January 25, 2007
Dear Friends,
The Dimmock family is spending a year in Decatur, Georgia, while
on interpretation assignment. When they return to Africa in
May, they'll relocate to Lesotho.
We attended daughter Jessie’s graduation from Rift Valley
Academy in Kenya in July and traveled back to the United States
together as a whole family. After two weeks of family time in
North Carolina, in mid-August we came to Georgia to begin our
“home assignment” year. Adjustment has been quite
a process for each one of us, and only now are we beginning to
feel settled enough to take stock and let you know how we’re
doing.
“I think I’m country sick” our 8-year old
said, out of the blue, at the breakfast table the other morning.
We asked what she meant. “I just really miss Malawi,”
was her answer. This is certainly understandable, since Malawi
has been her home for seven of the eight years of her life. That
gave me the idea of asking all our kids: What do you miss about
Africa and what do you like about the United States?
Nathan, 20, a sophomore at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain,
majoring in community development and missions says: “ I
miss being in Africa and experiencing the beauty, ‘untamedness,’
flexibility, relative simplicity of lifestyle, and the unhurriedness
of life and living. But in the United States I like the fact that
there is lots to do (sometimes too much) and the fast Internet
connection so I can communicate with friends.”
Moses, 20, a sophomore at UNC-Asheville, an art major, says:”
I miss the people in Africa and the atmosphere, which is more
laid back and friendly. What do I like about the United States?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. I appreciate the opportunity to
go to college and I like being able to drive on good roads.”
Jessie, 18, a freshman at Davidson, says: “ I miss that
nobody’s in a hurry, everything’s more laid back.
I miss my friends, the rain, our house, good chai. But here in
the States it’s easy to keep in touch with people (good
Internet connection and cell phones), and they have candy canes.”
Katie, 16, a junior at Decatur High School, says: “I miss
everything about Africa except school, which is harder than it
is here. In America I like being able to do stuff like driving,
going to movies, and communicating with friends on the Internet.”
The four younger children think they have died and gone to Disneyland.
They are having a great time—but they miss their friends
in Malawi.
I wonder what God has in store for us? We are praying for revival—within
the church, here and around the world, and within our own hearts.
We have had an amazing fall, speaking in churches from New Mexico
to Virginia and throughout the South and Southeast. We have met
many wonderful people and renewed special friendships. We look
forward to being with many more of you in the spring.
The babies at the Crisis Nursery "performing" a Christmas
play. Notice "Herod,"second from left, in his crown!
While we miss Malawi very much, we are pleased to let you know
that the Crisis Nursery and Ministry of Hope are doing just fine.
Elsie Kumwenda (director/social worker) and Mwawi Nyirongo (matron/clinical
officer) and the committed caregivers are ably caring for the
babies that continue to come and go through the nursery. And Charles
Gwengwe (new executive director of Ministry of Hope), Patrick
Makondesa, and the faithful community center supervisors are taking
good care of the 2,000-plus children in their care. We so appreciate
your continued support of these programs.
Although the national staff of the PC(USA) is in flux, we have
been in conversation about our next assignment. The uncertainty
surrounding funding—and the insecurity that results from
yet another reorganization and downsizing—is real, but we
continue in confidence that our call is sure and our ultimate
Provider completely dependable. Frank has been asked to give more
time to his regional health consulting work and was asked to consider
a move to a “hub” like Johannesburg or Nairobi. After
much prayer we sensed a call to move south where the epicenter
of the AIDS pandemic is and where the church is looking for effective
ways to respond. In order to continue in a partnership relationship
and for Nancy and the children to have a potential community in
which to live and work, it has been decided that we will move
back to Lesotho. From there Frank can easily commute to Johannesburg
for his travel requirements and the family’s need for community
and good schools will be met. We look forward to returning to
this special corner of the world, and would appreciate your prayers
for that transition. We will leave the United States on June 25
with five of our children, leaving three behind in college. It
will be a wrench.
Last night our 8-year old came out with another worthy saying.
In her bedtime prayers she thanked God for Martin Luther King,
Jr. who “made it so that brown people don’t have to
bow their heads to peach people.” Later she commented that
without Dr. King helping to change things in America, it would
have been harder for us to adopt her and have the family that
we have. She is a deep-thinking and perceptive young lady. We
think she will make her mark in this world!
We look forward to seeing many of you yet this spring and pray
God’s rich blessings on each of you in this New Year!
With love,
Frank, Nancy and children
The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 337
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