MARRENA RALPH
Some 20 years ago, as a high school sophomore, Marrena began praying for something like Kids 4 Truth. She felt that, although she had been a Christian since she was five years old, raised in a godly Christian home, and attended Christian school since her fifth grade year, she still could not give a Bible reason for her beliefs without taking the time to look up passages in her Bible. She writes, "I felt that, if asked, I should be able to defend my faith, and I did not feel like I could do this. This became my heart's desire and continued to grow stronger as I married and had five children of my own."
Early in their relationship, Marrena's husband Rusty learned of this desire and began praying with her that they could teach their children and others what they believed and Bible proofs for those beliefs.
"It is vital that our children know what they believe and Bible answers for those beliefs," Marrena says. "Our children are the pastors, teachers, and parents of the future. Their churches, homes, families, and country will only be as strong as the foundation that they build upon. I have often said, "I want my children so grounded in what they believe and why they believe it that if they were taken from us (as we have seen happen to Christian parents and children in communist countries) they could carry on for Christ."
During the summer of 2000, Bob Roberts approached Marrena about making some awards standards for a kids' program he was developing. Rusty and Marrena learned more about what Bob was doing and immediately supported his efforts. In their words, "We were excited that someone had a vision for what we had been praying for all these years. It has been exciting to have a part in the development of the awards and promotional items like shirts and Bible covers."
Then in the summer of 2001, God laid it on the Ralphs' hearts to help Bob even more. They saw that there was too much for one person to accomplish by himself if the job was going to get accomplished. After the tragic events of September 11, the Lord saw fit to allow Marrena the opportunity to become Bob's secretary. She was thrilled: "What a joy and privilege it has been to work with Bob and the ministry that has become Kids 4 Truth International. I never imagined twenty years ago that God would use me, even in a small way, in the development of this curriculum. It is our heart's desire come true and such a blessing to our entire family!"
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