Alumni Newsmails are sent out by email about once each month, and posted here as well. If you have information to share with AAI's alumni, please submit that to Greg Collord, Alumni Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Alumni Newsmail #33 - 30 November 2011
Vacation season! Celebrate... The Thanksgiving four-day break has just passed, and after three more weeks of classes we will be into Christmas vacation. All of us are looking forward to that, of course. But just before that:
Alumni Christmas Dinner December 16! If you attended or served at AAI, and if you will be in Quito Friday, December 16, plan to come to the campus for our annual Alumni Christmas Event. This year it will be a 6:00pm dinner in the Dining Commons (the dining room of the Alliance dorm).
There is no cost, and your significant-other is welcome to come as well. But PLEASE RESERVE AHEAD so that we prepare enough meals! Send me an email with your questions, and to reserve your place(s).
False cognates...funny, but sometimes critical! We often laugh at Spanish-language newbies who use "embarazada" ("pregnant") for "embarrassed", or "libreria" ("bookstore") for "library". Funny mistakes. But occasionally I run across a genuine problem:
Recently a student commented--in English--that he needed to get money so he could "cancel an account". I realized he was bringing "cancelado" ("paid" in Ecuadorian Spanish) directly into English--which in the US could cause his account to be closed rather than paid! So I quickly educated him. Imagine if he went to college in the US and proceeded to "cancel" (rather than pay for) a pizza order, cell phone service, cable TV, or even his enrollment! "I would like to cancel this account..."
So here's a question: What other false cognates have you found that can cause serious confusion--not just funny errors--for people moving to an English-speaking nation? Send 'em to me, so I can warn our students before they get themselves into trouble. Oh, you can send the funny ones, too...I can always use a good laugh.
Blogs...and websites... We are still awaiting the introduction of our new Alliance Academy International website; when that is finally online, I will have control of the Alumni Section of the website. I plan to insert a blog list; I received a couple more this month:
Philip (Class of 1996) and Chrissy Cobb's personal blog: http://hobnobwiththecobbs.blogspot.com/
Dan (Class of 2003) and Rachel Coombs ministry tour (Indonesia) website: http://www.shemahtours.com/
Dave (alumni dad) and his brother Dan Osterhus' publishing company website: http://www.osterhuspub.com/
The official Alliance Academy International facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alliance-Academy-International/177889825587235
If you have a personal blog or website, send me the link, and I???ll be glad to include it.
And now, the alumni news! I do not publish email addresses in these Newsmails without the writer???s permission. If you would like to contact any of the following, please send me an email and I will forward it.
1. In Memoriam... No obituary notices have been received since the previous Newsmail.
2. Wedding bells! Josh Korpi (Class of 2003) married Heather Smith on August 21 in North Andover MA.
Diego Torres (Class of 2008) married Mayra Sarmiento in Guayaquil November 11. Others? Let me know!
3. New babies! Li Rose Rebecca will be adopted at age 18 months by Philip (Class of 1996) and Chrissy Cobb. They will fly to China to pick her up in mid-December.
Julia Grace was born October 22 to Rachel (Lambert, Class of 2000) and Darryl Engelbrecht, near Vancouver BC. Rachel works at a middle school, almost exclusively with grade 8 learning assistance students.
Josiah Nicolas was born to Simon (Class of 2000) and Amy Hartt on November 7--on Simon's birthday!--in Spokane WA.
4. Worldwide ministries for our alumni...people to pray for: Again, I do not publish email addresses in these Newsmails without the writer???s permission. If you would like to contact any of the following, please send me an email and I will forward it.
Nelda Amstutz Johnson (Class of 1965) and her husband Paul are featured in an excellent article in the Redwood Falls MN Gazette: http://www.redwoodfallsgazette.com/lifestyle/family/x329156889/Minnesota-missionaries-among-last-to-leave-Ecuador Nelda and Paul recently retired after serving as missionaries in Ecuador with the Christian and Missionary Alliance for 34 years. Nelda's parents were also C&MA missionaries in Latin America. If my records are correct, she and three brothers (Mark Class of 1961, Samuel Class of 1972, and James Class of 1976) attended the Alliance Academy.
Dan and Anne Marie (Elliott) Chapple (both Class of 1994) wrote from Mexico: "Praise God for an opportunity to begin new pastoral classes in Oaxaca and Veracruz. Lord willing we will begin teaching within the next two months. We hope to have ten pastors attending. Please pray for our continued safety and that of our pastors and their congregations. The violence, kidnappings and extortion have increased significantly in central Mexico in recent months. Please continue to pray for our two Bible studies. There are still several people who have not surrendered to Christ. There are others who are working through some very difficult life circumstances."
Dan (Class of 2003) and Rachel Coombs are working through the visa process to return to Indonesia from their temporary home in Mahomet IL. This month they took a trip to Peru so that they can visit Dan's parents and Rachel can see where Dan grew up.
Tom and Judy Coombs (former faculty and alumni parents) wrote, "Judy, Trea and I now live in the Southern Philippines (Davao). Trea attends Faith Academy Mindanao... Our primary role is Member/Community Care which means that we try to help colleagues throughout Asia with varying needs. We travel quite a bit and I (Tom) am learning Indonesian since some of our work is connected to that huge and needy country."
Carolyn Eumurian (former faculty), Frank and Marie Drown (alumni parents), Dave Osterhus (alumni dad) and Danny Kroeker (alumni dad) are all featured in separate mini-presentations on the AVANT Mission (formerly Gospel Missionary Union) website's "I Am Avant" page: http://www.avantministries.org/i-am-avant.html
Nancy Ingram (former school nurse) and husband Jeff were on an overnight flight from Ghana to Kenya when a flight attendant announced in mid-flight that a doctor was needed. No one responded right away, so Nurse Nancy did--administering a shot to a man having an allergic reaction to food, and then watching over him as he recovered. Instant ministry!
Charlie (Class of 1976) and Jeanie Jacobson spent two weeks in Quito in November to give several presentations as part of the training that the HCJB Global Technology Center (Elkhart IN) provides to Ecuadorians. They wrote, "Ecuador's counterpart of the FCC knows that we have developed expertise and equipment for a digital broadcast standard called Digital Radio Mondial??? (DRM) and asked for our help as they plan for the future. The HCJB team in Elkhart has been busy the last month preparing equipment that will be used to demonstrate this technology, and Charlie will also be training HCJB???s Ecuador team to use that equipment. We see this as key to maintaining our good relationship with government officials and contributing to the future development of Ecuador."
Liz Lackey (Class of 2005) will return to Minnesota in December after a wonderful six months' short-term ministry at the Hebron School in India. She is not sure what she will do next, and is looking for God's direction. Liz wrote, "After living in three states in the last four years, I would kind of like to stay put in one place for a while. I realized recently that I haven't lived in the same place for 12 months in a row since sophomore year of high school - eight years ago! Yep, I'm an MK to the core :) I will be sad to leave Hebron, but know that I was only meant to be here for six months. It is a wonderful place, and if you ever hear of anyone who wants to do ministry in India, Hebron would be good to check out. They are always in need of teachers and other volunteers."
Dave and Carol Osterhus (alumni parents) wrote, "I continue to help my brother Dan at the Osterhus Printshop, Bookstore and Tract Ministry by doing the bookkeeping part-time a few hours a week. We invite you to check out our Website ??? www.osterhuspub.com. With internet technology we can provide you quality printing and mail it to any part of the country. The Bookstore can meet your need for Bibles and/or gifts. The Tract Ministry can help you with your Gospel literature needs. The Lord provided a way for us to visit Ecuador one more time for ten days in March for Celebrations held in various parts of the country to celebrate 115 years of God???s blessings on the ministry of Avant Ministries (formerly Gospel Missionary Union.) It was a blessed time of good fellowship with many missionary and Ecuadorian friends. We are grateful to the Lord for another year of reasonably good health, in spite of our age! Both of us now have ???new eyes???, since we had cataracts successfully removed. I am no longer wearing glasses for the first time in many decades!"
Matt (Class of 1999) and Rachel Thiessen are raising support with OC International to go to Spain in August 2012. They're thankful for housing with Matt's sister Anita (Class of 2005) in South Bend IN, and a full-time job for the year as they raise support.
Casa de Fe: Help is URGENTLY NEEDED at Casa de Fe, the orphanage in Shell which has grown significantly over the past seven years in the ministry of caring for and educating abandoned, abused and special-needs children. Due to the increased scope of programs and responsibilities, Casa de Fe is urgently in need of help in identifying individuals to fill the following positions. Are you, or do you know, someone who is a lover of Christ, open to the adventure of cross-cultural immersion, willing and able to minister and serve as: ??? Spiritual Director/Pastor to Casa de Fe staff and/or children ??? Primary school teacher ??? Nurse and/or Medical Director ??? Administrative Director or Logistics & Personnel Assistant ??? Construction/Maintenance Director If so, write to CdF Director Patti Sue Arnold (alumni mom) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
5. Other alumni news... Again, I do not publish addresses in these Newsmails without the writer???s permission. If you would like to contact any of the following, please send me an email and I will forward it.
Tim Garman (Class of 1986) wrote recently, "I have lost contact with most people. If people are interested, I am an elementary teacher and this year I was one of the Sweet 16 teachers who won Teacher of the year for Los Angeles County in California. I am now competing for Teacher of the Year for California. I have been so blessed with the Gift that God has given me for working with Low Struggling Unmotivated students. As a winner for the Los Angeles County I now have to do a blog. I can give the blog site if any are interested."
Brady Koenig (Class of 2011) has been accepted as a volunteer at the National Park on Isla Santa Cruz in the Galapagos. His experience begins December 27 and ends March 27. Brady wrote, "Please pray for my safety as I go about this new experience, for my Spanish to keep up with the swift-tongued islanders, and to be salt and light in such a dark and thirsty place."
6. Class reunion plans...and hopes... Class of 2002: A note came from Amanda (Anzalone) Lewis, announcing plans for a 10th anniversary reunion: ???The Class of '02 has a facebook group where we are brain-storming reunion plans. Nothing solid has been decided yet. Lindsey Vickers recently posted a number of survey questions about dates, cost, and locations. Anyone interested in joining the discussion is welcome.??? The link is http://www.facebook.com/groups/126820517386253/ To contact the organizers, write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Class of 1997: Caleb Smith wrote recently that there is a facebook page for a 15th anniversary reunion, July 27-29 in Chicago: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=155683211192217
Class of 1992: I received a short note from John Campbell, who would like ideas as to a 20th anniversary reunion next summer. Anyone from 1992 interested? Send me a note and I'll forward it to John.
Class of 1987: The following update arrived from Christof Weber: "I have an update for you on the Class of 1987's 25 Year Reunion. We are currently planning on meeting in Orlando, Florida over the weekend of August 3, 2012. We are asking our classmates to let us know if they are planning on attending by checking in on our facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/groups/aa1987/) or by e-mailing Chris Weber ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Soonyong Park ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )."
Class of 1982: Dawn (Clapp) Simpson wrote, ???We are planning our 30-year reunion for next year to be held the week-end of September 21-23, 2012, in the Philadelphia/Hershey area, Pennsylvania. People can contact me via my email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or via facebook--Alliance Academy Class of 1982, with a section specific to the reunion. Patty Hanson (Tricia Lawrence) is also helping with the details. Anyone who was a part of the class at anytime, faculty included, are invited to come be a part of this great get together. Ideas are welcome also.???
Class of 1980: Alberto Cobos wrote to send early-alert plans for a 35th anniversary reunion, this time in Washington DC! That, of course, will be in 2015.
Class of 1978: All class members for whom I have email addresses should have received updates: Ruth (Isbell) Hylander and Faith (Pennell) Moser are coordinating the effort to put together your 35th Reunion--in Ecuador if plans can come together. Write me if you have not yet received that information, and I'll forward your note to Ruth and Faith.
For next year, how about 1972, 1962 (50th!), 1952? Any plans or hopes yet? Let me know!
If you want to contact any of the above, send me an email and I will forward it. Some of the above have facebook pages where you can find more information.
Please pass the word along! I do not have all alumni emails, so please forward this to anyone who may be interested. And if you have alumni who wish to "subscribe", please send their addresses to me...or ask them to do so.
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Thanxomuch!
Greg Collord, Alumni Director Alliance Academy International Website: http://www.alliance.k12.ec Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alliance-Academy-International/177889825587235 My emails: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
