Feature by Emily Kurtz He wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning to catch the bus and doesn't get home until 7:30 p.m. or later.

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Features | Send mail to The Voice Student tries to balance school, work and family James Clark works while his daughter sits with him. Because of Clark's many responsibilties, he has little "Daddy Time." -Emily Kurtz, photo. Each day as James Clark, 36, travels by bus from his home in North Portland to his job downtown, he reads his Bible and prays. This is the only available time in his packed schedule. He wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning to catch the bus and doesn't get home until 7:30 p.m. or later. "In the evening I'm flat out exhausted," Clark said, which makes concentrating on devotions difficult. "Although there are challenges with the environment on the bus, it seems to be the best place right now." A husband and father of two, this Hillsboro native came to Multnomah Bible College last semester after deciding to pursue full-time ministry. Since then, Clark has dropped from 46 hours of work per week to 30. "We still haven't gone without God providing," his wife of 12 years, Wendie, said. "We've gone without some wants but not needs," Clark said. Eight or nine years ago, to cut back on expenses, he taught himself how to cut, perm and color his wife's hair. He now styles not only his wife's hair but also his daughters' and other relatives'. Both Maranda, 6, and Lydia, 5, boast curly, chin-length hair that Clark permed a few weeks ago. "Little things like that cut monthly expenses," he said. "We have learned how and when to cut back." This semester he is enrolled in four classes equaling 10 credits. "Taking eight to 10 credits seems to be a fine balance," Clark said. "I know God's in control if it takes six years or 10. He'll get me to the end when he wants." Because he is not set on a particular schedule, he said he is able to be open to what God desires of him. "I don't want to only give half of me for God; I want to give my best because He gave his best," Clark said. He said his biggest struggle is that because he is so busy, he feels forced to push God and his family into the nooks and crannies of his life. Some Saturday mornings Clark awakens earlier than normal to pray or read his Bible. "It seems like every time I do [get up early], the girls wake up earlier than usual," Clark said. This begins what he calls "Daddy Time." He believes that giving his love, compassion and time to his daughters honors God, and because he is only able to see them for about an hour-and-a-half during the week, he treasures the moments when he is able to enjoy his daughters' company. On the family refrigerator is a spreadsheet of Clark's schedule that Wendie and the girls peek at when they want to know where he is. Although their schedule has been different lately, the Clarks usually nap on Sunday afternoons. Clark and his daughters, Maranda and Lydia, cuddle on the hide-a-bed couch in their living room, watching television before falling asleep. Meanwhile Wendie, who finds the hide-a-bed mattress uncomfortable, crawls into the master bed with the family dog, Simon. On nights when Clark gets home at 7:30, he is able to help Maranda with her homework or play on the computer with Lydia. Some nights, however, he arrives home later, after the girls have gone to bed. Even though he isn't able to see his daughters as much as he would like to, Clark said he makes sure to call and talk with them each day for 10 to 15 minutes. "Even though many times we are doing different things when we're all home, it's nice knowing we're all under one roof together," Clark said. "There's strength and comfort in knowing everyone's here." Along with his commitment to his family, Clark has a strong dedication toward ministering to men. "I want to do full-time ministry but not necessarily in the church," he said. He strongly desires to work with men in a prison ministry. Some have questioned Clark's desire because the inmates might appear to repent but have ungodly motives behind their actions. Clark said: "Out of 1,000 men, even if only one has a change of heart and truly repents, it will be worth it. Their conversion is between them and God. My job will be to present the message and point them in the right direction." For now, Clark will continue with his busy schedule. Although balancing school, work and family has been difficult, both he and his wife try to keep a positive attitude. "Things work out," Wendie said. "God pulls you through day by day." Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Features | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2003 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.