"The Importance of Missions"
by Barbara (Bangs) Krueger, about the author

Missions was VERY important to Carolyn Ray. Daily, we prayed for one of the Tapawingo missionaries. She kept a world map on the mantel over the fireplace in the Dining Room. It was huge. You couldn't miss it. And, every day, a new picture of a missionary would be placed in the center of that map. We took two collections during each week -- at Chapel on Sunday morning, and again before we left camp. All of that money was designated for the missionaries who had gone out from Tapawingo, in order that the Gospel message would go forth around the world. I had the privilege over the years of meeting most of those missionaries -- Judy Hardin, Susie Benforado, Lin Stearns, Vicki Harkrider, Nita Walker, Midge Pittman, and so many more. Several of those missionaries started as counselors at camp, and were called of God from that special place to go out into the Harvest Field around the world. Many are still on the mission field today -- 30 years later. It was from there that I, too, felt called. I wasn't sure God wanted me in full-time missionary work, but I went for a summer (1980) while in college to Ecuador to serve with HCJB Radio (at that time, Ron Cline was the Pastor of "English
Church" In Quito). Of course, Carolyn wanted a full report when I came back. Camp Tapawingo had been praying for me all summer! I'm in a full-time Christian camping ministry now, because of how seriously Carolyn Ray saw the Great Commission -- to take the Gospel to every part of the world, starting at home, and working out. Missions was VERY important to Carolyn Ray. I would imagine most of us who knew her feel the same way about Missions to this day - she had this way of rubbing off on you!

"I am a Missionary Today"
by Dorothy Ardill, about the author
Miss Carolyn always talked about missionaries and always made their life seem possible to emulate. She always made them seem human and not other worldly. I remember thinking as a young girl, "I could do that, maybe I will". When Bill and I were getting ready to go to Africa, Miss Carolyn insisted that we come to the island and speak to the girls. I was very nervous because I usually spoke to adults and also wondering if I did a good enough job in Miss Carolyn's eyes. She asked me to come again and again, so I guess we did OK. I remember getting serious about my relationship with God after one summer. I still have my Living Bible that ended up all marked up by a yellow highlighter. It looks like I was able to go through the entire Bible in 2 years. The summer of 1990, I was evacuated from Liberia and left Bill there to work with the refugees. It was a very tense time, but Miss Carolyn and the rest of the staff prayed and supported me through that time. Bill returned safely, but there were times I wasn't so sure. Miss Carolyn called me "Dottie". Not many were allowed, but who could stop Miss Carolyn? We will miss her dearly. by Dorothy Ardill SIM missionary to Nigeria since 1992 ( missionary since 1989).

"To Know Him and to Make Him Known"
by Judy Hardin, about the author
Mss Carolyn stood on her Bible College motto, "TO KNOW HIM AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN". This was so evident when Carolyn spoke of counselors and campers who had become missionaries, other missionaries, and her own personal witness to others on the island and off the island. She loved to talk about Jesus and to share the Word with others. Carolyn was an active missionary before her Tapawingo staff and the campers! Her passion to pray, to give, and to challenge others to seek out missionary service was used greatly in my life to eventually my being sent out for global ministry in 1983. Her commitment to my 15 years on the mission field, her prayers for my life and my ministry, and her excitement for my overseas service, contributed great amounts of love and support for me while serving in Germany. I will miss Carolyn "cheering me on", as I am presently seeking to return to Europe to serve in Church-planting work. Miss Carolyn truely lived out the song we often sang at Camp, "Be a missionary every day...show the world that Jesus is the way" For her model of love for missions, I give her tribute!