By Tom Gilchrist
Staff Writer
WATERTOWN TWP. — Pastor Steven Henry told listeners outside Fostoria Baptist Church on Sunday that he trusts they’ll see the late Wade Dunham again in heaven.
Photo by Tom Gilchrist
Children try out the new playscape at Fostoria Baptist Church, built in memory of the late Wade Dunham, 4, of Indianfields Township.
Until that reunion, children can seek joy on a playscape built in memory of Wade, 4, of Tuscola County’s Indianfields Township, who died Oct. 29, 2014 due to a rare form of cancer.
“We want, always, to point to Jesus Christ, and point to God, and let children and other people know that God allows … trials, God allows storms, but yet he is good through it all, and he gives grace.
Sustaining grace, to make it,” Henry told dozens of listeners during a dedication of the new playscape behind the church.
The dedication took place on a day when congregation members celebrated the 47th anniversary of the establishment of the church at 8933 Fostoria Rd.
Wade Dunham, son of Josh and Jenn Dunham, died due to pleuropulmonary blastoma, a rare childhood cancer occurring in the lungs or coverings of the lungs.
“We want to thank the community because people from all over gave to Wade’s memorial so that this could be put up,” Jenn Dunham said after the playscape dedication ceremony, which included a prayer by Henry.
Workers placed a marker next to the playscape in memory of Wade, shown on the marker smiling and wearing a Superman costume, an image captured by photographer Laura Bodmer.
“Wade was actually buried in that outfit,” Josh Dunham said. “Little boys love superheroes.”
For those dwelling on the reasons for Wade’s illness and death, Henry offered words during a prayer before dozens of listeners gathered near the playscape.
“Father, we don’t have the answers to ‘Why?’, but we do know that we trust in you, that you work all things together for our good and your glory, and that … ultimately, Lord, one day we’ll see Wade again, and we rejoice in that,” Henry said.
Memorial donations were used to buy the playscape from AAA State of Play in Greenfield, Ind., which gave a $1,000 discount off the price, Josh Dunham said.
Friends of the Dunham family, along with relatives as well as Fostoria Baptist Church members such as Greg and Jill Smith, teamed up to build the structure.
“A lot of people here at the church helped with it,” said Bob Dunham of Indianfields Township, who attended the Sunday event with his wife, Denise. The Dunhams are grandparents of the late Wade Dunham.
Henry said the playscape is available for use by children in the Fostoria area.
Charlie and Rosie Loney, children who are cousins of Wade Dunham, were among dozens of kids trying out the new playscape Sunday.
Henry called the playscape a testament to God’s goodness and love.
“Lord, we are grateful for the years that you gave Wade, and his family,” Henry said in prayer. “And how you used him, and how you blessed him, and father, we’re thank-ful for how you have grown Josh and Jenn through this, and other family members, and even friends, and this church, in many ways.”