A Review From A Teacher
It was really God’s hand at work, and I marvel at how it all came together!
My daughter, an 8th grader at a local public junior high, came home from school the other day so excited. She shared that a wonderful speaker had come to talk to the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) group that morning. Now, normally my daughter is somewhat reserved/reticent, and for her to be so animated and for her to bring up the experience several times I knew she was deeply impacted. I, myself, then became very interested in the story. I decided to investigate more about this Immanuel Quilt Ministry. I checked on the website and learned that Mrs. Wolf lives right in our home town and does regular presentations upon request. I decided, right then and there, to email her to see if she might be able to come to talk to the students and staff at the new school I am currently working at.
It was really God’s hand at work, and I marvel at how it all came together!
The more I thought about it, I just knew that having Mrs. Wolf visit us at Boone Prairie was all in God’s plan. I was very struck by the similarities between Joni Wolf’s story—an ordinary woman called by God to do something extraordinary, something she never would have imagined for herself—and the story of how Boone Prairie School came to be. You see Bret and Shawna Reinhardt, the builders/founders/creators of Boone Prairie are not teachers themselves. They are ordinary people who happen to be extraordinary dreamers! They are successful business owners who felt that the educational opportunities that were available were somewhat lacking, and though they had no training or prior experience, they felt called to do something about that. Like Mrs. Wolf, the Reinhardts decided to see where God would lead them. Walking on faith, they built a school of their own–Boone Prairie!
It was really God’s hand at work, and I marvel at how it all came together!
Mrs. Wolf and I connected and were able to set up a time for her to visit Boone Prairie. It was a wonderful experience all around, one that made a lasting impression. Mrs. Wolf is a gifted storyteller, and the power of her tale deeply touched us all. The students, kindergarten through sixth grade, as well as the staff were all captivated by the poignant testimony that was given. There was a quite the buzz about how exciting it is that God is still communicating to people through dreams, just as he did in days long ago with Joseph. So much wonderful dialogue and deep discussion resulted from the presentation this afternoon! This all points to the awesome power of our God–that Mrs. Wolf is able to work through her fears by obeying His call as He leads her to places she could never imagine! Mrs. Wolf is a great example of what it means to step out in faith, and it is clear that she is truly walking hand in hand with God through this journey. How exciting to be able to share God’s amazing story through the humanness of her own experience, the striking beauty of the Immanuel Quilt itself, and the impact of the written word. We are deeply grateful to Mrs. Wolf for sharing with us here at Boone Prairie.
It was really God’s hand at work, and I marvel at how it all came together!
Rachael Cotteleer
5th/6th grade Teacher
Boone Prairie School
Whitestown, IN