We just received word that Solomon Rout has passed away. Solomon was a teacher, pastor, and church planter in Orissa Province, India. Orissa is a radical Hindu state where there is much persecution of Christianity. He had established Happy Valley Children’s Home, an orphanage that reached beyond Christian children to Hindu children, as well. Solomon was a great leader and worked in partnership with P. J. Titus and Christ for India to the east in India.
Solomon attended our mission conferences from the very start. I remember the first year he attended. We gave him a table for display in the old building on Washington Street. He came with a huge hand-painted canvas banner that required us to move him to a back classroom because it took up the entire wall and draped onto the floor. He once brought his wife, Jumelia, with him. He was always encouraging and had many projects that we helped him to accomplish.
His wife passed several years ago and he has since turned the oversight of the ministry over to his nephew, Sam Naik. What will you remember about Solomon Rout?
Tags: Remembering
Donna Bock passed away Sunday morning. She was mother to Tonoa McLain and Sharmon Hartman. Although she had been a resident at Betz’s nursing home for many months, she attended church with her daughters prior to that.
Donna knew my father well and thus responded well to me. She had been an alcoholic most of her life, but later in life she stopped drinking and turned her life around on her own. As her health began to fail, I spoke with her about her relationship with God, and she assured me she had accepted Christ as her savior. So I was able to be very affirming as spoke with her family at the funeral Tuesday.
What will you remember about Donna Bock?
Tags: Remembering
Chris Swanson passed away yesterday morning, after struggling with colon cancer. Her husband, Doc Swanson, passed on several months ago. When he was suffering, she was there by his side, day after day, caring for him until the end.
Chris was very involved with Shelter Ministries in Auburn and had served by the side of her husband when he pastored a church in Avilla years ago.
Chris leaves behind a son, Sean, who will be a Senior this next year. I will remember Chris being a caring person who reached out to down-and-outers and helped them get back on their feet. She will be missed.
What will you remember about Chris Swanson?
Tags: Remembering
Deloris Emerick passed away after a short battle with cancer. She was a hard worker and always seemed very responsible. I remember when Deloris first began attending Calvary Chapel (our former name). Christine Storrjohann was a bus kid who gave her life to Christ and became very involved in the church. She brought her parents, Bill and Helen Vallance to church and they also became committed. In turn, Helen brought her good friend Deloris. They always sat together in the back row and often brought other friends.
She always had an encouraging word when she waited on me at McDonald’s. What will you remember about Deloris?
Tags: Remembering