May 2001

It Really IS a Small World!

During a meal at the retreat, Leonard and Carol Shott and Marvin and Cherie Buller talked about their childhoods. Carol mentioned growing up in a Congregational church in Pocatello, Idaho; Cherie related that, although she grew up in Riverside, California, she had an uncle who was a Congregational pastor in Boise. Carol casually asked his name, and when Cherie said, “Gene Haynes,” both Leonard and Carol were stunned!

Rev. Gene “Pops” Haynes was “governor” of a Congregational youth camp at Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho, where Carol spent many summers. Carol credits Pops Haynes with introducing her to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He was very influential in her spiritual development. He was also the chaperone and driver for Carol and friends on a month-long trip to the East Coast as delegates to a youth conference at Yale.

Carol and Cherie shared a happy coincidence and many pleasant memories of a favorite person in each of their lives. Both feel blessed that they were brought together in such a special way.