Grace Missionaries:
Ray and Marge Shoff
written March 16, 1964
Ray Shoff, from Pennsylvania, was stationed at
Camp San Luis Obispo, attended this Church, was led to the Lord, then met
and married a local girl, Margaret Vanderberg. After some classes at Biola,
they came back to San Luis Obispo to raise their family of three boys
Phil and twins, Keith and Steven.
In 1962 the family's desire to serve on the mission field was realized when
the Flagstaff Mission to the Navajos invited them to labor with them. Ray's
background in construction has been an asset to the expanding mission needs.
Much of Ray's time is spent in traveling the rough roads and trails,
teaching in hogans and then teaching groups that come many miles for
Bible study and prayer.
Much preparation is made for Summer Camps. Navajo families come great
distances for this time of fellowship and Bible study. Classes are from
the youngest to the oldest. Another time of group fellowship is the
Christmas gatherings. Here warm and needed clothing is dispensed with
spiritual bread and encouragement.
The oldest boy, Phil graduated from high school this year. He has received
a scholarship from Biola and will be enrolling for this Fall term.
Recently the mission Founder, Catherine Beard, took an opportunity to tell
our Pastor how the Navajos "took" Ray as easily as he "took" to them.
"Which doesn't happen very often!" Praise the Lord!
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