Betty Daffin's
LDM Reunion JournalIt was Friday, May 19th and we were to gather at the Trinity AOG Church in Midlothian, Virginia, at 4 pm. Well, some things never change and, one by one or, in some cases, two by two, most of the LDMers began to arrive about 4:45 on to 6 pm.
Every new face that entered the door was greeted by a huge whoop and a big bear-hug. It was so incredible to see old friends... we started gabbing right away as if ten or fifteen-plus years hadn’t gone by. By 6:30 or so, almost everyone had arrived -- but we had not settled down by far -- so we had a buffet dinner, still talking between bites. Rick Shinn’s flight was cancelled and the Bryant’s flight was late, but everyone else seemed to be so busy flying from one person to another trying to catch up on everything all at once. And some spouses who weren’t at LDM were even brave enough to come and be spectators of all we meant to each other.
It was so special for us really old-old-old-timers to see Michelle, Podie, Dinah and DJ, Laura and Deb.
There was to be a video slideshow at 7 pm (thanks to John Oliver), but it was about 9ish before we could settle down enough to look. What a great job! The pictures that were gathered from everyone were put into a video that brought back so many wonderful memories; not a dry eye in the place... sniffle sniffle.... in-between laughs and hoots. The video is available and many ordered it -- see Sharon Bennett if you want it but didn’t order. When we first met, everyone said to each other that no one had changed a bit. But when we saw the pictures of ten to twenty years ago, well... we are getting older. We also had a video presentation of the Teen Mania campus. What a change!
By that time we realized that some just weren’t going to make it. We were disappointed that the Dillards couldn’t come and Rose and Del were also among the missing. The Pages couldn’t make it. Melody sent a two page note with copies for everyone; we all missed her, but understood.
There was a time of sharing some of the embarrassing (funny??) personal moments ... lots more laughs and most of all a feeling of relaxing among “family” -- nothing was too outrageous to share because the love flowing from one to another was totally intimate. As Matt shared: “My pastor said I was wrecked from making relationships because of the closeness of the time of community at Last Days. Well, I don’t mind being “wrecked” because the relationships we had were worth it!”
It was well after midnight when we started to go back to our respective hotels and guest beds (many supplied by the Bennetts).
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On Saturday, some got up for breakfast; some got up for lunch (that’s the Daffins). We met at Trinity again and everyone wanted to see the video show again, so we scheduled it for that night. We were supposed to have free time after lunch until 4 pm when we were to don our special T-shirts for the group photo. Somehow we talked away all that “free” time and it was 4 pm before we knew it. So off to the photo shot.... Sharon says it turned out just great!. Then we had pizza for dinner -- like old times -- before settling down again. The church’s music group volunteered to come and lead worship. At the third song, somehow the Holy Spirit captured our spirits and we just shared our hearts to one another for hours and hours ... never did see the video slideshow again. So many shared that the relationships we had with each other were the most precious memories of all. Everyone agreed that we need another reunion sooner than later!
We did see some slides from Rick Shinn’s and Terry DeGraff’s huge collection. Many just couldn’t let go as the weekend started to come to an end, so we gathered at the Bennetts and continued to talk and share. The evening-into-morning came to an end after 4 am when we all straggled to our beds wherever that might be.
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Some had to leave on Sunday morning, but the rest of us showed up at Premier for a tour of the Bennett’s pet product business. Those of us with cats and/or dogs were off on a “shopping spree” compliments of Martin & Sharon.
We arrived back at Trinity at about 3 p.m. and their worship team met us again, as well as sharing with us how much LDM had influenced their individual walks with the Lord. Bob(by) Miller led some praise and worship too.
Then they played the “16 Minutes” video that was made ‘way back when’ at LDM. Then came the funniest time of all when a video called “Pastor Gas” was played. If you’ve never seen it, it was a gas!! (www.pastorgas.com -- if you want it).
Afterwards, we gathered in close and prayed for absent friends and especially for those who were not walking with Jesus at that time. Once more, the Spirit moved upon us and many shared with openness and brokenness so that we could all pray for them. When we all knew that time was over, we gathered to go into Richmond for a final dinner at a restaurant -- we took over the joint and it was a cheery last “goodbye”!
A few who were staying on, went to the Bennett’s for ice cream and more talk. Finally got to bed nearer to Midnight (for the first time!).
On Monday, David and I drove up to Fredrickburg to see Jerry and Bonnie Horn. Jerry is still very active in pro-life and it brought so many good memories back about Norm’s Walk Across America (Phil A. -- you were mentioned!). Can you believe that Norm is on his seventh walk-a-thon. Even without publicity, he feels it’s a contract he made with God to walk everywhere for life, no matter how long it takes.
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I’m going to try to remember each person who came individually, but I’m not sure I’ll remember everyone, so please forgive me (and let me know) if I missed anyone.
Tom Anderson: Our quiet and gentle giant. As soft a heart as ever.
Dave & Elizabeth Austin: Along with their latest baby (can you believe 8?), the fun couple they always were. Back in Pennyslvania.
Todd & Kim Basinger: Another wonderful LDM marriage. They are doing great.
Jim Boda: Cheerful and happy... hung out with the fellows. Lives near D.C. and came down.
Michelle Brandes: Just as sweet as ever. She’s back in California now and still feels so close to LDM and Melody.
Jerry & Cindy Bryant: Jerry hasn’t lost any of his enthusiasm for the Lord. They are pastoring a Vineyard church in Nashville. Cindy and I shared about the old Agape Force days.
Barb Donatelli Cardenuto: Barb could only stay a short while on Saturday, but she got into the swing of things.
Len Chandler: Also lives nearby and was able to come. He’s a computer whiz.
John Coffman (married to Jean): I didn’t have a chance to talk to John alone. He was busy sharing with the fellows.
Jeff & Donna Cox: Combined our fellowship with a visit to parents.
Beth Davis: Beth stayed with the Millers at LDM for a year. She had a hard time in 1984-85, but she’s glowing for the Lord now and lives in Virginia.
Larry & Gina DeGraff:} The “twins” have to be grouped together, as it’s still like seeing double.
Terry & Carol DeGraff:} We all had a hard time telling them apart if their wives weren’t on their arm. Larry shared some of the art work he’s doing. Terry his latest hobbies.
Laura Field: Laura seemed to be so happy at her job with the Brownsville Church in Florida.
Brenda Gadd: Brenda is working at a local church and has a mean, mean cat. Typical of Brenda’s heart: “how could I get rid of the cat just because it has a personality disorder.”
Lisa Gessler: Can you imagine? She still remembers the red ink corrections all over the letters.
Dennis & Dinah Gleason: Dinah had so many great stories to tell, I couldn’t remember them all. She and others shared about Keith’s matchmaking -- but Dinah picked her own -- and what a great pick he was! She mentioned she was the only one who didn’t “make” staff, so Martin (speaking retroactively as an elder in the 80s) put her “on staff” that very moment.
Tim Good: Tim is so cheerful and full of optimism. He’s doing great.
Chris Guidry stopped by. He wasn’t an old-timer, but he lives in Richmond. So good to see him!
Joe Hartman: Gail couldn’t make it, but Joe shared with everyone.
Roland Heddins: What can I say? Without Rollie, this wouldn’t have happened. He’s our source of LDM info and so willing to help.
Joie & Dawn Kampen: Joe is as full of enthusiasm for life as always; Dawn as sweet and quiet.
Brad & Kathy Koenig: Nothing boisterous about them, but silently they are giving their lives to translate the Bible into tribal languages in Cameroon.
Peter Leong: Peter got to know us through being a guest helper; then went to ICT. Now living in the DC area.
Joe & Deb McShea: Most of us had to get to know them for the first time, as Deb was with the early, early LDM in California.
Bob Miller: He’s still in Lindale with Mercy Ships. Karen couldn’t come but they are nearby so we didn’t do much visiting there.
Dan & Jan Miller: Dan is just as ‘gung ho’ for the Lord as ever. A team leader and encourager. They are now in Colorado.
John & Chris (Trombetta) Oliver: A main part of the Pennsylvania group. Very involved with keeping up LDM relationships.
Glen Presley: Quiet Glen was always around the group.
Lindsay & Tracey Reed: Lindsay has found God’s plan in teaching and how we need good teachers like that. Tracey was a little apprehensive about coming, but was she ever glad she did!
Craig Rhodes: Ruth couldn’t come, but Craig was his old cheerful self. So good to see him!
Matt & Liz Schoenfelder: We’re all “wrecked” for deep relationships when there are couples like Matt and Liz with such hearts for others.
John Scott: Missed talking to John in detail. He probably had a time with his old buddies.
Rick Shinn: Thanks to Rick, we have all those pictures to remember on the video. He must have a zillion slides and photos, but then again, that’s Rick.
Kim Smith: Kim looked great! She’s also up in Pennsylvania (it’s an LDM conclave there).
Mike & Janet Stevens: Mike is just the same -- and that’s good!
Clay & Sharon Stewart: They’re back in Texas and we hope to see them again soon.
Bernie Stukenborg: Another LDMer from Pennsylvania. Too bad the rest of the Stukes couldn’t make it.
Bruce T a y l o r: Surely the one who traveled the farthest to come. He’s back in T h a i l a n d now.
Karen (Delaney) & Dee Tedone: Karen just as bouncy and loving as ever. Dee a great sport to stay the entire time and not know any of the stories.
Mike Tyrrell: Mike is still the rock. A reunion wouldn’t be the same without him.
Lyle & Bonnie Veldhuizen: It was their sweet spirits I remember most -- and they still have it.
Betsy Wilson: She had a great time with the other sisters, catching up.
Podie (Forrestor) Wojcik: Okay, none of that Patricia nonsense. She’ll always be our Podie.
Jim York: Now in Minneapolis working as a nurse. Jim particularly wanted to keep in touch and we appreciate that a bunch.
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I know I’ll remember stuff that I should have put in, right after I send this out. But hopefully it will give you a sense of this incredible weekend. Thanks again to Martin and Sharon Bennett who worked so hard to get the ball rolling. We’ve all gotten older, it’s true, but we’ve also all gotten more mature in our walk with the Lord. Thanks to the great foundation we had as baby Christians all those years ago. No one I know has had the opportunities to learn about Jesus that we all did. Not only the great teachings by John Dawson, Leonard Ravenhill, Winkie Pratney etc. etc., but living in a community with others whose whole purpose in life is to serve the Lord wherever He puts them, doing whatever He wants. Truly, the heart of the Father must have been blessed to see us all loving and sharing again.