We are George and Shary, parents of Trephina and Jonathon Bedell at Immanuel, and grandparents (Opa and Oma) of Olysea, Aliya, and Micah. In 2007 we began second careers, serving in the army of an amazing God who called us into His ministry to the lost souls of Indonesia. George is a retired engineer and Shary is a retired registered nurse. For the past three years (2008 -2010) we  lived in Indonesia serving at  Universitas Pelita Harapan (School of Light and Hope) where George taught Engineering classes and was an advisor of many capacities. We were dorm parents, and taught English in the evenings to those who desired to have a deeper grasp of the language.  We were blessed to be part of the team of university personnel who put 404 four year Christian trained teachers into Indonesia.

Since in Asia you are asked how old you are, we aren’t embarrassed to tell anyone anymore. George is 61 years old, and Shary is 62. So if you are wondering how we came here, let us tell you a journey only capable of being organized by God himself.

Almost 15 years ago a now dear friend came and introduced herself to us and asked us for dinner. At this meal she and her husband outlined a vision and a beginning of the first International student ministry program at our local university. Her local church became the funding source to maintain the program. Since that time, the ministry named Valley International Students Association has reached out and ministered to hundreds of international students and adults coming to study at Saginaw Valley State University, Delta College, and international businesses in the area. We became the core leadership of the organization. For many students this was their first exposure to the gospel and God’s loving hand touching their lives. For others their faith was strengthened by our walk with them during their stay in the US. In the midst of this, George also began teaching at the university in the engineering department during the evenings, being exposed to that educational system and students on campus on another venue. It was our practice for what was to come, but we didn’t know that then.

In 2003, when we knew we were nearing retirement, we prayed for heavenly guidance for the years ahead. These prayers continued for almost three years, but we were not led to any particular decision and wondered when we would know the answer. After three years on the market, our home finally sold about the same time things fell into place. That is when we received an offer to go to Indonesia from the previous head of Spiritual Growth Pastor Bob Smith who was now in the US.  Needless to say, the venture of coming to Indonesia was not on our radar screen for the future. But God had been preparing us for 15 years for this moment to grow our passion to reach international students coming to our shore and to our town. The irony in this whole time is that we never met an Indonesian student in all those years in Michigan. But our shoreline has now changed not once, but twice.

In March 2010 we both began to sense a restlessness that God was preparing us to move on. As the months trickled by we made the decision to not renew for another contract year. God then began to introduce to us open doors and mighty needs all over the world that beckoned us to come and share our talents and passion but none seemed to be the correct fit. In October we made a decision to visit some other established ministry sites in Asia to see what was happening there and how we could contribute to those ministries. One in particular touched our hearts but not until we had seen them all did we decide that God wanted us to again go beyond our borders and comfort zone and go to Cambodia. This means that we have to switch ministries, learn a new culture and a new language, and assume totally different roles in the kingdom building realm. Reading the February 2011 newsletter outlines our next ministry platform and how you can pray and partner with us on His work for the kingdom building.