some of you may know that I "dated" or whatever you want to call my relationship with Kim back around 1989-91 around the time I was finishing Calvin College and also working at Pine Rest Hospital as a mental health counselor (as was Kim, which is where we met).
I seriously admired and respected Kim. We had several nice experiences together just getting to know one another. She came to our Lake Michigan cottage once when my parents were in town (near Silver Lake for those of you who know west Michigan).
And she even accompanied me to my cousin Brian's wedding. And I remember visiting her home in Caledonia (she attended South Christian & Calvin; I attended Grand Rapids Christian & Calvin) at least once when her whole lovely family was there. Among other things such as movies, etc
You could say it was "getting serious" but at the same time I was conflicted about my ultimate purpose in life. I was struggling with following what I thought was my call to be a Christian missionary versus just staying around Michigan, working a job of one sort or another, etc.
Well, I was also accepted into Law School and eventually started, but did not finish, Wayne State Law School, nor any other law school. My experience at Wayne State led me to believe that I was not following God's call for my life if I pursued a career in law.
After I left Wayne State law school I informed Kim that I was leaving Michigan too. It was a short conversation. I didn't really know what her feelings were towards me, but she was always amicable. We didn't get involved physically at all.
It was more than "just friends" but not romantic either. I guess you could say we were just "getting to know each other gradually" . SO i left Michigan not knowing if or when I would be back.
I ended up in California for a few months (where my parents lived) and then there was an earthquake in Costa Rica which I volunteered to do disaster relief . So I flew to San Jose met with other Christian missionaries and we worked together to help needy areas after the huge quake.
And then I got an offer to tutor the kids of a rain forest tourist camp in Drake Bay near the famous Corcovado National park where tourists from all over the world travel to explore. So I stayed in Costa Rica for about 9 months total until near the end of August 1991.
Then I returned to California and then decided to try seminary back in Grand Rapids. But then didn't work for very long either. I stayed in the seminary for a quarter then I got disillusioned. Around that time I did see Kim a few times- once at a place called TeleDial which was owned by a friend of our family named Andy DeVries.
He offered me a job there- and when I was visiting I saw Kim- she was working there ! But i was till thinking I had to follow my call to be a full-time missionary- and a seminary-educated one for that matter. But I decided to try teaching instead for a while- I stayed at Calvin for 2 years working on an education/English degree but didn't see Kim much after that time at TeleDial.
So it was really over I guess you could say (there was no "break up" or hard words or anything because it was never to such a serious or formal level. But I always admired and respected her, and so when I returned to California and took a teaching job I continued to think about and pray for her.
I also found out she had moved on and married a nice fellow (presumably) and so there was absolutely no romantic or relational thoughts in my mind anymore, nor her's obviously. Yet I knew she was a strong committed Christian so I wanted to continue to encourage her in the faith.
After 2 years teaching I finally did go back to seminary and finally completed most of it- combining Calvin & Fuller Seminary. WHile at Fuller I remember sending her a postcard a few times- with encouraging Christian words- nothing more, nothing less. Just a friendly hello.
Apparently, one of these times I sent the postcard to the wrong address- somehow I got her sister's address in my book. I didn't know this would make her sister's blood boil. You're not going to believe this but she actually spoke to the police about me sending a postcard (accidentally to the wrong address).
Some time later I got a letter from an alleged detective (or somebody who called themself a detective) of the Grand Rapids Police Dept. I actually don't remember what it said but it was bizarre that he would be inquiring of me about sending a friendly postcard. Very bizarre. SO bizarre and strange that I communicated with his superiors about it and they apparently rebuked him and shut him down, and I never heard from him again.
I guess he thought he would scare me but all it did was upset me so much so that I complained about it. And my complaint got thru to the right people at GRPD or Kent County Sheriff ( I can't remember) .
So anyways, I just thought I would mention this because I don't believe Kim ever complained about it herself. It was Kim's sister as best as I can tell. I think the postcards that got thru to Kim herself were kindly received - because I knew she was a strong Christian and she knew my Christian path as well.
So I think she appreciated the prayers and encouragement . To me she was a fellow Christian "sibling" so to speak. That's the way I think of my Christian school mates and Christian Reformed friends and associates that I knew from church or school etc. We are fellow members of the Body of Christ.
I just want people to know that these were totally well-intended communication and I do this to people ALL OVER everywhere not just one former girlfriend or girl friend .
And yes I did become an "seminary educated missionary" after all is said and done. I started my own Christian ministry and I continue to be a missionary/evangelist worldwide and especially around the USA ! Praise the Lord !
And I continue to pray for Kim and other girlfriends or girl friends as well relatives, guy friends, church associates, former classmates, colleagues, etc. God bless you all. Tomorrow is Easter 2025 ! He Lives ! And hopefully We Live too (for Him!)
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