BEN AND PHYLLIS

Twenty years ago, Allen was in medical school. Lindsay was just a toddler and I was working part time at Bethel. Allen and I were always interested in raising our family in a small town, so when the opportunity came for Allen to study with rural physicians in Marshall, Minnesota, we jumped at the chance. We moved to Marshall for 9 months during Allen's 3rd year of medical school. It was a great program and Allen learned a lot! The biggest challenge was to find housing as we prepared to move back to the Twin Cities for Allen's final year of medical school. We were on a waiting list for married student housing, but we could see that our names were not going to reach the top of the list by the time we needed a place to live.

One weekend, we came back to the Twin Cities for a visit. We visited our home church in Roseville and were reconnecting with some of our friends there. Ben and Phyllis were a wonderful couple who seemed to take a special interest in our lives. When they heard that we were in need of temporary housing, they immediately offered to share their home with us until the student housing was available. They didn't have to think about it for even an instant! Their generosity was overwhelming but after some thought, we decided that it would be the best option for us. Our plan was to live with them for 4-6 weeks and then move into student housing. Well, it took 4 months before our name was called to move into university housing!

We learned so much about generosity and grace during our time with Ben and Phyllis. Our "home" was downstairs where there was a pull-out couch, a sitting area and a small kitchen. It was just what we needed and we were so appreciative! We would often go upstairs to share a meal with them or just talk at night. They took us under their wing and treated Lindsay like she was a princess. They never made us feel like we were a bother. I've never seen anyone work so hard at sharing their time, resources and encouragement with those in need. I was amazed at their gift of hospitality. They both had demanding jobs and would be up early on Saturday and Sunday morning preparing a meal for a group of people they had invited. It was fun to live with them and was bittersweet when it came time for us to move.

I remember trying to think of a gift that we could give them for the gracious hospitality they had shown us. Two problems - we had NO money and they really didn't need anything. The best thing I could come up with was to make them a cross-stitched Christmas ornament. It seems sort of stupid now, but it was really the best I could do at the time. As Allen and I talked about this more, we came up with another thought. When someone gives to you sacrificially, maybe the best way to repay them is for you to demonstrate that generosity to yet another person. We vowed that we would someday do something special to help someone else in need.

I can't say that we have decided to adopt because of these friends. However, nothing would make us happier to think that our adoption is in some way a tribute to the generosity and compassion that Ben and Phyllis have shown to so many people, including us.

By the way, we are still in contact with Ben and Phyllis. They are very involved and supportive of the Children's Shelter of Cebu and of course, are very excited about our news. Although we don't see them often, I know that they are consistently praying for each person in our family. They continue to work hard at sharing the things God has blessed them with those in need. We have been so blessed to know them!