From Jim and Rose

Forty plus years ago after we were having marriage problems, to Rose being from the Assembly of God church, not sure about losing her salvation, Jim from the Christian reformed church not sure if he was a Christian, just recently made a decision.

Someone said go to the Baptist Church up on the hill in Bellingham. So on a Wednesday we drove by went in. Pastor Baker was up on the scaffold doing repairs, came down, spent time with us. He said, "We have prayer and Bible study this evening, why don't you come. So we did. All of us, except Ron who wasn't born yet.

So Pastor Baker spent many hours with us, showing us verses that gave Rose assurance she couldn't lose your salvation, verses on tongues, for me all the verses that were on assurance that I was saved and many other areas. Our children loved going to church, they had sound biblical teaching. We got involved quite soon. Weekly visitation-me and Al Moyer, choir, Rose sang, Al and I sang. We taught children's church, vacation Bible school, served as deacon, bus ministry, cleaned the bus and mission conferences. The missionaries would stay with us. That's when Rose and I felt we would go visit a mission field some day. And when I retired, we were missionaries in Mexico for 20+ years. Besides being involved in the church we became good friends with Pastor Baker, Virginia and family. We could go on and on we were led to Grace, no doubt about that. The Lord knew where we needed to be.

The large heat register in the church was a temptation for our children, who were tempted to put candy etc. down it, which was a no-no. Pastor Baker would tell them don't put anything down it.

One night him and I went to the Dibble's house and Mr. Dibble received Christ as his Savior. A few years ago Don, their son wrote something on Facebook, how Jim also led him to Christ in his Sunday school class.

I ended up in the hospital with the Hong Kong flu. I don't remember all the details but a Christian man who knew my mother was in the room with me. When he died he gave money to my mother which was used to help fund a new church. If I remember right he gave a lot and the house on the side southside of Bellingham. Moirs year lived in the house. We were going to build a new church there, because there was land by the house. The deacons and pastors decided to sell the property, and build where the church is now. They also sold the old church on High and Maple.

So I could go on a lot more, Margie met Jerry Struiksma now her husband. So we thank God for how he led us to Grace Baptist and for Pastor Baker, being the pastor. God knew he needed to teach Rose and I and our children. Who knows where we would be spiritually today if we hadn't been at Grace. We are getting older, one year from 80. Praise God from whom all blessings flow thank you.

Jim and Rose