


CCHS Athletes Advance:Successes in academics and athletics provide CCHS students additional opportunities

Right: Allison Short, Meredith Gallion, and Brittany Splinter celebrate their new rivalry as college cheer team members.

Below: The Lidyard family in their Cougar Baseball wear. L to R: CCHS Coach and alumni (Class of ‘04) DJ; CCJH player Danny Lidyard; Mom Lori Lidyard; Coach Brian Lidyard, and David Lidyard.

Cheer: Three Cougar team members make college squads

Meredith Gallion will be attending the University of Washington this fall, and will be part of the co-ed cheer team of 10 guys and 8 girls. Meredith is the only freshman on the team, and only

non-returning team member.

Her commitment has already begun. Spring practice started May 18 through June 5, and practice will resume again at the end of July. She will appear in the Seafair Torchlight Parade on July 25.

Meredith was the fi rst student at our school to be selected both for the FCC National Scholar Cheerleader Award and for a Washington State Cheer Coaches Association Scholarship ($1000)

Brittany Splinter is attending Western Washington University, plans to major in Biology with an emphasis in Marine. Thirty-two girls tried out for the 19 positions on the team, which will cheer for basketball and volleyball home games.

Brittany will take part in four practices this summer, and two weeks of camp in August, two practices a week during the school year.

“I love cheer,” Brittany said, “but it was a spur of the moment decision to try out. I fi gured if I made it, awesome, if not, it was okay. It’s a really big opportunity for ministry. I may be one of the only Christians on the squad. I am excited, because I want to be a light on the team.”

Allison Short will be attending Central Washington University and majoring in nursing. Her squad is a co-ed team of 12 girls and 5 guys, selected from over 30 who tried out.

Baseball: Recognition at home and a trip overseas

New alumni David Lidyard will represent CCHS, Pierce County, and the State of Washington in Japan this summer as he joins 13 other baseball players, chosen by area coaches, traveling to

the city of Kitakyushu, Japan. Representing the Sister City Japanese Baseball Exchange Program of Tacoma, they will be living with a Host family, participating in many community events, and playing

three or more baseball games against the top 40 players in their area.

“I am thankful for this opportunity to pursue an experience of a different culture and baseball,” Lidyard says. “I am blessed to be asked, and to be able to go.”

David also recently signed his letter of intent to attend and play baseball for Tacoma Community College, where he accepted a scholarship of $5,000 per year for the next two years.

Recently named to the Nisqually League 1A fi rst team as a pitcher, (along with teammate Spencer Ofelt, at shortstop), David is also ranked #33 on Baseball Northwest’s Top Players list, and was included ESPN Rise Magazine’s Greater Seattle top players.C


Faculty News

Science Across the Ocean:China trip continues to build relationship with Jiading #2 High School in Shanghai, ChinaWritten by Cathy Miller, CCHS science faculty

From April 4th through the 17th, I had the opportunity to be an Ambassador for Christ, as well as Cascade Christian Schools, in the great country of China. I participated in the USA-

China Education Council -- a tour group of educators from all parts of the United States. We did a whirlwind tour from Beijing to Xi’an to Shanghai, visiting all the typical tourist highlights as well as unique factories including cloisonné, pearl, jade, and silk. We also visited an elementary school, two middle schools and four high schools. One of the high schools where I had the privilege of spending a week was our own sister school, Jiading Number 2 in Shanghai. It was a marvelous opportunity to appreciate the rich cultural traditions and to build bridges.

The mark that hit deepest in my heart was the hand of our God in the lives of the Chinese people. There were two locations that I was able to witness ways in which God is able to work in a country. While visiting a city outside of Shanghai, called Nanjing, I toured the Memorial for the 1937 massacre. I learned that in the midst of the tragedy were lights with the word missionary on their label. People such as Minnie Vautrin and Rev. John Magee played key roles in serving the people who were being treated atrociously with God’s love and compassion. The Memorial honored these individuals and others in a special section of the museum, and I remember pondering the amazing call on the life of a missionary.

The other location of deep personal impact was in Shanghai where a single Chinese Diplomat, Ho Feng-Shan, played a role during World War II that has given him the title of the Chinese “Schindler”. Thousands of Jewish refugees were given Visas to Shanghai at a time of great international economic crises and Hitler’s mad actions. This man risked his position to sign entrance Visas for these people in spite of direct orders from his leadership against it. At the time I visited, a family from Tel Aviv was also walking through the old Ohel Moishe temple with a tour guide. I watched the power of love and sacrifi ce melt the hearts of the family as they wept over what was and what is.

I rejoice that what is to come will one day bring a great harvest to that ancient land where much seed has been planted. I count it a joy to have been one to visit and plant some seeds of faith into the soil.

I am so thankful to all who allowed me to make this trip: Don Johnson and Frank Washburn, as well as Mr. Benjamin Lee and the Ferrie Family. It is a joy to work with such generous and supportive people!

Top: Mrs. Miller and her host Alex observe class at Jiading No. 2 High School.Above: A tour of the science lab at Jiading town brings greater understanding to the similarities and differences between American and Chinese education.Left: Mrs. Miller gets a calligraphy lesson in Jiading Town.

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A Show of ExcellenceTacoma Elementary students, staff and parents join together to put on Seussical Jr.

For the last fi ve years, the CCS Tacoma campus has done something special for their Spring program. It’s a full musical production, with costumes, music and lighting, and a cast of

around 100 students, grades K-6, singing and dancing their way through two evenings of quality entertainment.

It started in 2006, with the production of Annie. It was such a success, they decided to continue the new tradition with Jungle Book in 2006, 101 Dalmatians in 2007, Alice in Wonderland in 2008, and this year’s production of Seussical Jr.

The program is an exercise in all that’s important at CCS. Director Denise Sievers shared, “A biblical worldview is not immediately evident in our choice of script. However, we learned to put God into our performance, not necessarily in speaking His name, but in how we refl ect Him in the process.”

“We work hard and strive for excellence,” she adds, “in our movements, our attitude, and our relationships with others. The 3 R’s were shown by each student by the time we were at our performance. They were encouraging each other to be their best.”

In getting ready for the show, 6th grade leaders helped with creating and painting props, the Intermediate students (grades 4-6) helped teach the Primary students (grades K-3) different dance steps, and there was lots of parent help, from props to costumes to snacks, make-up, set-up and clean-up, and ushers and greeters. Sievers said, “We had new parents stepping in this year also, which was a blessing.”

Preparation for the production began with the introduction of the musical in January, followed by auditions in February, where students get 10 minutes to try out in front of four or fi ve “outside” judges for the part they want. Rehearsals are during school twice a week during music class, with the addition of

lunch recess and after school rehearsals two to three times a week for specifi c scenes.

“They came away with a great sense of accomplishment,” Sievers says. “They saw that when you work hard, even though you are tired, great things come from it. I saw students who were shy and afraid be creative and outgoing. It has helped them build confi dence and give anything a try and just do your best!”

Sievers adds, “Both parents and students that said they will never forget all that they had learned.”

Left: Scenes from Seussical, Jr., as performed by CCS Tacoma Elementary on May 21-22 at Puyallup Church of the Nazarene.

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Daffodil Festival 2009

“Swing Into Spring”:CCS “Swings Into Spring” with an award-winning Daffodil fl oat and a day of fun for all ages

The 2009 Daffodil Festival fl oat, titled “Heading Home,” was rich with the warm community feeling of the all-American pastime of baseball and a picnic on a sunny afternoon at a favorite

neighborhood park. Adding to the community spirit were the United States fl ags and patriotic colors referencing the welcoming of soldiers as they return home to their families. Cascade Christian’s bibli-cal worldview was also in evidence in a variety of ways, reminding us all of the God who loves us, and of our Heavenly home.

For the second time in three years, the hard work of the fl oat building team was rewarded with a trophy. This year, the team was presented with the Daffodilian Trophy, for the “Most effective use of Daffodils,” on a fl oat. Also new this year, elementary students entered a drawing for the privilege of riding the fl oat in any of the four cities it passed through: Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting. The CCHS marching band and cheer team also participated in the parade in Puyallup and Sumner.

Princess Meredith Gallion represented CCHS as Daffodil Princess, and faculty member Matt Bracher joined the other area faculty, representing CCHS as Meredith’s choice for “Educator of the Year.” Cougar Football also represented CCHS, as winners of the Daffodil Cup.

Top right: CCHS Daffodil Princess Meredith Gallion stops for a visit at the fl oat before the parade.Right: The Cougar football team was awarded the 2009 Daffodil Cup for their outstanding season and academic achievements.Bottom right: Float driver, David Coe, and fl oat riders wait for the parade to start.Below: Twenty-three different CCS students took part in the parade as fl oat riders, wearing the CCS baseball jerseys to help celebrate the “Swing into Spring” theme.

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Early Childhood Centers

Meeting the Needs of Parents:CCS Early Childhood Centers strive to serve families with needed care

New for 2009-2010: Care for half-day public school Kindergarteners

Due to the rise in half-day only kindergarten programs in the public school system, Puyallup ECC and Frederickson Elementary campuses are offering half-day care for

public school Kindergarten students during the 2009-2010 school year.

Frederickson Elementary

More than just child care, Kindergarten Enrichment includes time for bible, science, math, pre-reading activities (including phonics), and a rotation of PE, music and library.

On the Clover Creek Elementary bus run, the Frederickson campus will serve half-day p.m. kindergarten students from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and the a.m. kindergarten students can

attend CCS from 11:40 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both programs also provide time for lunch. If care is needed before 8:30 or after 3, students can transition in or out of the Extended Day Enrichment program.

Puyallup Early Childhood Center

Conveniently located on Meridian, just up the hill from the Puyallup Fairgrounds, on the Wildwood Elementary bus run, this center is able to serve many of Puyallup School District’s half-day Kindergarten students. Planned activities and teaching opportunities enrich the students’ learning process occuring during the portion of their day they are not at school.

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Infant Openings Available in Puyallup

Puyallup Early Childhood Center provides care for ages six weeks to fi ve years. Infant rooms are separated into ages six weeks to six months, six

to nine months, and nine to 12 months in order to better meet the needs of each child. Infant room teacher-to-baby ratio is 1:4, and the rooms are staffed by qualifi ed, trained, and loving caregivers, ensuring proper safety and care of each baby.

Do you know someone who needsfull-time care for their infant or toddler, or is

considering an education with a biblical worldviewand leadership development for their K-12 student?

Refer them to Cascade Christian Schools,and you can receive $200 tuition credit.

Go to www.cascadechristian.organd click on Admissions/

New Student Referral Programfor more details.

toofstan

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This October CCS celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the

Phone-a-thon. This annual event raises funds for tuition assistance and campus enhancements. Since 1999, countless volunteers have helped raise thousands of dollars to support Cascade Christian Schools families. Two volunteers, Ronda Gregory and Kim Hunter, have dedicated themselves to this event every year since its inception.

Ronda, who is a CCS parent and an employee at the Frederickson campus, has raised over $70,000. Kim, who works in marketing in the real estate industry and is also a CCS parent, has brought over $50,000 in for the Cascade Fund. Their passion for this event has caused them to consistently go above and beyond, even working around wedding anniversaries and illness to stay the course.

The 2009-2010 school year Phone-a-thon is scheduled for October 11-13 and 18-19. There are many opportunities to join the Cascade family for this event, which is a wonderful way to be a part of changing the lives of our students and families. For more information and volunteer sign-ups, contact Angie Ruiz at the District Offi ce at (253) 841-1776, or via email at [email protected].

Phone-a-thon Volunteers Dedicated to CCS:The Phone-a-thon will celebrate 10th Anniversary this year with two top callers

Kim Hunter

Ronda Gregory

Development Department News

Hike for Kids Participants Race for CCS:The Seventh Annual Hike for Kids is a day of family fun and fundraising

The Hike for Kids was an exciting day at the Spring Fair for many Cascade Christian families this year. After checking in, the participants had to use the provided clues

and locate several pit stops, having their “Passport” stamped at each stop.

This year’s Hike raised $16,500 for tuition assistance and campus enhancements. “The Western Washington Fairgrounds provided a great venue for this event,” said event coordinator Angie Ruiz, “and the volunteers, participants and donors made it a success.”

Contributing to the event’s success this year, CCS Tacoma Elementary sixth grader, Alexa Ingraham, raised $1,506.42, and was the event’s top fundraiser. Following close behind were Ryan and Zachary Hersey, CCS Frederickson Elementary students, who each raised $1,500. Quinton Nelson, also from the Frederickson campus, raised $1015. All four students won a gift card and a limo ride and lunch with their principal for their efforts. In addition, Cody Doubek, Taylor Hemenway, Stewart LeMay, Amy Munson, Morgan Tveter, and Alexandria Woolery, who each raised over $500, also participated in the limo ride and lunch.

Above right: CCS Frederickson Elementary and ECC families, along with Principal Mary Severeid and ECC Director Jennifer Mahlum, enjoyed a great day at the Hike.

Right: The Saum family checks in at one of the pit stops.


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After graduating from Cascade Christian High School in 2003, and spending two years majoring in mechanical engineering at a junior college, I moved to California

and enrolled at California State University, Chico as a business major. I graduated last December with a degree in Business Administration, with a double option in fi nancial services and fi nancial management. These last fi ve and a half years have been an adventure through two schools, two states, two majors and many, many all-nighters. I learned a lot throughout college, both inside and outside the classroom. My mind, my values, my faith, and my character have all been tested while in the university setting, and growth has been the inevitable outcome. My mark on academia may be small, but the infl uence of such an anomalous setting has taught me a valuable lesson: Never compromise your values, they make you who you are.

So, I am back from South America (see next page), and two weeks deep into my fi rst career, and I can’t express in words the life-changing experiences of Peru and the complete blessings of a great job…but I’ll try.

After graduation, I was invited to be part of a 12 person mission team travelling to the Amazon Jungle in Peru. The organization is called JungleMaster, and the mission is known as “The Amazon Water Project”. The purpose was to bring clean water to villages along the Amazon River. We were there for two weeks, and it was an amazing experience that has changed my life! I have been invited to be an offi cial member of JungleMaster and help support their efforts in dealing with the US embassy in Lima for purposes of acquiring Visas for a gentleman named Lucho and some of the other Peruvians to come visit America.

The next step: Walking into my fi nal semester last August, I will admit that I was slightly worried about graduating with a fi nance degree in today’s economy. However, God is good and his plans are larger than any of my fears. I received an offer

last September as the International Market/Sales Manager for Rescue 42, Inc. in Chico, CA. This company is a relatively small company poised for exponential growth in the Fire and Rescue industry. We manufacture rescue tools for the stabilization of vehicles in the event of extrication (removing people from wrecked cars). We are a symbiotic product to hydraulic tools such as “The Jaws of Life” and the fi rst responder industry. I will be responsible for international sales and market development and I am becoming a specialist in exportation and auto extrication. Although the largest portion of my job will be the research of international markets and developing market strategies to implement, I will get to travel the world and be exposed to many different cultures and experiences.

Other than work and school, these past few years I have spent many hours training in mixed martial arts. While in college I trained at The Bushido Center and fought for Ken Shamrock in Ken Shamrock Productions and participated in kick boxing and Brazilian Jiujitsu tournaments. I now train and compete strictly in Brazilian Jiujitsu and love the structure and competitiveness of the sport.


Alumni Point of View

Life After CCS: Jeremy Sankwich, Class of 2003

Above: “I overcame my fears,” says Jeremy, referring to his previous attempt to hold a snake which had attempted to wrap around his hand.

Right: Jeremy and some of the children of the village of Santa Rita.

“God’s plans are bigger than ours and we should not let our expectations come before His glory.”

The following letter was written by Jeremy shortly after returning home from Peru:Dear Family and Friends,

I don’t think I can express in words the life-changing experiences of Peru and the complete blessings of a great job…but I’ll try. I think that our trip can be summed up with one statement: “God’s plans are bigger than ours and we should not let our expectations come before His glory.” Let me explain.

Getting to Peru for me proved to be the biggest challenge of the whole trip! I got incredibly ill on the fl ight from San Francisco to Miami; it was a terrible stomach pain that made for the most discomfort and agony I have ever had to endure. At one point I spent half an hour in the lavatory freezing and shaking from the pain, and afraid to go back to my seat!

During the layover in Miami, I laid in the corner on the ground in pretty bad shape. Two of the ladies, Jan and Karen, were praying for me and discussing between each other whether they should call the ambulance and have me taken to the hospital. I was faced with a terrible decision at this point…to make the “easy” decision and go for the security of a hospital bed in America, or to lock myself in another metal box for fi ve and a half more hours…one that is landing in a third world country. I decided that the Lord’s work in the jungle was more important than my discomfort on an airplane, so I boarded the plane in blind faith, and my life was about to change forever!

I cannot claim to know what God’s voice sounds like, or that he has ever talked to me before, but this day was different in many ways. On the airplane, in the midst of an hour-long delay due to hydraulic complications, I felt a sense of peace come over me and the voice of…God, I am assuming... say, “if you stay on this plane until it takes off, I will heal you.” I didn’t think it was my imagination, and that was all the hope I had to hold onto because I was dehydrated, running a high fever, and the pain threshold was a nine out of ten. Two hours into the fl ight, I ended up in the back of the plane laying over three empty seats and silently crying out for the Lord’s healing! It was in that moment when that peaceful sensation returned and this time I heard, “My people are praying for you, you’re not alone.” I drifted off to sleep again. I was only asleep for an hour, and when I sat up I was just waiting to feel the pain again, but the crazy thing is…it was not there! I twisted and stretched, I even socked myself in the gut just to be sure! Whatever the pain was, it was no more! I thought to myself, this isn’t real…people aren’t just healed anymore are they? Especially not me!

After landing in Lima and meeting up with Tom and Lucho, we made our way to a hostel, where we grouped up for a quick briefi ng on the next few days, then prayed before calling it a night. Tom asked me to tell him about the plane and my adventure, so I told him. Tom looked at me and smiled. He told me

that his wife Jan called from Miami and told him I may not make it to Peru and was very ill. Tom had emailed his church in Washington, then called the mission center in the jungle. Tom said that Pastor Javier called during our fl ight and told him that all the people in the jungle were praying for my healing and safe arrival in Peru. That was day one.

The plan was to ship a large drill down a week early and bring it to the JungleMaster mission center in Santa Rita. We found out really fast that God had a different plan for us. Anything that could have gone wrong…pretty much did; my illness on the airplane, almost missing our ferry ride down river, getting stranded in the jungle, fl ight reservation cancellations, and everything in between. Santa Rita was the location of the mission center, and it was a 24-hour ferry ride up the Amazon from Iquitos. Once there we were given the news that the drill was not going to be released from customs in time, and therefore we would not be able to dig the well. We spent much time with the children and serving around the church.



Learning to Hear: God’s plans prove His faithfulness overseas

Top: Jeremy and fellow CCHS alum, his sister, Jennifer (Sankwich) Caton, Class of 2002.

Above: Jeremy at Machu Pichu during his trip to Peru.

continued on page 7

We purchased 30 live chickens and many pounds of rice and eggs and cooked two different meals for the entire village.

The second village we went to was San Jose, two hours up river and more rural than Santa Rita, where we were to dig the well had the drill made it to there in time. When we arrived we discovered that sometime within the past year a different mission, most likely YWAM, had come up river and installed a well already. This was part of God’s plan for our team though. Instead of spending our time, money, and resources digging a well there, we were able to pour the life-giving water of Jesus into their lives and the well can be dug for a different village down river that does not have any source for sanitary water. While there we were fed turtle soup made from a 100 year old turtle that was alive and well when we arrived. It was an honor for us and a delicacy for them. As a gift the family that owned the turtles gave me the shell and breast plate of the turtle that we ate!

The day we were to leave San Jose to return to Iquitos for our fl ight, the ferry never came and we were stranded there. Another ferry was to leave very early the next morning from Santa Rita. We were forced to take our canoe with a small outboard motor up river in the dark with our only source of light being a small head lamp to spot logs and trees cruising down river. We made it to Santa Rita that night safely and got some sleep. The ‘ferry’ was a junky cargo boat, and we spent 10 hours sitting on top of corn and rice in the hull of this boat.

After coming out of the jungle, we got to spend time in Iquitos, Lima and the mountain regions of Cusco. From there we took a train to Machu Pichu where we got to hike around the Incan ruins and take many pictures. This was the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life. The views just took your breath away! I just marveled at God’s creation.

We all returned home safely, with our lives incredibly touched and changed. Being in the jungle with those people I saw the love of Jesus transcend cultural and language differences. Without knowing the language, we expressed Christ’s character through service and loving the people. While in Santa Rita we never saw a single toy, they had no cars and no material possessions to make life easy for them, but what we did see was an incredible passion for Christ and a desire to show His love to other villages deeper in the jungle.

Blessings,Jeremy


Learning to Hear: continued


Class of 1998Jessica (Berry) Rogers gave birth to Roghan Scot Rogers on February 7, 2009.

Class of 1999Lindsay (Flowers) Vernor has been married for nine years in July. She and her husband Michael have a daughter, Allyah, who is 6, and a son, Asher, who just turned 1 in March. They live in Nampa, Idaho.

Class of 2000Rachel (Taft) Berry is married to Daniel Berry. They have three daughters and live in Puyallup.

Class of 2000 and 2003Andy Mueller (‘03), and Jen Kling (2000), were married May 29, 2009. Jen graduated from Azusa Pacifi c University in 2004.

Class of 2001Shaun and Jen (Hansen) Daniels are living in Los Angeles, California. Shaun is working with the LAPD (and really likes it), and Jen is in real estate. They are about two years away from coming back home to Washington, and “cannot wait.”

Ryan and Selena (Ramento) Frederick have been married for six years. Selena was recently accepted into the University of St Andrews in Scotland, to start in September 2009.

Ashley (Sedlak) Bell is married to Bryan Bell. They have one son, Ryder Warren Bell.

Class of 2002Mike Duran married Johanna, “a beautiful woman from Germany”, on December 27, 2008. They currently live in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and are working with Youth With A Mission.

Jacob Washburn married Julie Bodine in March.

Class of 2003Maximus Alexander Reed was born May 30, 2009, to Brandon and Tamarin (Boyd) Reed. He weighed in at 7 pounds 15.4 ounces and measured 20 inches long.

Jeremy DeFrees married Mindi on March 4, 2006. Their son Dawson was born October 4, 2008. They are Worship Pastors of Center Point Church in Boise, Idaho.

Dan Deyo married Emily Hansen on February 20, 2009. Dan works for Federal Express.

Alumni Update: Where are they now?

William “Henry” McMahon married Amanda on June 25, 2007

Amie (Reisdorph) Ziehm was married last year to Andrew Ziehm (a New Yorker). Amy and Andrew met at Oral Roberts University and just bought a house in Oklahoma. Amy just started looking at the CCS web page, and it made her realize how much she misses all her HS friends and the school!

JD Weitzel graduated from Washington State University in 2008. He married Katherine Buri January 2, 2009.

Class of 2004Brian Dahl and Sarah Hagen will be married on July 21, 2009.

Class of 2005Rachael Baltazar is currently serving with YWAM.

Whitney Edgecombe will be marrying Daniel Lecocq on August 2, 2009.

Colin Lowery graduated from Eastern Washington University in June.

Christian McClung and Megan Washburn, were married on July 10, 2009.

Ricky Snyder recently graduated from Northwest University and married Martha Tracey on May 23, 2009.

Amanda (Wolff) Lynch married Jordan Lynch on December 12, 2008.

Class of 2005 and 2006Nick Pederson, (‘05), and Kailee Roe, (‘06), will be married on August 16, 2009.

Doug Rickabaugh, (‘05), and Kelsey Sutherland, (‘06) will be married on July 25, 2009.

Class of 2006Kristi Lackey married Steve Meyers on July 11, 2009.

Class of 2006 and 2007Anna Lee Howell was born March 31, 2009 to Justin (‘06) and Codi (Field-’07) Howell. She was 19.5 inches long and 7 pounds 11.6 ounces.

Class of 2007Kathryn (Katie McMahon) Haller and her husband welcomed a 7 pound 5 ounce, 20.5 inch baby boy, Logan James Haller, on June 3, 2009.

IMPACT...Be the diff erence

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I Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Cascade Christian Chronicle June 2009

Documents

Transcript of Cascade Christian Chronicle June 2009