INVESTING IN LIVES
“Whenever people ask me what my secret to a long life is, my answer is always that it’s not a secret,” Gertrude says. “It’s God’s gift to me, and it’s God’s challenge to me. He’s given me long life, and even when situations come up that seem troubling, I trust Him. I know there’s still a reason for me to be on earth, and I look for opportunities to be used of Him.” The wisdom and life experiences Gertrude shares with others serve as encouragement and an example to those blessed to meet her. Gertrude never married and has no children, but one could argue that with her investment in education, she raised many, many children who carry their memories of this selfless, faith-filled woman in their heart, and whose impact on their lives will be felt for many generations to come.
MICHIGAN In 1988, Gertrude retired from missionary teaching, happy to return to her home church of Bethel CRC in Zeeland. Never one to rest on her laurels, she soon began teaching at Zeeland Christian School. She taught there for 25 years in various positions, ending her time there working in a landmark program created by Barb Newman, a pioneer for special education in Christian schools. Gertrude had been praying about when to retire, when the pandemic offered her an opportunity to quietly do just that. When Gertrude turned 100, she was pleasantly overwhelmed by seeing so many people come from all around the globe to celebrate her century of life and ministry. Finally, at age 102, she moved to Royal Atrium Inn after a fall helped her see living alone wasn’t a good fit anymore. “Even in this, just like all along, everything happened in God’s plan and with His provision all the way through.” She enjoys meeting new people, attending the exercise classes, and having meals with her neighbors at the friendly community. She also enjoys visits from her nieces, who have faithfully cared for her for many years now.
Top: Gertrude with her parents Lambert & Jennie Van Haitsma in 1930. Middle: Gertrude and her first class at Reboboth (1946-47). Bottom: Gertrude teaching in her classroom in Nigeria
Issue No. 2 | ProvidenceLifeServices.com 19
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