September 20, 2001

Dear Friends,

We are under the flight path of at least half of the hundreds of planes that fly out of Atlanta every day. The constant noise of jet engines overhead was part of the initial adjustment to our new home in Decatur, Georgia. Last week there was a profound silence in the skies following the attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. The silence lasted for three days. On Friday, a cheer went up from our neighborhood when Delta Airlines resumed flying and the first jet roared overhead.

The effects of the attacks are so incredibly far reaching. Personally, it meant the cancellation of a speaking engagement in Virginia Beach and a meeting that Frank was to attend in New York at the U.N. regarding the rights of the child. The day of the attacks the children were ready to return home to Malawi immediately—by boat!

While we feel somewhat distant from the flaming patriotism and the affronted rage—we feel deep sadness. The tears flow freely as we hear (and see on TV) story after story of both heroism and tragedy being played out in New York and D.C.

Frank flew to D.C. this morning for an international meeting on malaria. The children were a bit nervous about his getting on an airplane, especially one bound for D.C. Spreading this kind of fear and uncertainty were certainly part of the plan of the attackers. But thank God, we have a Savior to whom we can turn in times like these. He understands. He loves our fears away. He is the God of all comfort.

We pray that the U.S., in spite of its might and "machismo," will not lose the opportunity to build community by listening to the wisdom of those around the world for whom suffering and terror are intimate long-term companions. Many valuable lessons can be learned through all of this. May God bring good out of it for His glory—as only He can.

We are now settled at Mission Haven (see address and e-mail below) and are looking forward to seeing many of you during this year of "interpretation assignment." Please pray for us as we travel. Pray for our children’s sense of security as we travel. And pray for us to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we share a message of God’s love for the whole world.

Thank you.

Very sincerely,

Nancy Dimmock

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