Frank and Nancy Dimmock
P.O. Box 1389
Maseru 100
Lesotho
Email: Frank and Nancy Dimmock

Frank and Nancy Dimmock have been under appointment as PC(USA) missionaries since June 1 1985, which happens to be the day they were married. In fact, they interrupted their honeymoon to be commissioned during the General Assembly that year.

The Dimmocks' latest appointment, which began in August 2007, is to Lesotho, where Frank serves as PC(USA)'s Africa Health Liaison. He works with partner churches and ecumenical agencies to develop programs for children. In addition, he coordinates the Christian Health Associations of Africa and is part-time advisor to the Christian Health Association of Lesotho. His work requires him to travel frequently to Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As the first missionary to be named "Africa Health Liaison," Frank finds that he is a conduit of ideas between the partners. He calls it "cross-pollinating," sharing knowledge, experiences, and ideas between the countries, such as patient-retained health booklets. The booklets give a patient more knowledge of their own health situation, reduce unnecessary or repetitive tests or treatments, give a health provider a patient's history at a glance, and save lives. Frank has shared samples of these books in Kenya and Zambia as well.

The Dimmocks first appointment to mission service was also in Lesotho, where they were assigned to serve at Scott Hospital, a mission hospital in Morija.

After two terms of service in Lesotho, they moved to Malawi in 1992, where Frank became the health coordinator for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) and began his work as regional health consultant for the PC(USA) in southern Africa. Frank coordinated the CCAP's health management and administration and facilitated the sharing of ideas and solutions to common problems and concerns. He also assisted with communication between the three synods in Malawi.

Nancy supported this ministry with hospitality through their home and raising their seven children. She also found time to found and coordinate the Crisis Nursery, an orphanage for children whose parents were victims of HIV/AIDS.

(Photo Album)

Letters from
the Dimmock Family

• June 2009
• January 2009
• September 2008
• June 2008
• January 2008
• December 2007
• August 2007
• June 2007
• January 2007
• April 2006
• November 2005
• July 2005
• November 2004
• October 2004
• December 2003
• June 2003
• December 2002
• October 2002
• July 2002
• September 2001
• March 2001
• January 2001
• October 2000
• May 2000
• January 2000
• September 1999
• December 1998

"It has been a tremendous blessing to me personally to visit the countries of this region," writes Frank, "and establish relationships with the various health providers. I have met quite a few saints of every culture and color working with joy and devotion in some very difficult circumstances. It has been a privilege to provide a listening ear to those needing to share about their frustrations and problems. And even without providing solutions, they have been encouraged to have been able to share and to have felt understood. I am convinced of the importance of this job and appreciate the insight of the PC(USA) that recognized the need and potential and made it happen."

Frank earned a B.S. in botany and zoology at North Carolina State University and an M.P.H. in epidemiology and tropical medicine from Tulane University School of Public Health in New Orleans. He had previously served as a volunteer in mission and later as a mission specialist in public health in Zaire before being appointed as a full-term, mission coworker.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), Nancy is the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, David and Polly Miller, who served in Africa for 40 years. She has two degrees from North Carolina State University: a B.S. in animal science and a master's in international agricultural development and animal science. Before her marriage, she served as a livestock manager with the Peace Corps in Lesotho and worked as a ranch hand in Nebraska.

Frank and Nancy are members of Montreat Presbyterian Church in Montreat, North Carolina. They are the parents of eight children: Nathan, Moses, Jessica, Katie, Andrew, Alifa, Isaac, and Jackson.

Birthdays:
Frank - September 4
Nancy - September 12
Nathan - July 15, 1986
Moses - August 5, 1986
Jessica - September 18, 1988
Katie - July 5, 1990
Andrew - March 13, 1997
Alifa - May 18, 1998
Isaac - October 26, 2002
Jackson - December 12, 2004