Arlene June Wood

Mom's life journey started on July 18, 1929, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She was the fourth child born to Leslie and Gladys Lord, Siblings Charlie, Vida, and Gladys preceded her in birth, and later Walter and Bernice arrived. From her family she earned the nickname "Dene" which stuck with her for the rest of her life.

World War II began when Mom was 12 yrs. old and had an impact on her early life. She spoke of the shortages that she and her family of eight faced during that difficult time. She had a close bond with her family, and they frequently got together for holidays and birthdays along with the numerous other relatives who lived in the area,

After High School, Mom worked as an operator for the telephone company. It was during that time that she met my father, who had moved to Williamsport to attend the local tech school, studying to be a surveyor. They were married on October 14th, 1950.

Dad's job with a large engineering firm required them to move frequently, living in trailer parks in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. In 1963, desiring to settle in one place, they purchased a house in Rochester, PA. They also began attending a small Methodist Church where they heard a clear presentation of the Gospel, and soon after placed their faith in Christ for their salvation.

As they grew in their faith, they became more involved in church activities, including the church's missions program. They began to see and understand the need to take the Gospel to those who have never heard. Mom made a summer trip to Haiti, which affected her deeply.

It was at that time that New Tribes Mission (now called Ethnos360) opened a training program about a mile from their house. Through their interaction with the staff and students, they were challenged anew towards missions.

It wasn't long before they began considering selling their home and entering full time mission work to go somewhere overseas.

In September 1968 they were accepted to start training with New Tribes Mission. They were sent to Durham, Ontario, Canada, where the mission had just recently opened a training program. As a former summer campgrounds, it was quite primitive living, but it was good training and preparation for the challenges that they would later face on the field.

Bob and Helen Goddard and family were on furlough from the field of Paraguay during that time, and were living at the Durham training center. They assured Dad and Mom that there was a need and place for them in Paraguay. They made the choice to head to that country to live and work.

After their training and preparation time, in 1971 they made it to Paraguay! They faced the extra challenge of learning the language and culture at a time when they were older in age than most new missionaries.

Eventually they were able to move to San Carlos, to work alongside the Goddards with the Angaite people. One of Mom's main ministries at San Carlos was to run the clinic. There were many challenging times and opportunities to trust God, especially in handling a variety of medical crises.

Over the 20 yrs. that they worked there, they were able to earn the respect and trust of the people, because of the servant's heart that they displayed.

After leaving Paraguay for the final time in 1992, they moved to the mission's retirement center here in Sanford, FL., where they served as staff until dad had a stroke in 1996. After that they moved into residential housing to, ironically, Paraguay Court, where they lived for 20 yrs.