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D is for dogs – We had four until
our female Great Dane/black Lab had 11 puppies in early October.
Now we have 15!
E is for eggs – One of our favorite
foods, but they are expensive, so Farmer Mom is determined to
have her own layers. Maybe by November the roost will be ready.
F is for Famine – the reality
in many lives in this region. The Presbyterian Church is working
to get maize and seed supplies to the neediest. Please pray and
give generously.
G is for Gaga – the sweepings
off the floor of the maize mills, which hungry families stand
in line to gather up for food (like Ruth gleaning in Boaz’
fields). Mostly corn husks and difficult to digest, but better
than nothing.
H is for HIV/AIDs – the plague
that is taking such a heavy toll on lives and families and livelihoods
in this region. Pray for all of those affected by this disease,
and all those working tirelessly against it.
I is for Iraq – We are out of
touch with U.S. news and politics, but our more "in touch"
Malawian colleagues often ask us what the U.S. government is doing
in Iraq. What is your understanding?
J is for Jessica – age 14, doing
extremely well in her first year of high school and her first
year at boarding school in Kenya. She is in the chorus of the
play, "Hello, Dolly!" and is learning to play the saxophone.
K is for Katie – our 12-year
old teenager. Parents are to be tolerated. Friends are all-important.
Still, she willingly helps to cook breakfast, feed the animals
and care for the younger children. I don’t know how I would
manage without her.
L is for Love – what we all need,
and what God provides at the deepest levels of our need, unconditionally!
M is for Moses – age 16, pleased
to have made the varsity soccer team and enjoying his many friends
at school. Oh, and he does a little school work on the side.
N is for Nathan – age 16, growing,
growing, growing. He may be over six feet tall by the time he
comes home for Christmas break. Besides school, Nathan enjoys
working with the junior high youth group and the children’s
Sunday School program at the hospital.
O is for Orphans – There are
thousands and thousands of them in Malawi. The church is reaching
out in a variety of ways, including community-based orphan-care
programs. These can be supported through ECO# 051674 – AIDS
Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Africa.
P is for Phala – or porridge,
rich in soya, maize and peanut meal. This is the staple of our
nutrition rehabilitation programs, and it was what saved Alifa’s
life. P is also for Prayer, the staple
of our spiritual lives, It, too, can save lives. Pray without
ceasing.
Q is for the Qu’ran – or
Koran, the holy book of the Muslim faith. The Muslim influence
in politics and public life in Malawi is growing very rapidly,
due in large part to a Muslim president and a recent state visit
from Colonel Qaddafi of Libya.
R is for Rain – so vital for
a good crop. The rains have been intermittent even during what
should be a completely dry season, making people unsure about
their timing for plowing and planting. R is
also for Regional health consulting, the part of Frank’s
work that he enjoys the most.
S is for Suzyo – the word for
"problem" in Chitumbuka, the language of the north,
and a common name for the eighth or ninth child born to a family.
S is also for Supporting Churches. What a joy it was to visit
with so many of you during furlough!
T is for "Third Term" –
the burning local political issue of the day. Should the constitution
be changed to allow the current president to run for a third term
or not?
U is for Unchangeable – a most
comforting attribute of God. "He is the same yesterday, today
and forever," the still point in a turning world.
V is for Victory – ours in Christ
Jesus. Praise Him!
W is for Walinafe – the name
of a young boy who had fainted from hunger outside church yesterday.
Bread, milk, and bananas helped to revive him, but what about
his tomorrows? W is also for Wells
– church supported, hand dug and communally owned and cared
for, a source of life giving, clean water.
X is for Extra Commitment Opportunity
– the program of giving over and above the unified budget
of the PC(USA), to specific projects listed in an ECO booklet
published by the denomination. Get connected and give generously.
Y is for Yao – the people along
Lake Malawi’s southern shore. A relatively small tribe, but
influential. The current President is a Yao.
Z is for Zikomo – "Thank
you" for praying, for supporting us, and for sharing with
your brothers and sisters in this land.
Sincerely in Christ,
Frank and Nancy Dimmock
The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 39
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