2025: An Eventful Year

Greetings from the “launchpad” of Ethnos360, its Bible Institute in Wisconsin! July is travel month for us, but as soon as we get back August 4^th there is a lot to do for next school year. Ken readies student apartments for occupancy; Andrea organizes training for Childcare interns and orientation for new families. Staff kickoff is August 13^th; classes start August 25^th.

Alongside ministry, a lot of family milestones happened in the first half of 2025! (The second half of the year promises to be just as eventful, but more on that in a later newsletter.) On Feb 5^th, our daughter Christina and boyfriend Zachary got engaged on their “1-year-dating anniversary.” We are eagerly awaiting their wedding amidst northern Michigan’s fall colors.

Ken’s parents moved in with us later that month. Sadly though, by the end of March, Dad Jack’s dementia took its final downturn. We are thankful for the excellent care he received at Milwaukee’s VA hospital during his last week of life. Ken’s three siblings were able to fly out to encourage their Mom.  It was a nice change to be the ones receiving travelers instead of doing the traveling! At the end of July we will take the ashes to North Carolina for the memorial service and burial at a VA cemetery.

In May, Samuel stood alongside us to join in membership at a local church. (We have tried out a few different ones since the transfer to Wisconsin in Fall 2021—it was a long time to feel “homeless!”)  This month, Samuel is going on a mission trip with the youth group.

Also in May, the Bible Institute celebrated 83 graduates (62 in-person, 21 online). A new scholarship fund will enable several whose finances were insufficient to go directly on to the missionary training center. There in Missouri, students rely on savings or donor support rather than being able to work their way through as they did in Bible college.

Pray we would have wisdom getting to know each new class, and going deeper with interns. This fall there will be a couple international student families. We are also expecting over 30 new freshman who grew up in overseas missionary families. They have many adjustments ahead!