An early start

The black and white photo was taken in 1944. It’s of my mother, Elsie, on her first visit to Kansas. She and my father met while in college in California. Dad decided to bring her home to meet his family and propose marriage. It’s one of our treasured family memories. It’s likely that some of your fondest memories involve one or both of your parents. One favorite childhood memory involves the morning routine in our home. Each morning, I could find my mother in her office. On her lap and desk were her Bible, a hymnal, some ink pens, and stationery — the type we called “airmail” in those days. Mom’s daily routine started very early, alone in her office. There she would have her devotions, sometimes for more than an hour, before moving on to corresponding with dozens of missionaries from around the world. Above her desk was a modest map of the world on a bulletin board. Pinned to the map were various photos and cards from missionaries. It wasn’t until my mother passed away in March 2009 that we realized how vast her correspondence work had been. For over 64 years she had prayed for, written to, and whenever possible hosted missionaries. Technology helped expand her advocacy work. Email replaced “airmail” and cell phones made staying in contact with those on the frontlines of ministry faster and easier. As word of my mother’s death spread we were not prepared for the number of people experiencing the loss. Each person shared the same sentiment at the realization of my mother’s death, “What will we do without her?” It took months for the “news” to finally not be new anymore. Now, 11 years later, our family remains motivated by Elsie’s example. What she and my father started in 1945 after graduating from BIOLA continued on another two decades after his tragic death. Because of their faithfulness, we have followed in their footsteps for the past 34 years. Now, we are moving from doing a “grassroots” advocacy ministry to a more official capacity. ZEELO is in part a way of honoring our parents’ example. More importantly, ZEELO provides another effective resource to expand what they and so many others started in order to fulfill the Great Commission. We’re stepping in to help with the good work happening all around the world.