Berean Bible Institute gladly welcomed the Cree student even though he was one week late. The other students welcomed him, too. And Shirley, who had graduated the previ­ous spring but was enrolled In extra night school Bible courses, found herself strangely excited to see and talk to Bill in the school library. It really had been the oddest thing. the extent of concern she felt about this young man’s spiritual progress. Af­ter all, apart from singing together occasionally on Gospel min­istries, they’d never dated or did anything together. True, he did try to hold her hands under the soapy water. But, maybe he did that to other girls, too. 

        As the school term continued, however, their friendship did develop. “When I was in B.C., I heard a rumor that you married somebody,” Bill told Shirley. He didn’t say so, but the interest he was beginning to show suggested that he was glad the rumor wasn’t true. 

        During Bill’s last year at school, Shirley’s dad was admitted to hospital. He had a bad heart and other chronic problems, some of which stemmed from a history of tuberculosis in his earlier years. It took a lot to get him into hospital. Archie McLeod was a tough customer with a reputation for recovery. One experience, which occurred during World War I, became a family legend. Suffering food poisoning while on the front, he was removed to a field hospital where the doctor pronounced him dead. His body was then carried into the tent set up as a morgue. The soldier on guard at the door of the tent had a rude surprise when one of the ‘corpses’ sat up and asked him for a cigarette. Dropping his rifle, the soldier took off as if he’d seen a ghost. He could hardly be blamed for thinking that.

        When Shirley visited her dad she heard about a Cree lady in another ward. The Indian woman had a broken back and was a long-term patient. Speaking only Cree, she had nobody to talk to. Shirley asked Bill if he would visit her.

        “I will if you’ll come with me,” was the response. That started a pattern in which Bill called for Shirley, they walked to the hospital together to visit both Archie and the Cree woman, and then back to Shirley’s home for a cup of tea. in due time, Bill added a goodnight kiss.

        Shirley was both extremely shy and also a deep thinker. Though she was very happy about the friendship, she also wondered how it would affect the call of God on their lives. What if God really wanted them on separate fields, in separate ministries? What if they married and the two cultural backgrounds spoiled Bill’s ministry? What if Native people rejected his ministry because he didn’t marry a Native woman? These and many other questions occupied the girl’s mind, even as the courtship progressed. Bill was busy at school. He was also in demand for Gospel team work and visitation.

        An unfortunate incident got in the way of the courtship for a while. Shirley and Bill attended a church service together one evening only to find that all the empty seats were all at the front. For Shirley, extreme shyness made it impossible for her to walk to the front of the church with Bill. For one thing, it was early in the friendship. Also, she wasn’t yet sure they were a couple, and all of her Bible School friends were in the congregation.

        Only a person who battles shyness will understand Shirley’s plight. Bill thought Shirley’s reluctance showed that she was ashamed to be seen with him. So the problem deepened. Shirley’s caution and shyness, added to Bill’s feelings about prejudice, came between them.

        But staying apart from each other didn’t seem to be right to either. After a couple of weeks they talked together. The problem was cleared up and the courtship resumed. Of course, dating meant nothing more than walking together down to a corner restaurant called Andy’s for coffee. Andy’s sold donuts too, but Bill’s budget didn’t stretch that far. It wasn’t the most romantic setting in the world, but it was in Andy’s cafe, near the end of Bill’s graduating year, that Shirley heard the words from across the table.

        “I may be the poorest of missionaries, but I would like to have you for my wife.” Clearing his throat, Bill waited for the response. He didn’t have to wait long. 

        “Yes, Bill.” Shirley’s joy at the proposal showed in her smil­ing face. “Yes.” 

        The confidence with which Shirley responded was hard earned. It had been preceded by long hours of prayer, especially during and after the breakup. Singing as part of a trio, Shirley almost couldn’t sing one night because she suddenly realized that she couldn’t honestly sing one of their songs entitled “My Jesus, as Thou Wilt.” 

        “I knew I wasn’t willing to let Bill go if God wanted me to,” she later admitted. “It was a hard struggle. Finally I was able to leave my life with God to do with as it pleased Him. When Bill proposed, I already knew that God meant us to serve Him together.” 

        It wasn’t all sunshine and roses for the happy young couple, however. Shirley’s mom wasn’t sure if it was right. “You better not tell Dad,” she warned. “He might have a heart attack.” But, Dad’s response was simple. “Oh, I guessed that long ago. I like Bill. He has a good sense of humor. Anyway, Shirley is old enough to know and to do what she wants.” 

        Bill graduated from Berea Bible Institute iii April, 1957. Almost right away, he left for summer ministry. Shirley contin­ued working at the bank. She also spent time with Pastor Laing, seeking his opinion and counsel about the forthcoming marriage. 

        “You and Bill have the same attitude to God’s work,” Pastor Laing affirmed. Having had Bill as a student in his Pastoral Theology classes at Bible School, Pastor Laing appreciated the Cree student’s spiritual desires and convictions. “You can be sure that as long as God brings two people together, it’s going to work out fine.” 

        The wedding date was set for September, still a long time away. Shirley wrote almost every day, and walked the twelve blocks home from the bank at lunch time to see if there was mail for her. Bill didn’t write as often. At one time he did not receive his mail for a two-week period while he was ministering in a northern area. 

        “There was another Bill Jackson in the area,” he smiled as he recalled it. “He was away on holiday. My letters piled up in his mailbox until he came back.” 

        The busy summer finally gave way to fall. September arrived. Bethel church was the place and Pastor Laing was the preacher.