JAARS Volunteers Speak

Is it possible that God could use a former funeral director to further His kingdom? “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.’ ”

God opened the door for John and Marlene to serve as short-term missionaries in Asia for two years, shortly after taking an early retirement in 2004. Returning home, they wondered what God had in store for them next. They didn’t have to wait long. Two months later, they attended a JAARS Mission at the Airport where they became acquainted with the organization and its ministries. The couple soon logged on to the website (www.jaars.org) where they discovered that JAARS not only invites volunteers to work for as long as they choose but also provides rental housing. 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. Learning that over 2,200 of the 6,912 languages in the world do not have a translation of God’s Word played a strategic role in their decision to move to JAARS permanently.

John and Marlene faced two hurdles. One was financial—they would have to sell their home in Ohio. God in His faithfulness and perfect timing met this need. 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 family support grew. After some of their children visited JAARS, they fully understood their parents’ decision.

A former teacher, Marlene has enjoyed a variety of tasks at the JAARS Center, including working in the kitchen and proofreading. She currently tutors missionary kids and volunteers in the Accounting department, documenting receipts and entering data. John began as a clerk in Transportation but has since found his niche in Partnership Ministries. His past experience as a funeral director contributes to his ability to communicate effectively with potential donors.

Marlene responds enthusiastically when asked about their life at JAARS, “We love meeting so many fellow believers and hearing their stories, but most of all we love doing something with eternal meaning and purpose. The Lord has blessed us with wonderful times of fellowship with our new friends, with gratifying assignments, a comfortable home and rich times with our family.”

John echoes Marlene’s sentiments, “It is fantastic and exciting to be part of sharing the vision of Bible translation with people across the U.S. To be an instrument of God at the JAARS Center is a real joy. 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!”