Tribute to Rosalie
- from Dr.
Tom Bloomer
The leaders of the University of the Nations join with the rest of
YWAM in mourning the passing of Rosalie. Her sudden departure leaves a
great gap in our ranks.
Rosalie's heart for the educationally wounded, and her commitment
to help them come up to university levels in their learning skills through
her Equivalency program, was an example for us all. Through her we
realized that one of the Lord's goals in raising up the University of the
Nations was to create safe spaces for the educationally disadvantaged so
that they can realize their full learning potential.
But Rosalie was perhaps even more effective in teaching teachers
how to teach. Because she well knew how counterproductive they were, she
was exasperated with traditional teaching methods and continually
challenged us to use our creativity in reaching out to people of different
learning styles.
When she challenged different groups of students to make their
classroom a place for the glory of the Lord to dwell, she showed us a way
of teaching and learning that was built around His presence. Because of
her zeal for the Lord and her understanding of His heart for the
educationally wounded, Rosalie ventured closer into the heart of Christian
education than anyone else we know.
Rosalie's life was another example of "excellence crucified", as
she lay down the talents that could have brought her professional
recognition and a very comfortable income; she chose instead to rescue
those that the education systems of this world had rejected, to educate
those who had been told that they were hopeless at learning, and to teach
teachers that teaching can and should be fun.
One of her disappointments in her ministry was not being able to
multiply what she did. But recently she realized that much of her
ministry revolved around her unique combination of giftings and
experience.
However, we must take up the prophetic mantle that has fallen from
her shoulders. As she has gone on into that Presence that she sought even
in her classrooms, and is now free from all pain and tears, we who remain
behind cannot leave her legacy just a memory. Please join with me in
praying that the Lord will replace Rosalie with teams and even armies of
teachers who will take her message of God's love and creativity into the
classrooms of the nations. Let us pray that the Lord of the Harvest will
raise up the educational workers who can carry His vision of education to
the ends of the earth.
Today we pray the Lord's blessing on all of Rosalie's family,
friends, and supporters, those who shared her with the rest of the world.
May His comfort be with us all.
In His service,
Dr. Tom Bloomer and Cynthia Malmstadt Bloomer
International Provost
University of the Nations