March 2001

Dear Friends,

The theme of the 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study will be "As you go, proclaim the Good News…." The story we have to share will have to be condensed for the yearbook, but herewith is the uncut version.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up
(Galatians 6:9).

Tap, tap, tap—tap, tap, tap—tap, tap, tap.

The persistent knocking at the gate was driving me crazy. Frank and I were both on our computers trying to answer e-mails and complete a report. I had responded to the last several knocks at the gate, so Frank took a turn and went to see who it was.

I returned to the computer, but couldn’t help wondering what they needed this time—medicine, food, travel money? There is a terrible desperation among the very poor in a big city like Lilongwe. With no social safety net, where can they turn for help? People get stranded or abandoned in the city.

They are sick or dying and want to go home. They are hungry.

The sign on our gate only says "Dimmock #129 ," but the markings on our car say C.C.A.P./P.C.USA. And so people come with the hope that the "people of the church" at 129 will help.

This particular day it was getting to be a bit much. Six different problems so far, and I was fed up with helping!

Frank answered this summons at the gate and found a young man—maybe mid-20s—standing there looking very healthy but rather forlorn. The young man’s name was Charles. He was from Salima, a town about 115 kilometers east of the city. His mother had been very ill, so he accompanied her to the central hospital in Lilongwe. She had died that morning and he was suddenly left with the urgent and costly need to get her body home to Salima. He didn’t know anyone in the city. Could we help?

"Sure," Frank said, and gave him the money needed for the transport of his mom’s body and himself home, and a little extra for food. He also gave Charles his business card, in case he had any trouble at the bus station.

Frank related all of this to me when he came back inside and I was frankly skeptical. We have been conned by many a sob story. But Frank was convinced that Charles’ story was genuine. A phone call during dinner that evening seemed to confirm Frank’s conviction. Charles phoned from the bus station to say "Thank you!"

Several weeks later, Charles called again to say all was well. They had arrived safely and his mother had been properly buried. He asked if he come to see Frank to thank him once again, and he asked if he could get a Bible. Frank said, "Sure. Come any time." He hung up, and I said, "What are you getting yourself into? He will only take advantage of you."

Sure enough, Charles showed up on another very busy day as Frank was heading out the gate to run some errands. There was no time for conversation, so Frank decided to take Charles with him and drop him at the Life Ministries’ office downtown. This he did, leaving him with enough money to buy a Bible, a bus ticket and some lunch. He said goodbye and wished him well.

Two frustrating hours of waiting in lines at the bank and post office passed. Frank walked out of the building feeling fairly sour, only to be met by a broadly grinning Charles who grabbed his hand and shook it vigorously. "I have been waiting to thank you. Thank you for saving me! Thank you for showing me the way to Christ!"

Frank came home that afternoon shaking his head in wonder. A staff member at Life Ministries had shared Christ with Charles and he had accepted the free gift of salvation. He credited Frank with making it all possible.

The Lord knows the truth of our reluctance and irritation and cynicism. I was personally left with spiritual "egg" all over my face! But we marvel at God’s amazing grace—using even us, just as we were—to help to bring a new brother into the Kingdom. What inexpressible joy. It was all and only God at work.

Praise Him!

Nancy Dimmock

The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 41