Connection Christmas 2022

Rich Aram ’72
While at the Academy, I never would have
expected my career or most of the other
events that have happened in my life.
My job provided some interesting travel
opportunities, including teaching people
from many different countries. My family
shared in most of that and built many
international friendships. The Lord walked with us through the
good times and the tough times as well, such as Sarah dying from
leukemia after 34 good years of marriage.
Wheaton Academy survived the “Dark Ages” because God
wanted to use this ministry and because quiet heroes of the faith
served through difficult years. Our teachers served the Lord
beautifully through years of bad pay, bad facilities, changing
administrations, plus the usual challenges of dealing with young
adults. Some board members trusted the Lord and made big
sacrifices and kept the school running to give us a great education.
David Stockman ’72
God has been wonderful to my family and
me. During the 2021 winter freeze in Texas,
we experienced a miracle. Our pipes burst,
and the situation seemed hopeless as I was
the 800th person on the list of the only
plumber who answered the phone. Stores
for 80 miles around were sold out of the
pipes we needed. God was good. Our neighbors just happened to
have the right pipes, giving them to us after we prayed.
I remember during my time at Wheaton Academy that I was
told that the school would be closing that next year. However,
several of the board members had just so much love for the
school that they kept the school going. The Bible says Christians
shall be known by their love. When I returned to campus for
my 50-year reunion, I saw how God has blessed this school in so
many ways. Praise the Lord for His provision for new buildings
and a thriving student body.
One of the common themes of alumni
stories is the lasting impact of faculty and
staff on the lives of Academy students.
The impact was so profound that memories
of their Academy days remain vivid for
decades. Many of these alumni were
boarding students, as Wheaton College
Academy (WCA) offered room and board
through the early 1970s. One boarder
was Alma (Gordon ’55) Dole. Her story
is representative of other alumni. Alma
attended the Academy for her junior and
senior year while her parents served as
medical missionaries in the interior of Brazil.
Alma (Gordon ’55) Dole
Being a missionary kid (M.K.)
is a blessing and a challenge. I
experienced the blessings as a
child growing up in Brazil, but I
faced the challenge of remaining
in the States while my parents
returned to Brazil. What did WCA
do with a homesick gal whose heart and ways were
totally foreign? They blessed me. Even today, as an
octogenarian, I praise our wondrous Lord for Miss
Chapman, the front desk registrar, who took me under
her wing, befriended me, and helped me through the
dark, lonely hours; for Mr. Benjamin for his kindness
in choir and for Mrs. Benjamin who lovingly adopted
me, even surprising me with new clothes to supplement
my limited wardrobe; for Mr. “J” (Mel Johnson) whose
lively biology classes and labs enthralled me; for Mr.
and Mrs. Kullberg who, in God’s perfect timing, would
give me a word of encouragement or an invitation for a
meal and prayer. How faithful is our Lord! After 42 years
serving Him as missionaries to Brazil, my husband and
I retired. Our new mission field is Heath Village, a
retirement community in New Jersey.
He has seen us through difficult days. He has provided for our needs. He has been faithful. Christmas is a reminder
that the God of Israel kept His Old Testament covenants and will keep His promise of a new covenant in Jesus
Christ. We can put our trust in Him as we anticipate the future when Jesus returns, not as a babe in
a manger but as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Merry Christmas, Wheaton Academy community!
Do you have a reflection to share? We would love to hear from you! Visit wheatonacademy.org/testimony and let us know.
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