WANDA TELLS HER STORY.

From time to time I receive mail from people who read my blog and I just love to hear from former Bethany children and their experiences in life since leaving the Philippines.
One such mail I received recently was from Wanda Swenson which I have reproduced here with her permission as I think it’s so touching and down to earth.

Wanda wrote, I would be happy to share my story. God certainly does move in mysterious ways and I have been very blessed in my life thus far.
Background: I was brought to Bethany by my Aunt; my birth parents were unwed students. I lived in Bethany for 5 years for a very happy childhood (from what I can remember!) Christian missionaries Paul and Barb North (& their newborn son Justin) of New York served at the orphanage for two years helping to build the music school and music/art program at Bethany. When they left they adopted another Filipino child- Lenny. So the couple came over a 'family of three' and left a 'family of five!
Since my adoptive father was in ministry, he took several pastoral calls throughout the U.S. so we lived in New York, Indiana, Iowa and California. All that moving around made I well equipped to adjust to new environments and make friends easily. I have always had an adventurous spirit and I joined the U.S. Navy after high school. My four years in the Navy onboard the U.S.S. LaSalle flagship were challenging but filled with wonderful travel, exposure to many varied cultures and an opportunity to make lifelong friends. My duties onboard the ship included coordinating mail delivery to over 40 ports of call in Northern Africa, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean and running the shipboard post office. Another perk to the Navy- that is where I met my best friend and husband Brian.
I used my G.I Bill to go to college at Michigan State University. I currently work in Sales & Marketing for an insurance company. I work with Indiana and Ohio Medical, Dental & Legal societies and train insurance agents who want to work with my company.
In my free time I am in a dance troupe that performs Middle Eastern, Polynesian and Spanish dances. My husband and I are avid cyclists and he is teaching me how to play hockey (I really need to stick to dancing!
I would like to share that so many people who hear that I am adopted say I am 'lucky'. I do not feel that 'luck' has anything to do with it; instead it is God's will, and open loving hearts of his servants that enabled me to have a fruitful life. I know He has a plan for me and my family and although I may stumble at times to find it, I know there is a plan for my Life, just like there is a plan for each precious child at Bethany.

Wanda with her husband Brian

Thank you for your time, I certainly hope we can keep in touch. . I have not been back since I left in 1980 but hope to one day.