Lustre News
At the opening program of LCHS Sunday evening, Aug. 24, Principal Wes Young told the community, “We covet your prayers” as he opened his address. He read the school’s theme verse for this year, Psalm 1:3. “He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.”
Reading the entire psalm, he tied the comparison of the righteous to the wicked, with a perspective of education and commented, “As teachers, we have an accountability to the truth. Education should be about the truth. Studies to gain knowledge should be bound up in truth. Even art and music should indicate the beautiful and show we know a great God.”
The opening song was a beautiful arrangement of “Goodness of God,” presented by eleven students singing under the direction of Jerson Ayuno.
Full of harmony and moving parts, it showed what can be accomplished when folks work together under gracious leadership. Some of the words were “All my life He has been faithful. All my Life He has been so so good… I will sing of the Goodness of God.”
The teaching staff was introduced: Wes Young, Trisha Reddig (art), Jerson Ayuno (music), Pastor Hathaway (Bible), Nikki Hilkemann (science, P.E., academic advisor), Bob Ivestor (history), Danny Lu (math), Marshall Mullet, (technology assistant), Jenn Zerbe (English). Young then introduced the auxillary staff (Jones and Melissa Cumpio (dorm parents), Pastor Frank Lenihan (chaplain), Eileen Traeholt (custodian), Mrs. Froilland (secretary), Randy Reddig (boys’ basketball coach, AD), Mary Zerbe (volleyball coach), Lisa Neufeld (girls’ basketball coach), Jean Toews and Joy Young and (dorm committee).
Presented in absentia were: Mike and Kaitlyn Brown (dorm committee), Angie Smith (international representative) and Sarel Matthyser (information technology, LCHS publications). The LCHS foundation board remains Grant Zerbe, Wilbur Unrau and Keith Unger. The board consists of Justyn Klatt (chair/promotion), Jared Fast (vice-chair/yard), Clayton Zerbe (secretary/finance), Jeff Damboise (technology/ security), Mike Hilkemann (housing), Darin Pancratz (vehicles and maintenance), Curt Neufeld (school building).
Jerson Ayuno gave the story of how he and his wife, Jovi, came to be in Lustre. They came from the Philippines just this week. Mr. Ayuno has directed choirs and productions for 20 years, and said “music was his life. Then, Covid came and life as we knew it shut down.” “All that was left was teaching music on line. It was a hard transition. But God opened my eyes. I learned in this time, that music is about sharing, mentoring, inspiring, and being a servant, through music.” “Earning a U.S. Visa is no small thing! As we waited, four typhoons came over the area of the Philippines where I lived and, four days before them, my father passed away. It all brought closure to our time there and, by God’s Grace and through many prayers, we are here. Thank you for your prayers! It is surprising for us, but we do not feel homesick here, but at home. Thank you for the trust you put in me. Challenges may come, but God’s love will keep us. I learned during those months of teaching music on line that ‘even in silence, there is rhythm. Even in hardship, there is hope.”
Pastor Wayne Hathaway spoke next, giving this account. “I’ve been a city boy all my life, and never thought I’d live on the lone prairie. But I love it — the sunrises, the sunsets. Being a pastor, I was aware that LCHS had no Bible teacher and was glad to know someone had inquired. We’d been in Lustre only two years, and there’s never a dull day. But we had an uncertainty and were praying for a Bible teacher to come to the school. I’ll never forget May 9, 2025. My daily Bible reading was from Psalms 71 and God got a-hold of my attention with verse 17-19.
“O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth;” (true), “And I still declare Thy wondrous deeds.” (Yes, I am a Pastor doing that each Sunday.) “And even when I am old and gray” (we are that alright!), “do not forsake me; Until I declare Thy strength to this generation” (This generation!), Thy power to all who are to come.” It was clear to me what I was being called to do, when there continued to be no Bible teacher. We’ve given the general assessment exam Thursday, to know where the students are at, as I begin teaching Bible survey.” “I want to care about them so they will leave this place, grounded in The Word, and instill a love for God and His Word. I am not as strong as Caleb, but Is 40:30-31 says ‘Even the youths will stumble and fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.’ I invite you to pray for these kids. Climb under that prayer burden with me. I’m excited to be here doing what I love.”
Bob Ivestor informed us that “we will not be offering ‘southern’ as a foreign language.” “Teaching is about relationships, whether during sports or in the classroom. People were witnesses and mentors to me, and that’s how I came to be saved in 1980, with people sharing truth with me. I’ve taught many years in public school and there’s nothing better than a Christian education. It gives a foundation to a higher education because it begins with a firm foundation.” “I look forward to giving a minute, and talking about what’s on your hearts.”
Marshall Mullet talked about growing up on a farm and, being the oldest in his family, looking forward to choosing to become a farmer. He said “God’s purposes are not always clear. No one goes through life without scars. Psalms 34:17-18 says “The righteous cry out” and “The Lord is close to the broken hearted.” “I was a Junior in High school when my folks sold their farm and came to Lustre in 2003 to be the dorm parents. It was a challenge to come to terms with that. But it was here I met my wife, Lu-Ann! I graduated from LCHS in 2004 and then from Crown College. With very diverse interests I was 18 years old, doing varsity baseball, choir, worship team, taking honors classes and doing 20 hours work, and wearing out. I had to learn to rely on His Power, His Way, and to boast in my weakness. After being laid off from my job and moving to new communities, we learned about being kept by the Good Shepherd, and hearing His voice ( John 27). Transitions like parenting, and learning patience, are part of God’s purpose. Jude 1 talks of being called beloved, and being kept. I John 3:1 talks of the Father’s great love, that ‘we should be called the children of God.’ Similar to Rick Hansen, we are called to be champions of God’s grace.”
Jennifer Zerbe had the great privilege to grow up, the daughter of an Assembly of God pastor in Montana. Her participation in Sunday school, Awana and youth group helped form her character, especially church camps. But she chose to date a friend unwisely and was scarred by that in high school. Graduating from Montana State University with a masters in elementary education, her first teaching job was at Lustre Grade School in 2003.
Someone told her that since she was single, the guys would be coming from all over. “They were right,” she smiled. Clayton and I were married in 2007 and they moved to Billings. She taught school in Broadville, but dreamed of being a stayat- home mom. After miscarrying their first child at 11 weeks and learning the next baby wasn’t measuring what he should be at six months, she began to worry. But his heartbeat was strong, and Micah was born in March 2014. She’d had to answer the Lord’s question to her during that time: “Do you trust Me?” Audrey was born in 2016 and Noah a couple years later. Finally, she got to be a stay-at-home mom! The children are now in school at LGS. Philippians 4:6-8 is special to her, as she learned to think on things “Excellent and Praise Worthy”. Being very close to her dad, her faith was again tested when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Instead of being the recipient of her folks’ prayers, it was her time to give back with support and prayer. The early detection of the cancer was a blessing, and he has been declared cancer free! Zerbe will be monitoring the English online classes and wants to be a blessing to both students and staff.
Sarah Brown played “Be Unto The Lord” as an offertory, and students were introduced in grades, by the class advisors. Justin Klatt, expressed gratitude for the hard work of his board and read a promise of God’s provision. Pastor Frank Lenihan read II Cor 9:8. He prayed for “the Lord to build the house of LCHS, the programs, the chapel of our hearts in amazing ways. We come needy and expectant, and o So Thankful to look toward an amazing year.”
