Volunteers: John and Marlene Custer
Is it possible that God could use a former funeral director to help speed Bible translation?
“You bet,” John Custer replies. “From childhood, my wife Marlene and I were captivated by missions and cross-cultural experience. As a married couple, our desire has been to remain open to wherever the Lord wanted to ‘plug us in.’ ”
Several years ago, they attended a JAARS Missions at the Airport event, where they became acquainted with the organization and its ministries. The couple soon logged on to the JAARS Web site, where they discovered that JAARS invites volunteers to work for as long as they choose—and provides rental housing as well.
John and Marlene quickly agreed that JAARS would be a great place to spend the winter months of 2007, and they proceeded south.
The two had been volunteers only a short time when their hearts were gripped with the urgency of Bible translation; they soon decided to move to JAARS permanently.
Yet John and Marlene faced two hurdles. One was financial—they would have to sell their home in Ohio. God met this need in His faithfulness and perfect timing. The second was emotional—they would have to leave three daughters and six grandchildren.
Although very difficult, the couple knew that serving God was their priority. The Lord gently carried them through the transition, and support from their family grew. After some of their children visited JAARS, they fully understood their parents’ decision.
Marlene, a former teacher, has enjoyed a variety of tasks at the JAARS Center, including working in the kitchen and proofreading. She currently tutors missionaries' children and volunteers in the accounting department, documenting receipts and entering data.
John found his niche in Partnership Ministries, where his past experience as a funeral director contributes to his ability to communicate effectively with potential financial partners.
Marlene responds enthusiastically when asked about their life at JAARS. “We love meeting so many fellow believers and hearing their stories,” she says. “But most of all, we love doing something with eternal meaning and purpose.”
John adds, “Not everyone is called to be a linguist or translator, but it is phenomenal to know we can all be used by God—even a former funeral director. What an honor!”
