Summer's Blessings
Dear Family and Friends,
It is always a blessing to return to the US. Over the past four years it has been like watching a beautiful rose unfold. Each time I enter the US I don't have to make an effort to notice changes. Our country continues to prosper. It seems more organized, improved, and developed throughout the nation. We are so blessed with the most advanced systems of technology, the organization of transportation and the indescribable natural beauty. Now, I must admit that I am looking at "the glass half full, not half empty." However, coming from the very, very poor country of Ethiopia, the striking contrast is always a reminder of God's mercy and grace. I have been so bless this past summer to visit the East coast and the West coast.
The blessings began to be poured out the "windows of heaven," when my sister Sharron connected with me in Atlanta to fly the last leg of my flight to Memphis, TN. There I was among 16 new missionaries being commissioned at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Annual Assembly. Sharron had not only booked and paid for my domestic flights for the summer but also brought a bag of new clothing and toiletries from my brother and sister-in-law for the conference.
The lost luggage containing a large Coptic Ceremonial Cross and other Ethiopian handmade crafts to be sold at "The Marketplace" during the conference, was delivered in the nick-of-time and brought in more than $200 for my ministry.
I painted three watercolor pictures this summer for next year's "Marketplace" but may have them sold before I leave to return to Ethiopia. One just sold this week for $500. The first missionaries, Paul and Silas, gave me this idea of helping support myself while also being helped by others in the body of believers.
Then my son, Thomas, returned from Bagdad! I was so grateful to have him back. It was a blessing to know that he was kept safe. Thank you Father for all the prayers that went up for him. It still seems like a dream that he was able to visit me in Ethiopia just before I left to come home.
I found my 95 year old mother doing well in the retirement home she loves so much in Cape Coral. She had a fall last Sunday morning when she lost her balance and was rushed to the hospital. There was only a cut on her hip and some bruising. She is blessed to have strong bones!
From Memphis to VA, FL, CT, OR, CA and back to Ft. Myers was a great trip for the purposes of connecting with others and sharing the stories of how God is working in Ethiopia. I made contacts with friends, family, supporters, and had many opportunities to speak. I first spoke at University Baptist Church in Charlottesville, VA, where Sharron's husband Tom is pastor. Next I provided the message at the Sunday morning service of the historical Beth Carr Baptist Church in Halifax, VA. It was there that four of my "Missionary Journeymen" 1965 trainees and their spouses surprised me in the service followed by a reunion dinner.
Other speaking engagements were with an ecumenical Bible Study at the Christian Book Store in Old Saybrook, VA; Camp Good News Vesper Service near Sandwich, Cape Cod; Wed. evening prayer meeting of three protestant churches in downtown Ft. Myers; Gulf Coast Village in Cape Coral, and I will be speaking at the Sanibel Community Church this Sunday night (Sept. 7) at 6:00 p.m.
What a blessing it has been to attend so many different English- speaking worship services. This is what I miss the most in Hosanna, Ethiopia. I was so happy to be able to join others in singing the hymns; the words are more and more precious to me. I made new acquaintances at many churches in different locations where I heard the hearts talk of missions and had the opportunity to encourage these people, in the body of Christ, to bring groups for short-term mission trips to Ethiopia where we need so much help.
My greatest treasures here on earth are family and friends. Spending time with all of those with whom I talked across a dinner table, interacting with my mother, siblings, children and grand daughter, hugging and speaking with friends wherever we met, will be cherished memories to recall through the times of isolation in Ethiopia.
My summer is not over until I meet with the remaining relatives and friends at my brother's place in the N. Georgia Mountains before returning to Cooperative Baptist Fellowship office in Atlanta. After receiving a little more training at CBF I will be returning to Ethiopia on Sept. 25th in a wheelchair.
The wheelchair application went to Joni and Friends earlier in the summer and I continued to work on it. Today, I was blessed, again! A wheelchair has been found that will be the right size for Mulu, a business man in Hosanna. He dresses nicely in a brown suit and walks on his hands and feet to go to work at the Government Water Works Office.
My ankle that was damaged from a fall last March will take a while to heal and I must wear a brace for protection and support. I was able to get the best medical treatment for an injured ankle as soon as I returned to Ft. Myers. My annual physical was successfully passed and I am now on medicare which came at just the right time to meet the first medical expenses I've had since going to Ethiopia in 2004. Praise God!
I've been riding in the "beep,beep" electric carts in the airport terminals this summer. The airline I'm flying to Ethiopia has given me permission to use the wheelchair for my return trip to Ethiopia. When I get there, it will be presented to Mulu, with a Bible, and you will get the photo in an email.
God is good and I thank Him for all of the Summer's blessings. He has been my provider, protector, counselor, and friend all summer and will be returning with me to Ethiopia where I will continue to learn more about my relationship with Him.
Pray that we will be able to get the kindergarten built this next year. Today, I picked up jumpers made by a missions sewing group in Naples, FL, to be used as uniforms. The children are going to look great in them and those who have new clothing for school and those who wear only rags will look the same.
God bless each of you who support this ministry.
In His Service, Dee
It is always a blessing to return to the US. Over the past four years it has been like watching a beautiful rose unfold. Each time I enter the US I don't have to make an effort to notice changes. Our country continues to prosper. It seems more organized, improved, and developed throughout the nation. We are so blessed with the most advanced systems of technology, the organization of transportation and the indescribable natural beauty. Now, I must admit that I am looking at "the glass half full, not half empty." However, coming from the very, very poor country of Ethiopia, the striking contrast is always a reminder of God's mercy and grace. I have been so bless this past summer to visit the East coast and the West coast.
The blessings began to be poured out the "windows of heaven," when my sister Sharron connected with me in Atlanta to fly the last leg of my flight to Memphis, TN. There I was among 16 new missionaries being commissioned at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Annual Assembly. Sharron had not only booked and paid for my domestic flights for the summer but also brought a bag of new clothing and toiletries from my brother and sister-in-law for the conference.
The lost luggage containing a large Coptic Ceremonial Cross and other Ethiopian handmade crafts to be sold at "The Marketplace" during the conference, was delivered in the nick-of-time and brought in more than $200 for my ministry.
I painted three watercolor pictures this summer for next year's "Marketplace" but may have them sold before I leave to return to Ethiopia. One just sold this week for $500. The first missionaries, Paul and Silas, gave me this idea of helping support myself while also being helped by others in the body of believers.
Then my son, Thomas, returned from Bagdad! I was so grateful to have him back. It was a blessing to know that he was kept safe. Thank you Father for all the prayers that went up for him. It still seems like a dream that he was able to visit me in Ethiopia just before I left to come home.
I found my 95 year old mother doing well in the retirement home she loves so much in Cape Coral. She had a fall last Sunday morning when she lost her balance and was rushed to the hospital. There was only a cut on her hip and some bruising. She is blessed to have strong bones!
From Memphis to VA, FL, CT, OR, CA and back to Ft. Myers was a great trip for the purposes of connecting with others and sharing the stories of how God is working in Ethiopia. I made contacts with friends, family, supporters, and had many opportunities to speak. I first spoke at University Baptist Church in Charlottesville, VA, where Sharron's husband Tom is pastor. Next I provided the message at the Sunday morning service of the historical Beth Carr Baptist Church in Halifax, VA. It was there that four of my "Missionary Journeymen" 1965 trainees and their spouses surprised me in the service followed by a reunion dinner.
Other speaking engagements were with an ecumenical Bible Study at the Christian Book Store in Old Saybrook, VA; Camp Good News Vesper Service near Sandwich, Cape Cod; Wed. evening prayer meeting of three protestant churches in downtown Ft. Myers; Gulf Coast Village in Cape Coral, and I will be speaking at the Sanibel Community Church this Sunday night (Sept. 7) at 6:00 p.m.
What a blessing it has been to attend so many different English- speaking worship services. This is what I miss the most in Hosanna, Ethiopia. I was so happy to be able to join others in singing the hymns; the words are more and more precious to me. I made new acquaintances at many churches in different locations where I heard the hearts talk of missions and had the opportunity to encourage these people, in the body of Christ, to bring groups for short-term mission trips to Ethiopia where we need so much help.
My greatest treasures here on earth are family and friends. Spending time with all of those with whom I talked across a dinner table, interacting with my mother, siblings, children and grand daughter, hugging and speaking with friends wherever we met, will be cherished memories to recall through the times of isolation in Ethiopia.
My summer is not over until I meet with the remaining relatives and friends at my brother's place in the N. Georgia Mountains before returning to Cooperative Baptist Fellowship office in Atlanta. After receiving a little more training at CBF I will be returning to Ethiopia on Sept. 25th in a wheelchair.
The wheelchair application went to Joni and Friends earlier in the summer and I continued to work on it. Today, I was blessed, again! A wheelchair has been found that will be the right size for Mulu, a business man in Hosanna. He dresses nicely in a brown suit and walks on his hands and feet to go to work at the Government Water Works Office.
My ankle that was damaged from a fall last March will take a while to heal and I must wear a brace for protection and support. I was able to get the best medical treatment for an injured ankle as soon as I returned to Ft. Myers. My annual physical was successfully passed and I am now on medicare which came at just the right time to meet the first medical expenses I've had since going to Ethiopia in 2004. Praise God!
I've been riding in the "beep,beep" electric carts in the airport terminals this summer. The airline I'm flying to Ethiopia has given me permission to use the wheelchair for my return trip to Ethiopia. When I get there, it will be presented to Mulu, with a Bible, and you will get the photo in an email.
God is good and I thank Him for all of the Summer's blessings. He has been my provider, protector, counselor, and friend all summer and will be returning with me to Ethiopia where I will continue to learn more about my relationship with Him.
Pray that we will be able to get the kindergarten built this next year. Today, I picked up jumpers made by a missions sewing group in Naples, FL, to be used as uniforms. The children are going to look great in them and those who have new clothing for school and those who wear only rags will look the same.
God bless each of you who support this ministry.
In His Service, Dee
posted by John | 9:55 PM
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