Newsletter   I   JUNE 2003

Ruby and P.D. Stonebraker 42 years of loving Internationals THE MEANING OF LIFE As I was thinking about the changes that have taken place with the passing of Ruby Stonebraker, I have been thinking about the meaning of life. I'll share with you what I spoke about during Ruby's funeral. As I prayed about the meaning of life, the Lord opened three encouraging truths to my heart: (1) With all the changes in life and even the loss of loved ones, God alone remains the same. He is the one con-stant in life that we can depend upon. Everything that God works in our life and everything that God allows to happen to us is intended to bring us to one conclusion: God is all I need. Really the ultimate meaning of life is to determine, God is all I need and all I want. Ruby Stonebraker had been unconscious for a day before she died. Just before she died, her husband said she suddenly opened her eyes wide and spoke a few words and then with a sweet peace she was gone. No doubt in the last few moments Ruby's focus was totally on the Jesus whom she loved. Perhaps if we could have heard her speak she would be saying, "He is truly my all in all." (2) Loving what God loves is what makes life worth living. Many people (even many Christians) seem to approach the Bible as a ‘rule book.’ Their main concern is to find what does the Bible say I'm allowed to do, or not allowed to do, or what do I have to do. But the Bible is really a revelation of what God loves. When we set our hearts to love God and love what He loves, the Bible will become an open book to us. It will reveal its secret treasurers to us. Just think about the first phrase in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world..." That's an amazing and inspiring statement. If God so loves the world (people) and it doesn't matter what the color of their skin is or what their language or nationality is, then I can love people. Ruby Stonebraker simply loved all people. It didn't matter who they were, she loved them because God loved them. One International from India told me, Sister Ruby understood us because she loved us. Loving what God loves surely made Ruby Stonebraker's life the wonderful satisfying ad-venture it was. She was the most joyful and satisfied per-son you could know. (3) Finally in this little brief day we call “life on earth,” the only thing that will last is what we did for Jesus. Ruby Stonebraker and her husband never accomplished many of the things people consider a mark of success. They never had a large bank account. They rarely if ever owned a new car. They were just two very humble Christian people who for 42 years loved people from all over the world. They did this for Jesus. Since 1960, their lives have touched the lives of people from more than 120 countries of the world. One hundred years from today the so-called rich and famous of this day will be forgotten. Yet somewhere in the world, someone will still be talking about Ruby Stonebraker. Maybe a grandmother may tell her grandchildren how her mother knew a woman in Pitts-burgh who was the most loving person she ever met. In fact, when she met Ruby Stonebraker she was convinced that God was real and that Jesus was alive. Why? Because she saw Jesus living within her. That's the only thing in this life that will last.                                                                                                --Terry Tiberio, ISF Assistant

LETTER FROM THE ISF ASSISTANT Dear International Friend, Greetings to you from International Student Fellowship. Much has happened since the last time we wrote you. First, Byron and Julie Gurnee have accepted the responsibility of pastoring a church in Conneaut, OH. We have so appreciated working with the Gurnees and their dedicated love for Internationals. We wish them the best. If you know any Internationals in the Conneaut, Ohio area let them know; they’ll find Byron and Julie to be true friends. Also you’ll notice that one name is missing under the title “ISF Director.” As many of you know, Mrs. Ruby Stonebraker went to be with the Lord on June 2, 2003. For over 42 years she and her husband have loved and touched the lives of Internationals from more than 120 different countries. We especially thank all those who wrote expressing sympathy for the passing away of Ruby Stonebraker. She will be deeply missed, yet we are happy to know she is with Jesus enjoying the glory of heaven at this very moment. Many have asked what they could do at this time. One thing that would be very comforting to R. D. Stonebraker over the next several weeks is to receive cards in the mail from Internationals expressing their love and encouragement to him at this time. He and his wife lived for Internationals and surely this would mean a lot to him. Feel free even to put a picture of yourself or your family in the card also. If you are able to send a card it should be mailed to the following address:                                                 P. D. Stonebraker                                                 113 Conneaut Drive                                                 Pittsburgh, PA 15239 If you can join us for our next ISF gathering I'm sure that will also prove to be a happy encouragement to all of us at ISF. This gathering will be on Friday, June 27th at 7:30 PM in the beautiful Ballroom of the William Pitt Union. The William Pitt Union is located in Oakland on the corner of Bigelow and Fifth Avenue. To get to the Ballroom, use the entrance on Fifth Avenue and then follow the signs. At this gathering P. D. Stonebraker would like to share some memories about his wife, Ruby. Please invite as many of your friends as possible for this gathering. As always there will be good music, wonderful fellowship, a full course meal for you to enjoy and of course there will be children’s activities in the Kurtzman room. And remember it’s all free! Also we want to announce that our friends at the Bellefield Presbyterian Church (P.R.I.S.M.) will be having Vacation Bible School - June 23 thru 27 from 10:00 AM until noon each morning. To register call Jeanne Griffith at 412-422-7312 or e-mail griffithwg@juno.com signs. We hope to see you on June 27th at 7:30 PM for the ISF Gathering                                                                                                       --Terry Tiberio, ISF Assistant