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July 28, 2000
Dear Friends,
Six years ago we wrote you our first newsletter as Hill of Joy
Ministries. The family photo on the letter head sought to convey
the zeal and commission we had to enter into the joy of the Lord
and spread the good news of the jubilee in Jesus. Isaiah was only
four months old then. This month Hill of Joy is subsumed under
another global mission, as we have been called to facilitate evangelism
in the country of Mozambique in East Africa. We will be there
at least three years, working through the auspices of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.). We leave August 21, except for Micah, who will
be going to Germany to stay with a family there for a year before
joining us in Africa.
This call is an answer to prayer. Three years ago we called
upon the Lord to send us to Africa. A year ago we "planted
seed," praying for a hundredfold return. God in His Providence
chose to handle our desires this way.
Today we completed a rather grueling three-week orientation
program in Chicago and Louisville to prepare us for our ministry
in Mozambique. The day before the program began, my father’s
funeral was held back in South Dakota. Ten months ago it had became
necessary for Dad to enter a nursing home. He’d been wanting
to leave this world to be in his real home, and he passed away
in his sleep early on a Sunday morning. So we thank God we could
be here to attend his "going home" celebration.
Since Christmas, ministry included preaching and ministering
on the Rosebud Indian Reservation at Skekinah Glory Chapel, Ideal,
and in the tribal Council Chambers in Rosebud. Neal Old Lodge
and I (Charles) heard the Lord wanted to send us on a mission
up along the Missouri river. With no
pre-made plans we went, but as we like to say, "We were sent,
not went." Divine appointments were all along the way, including
three nights of revival preaching on Standing Rock Indian Reservation
at Praise Temple near Cannonball, North Dakota. It was a wonderful
time.
Diane won a week-long study in deeper understanding of the Holy
Spirit and church revival. She also preached in the Presbyterian
Churches in Fort Valley, Georgia, and in McLaughlin, South Dakota,
where I preached in the American Baptist Church. I also preached
at a tent revival at Lord’s Temple Church of God In Christ,
Louisville, Kentucky.
In June we enjoyed fellowship with friends in Maine, New York,
and Pennsylvania. I was glad to again preach in Chester, New York,
at Greater Tabernacle Full Gospel Church. The pastor, Bishop Donald
L. Rudolph, Sr., blessed us by coming out to South Dakota to see
us and to preach in Dallas. On the morning of Dad’s death,
I preached in St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church in Dallas.
The historic building hadn’t been open for worship in years,
but the doors were opened again in honor of "Dallas Days,"
a historical celebration. I was invited to preach, and revival
was prophesied again.
I’ve neglected to write much about all the family matters.
It’s a big time of transition. Please know that we love you
and thank you deeply. God used your support to make it possible
for us to keep learning in the College of The Holy Spirit, and
to minister in 20 states of the United States, four states in
Mexico, and an island in the Philippines, in independent churches
and in at least 15 different denominational churches.
Tomorrow we’ll be in Wheeling, West Virginia, where we’ll
be holding a five-day revival at First Presbyterian Church. In
a week from tomorrow we should be back home in Dallas to prepare
and pack for Mozambique. God bless you all.
Love in Jesus,
Charles and Diane Wonnenberg
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