Articles:
| Joyful Determination |
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| Saturday, 13 June 2009 14:32 |
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Volunteer Profile Bernie & Ina Pennings-by Tanya Byl The first thing I notice when I sit down across from Ina Pennings is her hands. Large and strong, with short fingernails, these are working hands. Ina is a mother of ten, a devoted daughter, and one of Word & Deed’s most loyal volunteers. Fifteen years ago, Ina and her husband Bernie welcomed a child unlike any other into their family fold. A little immature, but with real potential, it was Word & Deed Canada. Since then, she has watched it grow from its humble beginnings at a desk in her home to its current office in St. Thomas, Ontario.  In 1996, Bernie and Ina had to decide whether Bernie would leave his electrical contracting business to become Word & Deed’s director. Although the couple initially declined, an industrial accident injured Bernie and changed their minds. Ina says, “The Lord was saying to us, you made the wrong decision. I want you to go into missions.” This made their commitment easier, because “when he goes [overseas], I know it was the Lord’s decision.” With Bernie working as Word & Deed’s executive director, the organization has had a direct impact on the Pennings family. “We as a family work more as a unit together. Especially in the beginning, we did everything together – magazines, picnics…”Ina has always volunteered her time for Word & Deed’s wellbeing. For the first five years, she was its office secretary. When she began home schooling her children, she stepped back to managing the packaging and distribution of the magazine. While the distribution currently happens at the local FRC church, Ina remembers that “we used to do it on my kitchen table.” These days, about 15 volunteers come and go throughout a day, spurred on in their work by a pan of Ina’s homemade soup. Twice a year, they stuff remittance envelopes into the magazine as well. When travellers head to Word & Deed projects overseas, Ina packs one of their suitcases with goods for that country, taking full advantage of every 50 available pounds. Although current airline policy has cancelled the free second piece of luggage, a suitcase on an airplane is still one of the most economical ways to ship goods to foreign countries. Ina seems to approach her life’s tasks with good humour and determination. She laughs, “One person asked me ‘How are you going to get 75 pounds in this suitcase?’ and I said, ‘Watch! Squeeze…roll…’” Ina is keen to see more young people visit the developing countries in which Word & Deed works. “They’re the future of charity,” she says. “They’re going to have it on their heart.” Has all her volunteering encouraged her own children to do the same? “I think so,” Ina says. “They’re caring, sharing. I don’t even notice it. I figure that’s just a part of how we’re supposed to live.” Tanya Byl is a member of Burgessville Heritage Reformed Congregation and one of the editors of this magazine.  |