During Renae’s youth she enjoyed camps and conventions in the wilderness of Southern Idaho. The times of retreat filled her with knowledge about God’s love and his heart for mankind. Photographs of the hungry and hurting burned into her soul. She resolved to become a missionary. Her goal was idealistic and broad. Could one individual make a positive difference in a devastated nation?

When her dreams of attending Bible college were hindered by the expense, she used her scholarships to attend the local junior college where she met her husband. The young married couple sold their second-hand furniture, packed their Volkswagen camper bus, and drove to Texas for missions training.

This hopeful spirit knew she was one step closer to living in another country for her remaining days. Then she discovered she was pregnant. The responsibility carried fear, but love grew. The young mother’s desire to learn Greek and Hebrew changed. Now she wanted to learn to teach a child to read.

After the birth of their son and a brief time of youth ministry in Idaho, the Deckards went back to Texas with a slightly different focus. Instead of attending Bible school, as Renae originally planned, she attended a teacher training course. While studying biblical principles of education, history, government, and grammar, Renae’s view of motherhood was elevated and her purpose refined. She was going to be a teacher. In fact, she already was. A toddler wore her shoes in play and mimicked her actions in life.

Homeschool was a natural next step, so five years later Renae still lives in East Texas, plans lessons, and learns contentment. Affecting nations happens one individual at a time. Renae’s challenge was to start with the three little ones God gave her. Her goal is to give them a Life Nurturing Education.