Everyone has unique experiences in life. Each person has a story to tell and words of wisdom that can be shared with others. With that in mind, we’d like to introduce you to some of the wonderful people who live here at CHCC. Here is a recent Q&A session we did with Irene R.
Q: Have you lived in other places besides Lynden?
A: Yes. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I lived in Costa Rica for a year so I could learn to speak Spanish. Then, I lived in Ecuador for 40 years with my husband, Bill (William).
Q: What industry did you retire from?
A: I was a homemaker, then I was a missionary and bible teacher for children. Bill and I wrote a book together called “If It Wasn’t for the Lighthouse.” We met while I was sailing, and he was manning the lighthouse. The book was published 63 years after we were married. The book is about our life together and our missionary work in Ecuador. I like giving copies of the book to staff here and other residents.
[ Note: Bill and Irene’s book is available on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/If-Wasnt-Lighthouse-Bill-Ridgeway/dp/1927521564 ]
Q: What was your favorite thing about the work you did?
A: I loved seeing children coming to Jesus and living for him.
Q: If you could have any type of food, what would it be?
A: That would have to be Ecuadorian cooking. Anything they cooked was good, but they did beautiful soups and banana bread. I made a lot of it to give to people.
Q: What is one thing that you have been most proud of in your life?
A: The Lord Jesus saved me and gave me life eternal because of his blood shed on the cross for me. My husband and I served him as missionaries; I believe my husband and I were chosen by God to be man and wife and to serve him together.
Q: What is one thing you did or experienced that was scary?
A: The mountains in Ecuador. Some of them were very dangerous and narrow when you are driving on them, which we did a lot, but my husband was a good driver.
Q: What was your favorite decade to live in, and why?
A: It is not one decade, but I did love my time in Ecuador. I was 26 when I arrived; we had two children when we moved there and two more were born there.
Q: What is one life lesson that you learned from your parents?
A: Never tell a lie.
Q: What is one piece of advice that you would give a 16-year-old person?
A: Serve the Lord with gladness. Keep your heart tender toward God and keep your body pure for the Lord. Make deep friendships.
Q: What is one thing most people don’t know about you, but you wish they did?
A: I have a few things to share. First, I’m not an angel. I have my ups and downs.
My nickname is “Peanut.” It’s a family nickname given to me because I was the smallest of my three sisters. My daughter has a nickname, too. It’s “Cookie.” Bill first started calling our daughter “the itch,” because she was always busy and getting into things. Then, one time we were having a bible group at our house and someone mentioned that it didn’t always sound like “the itch” when he says it. He then realized he should change her nickname, and the first thing he thought of was Cookie.
In Ecuador, we had many different animals for pets, including jungle birds and monkeys. We had dogs and raised puppies; the children would sell the puppies and save the money to go to camp. In our book there is a photo of Bill giving the monkey a bath. The monkey didn’t like baths. It would wrap its tail around Bill’s arm during the bath. I was also a Girl Scout.
Q: You’ve lived through other historical events —wars and recessions and such. What do you think of the pandemic that we’re living through now?
A: I guess it is just about the worst. It separates you from people and it is very upsetting.
Q: What is one thing that you like about living at CHCC?
A: I like my roommate right now. She is great! People check on me all the time here. They ask how I am doing. I often say, “Better than I deserve.”
Q: What activities or hobbies do you enjoy?
A: Before COVID-19, I liked eating in the dining room. My tablemates and I always had fun. We sang, talked and prayed. I am looking forward to being able to do that again, hopefully soon.