Ben Lippen 50th Reunion

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Trip start
September 28, 2023
Ben Lippen 50th Reunion Traveler
TYR -DFW-CLT
September 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 70 °F
Heading to North Carolina for Glenn’s 50th HS reunion.

But first, to see folks at JAARS
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Ben Lippen 50th Reunion Traveler
Billy Graham Library
September 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
We got to connect with Ron Shea, son of George Beverly Shea who is famous for singing “How great thou art” and the closing song at the Billy Graham crusades as “Just as I am”.

Back in 2002, I was the receptionist for the Billy Graham event in Dallas Fort Worth metroplex and that was where I worked with Ron and Kathy Shea. Dear friends, appreciate them a lot.

While touring the grounds, we ran into Nita Turrentine from First Baptist Liberty City in Texas.

Yes, small world, big family.Read more
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Ben Lippen 50th Reunion Traveler
Visit at JAARS center
September 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
What a great day. We visited with Ray and Doris Rising. They currently work on radio and transmitters and projects related to the Radio programs that will transmit in Spanish and in Quechua. They know Jake and Dorothy Fehr. When we left Bolivia in 2000, Ellen sold or gave her dog “Wishbone” to the Risings. Doris’s sister is Lorraine Whaley, Dr. Whaley’s wife.

Then we had dinner with Tom and Mary Beekman at the Emmet Social Table in Waxhaw. A unique eating style (like tapas in Spain, where you share the food in family style). Mary introduced Glenn and me together back in 1978.

If it wasn’t for Tom and Mary introducing us together, then …..

We also had lunch on Friday with Jim and Deb Cartwright. Glenn went to Moody Aviation with Jim and then we have visited them in Colombia back when I worked for Delta, we flew down on passes to see them in Bogota.

Did I mention that we have a Ford Mustang as our rental car.Read more
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Ben Lippen 50th Reunion Traveler
More Friends
September 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Jim and Deb C and Steve Ottaviano met us for lunch.

Glenn was Steve’s best man in 1979 in Montana.
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Ben Lippen 50th Reunion Traveler
Ben Lippen High School football
September 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
Glenn attended 3 years at BL when the campus was up in Asheville NC. He was involved in missions, choir and soccer.

One of his jobs was buffing the floors and then restocking the pantry every day and meeting the delivery truck. Quite a responsible job for a teenager.

We got a tour of the new campus that moved to Columbia SC after a fire that destroyed the main building in 1983.

Today is Homecoming. There are activities for all ages. Bounce House. Food truck.

Football game. A lot different than Glenn’s day. Soccer was the only sport.Read more
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Ben Lippen 50th Reunion Traveler
Ben Lippen Reunion
September 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Glenn’s official Homecoming event was held at Soby’s bar in downtown Greenville, SC. 15 guys and 7 girl classmates showed up out of a class of 40.

We sang old faithful songs such ad “How great Thou Art”and the class song of “Submission”

Submission
The path that I have trod, has brought me nearer God,
though oft it led through sorrows gates.
Though not the way I'd choose, in my way I might lose,
the joy that yet for me awaits.

[Chorus]
Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to go.
For who am I that I should choose my way.
The Lord will choose for me, 'tis better far I know.
So let him bid me go; or stay.

The cross that I must bear, if I a crown would wear,
is not the cross that I would take.
But since on me 'tis laid, I'll take it unafraid;
and bear it for the Master's sake.

We visited at length with Sam and Shirley D. Sam was Glenn’s roommate 10th and 12th grade.

I sat next to Martha Seiford Smallwood. She’s an CAM mk from Honduras. She knew Geri Paul and others.

It was a fun weekend.Read more
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Ben Lippen 50th Reunion Traveler
Dinner with Neil and Diana Thomas
September 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
The Thomas’s served 6!years in Guatemala at LBN.

Fun to reconnect with them. Pray for Neil as he is fighting stomach cancer
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Ben Lippen 50th Reunion Traveler
Forrest and Carol and Ford Mustang
October 1, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
We’ve known the Kendall’s since 2006 when we moved to Guatemala. We became friends quickly.

I would religiously stop at their house for a “bathroom” break so I could go up on their rooftop and see the volcanoes.

Carol and I share a birthday. October 20. Last year we rented a cabin in NC for a few days and they drove 2 hours to be with us.

Today, they drove 2 hours and met us at CLT airport to spend lunch with us.

We had a nice lunch at a nearby Panera bread store. And Sherrie topped it off by a free bagel. She found where I was.

Oh, yesterday Glenn’s old class mates got a kick out of the Avis car rental. Of course a Ford mustang!Read more
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Trip end
October 2, 2023