JAARS Volunteers Speak

John and Judi Clarke toured the JAARS center and caught what they call “JAARS fever.” John noted the Construction and Maintenance Department and said, “Hey, that’s what I’ve been doing all my life. I could do that.” Judi, with experience as a rental agent saw the Housing Department and said, “That’s where I can use my skills to support Bible translation.”

A second volunteering trip in 2000 sealed the Clarkes’ desire to move to JAARS. They prayed, packed, and within two months returned excited to be a part of the team. John now serves as Maintenance Manager for the 98 units on the center. Judi is hostess for Penn Lodge, a ten-room overnight facility.

“People in the 55 to 70 age bracket,” the Clarkes say, “have worked hard all their lives and want to retire, but some then feel empty and wonder What next? Seeing the Bible translation support needs at JAARS and knowing the joy of working here, we encourage people to come, take the tour and consider.”

The Clarkes realized how little most people know about the hundreds of languages still without the Word in their own language, so they returned to New York state to present the work of JAARS and Wycliffe. They did a similar program for the church they attend near JAARS.

To update people on their work, they send out letters to many, including old friends from high school days. They urge them all to visit JAARS and take the tour. When friends accept their invitation, the Clarkes also give a personal tour, pointing out even more areas of service: child care, trucking, dining room kitchen, sewing room, boutique and, of course, housekeeping needs.

Two couples visited together. When one of the men, a machinist by trade, went into the machine shop, he could hardly contain himself, to think that he could use his skills for the Lord. The other man and his wife wrote later and thanked Judi and John for urging them to come. They said, “It was just awesome to see how so many people from so many different walks of life come together to the glory of God to do His work.”

Another couple came and worked for a week. Yet another worked for three weeks. Then, on their way back from Florida this year, they worked seven weeks and now plan to move here to help the telephone crew and in trucking.

John and Judi promote missions in their teen Sunday school class too. John invited two sixteen-year-old boys to work all last summer in housing and maintenance.

Judi tells visitors, “We know you’ll be back. After you take the tour, God will speak to you. You have abilities, whether you think so or not.”

John says, “My job allows me to meet many retirees. I strongly encourage them to return.” He adds, “I’m not capable of doing translation, but I’m part of Vision 2025. I'm doing all I can, where I am, to attain that goal.”

The Clarkes now serve at JAARS under Interlink Ministries.