posted Feb 9, 2014, 7:13 PM by barryjohnson@isriau.org
[
updated Feb 9, 2014, 7:15 PM
]
Bruce and Gena Engelfried are used to being warm. They have been living in Redlands
California where the desert meets the mountains and the palm tree meets the pine for
several years. It is hot and dry there but Gena managed to start a Montessori Farm
School and Bruce keeps track of books at the University of California Science Library.
They are travelers who love adventure in new places. They also like to ride bikes, boogie
board, ski, and hike until they can find a cozy spot to read. They raised four daughters all
of whom are finished, or nearly finished, with college and are having adventures of their
own. They have an amazing dog named Genevieve who is named after one of their
literary heroes from the Madeleine books.
Bruce is a native Californian who loves movies. He also loves animals and has been a
member of the LA Zoo society since 1989. Bruce can tell you the difference between a
gerenuk and a gnu. His favorite animal is a coati mundi. He says coatis are like raccoons
and that they are cute. He has liked them since one jumped on his lap when he was six.
Bruce is a volunteer soccer referee who started wearing tight black socks and cleats
when his girls were on teams with names like “Peachy Kean” and “Red Rangers.” Bruce
is a writer and creates screenplays, short stories and is working on a novel. He is very
good at crossword puzzles, trivia games and juggling. He is also very good with babies,
in spite of his tallness.
Gena has worked with children all of her life.
She set out to study medieval history and to
become a folk singer, but ended up starting a
preschool on an island in the West of Ireland.
She has started several successful schools
and worked with students from pre-school
through college. When she was a teacher,
she taught middle school English, worked as
an elementary reading specialist and later
taught high school history. Gena loves to
grow, cook and eat food. She still likes folk
music and listens for authentic versions of it
wherever she travels. The students at her
schools know their director is in a good mood
when she is singing in the hallways. She
believes that education is the most creative
way to make the world a better place and that
good teachers are in tune with the children
they serve. She is very good with Bruce, in
spite of her shortness.
Gena and Bruce are very excited to be heading to Sumatra. They can’t wait to get to
know the new plants, food, animals and especially people who are already there (or
on their way there). They know that it will be different and probably a little weird (even
for Californians). They also know that it’s an amazing opportunity to share what they
know and learn new things and belong to a community of people who are interested
and interesting.
They are especially
looking forward to
listening to gibbons,
walking Genevieve in
the jungle at sunrise,
singing with the children
in Duri and Rumbai,
experiencing thunder
and lightning and
listening to the stories
of the families who
have come from all over the world.
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