Everybody Loves Ray…
Oct 31st, 2008 by John
- Ray Minnema
God blesses our lives with wonderful people. Julie and I invited Ray Minnema over to spend a few hours with us on Halloween Day. Because of the gorgeous warm, sunny weather, we–Julie, Lois (Julie’s mother), Ray and I–sat on the deck and visited, swapping stories, talking about books (he, too, likes John LeCarre) and about friends.
Ray told us more riveting stories about his life in the Dutch underground during World War II. About how his girl friend, Etty, (who became his wife) was a courier of information from the army leaders in London to the fighters in the Netherlands. Ray told of hundreds of people–young, old, healthy and sick–going farmhouse to farmhouse asking for a piece of bread, a potato, a sugar beet, anything to stay alive. All the food was confiscated by the German soldiers for their army.
Ray stayed for dinner and we talked more and laughed. He told us about observing St. Martin’s Day when he was a child. It is sort of an equivalent to our Halloween Day. Julie googled “St. Martin’s Day” and we all learned some things about it. Ray even recited in Dutch and English the St. Martin’s Day rhyme he used as a kid as he went door to door with his sugar beet lantern to get candy.
Ray is a remarkable man who has lived a remarkable life. He is a kind conversationalist with a hearty laugh. At 84, Ray was recently approved to be a visitor to Scotty at Harbor House Ministries in Jenison, MI. Scotty is a 71 year old, multiply-impaired resident of Harbor House. Ray is now Scotty’s friend and visitor. Scotty can’t communicate in words, but he know Ray cares for him. On Sundays, Ray sits with Scotty in our church service.
On this very day three years ago, Etty, Ray’s wife, had a stroke around 10 p.m. while on dialysis in their home. She never came out of a coma and died 3 days later. Ray was by her side when she breathed her last. I asked Ray about those events and he relived and described them for me. He loved and loves Etty dearly to this day. That he loves life and people and Scotty and us and almost everyone he meets is tribute to his heart. Ray has been captured by the love of God. He has seen brutal things and he has done brutal things. “War is hell.” Yet, in this life under the sun, Ray now lives a life of practical, self-giving love.
I told Ray this evening, “When I am 84 I want to be like Ray Minnema.” He laughed and said, “Ah, no. You don’t really know me. I can be mean.”
I’m thinking, “Yah, sure.”
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Well, we can all be mean, can’t we. Doesn’t take away that we can all be good, too. He looks pretty good for 84!
Ahh, friends. Friends get us through, don’t they?
I also have the great pleasure and honor of knowing Ray. I recently told Ray that I loved him. His response was that of surprise. My eight year old son Sam wants to visit with Ray soon so he can make paper airplanes with him. Ray makes perfect paper airplanes. He is a precious gift for sure. Thanks john, for sharing.
Wonderful John!
Thank you sharing this with us.
I know I have been blessed as I have had many Ray’s in my life to make me what I am today.
He’s 85 years old now and he’s doing very well. He is my wife’s Grandfather. He is a very good man. When my wife and I got married, her whole family was hesitant about accepting me except for Ray.