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My name is Mark Ganung
and this is my story...
Church has always been a part of my life. Every week, we attended church where my dad taught Sunday School. My parents were students of the Bible and that led us to good teaching pastors, regardless of denomination. One constant, was a church scouting program that provided a great time of fellowship, sports, Bible Study, and learning about life. Looking back now, I can see how my faith clearly influenced my values, but at that time it was simply one of many parts of my life.
I met my wife Kathy in 1988. A preacher's kid, Kathy grew up in the church as well, but I soon realized there was something deeper to her faith. She would walk and talk to God like she would her best friend. Kathy had the kind of wisdom you get when "life happens". As our friendship grew, she shared with me that she'd almost lost her arm to a rare form of cancer a few years earlier. It was on that journey that she and God became such good friends. We married in 1993 and two years later God blessed us with a daughter, Anna and in 1997, our son Andrew. Kathy lived each day like it was a gift from God. She treasured being a mom and holding her children in both her arms.
In 1999, a job opportunity brought us to Pittsburgh. We bought the home we'd been looking for – our old home selling in just weeks. Things weren't usually that easy for us. We had no idea why, but felt we were meant to be here. For the first time, I believed God was at work in my life and that life wasn't a series of random events. Soon, an acquaintance – and soon to be good friend - invited us to Orchard Hill. Though different from our more traditional experience, we were quite taken with the church. I left one Sunday thinking, "I can't wait to come back!" The music was such a draw and the children's ministry was incredible. Our kids loved coming to church and we joined a small group. Kathy coordinated tablehosts for Chapter 2 dinners and I began serving in KidsQuest, discovering a passion for teaching kids about God that I never knew I had. Our family was feeling very much at home
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In May 2002, we discovered God's purpose in bringing us here. After 14 years of health, Kathy's cancer had returned. We prayed a lot, and dug in our heels knowing she had beaten the disease before. But it seemed we could never get ahead of it. Eight months after diagnosis and three weeks after her 42nd birthday, Kathy died in January, 2003. Though at times sad and wishing for a different outcome, Kathy was never angry and her faith never wavered. In mid-December, when it became clear things weren't going to improve, we had a very difficult conversation with our children. Even then, Kathy trusted God with all her heart, confident in His plan. He sustained her, reassuring her that His purpose for her life here on earth had been fulfilled. What an incredible gift that was to all of us.
One December night, as I drove to the hospital, it all came together for me: God had connected the dots in our lives to prepare us for what was coming. I saw His fingerprints on people He placed in our lives - each having a special role and meeting a particular need. I saw job changes He orchestrated and how He brought us to Orchard Hill where our faith was strengthened and where we worshipped God in a way we never had before. I saw how friends and the children's ministry wrapped their arms around our kids. I was
overwhelmed and humbled by the thought that as big as God is, He would take such an interest in one small family. I finally understood what Kathy knew all along: that Jesus is our faithful friend who walks this journey with us. I can't help but sense the presence of God in my life now. There's not much that happens anymore that I don't attribute to Him and I can't describe to you the confidence and peace that gives me.
It's been almost two years and I've made it to the other side of grief. We cherish our memories of Kathy and the legacy she left of faith and friendship. The kids and I have opened a new chapter in our lives and God has continued to be faithful, renewing our hope and joy. I still teach 4th and 5th graders in KidsQuest where I feel that on most week-ends, I get so much more from the lessons than the kids do...maybe that was part of His plan from the beginning. I'm convinced we were meant to be in this place, at this time and though I can't imagine what the future holds, I'll listen to God's voice and stand here until He moves me on. My name is Mark Ganung…and this is my story.
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