The inauguration of Martin Ruopp Football Field took place on
Monday
13 March 2017.
Mr. Ulrich and Mrs. Ilse Ruopp arrived with Rev. Klaus
Schmid to Schneller school on Wednesday 8 March 2017.
A group of twenty-four
members from the Wurttemberg Church arrived on Sunday evening and stayed
overnight in the Schneller guesthouse. They were headed by Bishop Harald
Stumpf and lead by Mr. Klaus Rieth.
Accompanying them was Rev. Dr. Uwe Graebe from EVS/EMS who came up with
the idea of a football game between Schneller students and pastors from
Germany for the inauguration.
The president of the Schneller Board, Rev. Dr. Habib Badr
accompanied with members of the Schneller board also arrived from
Beirut.
The plan was to have the yearly Field Day for JLSS on that day
with the inauguration being its main event, but the rainy weather forced us
to shift to Plan B.
The Field Day was postponed. A special inauguration program was held in
Hermann Schneller Hall. Everyone then moved to Stammeier Library for the
dedication of the computer equipment which was also donated by Mr. and
Mrs. Ruopp in memory of their son Martin.
The Ruopps unveiled the memorial plaque, then everyone walked to Martin
Ruopp Football Field
where the Ruopps untied the white ribbon at the gate.
Although it was raining, both teams insisted on playing a short football
game for the inauguration. Two NEST exchange students from Germany were
also playing with the visiting team.
Each half-time was only fifteen minutes. The JLSS team was winning 3 to
1 when the game was stopped because of the rain.
The visiting group had lunch with the Ruopps and members of the
Schneller board in Maria Schneller Hall.
We repeat our immeasurable gratitude to the Ruopps for their wonderful
gifts to our school. Their
presence
at JLSS for the inauguration and their wonderful charity was the
greatest gift for JLSS.
We also thank the visiting German group for their visit to JLSS and
their support through using our guesthouse. Their wonderful spirit in
playing the football game with our students is also highly appreciated.
It was certainly a great and memorable day for everyone in Schneller
School and all our w
onderful guests.
We pray that God will accompany the Ruopps with His loving-kindness
through their sorrow, bless them both with health, and support them with
the power of His Holy Spirit in the assurance of the resurrection of our
loving Lord, Jesus Christ.