John & Elaine Smit’s Story

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John: I was born in Grand Rapids, MI, which was where my father located following his discharge from the US Navy at the end of WWII. He met my mother and they began their family in Grand Rapids. He always wanted to return to his hometown of Ripon, CA, which we did in 1961. I attended a Christian school and then local colleges where I got infected with an obsession for bioscience, especially microscopy. This led to a PhD at UC Berkeley, a very interesting place in the mid-70s! Also interesting was meeting Elaine and convincing her to marry a long-haired hippie! Then Seattle, WA for Postdoctoral and Research Associate positions at the U. of Washington. All three of our children were born while we were in Seattle. Then back to the Bay Area as a Research Professor at a US Navy facility. An abrupt notice of lab closures had me interviewing again across North America, with positions ultimately offered in Baltimore, San Diego, and, surprising for us, Vancouver, a foreign land. We chose the latter and since 1987 I have been a Professor of Microbiology at UBC until my retirement in 2019. 

Elaine and I joined the Richmond CRC in 1987, transferring to Ladner CRC in 1997. This was not an easy decision, in part because I was Chair of Council at the time. But with rapidly declining membership, the realization that our twin boys were the only Cadet Club members was one final factor. I have been an elder twice in Richmond and three times in Ladner, as well as having numerous committee responsibilities, currently as chair of the Worship Committee.

I have multiple hobbies; playing trumpet in bands and churches and singing in 2 choirs (Gloria Dei and EnChor) are the musical ones. Also, winemaking, boating, and camping come to mind. World travel is an interest shared with Elaine. In 1986 I begrudgingly went to India for a work-related meeting but returned infected with the excitement of seeing other countries and cultures close up. China followed a few years later and since then, Elaine and I have visited or lived in most of the countries in the European continent (and are itching to return).

I don’t find it challenging to be a Christian; we live in a protective, tolerant environment. I didn’t find it difficult to be a Christian in a secular science work environment, partly because I am open minded about discovering how God created and organizes this wonderful world; that fits easily with scientists’ perspective on learning.

A favorite Bible passage? Many Psalms speak to me of the praise we owe God the Father. I relate well to that perspective. Also Romans 15:1: “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” Chosen because I have a lot of strength to offer? No, it is somewhat self-serving; I have noticed I become a better Christian when I am put in the position of helping others.

Elaine: I was born in Edmonton but my parents moved to Lynden, WA when I was 6 weeks old. Later we moved to Seattle which I consider my hometown. I attended Watson Groen Christian School (now Shoreline Christian). After graduating from Calvin College, I taught 3rd grade at the Christian School in Ripon, CA, where I met John. We were married in 1975. After moving to Washington and then back to California, we arrived in Canada in 1987. Our adult children, Lindsey, Andrew, and Joel, live nearby and are busy with challenging occupations.

I taught elementary school for seven years and then worked as a claims adjuster for an independent adjusting agency, handling many McDonald’s burnt tongues, Safeway slips and falls, and Metro bus-car scratch claims. After our children were born, I did daycare for a while. I then obtained my BC Teaching Certification and was a teacher-on-call for local Christian schools for several years.

I enjoy reading, cooking/baking, gardening, walking, camping, sewing, Bible study, and participating in church ministry committee work. We enjoy travelling and have been blessed with the opportunity to go to many wonderful destinations.

When we moved to Richmond, we attended Richmond CRC and our children attended Richmond Christian School. After ten years, many Richmond CRC families were moving east so we decided to join the Ladner CRC in 1997. Shortly after I became the Children’s Ministry leader and have been involved in different aspects of church life: Coffee Break, Single Parents, Kids Club, Basic Skills Camp, VBS, Cross Training, and Safe Church.

Something surprising about me? In 1989 John and I went to China where he and two other professors were on a 3-week teaching tour. I contacted The Bible League and asked if I could take some Bibles with me. They gave me a box of Bibles with strict instructions on how to phone the contact person and deliver the box. No mention of Bibles, just ‘gifts’ to give to this person. God protected us with this cargo, and all were delivered safely.

Challenges in being a Christian today? It is a challenge to be a witness for Jesus when some do not want to hear the message of salvation or take it seriously. Loving others as Jesus loves us is my goal with God’s help.

Many Bible passages are meaningful and encouraging and it is hard to pick one. John 10:27-30 gives me the assurance that I am safely in God’s hand. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

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