In 2009, I learned that a student in Iowa, Olivia Grubbs, had won second place in a national speech contest. Her speech was about the work that Dr. Jerry Galloway did among the Pygmies in the Congo. I left a message with Olivia’s parents to find out how they knew Dr. Jerry. By the time I got home, there were two messages from Joyce Grubbs (Olivia’s grandmother).
Joyce and Herman Grubbs with granddaughter Olivia
I called Joyce, and she told me that she had been a nurse and had worked with Jerry in Iowa. When Jerry was home on leave, he would spend time with his dear friends, Joyce and Herman Grubbs. Joyce told me that she knew that I was the one who was supposed to write the book about Jerry’s life. The seed was planted.
Joyce not only planted the seed, but she has provided ongoing nurturing, encouragement and advice during the past ten years. I cannot adequately express how much this has meant to me and helped me to get the book to the manuscript stage.
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