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January 1974 Newsletter
COLOMBIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
Dale and Jeanie Meade
San José del Guaviare in Colombia, South America
Volume 2, Issue 1 January 1974
ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
This issue of The Colombian Christian Mission is our anniversary issue. One year ago this month the first issue was published. This issue also marks another anniversary: that being the beginning of our second trimester of Language school. As a result of these great events of our lives we cannot help but think of a song my Jimmy Dean entitled, "I, among all men, am most blessed." The three of us have received many wonderful blessings. At times like these, we cannot help but pause for a moment to reminisce, consider the future and "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." D.R.M.
REMINISCES
It's been over five years now since I was first in Colombia. Yet, out of those five years, the last 18 months have definitely been the most thrilling. At this time, 18 months ago, I was just beginning to make some definite plans. The letters of recommendation were obtained and the introductory brochure was designed. I took a summer job in a factory working 12 hours a day to pay for printing and postage costs as well as save money for my last year at Cincinnati Bible Seminary.
Fall found me working on plans for becoming incorporated, carrying 18 credit hours at the Seminary, and writing hundreds of letters. Throughout the winter there were dozens of speaking dates to meet. With the publication of our first newsletter less than 1/10 of the needed support was raised. It was beginning to look as though departure would have to be delayed indefinitely.
Spring brought graduation from the Cincinnati Bible Seminary and the discouraging decision to delay our departure for two months and miss the Summer World Institute of Missions. This delay was essential though and allowed us to make many needed plans. In early summer we participated in four daily Vacation Bible Schools, packed, and prepared for the big trip. In the middle of summer was made the drive to Costa Rica and have now completed one trimester of language school. God really works in wonderful ways. D.R.M.
PLANS
Now our plans for the future. The first issue carried a "framework for goals." Those have changed very little. At this time, however, more of the details are known. The departure for Colombia is only seven months or two trimesters away. Once there I hope to work closely with veteran missionary Warren Sanders. One main job will be follow up on students who have completed the Bible Correspondence Courses. Working with young churches and helping to set them in order. These plans are sketchy but provide you with some idea of our future work. D.R.M.
BLESSINGS
If I were to begin enumerating the multitude of God given blessings received, they would easily fill the next several issues of the newsletter. So I shall tell you of just one of the many, many blessings that God has sent this way.
In the one year that Jeanie and I spent raising the support that was needed; many blessings came our way. But no mention of blessings would be adequate without tribute to our new found friends. For these friends have become more to use than the backbone of our support. They are, in a very real sense, our co-laborers in Christ.
From Hodgenville, Kentucky (new Louisville) to Binghamton, New York; from the first speaking engagement to the last; everywhere we went we always were met by friends. We were given food and lodging. We were taken to see historical and natural points of interest. Many times we were given a tank of gas or some other special consideration as we took our leave. People always went out of their way to make the difficult and tiring deputation process more pleasant. Jeanie and I received the best of food, a comfortable bed in which to sleep, and the absolute best in Christian fellowship.
Yes, any count of blessings would become meaningless and mercenary without a tribute to you people which we affectionately refer to as friends. Our only regret is that always, there came a time to depart. With this came the realization that we may never again meet many of you this side of heaven. And so we say, "may God be with you till we meet as Jesus' feet." D.R.M.
REMINISCES
Just 18 months ago we began our definite plans for departing for Colombia. First of all came our introductory brochure. Dale planned it and I drew up the sketches. After they were printed we found that the printshop couldn't fold them because they were such a difficult tri-fold. And they couldn't score the paper either because it was too thin. So we ended up folding 3,000 brochures. Not all at once though, only as they were needed. Then after this was the making of the mailing list which was a lengthy process. We started out with about 360 churches on our mailing list. (Now we have almost 1,000 counting churches and individuals.) We had letters printed up to these and I typed the envelopes for them.
School started in the fall and I was back to my job in the cafeteria at the Cincinnati Bible Seminary, but only as part-time. But I had plenty to do at home. I typed on the average of about 20 letters per week. On the weekends we were always heading out somewhere either for a speaking date or just to visit with friends and family.
In January, we started publishing our newsletter. This presented a new experience for me: I had never typed stencils before. I did fairly well on my first attempt only making a few mistakes and only working on it for about 8 hours. Later as I became more experienced, I completed it in about 1 1/2 hours.
May brought graduation from the Cincinnati Bible Seminary for my husband. For me it brought packing, packing, and packing. I had to decide what could be taken and what could be left. This was a very hard job because there were so many things that I wanted to keep but would serve little or no use on the mission field. But our total possessions were narrowed down to one van load and the rest was left for the next occupant of our apartment.
During the month of June we attended four Vacation Bible Schools, one each week. And the weekends were filled with speaking dates. Needless to say we spent much of June on the road going from one place to another. On our off days we lodged at Dale's parents' house.
July started with packing and ended with packing. And of course, the weeks in between were spent packing and obtaining things that were needed. There was much traveling in July also, for every weekend was filled with speaking dates.
July also brought us closer to leaving. Last minute details were carried out. The van was checked and fixed. We made last visits to my parents and various relatives. Then we were on the road.
In August we traveled to Costa Rica and had a very safe and enjoyable trip. J.A.M.
PLANS
Plans for the future for me are rather vague right now. I'm not quite sure where I will work or what I might do. In all likelihood, I will probably do most of the secretarial work and being a mother when the times comes. Other things I am not sure of. But I am willing to do anything that I am needed for. J.A.M.
BLESSINGS
I, like Dale, am very grateful for the multitude of friends the Lord blessed us with while we were in our deputation period. There were so many friends that opened up their homes to us and gave us the best accommodations. Some kept us for a night and others for a week. There were so many friends who had us in their homes for meals. We had some of the most delicious meals. There were so many friends who took us sightseeing. There sere so many friends who gave us food to snack on, on the way home. There were so many, many friends who just met us once at a speaking date and urged and encouraged us on. I am really deeply grateful for God's blessing of such wonderful friends.
There is one other blessing I would like to share. That is our safety. God really watched over us while we were traveling. We traveled so many miles (over 10,000 miles in June, July, and August alone) while we were going to speaking dates, Vacation Bible Schools, visiting, sightseeing, and traveling to Costa Rica. We had flat tires and car repairs but nothing that endangered us. I am really thankful to all those who prayed for our safety. God surely watches over us!
All donations to the Colombian Christian Mission, Inc. are tax-deductible.
Send donations to:
Mrs. Robert Meade
R.D. 1 Box 71
Rittman, Ohio 45204
A publication of the Colombian Christian Services, Incorporated