Frank Dimmock - September 2021 Update
Dear friends,
It is September, and I have been back from my trip to Kenya/Ethiopia/South Sudan since the middle of July! In that time, we have welcomed two new grandchildren and navigated through six family members getting the Coronavirus. Nancy was with them, to help out, and experienced a breakthrough COVID infection herself. She stayed in Illinois under quarantine. All are now out of quarantine, recovering and we are so thankful for God’s mercy. NOW, I am able to tell you about the trip, which you made possible through your prayers and support!
As you know, we were all concerned about the risks of travel this summer, but the Lord confirmed the “rightness” of the trip and the timing, over and over again. Yes, it was tricky and stressful, trying to time COVID tests (and their results) to meet various border crossing requirements. But, even so, I was able to navigate through (sometimes at the 11th hour, or through the grace of an airport manager) and keep to the closely timed schedule. Truly amazing!
And the Lord granted favor with government officials in both Kenya and Ethiopia, authorizing permission to enter the camps. This made personal, on the ground, face-to-face, mutual encouragement, and Bible delivery (with great rejoicing!) possible. Special thanks to all who contributed during 2019 and 2020 for the printing (in South Korea) and delivery (in Ethiopia) of 5,600 Nuer Bibles for South Sudanese refugees. I had carried dozens of pairs of reading glasses with me for refugees in the camps and handed them out to those with low vision challenges. One older gentleman danced in excitement at being able to see clearly enough to read the Scriptures!
In the Kakuma Camp (Kenya), after meetings with Giffen Institute of Theology leaders (in Kakuma 1), I got on the back of a motorcycle to travel to Kakuma 4 to find my friend, Elizabeth (amazing saint of past stories). That was a special reunion. She and her widows’ group continue to faithfully care for a multitude of orphans. Two emergency needs that she expressed were epilepsy meds for one of her daughters and a third sewing machine for their income-generating tailoring business. Because of The Outreach Foundation’s quick, positive response to funding the advanced trauma healing training session, days before their graduation, 22 trainers are now equipped to train others in their new pastoral locations. And with a personal gift of $500 received just before I left the U.S., I was able to ask the trauma healing trainer, Thaddeus, to buy the sewing machine and the medicines and get it to Elizabeth when he went to do the training. He was successful – and sent pictures!
Our days in Addis were spent going to various government offices until we had the wording right in our request letter to the Refugee Agency and delivered it to the right person. This took a lot of patience, perseverance, and a sense of humor. We were finally granted permission to enter the camps! Gambella was in the middle of the rainy season – so, very muddy. But John Jock was a great host, and we had wonderful visits to the preschools and distributed Nuer Bibles through congregations in each camp. He took and posted some great pictures on his Facebook page. You can check them out under the name: John Jock Gatwech.
THEN, in July, there was the overland/river trip (adventure) to Nasir to visit the Presbyterian Church of Sudan Sudan (PCoSS) church building that Outreach had raised funds for before the war. It was amazing, not only the river ride in croc-infested waters but the post-war view and experience of Nasir town.
We specifically went to investigate the state of the Nasir church building. It was an ambitious project of PCoSS/Outreach/local and American South Sudanese which was halted at roof level by the civil war in 2013. The walls remain in good condition – still up to roof level. We met with many church members and leaders and the newly assigned government officials. There is a cease-fire in the area, and an increasing sense of hope for sustainable peace, but there are MANY physical and logistical constraints on completing the building. We sat together with the original building contractor and chief engineer for the church building and discussed a 3-phase plan for completing the building. They have prepared a draft budget. So this, too, is a tangible step in rebuilding hope in South Sudan.
Woven throughout the trip were other personal experiences of rebuilding and reigniting Hope. I was accompanied by Rev. David Paudill, a South Sudanese American who pastors a Presbyterian church in Gallatin, TN. He is one of the “lost boys” who made his way to the U.S. many years ago through harrowing circumstances. His return and joyful reunion with family members whom he found in the refugee camps was a privilege to witness. Sudanese American and Elder John Makuach from San Diego also joined the visits in Gambella and Nasir. He was thrilled to spend time with his relatives along the river near Nasir. And John Jock Gatwech, our host and the education coordinator for PCoSS congregations and schools in the Gambella camps, was excited to visit his home area near Nasir.
The God of all Hope truly filled us with joy as we trusted in Him (Rom. 15:13) throughout the trip. Thank you, thank you for your continued love, interest, and support!
Sincerely,
Frank
Read more about Frank Dimmock’s ministry HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts totaling $50,000 for Frank’s support and $100,000 to address needs requested by the PCoSS through the Rebuilding Hope in South Sudan project: Bibles, hymnals, education, trauma healing, leadership development, and emergency relief. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.