Denver Seminary

"It's almost as if He were a chair that you intellectually know should hold you. But it is so different when you actually sit back and lean into Him," says Rochelle. "It requires you to really believe that He is who He says He is." FROM TESTING TO A TESTAMENT Both Benson and Rochelle have seen how the Lord has used Hannah's short life as a blessing—and as a challenge—not just to themselves, but also to those around them. "The whole situation called us to take a serious look at our lives and to evaluate if we were really living what we said we believed," shared Rochelle. In the midst of their grief and shock, they wanted to be a light and a witness to the doctors and nurses as they showered Hannah with love. That uncommon response of praise to God in the midst of grief opened up conversations with numerous staff members. She realized that theology isn't a disconnected, intellectual pursuit of God. Rather, it dictates how you live out your daily life. Now they see their daughter's short life making an impact in their careers. Rochelle works in the field of addictions counseling. She received her MA in counseling at Denver Seminary, and her lesson in letting go and leaning into God to overcome the seemingly impossible has a lot of relevance to her clients. She can now express that message with a depth of feeling that equips her to help those struggling to climb their own mountains. Benson, who has started a new business venture teaching private CPR classes to clients such as Bethany Adoption Agency parents, imbues each class with the importance of learning the methods to hopefully avoid the crushing weight of losing a child. It has given him a whole new perspective in the field as a firefighter and paramedic on how to comfort and relate with people who face death. He says, "So many people that I ride with or meet on the job don't know how to deal with death." SHAPED BY THE MAKER These defining moments test a person's character, faith, and perseverance. "That is why what you believe about God matters so much," says Rochelle. She recalls a conversation from early in her seminary experience about a simple question: What does theology have to do with real life? She pondered that question over and over until she realized that theology isn't a disconnected, intellectual pursuit of God. Rather, it dictates how you live out your daily life. "If you believe God is good, that shapes how you view things. If you believe that you have to work to win His favor, that colors your motivations for doing good, doesn't it? What you think about God matters." Through her pregnancy and after, Rochelle has meditated on the Psalms. Though she didn't understand David's grief and sorrow before, now she gets it. Sometimes, as she revels in the comfort of David's words, it feels like he gets her as well. It's been less than a year—Hannah passed on May 25, 2014—and the lessons are still coming. Waves of grief break over them, but because of God's great love, neither Rochelle nor Benson is consumed. Through Christ they are overcomers, daily learning to overcome. Benson and Rochelle Ngatia ALUMNI Benson has an MA in leadership and Rochelle has an MA in counseling, both from Denver Seminary. Benson is currently a firefighter in Denver and owner of keepbeatingcpr.com. To read more of their experience, visit Rochelle's blog at rochellengatia.wordpress.com. 18 SPRING 2015 TAKE IT FROM HERE brozova/iStock

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