Faith waits until

EMPTY NEST - By Curt Swarm

This story could only have been written by God.  In 2013 the Christian School in Mt. Pleasant had an opening for a kindergarten through first-grade elementary teacher.  The teacher needed to have specific skills in reading instruction, called Guided Reading.  A hiring group composed of second and third grade teacher, Shannon Van Nyhuis; Shannon's father, Bob Hunt; Tina Hill, the Christian School Administrator; Shawna Hudson from Iowa Wesleyan University; and others was put together to select the teacher.  The hiring group was specific in their requirements.  The teacher must have a heart for Christ, be passionate about God, and have the Guided Reading training.  Members of the team met each Friday to pray for the person with the right skill set to fill the position.         

            The team interviewed a handful of candidates but didn't feel the right person had applied.  Christian School Administrator, Tina Hill, stepped in to fill the teaching responsibility.

            Toward the end of the year the position still had not been filled.  The hiring team was concerned that School Administrator, Tina Hill, was being over stressed.  But Tina was adamant, “Faith waits until.  Rest in the fact that God hears our prayers.”   

            (Shannon Van Nyhuis uses this saying with her students, also.)

            Elizabeth (Liz) Gevock was finishing her degree in elementary education at Indiana Wesleyan University.  She loved teaching reading and had the training in Guided Reading.  But something was missing.  She wanted to be able to talk about God while she taught. 

            Liz grew up south of Fairfield.  She felt God calling her back to SE Iowa.  She saw the opening for Kindergarten and First Grade Combined Classroom at the Mt. Pleasant Christian School.  “This is it!” she cried.  

            After Liz's interview, Shannon Van Nyhuis was elated.  “Liz checked off every single thing on our list of requirements.  She's passionate about Christ and has the required reading training.  It's a fit.  It's a miracle!”  Neither Liz nor Shannon knew each other or that their shared faith in Christ had a connection tracing back generations. 

            Liz rushed home and told her mother.  Shannon had mentioned that her last name had been Hunt.  Liz's mother said, “Do you know that your grandfather and her grandfather were friends?”

            No.  Liz did not know.

            Liz's grandfather was Lewis Graf from Fairfield.  He was a strong believer and had committed his life to Jesus Christ.  Lewis could not shake the still, small voice that was leading him to share The Good News with his friend, Tom Hunt, Shannon's grandfather.

            Lewis invited Tom to go mushroom hunting.  Under the trees he shared The Good News, and Tom committed his life to Jesus Christ.  Tom went on to share The Good News with family and friends, including his son, Bob, Shannon's Father.  Bob also dedicated his life to Jesus and shared this passion with his daughter, Shannon.          

            Shannon and Liz agree, “God orchestrated the whole thing.  God knew on that day, when the two grandfathers spoke, that someday one granddaughter would be hiring the other granddaughter.”  The ripple effect of that day in the mushroom field is still being felt today in the lives and education of students and parents at the Mt. Pleasant Christian School.

            Liz is in her ninth year of teaching.  She is a joy to the school, the students, and the community. 

            The hiring team and grandfathers listened to that still, small voice and stood on the promise that faith waits until.