Note: This letter was received from Jean Stultz thanking the SASAF for a gift acknowledging her many years of service to the Schutz Alumni and friends. Jean hosted our board meetings and mini-reunions at her farm in Bultler, PA for as long as I can remember. She has been the force that has kept many of us in touch with each other over the last 30 years. We look forward to many more years of her support and friendship. – Ed Nicholas
July 25, 2013
Dear Schutz Friends,
How do I begin to thank you for the surprise of July 20? How very special to receive such a meaningful gift that I will cherish, wear often, and will proudly interpret the inscription that explains the essence of our relationship to each other. We are family. We are a special family that cares for each other.
I must confess that when I was working at Tanta Hospital I knew nothing about Schutz. When I completed my short-term assignment and sailed home in 1959 I hated to leave Egypt. I was sad and thought I would never be there again. Those of us who have been in short-term mission are very similar to those of you who have lived elsewhere and returned to the U.S. to face adjustment. You seek others who have had similar experiences because they know and understand how you are feeling. When the letter arrived from George Meloy asking if I would consider joining the staff at Schutz, I certainly didn’t know what that would mean. My heart was still in Tanta. I accepted the invitation with the condition that I would be permitted to go one day a week to Tanta Hospital to help with the work there. I don’t remember how long I continued that practice. I suspect until the Schutz family got under my skin!
When it came time to depart Schutz in 1963 I thought now what? How can we stay in touch? The round robin letter was started with the class of ’63 and it was a natural to also initiate a reunion each year during the New Wilmington Mission Conference since many of the mission families would be in attendance. What a wonderful ride it has been.
Friends would often ask me how could you manage the newsletter and reunions and your work? No problem I would answer because this group of special people knows how to help make things happen. You do and you did all these years. The support and help was there. God has blessed me mightily by sending me to Egypt. He has given me the opportunity to share in your lives in mysterious ways bringing me so much joy and appreciation for each and every one of you.
Thank you for being my extended family. Thank you for the beautiful cartouche that will forever carry me back to so many wonderful memories.
Forever grateful,
Jean Stultz
What a gracious letter, Jean. I trust you know that every member of the class of 1963 counts you among his/her greatest blessings. So many times when I put my fingers on the keyboard of my computer, I find myself grateful for the lessons I learned from you on those old typewriters at Schutz. My doctoral dissertation was 247 pages in length. I know for sure I thought about you every time I had to do a revision — at least four or five. I had to start from the beginning every time, so there was a lot of typing! By the time I started writing books, I was using a computer. Wow, what a difference it makes to revise in a Word document. In any case, you have had a “hand” in everything I have written, and for that, I am very grateful, but mostly I am grateful I can count you among my lifelong friends.
Peace,
Lloyd M. Hulit
Hello Lloyd,
I am just now connecting with your message. Thank you for your kind words. A note to write to you has been sitting on the desk along with many others and eventually it will happen. Nothing replaces the opportunity I was given to be associated with Schutz and the many students and staff. It continues in such a special way these many years. Blessings. Jean