Marc's memorial

Marc was my InterVarsity staff worker.  For a while, he was painting these "eye" cards for  people.  Here's one of his pieces.  The second photo is of Marc and me at the top of Half Dome having a conflict resolution (!)  We had just lead our frosh small group up the mountain.  And the stressful trip caused a few fights.  He was quick to "clear accounts".  I appreciate that he was committed to his friendships, and didn't put off having a hard conversation even though we were in the  middle of a hike, etc.  Marc was sort of intense that way.  (Sorry for the quality of the photos.)

I am forever grateful to Marc.  At the end of a rough year, I was a burn-out ministry leader.  And instead of letting me hang out to dry, he invited me to partner with him and lead a small group.  That year was a turn-around year for me.  Marc challenged me, invited me into his life, and taught me a lot.  But mostly, he brought me back from the brink.  It's no exaggeration to say if he hadn't stepped in 12 years ago, I would probably not be in ministry today (7 years with InterVarsity).  I'm grateful for him--in all his quirky, funny, and slightly odd ways.

Nikki Toyama-Szeto