Edited by Judith Bruinius

Wow! It has certainly been a busy summer. I returned from Southeast Asia at the end of June and then two weeks later started teaching very short and intense summer sessions at two different colleges. To say the least, I have had fun but distracting months with many college students.

But, who cares about the classroom news. I’m sure you would like to know about Southeast Asia. I traveled with eight teammates and one co-leader to a small international college where we spent three weeks teaching English to students from all over the world. I really mean all over the world.  We had students in our classroom from Kazakhstan, Yemen, China, Vietnam, Tanzania, Libya, Mongolia, Indonesia, Laos. 

Our classroom was set up into four different stations, and my teams were paired into four teaching teams. The teams rotated teaching grammar concepts and American culture six hours a day! They spent 10-20 minutes giving lessons and then had student activities at the four stations to play games and practice the lesson. We certainly made a lot of noise playing games! The students loved it and so did my team. I was impressed with how my team took the few teaching tips I gave them in our training and developed some active and engaging lessons. They did such a tremendous job, and many of the students appreciated the opportunities to practice English and listen to the American accent.  Also, my teams did such a good job learning from their students and affirming the many nations represented.  My teammates reflected Christ’s love for the nations in all of their activities.

Because my teams worked so hard at being good teachers, it allowed them to develop important relationships with the students. The students appeared to respect and enjoy our classroom activities. I firmly believe this commitment to the classroom allowed my teams to carry these relationships onto the rest of the college campus. In the evenings, we often spent time in the cafeteria area and the student lounges where my teammates were able to discuss their personal faith with their students.  

My teammates, in fact, taught me so much about being intentional in sharing our faith in Jesus. There we were in a predominantly Muslim country sharing our faith. It was amazing! One particular night early in our trip, a campus student organization invited us to a welcome celebration. We were asked to perform and sing for the party, and three of my teammates sang praise and worship songs.  My team took the opportunity at the party to share with the college campus that Jesus was what they were, and are, all about. It was truly an amazing site to see.

Of course, we were careful most of the trip to be respectful to the students and campus administration. But again, because my team was well respected as teachers, we began to have morning devotions openly in the student lounge area. Our team developed strong bonds with students from Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. Most of the African students already shared our faith, and my teammates were significantly encouraged by all of them. The African students often joined us in the evenings too! 

One afternoon, I walked into the student lounge area with another teammate. We noticed two of our male teammates surrounded by several Yemen students, who were intently listening. He was sharing the good news. Not just any good news! But THE GOOD NEWS!  That is one of my favorite memories from the trip. The Yemen students were listening intently and continued to seek out our team’s company throughout the trip. So many students on the campus were open to hearing and learning about Jesus.  It was certainly a place open to hearing more and more the good news of Jesus!

Obviously, we were blessed with much safety and success. I am so grateful to my team, for working so diligently. They taught me so much about the greatest of commissions.  However, a few of us did get sick, including me! Some of us caught the flu.  Nothing like having a fever in 90 degree heat and 90% humidity! But, I am grateful for the grace, for the opportunities, for the success, and for the healing that God brought to us.

 Thank you for your prayers and support as well. We could not have succeeded without you and especially without your prayers. This trip was an awakening for me and my team. We all returned with a new vigor and boldness to share our faith here in America.  And sure enough, God gave me unique opportunities in my summer sessions. God placed a Muslim student from Albania in my classroom this summer who is suffering with Multiple Sclerosis. Please pray for him. Please pray for the Muslim world. So many Muslims are open to hearing about the truth of Jesus.  

I also had the opportunity to encourage two home-grown American students heavily involved in drugs and alcohol to try a different approach to life! Please pray for them as well! They seemed open to hearing about faith in Jesus.

• More family news from Vera's daughters
• Sisters, Joan and June, live and work in Illinois, while sister, Joyce, lives and works in Carbondale, Ill. Joyce’s son, Luke, graduated from Southern Illinois this year.

• My sister, Jan’s son, Mark, came to live around the corner from our house this summer and is doing well in the heat of the summer in Florida.

Uncle Syl and Aunt Phyl need to send some news of their families with pictures as well. I’m sure you have a lot to tell about your children and grandchildren.

Ann and Lee Plas should have a lot to update us about with their many children and grandchildren.

How about Edna Brooks, who has another great grandchild to update us about.  Come on! Send me those recent pictures!

Now we come to our Italian families

Elena Alberto and her daughter Giulia and son-in-law Rosario Danizio hosted several families who made the journey to Italy recently. We need more information about her families but the language barrier is somewhat a hindrance. Elena is the daughter of Pietro Scorza, fifth child of Guiseppina and Dominico Scorza.

We also need information about Margie, Carol and Valdo in Genoa, Italy. Margie was the wife of Dominico Scorza who died several years ago – son of Pietro.

Dear Violetta, who graciously hosted and entertained all of the families that ventured to Italy, is also in our prayers as she lost both her husband and her son. We want to know more about Violetta’s sister Ninnette, her husband Alfonso Fasulo and their two sons. They live in Bergamo, Italy

We were glad to be introduced to Caterina Lia, Matriach of her family and daughter of Maria Scorza-Parrotta. Violet and John Collins told us about Caterina’s family in Traverna, Italy. Violet and John also visited Alba and Luciano Alberto in San Pietro. Alba is Maria’s second daughter. Maria’s son, Dominico and his wife Maria, live in Catanzaro, Italy. They were also especially kind to John and Violet Collins. Maybe Violet has news from all of them.

Carmella Scorza-Levato’s clan seems to have been more remote from the others but we hope to get more information about them. They have several families in San Pietro.

Ernesto Scorza leaves us a great gift in Dario Scorza. Dario is always ready to welcome family members into his home. He is always ready to show family members around and introduce them to the Italian culture. His wife, Anna, and daughter, Patrizia, continue the Scorza traditions in Catanzaro and they are pillars of the church that the four brothers established there.

Of course, Frank had no children but his legacy is strong in the family. I have several copies of his book that I would be glad to send anyone who would like one.

Kopp Family News

I have learned so much in the last few years from the Kopp families. It has been a pleasure to get to know so many of you. Let me go through a run down of the many people who so graciously contacted me and gave me information about your families. I even received email from Ruth Kopp, who is married to a descendent of Adam Kopp’s brother. Ruth is in search of the Kopp family roots.

Vernon was Adam’s oldest son and I hope that my news letters have been getting through to Ruth Taylor and her son Noel and his wife Barbara. Please contact me and let me know how you are, including David and Michael. I believe Naomi Farrel is also seeking contact from Ruth Taylor.

We were saddened by the death of Sylvanus recently and his daughter Sylvia several years ago. We pray that Marie and the Kerr family are doing well. We also remember John and Mary Kopp died several years ago, leaving only David and Drew to carry on the family traditions. Let us hear from you, David.

We especially appreciate Lodema Hale. You have been so good to respond to all of my enquiries and add to the family news. Your children always rise to call you ‘Blessed,’ because you are a wonderful mother. I especially appreciate the contributions by the Hale family. What a precious group you are. Please send more news and update us on your accomplishments, as I know there are many. Tell us about any new weddings or babies!

We’d like to know how Merrill and Dolly are doing in West Virginia and I was glad to get correspondence from you. Byron and Shirley in Kentucky, please tell us about your children, Deborah, David, Rebekah, Elizabeth and Sarah. Do they have children?

I have been in search of the descendents of Myrtle Kopp Sweetland. I was so glad to find James Sweetland and his son, Michael and Michael’s wife Margaret Sweetland. We had some great email conversations and I’m looking forward to more news from you. I was also hoping to hear from Wilma Nicola and Joan Watson for news about your families. I continue to want to find Mary Anna, the daughter of Esther Wells – Myrtle’s oldest daughter. If anyone can help me please do.

Now, we come to the family of Leroy Kopp, one of my grandfather’s first converts and my grandmother’s closest sibling. What a wonderful legacy Leroy left in his many children who became zealous for the Gospel.

• How sad that we lost both Evangeline and Charles Cass recently. Our hearts go out to Connie, Wayne and Waynelee. I was blessed to have breakfast with Connie when we visited California this year. We send condolences to all the Haus families for the loss of their grandparents.
• We were so blessed to meet Paul Kopp (90) with his daughter Joy Hathaway, when we visited the Calvary Chapel in Golden Springs, California. Joy’s son Daniel was married this summer. Please, Joy, send me details and pictures. We met Naomi Farrel and her daughters, Shirely and Sharon. Shirley’s husband Norman was there and Sharon’s husband Raul Ries is the pastor of the Golden Springs church. Here are pictures of our gathering:

• I’m looking for an address or at least an email address for Kathy Kopp-Martinez and Nancy Kopp. Can anyone send it to me. We’d also like to hear from Jim, Debbie and Morgan Daub.
• Then there is our beloved family in Israel, the Charles and Elizabeth Kopp clan. They bless me with email containing family pictures and here is a letter about David’s graduation:

April 27th, Chuck, Danny and I had the delightful pleasure of attending David's "winging" in Pensacola, Florida at the Naval Air Station.

As 2nd Lt. Kopp drove us onto his base, it was an entirely new experience for us to observe various people saluting David.   (There were a few he saluted.)  Evidently, the Air Force has the reputation of first laying down an 18 hole golf course and then building the rest of the base.  Stunning white beaches and water surround the base. 

David gave us a tour of the facilities including the "pool" where during training they are submerged upside down in a simulator and given x time to get out through specific windows.  We then went to the hangers where he was able to take us up into the planes giving us a visual hands on tour.  The computers where he did his simulated flying are unbelievable.  One of the simulator planes has a screen from the floor to the ceiling of the area it was in and surrounding the simulated plane from one side to the other.  We were warned not to touch the screen as it would destroy the precision affect and have to be replaced costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

We had lunch in the restaurant overlooking the golf course enjoying the heavy rainfall that burst out of the skies without warning.  We then picked up t-shirts and ceramic mugs David ordered with each graduates info and call sign.  Because David had finished before the others, he was the one in charge of all the events.

quot;Winging Day" Friday morning began with a "Blessing of the Wings" service in Catholic church on the base.  A Baptist chaplain conducted the service together with a Catholic chaplain.   David read the scripture and all the guys came forward and laid their wings on the table which will later be placed in a framed glass case on the wall at the entrance to the church.

We toured the incredible museum where planes from every era are hanging from the ceiling.  We could have spent days there as there is so much to see including walk in exhibits ranging from WWI through to the capture of Saddam Hussein.  The most poignant was the Vietnamese hut exhibiting letters, poetry and clips of POWs We had just enough time to take in the IMAX film "Fighter Pilots"; a spectacular insight into what David will be doing next.

The ceremony took place on the ground floor of the museum. It was a very proud moment to say the least especially after catching just a glimpse of what David went through to get to this point in his career.

A beautiful reception was waiting at the Officers Club on the beach (newly rebuilt after hurricane damage) - all planned by David!  Delicious sandwiches, spread of cut fruit, and drinks.  We then went outside by the fountain for the traditional smashing of the glasses trying to hit the target - some made it - some didn't.  Truly Top Gun - all the way!  We felt as if we were in the movie.

From the reception, we went back to dinner on the beach via David's speedboat that he bought together with his roommate.

Saturday morning, on our way to the airport, we stopped at IHOP for our traditional "celebrating David's graduation" breakfast. David has been assigned to F15s.

A Kopp family birthday party in Israel and new born Taline Gerrish

I’m hoping these news letters reach Ron and Camille Kirton in Arizona. Please send us updates about your family. We also hope Leroy II and Charlette and Leroy III and Eileen are receiving this news letter as well. We’d love to hear from you.

I receive email from Clarence Kopp occasionally and enjoy their contents very much, especially political stuff. I hope the families of Debra, Dan and Dale are well and I am still trying to find an email or regular addresses for Dee Walters and Tom and Heather Poston and Lindsey. Please send updates about all of your families and about your health, Clarence.

Lauren Flick lost Pat several years ago, but we would like to know how you and your children are doing. Please send updates with news and pictures if possible.