October 2017
A Note from Della
Thank you once again for your prayer support for Rick as he is in Ukraine. He called me a couple of times while he and Tony VanManen were “on the go” (waiting for trains, etc.) They were kept very busy with speaking, teaching, and meeting with co-workers. During one phone call, Rick commented, “I’m exhausted! Hope we can get some rest on the train!” By the time you receive this letter, he may be back home.
In one of Rick’s email messages, he wrote: “As I was going out of the building to go to lunch with Sergey B., one of my students, Christina, was just coming up the steps. She told me, ‘Thank you! You taught me why to believe in God. No one ever convinced me before. I’m so thankful!’ I told her, ‘Thank you, Christina. This is what makes it worthwhile to leave my family and come to Ukraine to teach.’ Praise God! Pray for her – and all my students. Another student, Erina, told me after missing the first class, that she stayed up almost all night reading the gospel of John – as Tony had asked her to do.”
I asked Tony VanManen to share about his time in Ukraine. Following is what he wrote.
Tony’s Reflections
“I was blessed to be in Ukraine with Rick Deighton from September 26th to October 4th. We were honored to participate in several church services, visit some new church plants, share God’s truth as a worldview option in both a public school and state orphanage, and work with students at the Christian Open University in Odessa. The schedule that Rick has for his time in the Ukraine is certainly full. Although I’m only 45 years old, it seemed like I was trying to keep up with him, rather than the other way around.
It’s amazing how you can form relationships that will impact the rest of your life in such a short time. The people that I met in the Ukraine will be on my heart and mind, and in my prayers, for many years to come. I am asking the Lord to show how me how he wants me to continue to be involved in the ministries there.”
From Our Mailbox
We really enjoyed your prayer letter! It was a blessing to read, but more than that it was and has been a blessing to walk with you as co-workers, friends and mentoree and … mostly important be God’s family with you!
Our congratulations and prayers are lifted up! (Re: 20th Anniversary of Overseas Outreach)_
Let the Lord bless you richly and your influence for His Kingdom gives both of you strength and power to finish the race.
We were also so blessed and glad to read how Della put in the prayer letter parts of your life story/history! Very good read!
Thank you, Blessings,
Zhenya and Natasha, children”
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“Congratulations on the 20th anniversary of Overseas Outreach! Wish I could celebrate with you, but I’ll celebrate here with a cup of coffee, a warm cinnamon bun, and a lot of good wishes.
What a lot you’ve accomplished for the Lord in those 20 years – so many different places of ministry and you’re still going strong! Praise God!
How glad I was to read again of the history Della wrote. I knew a good bit of it from your newsletters over the years, but learned new things as well. I didn’t know you’d served in Estonia and also worked in Latvia. And now you’re on your way to Ukraine, Rick. I’m praying for safe travel and for the ministry you do there. Please give Zhenya and Natasha my best. Praying for you too, Della.
Love in Christ, Gwen” (Eichel)
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“Rick,
Thanks again for sharing the wealth of your resources with us. In a nutshell, since we give away books from those who come to the office and at speaking engagements we do not track individually those books. Therefore, the only way for us to know exactly how many books we have distributed is to take how many we have on our bookshelves and minus them from what we first received. Your books have been well received and a blessing to many. Thank you! With your encouragement and contribution we will be able to distribute more this year as we can include them on a regular basis to speaking engagements.”
David
Music – Language of the Soul
by Della
For as long as I can remember I have loved music!
As a young girl attending a country church in Minnesota, I walked down the aisle at the beginning of each service, singing with other young people, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty.” The feeling of awe and reverence filled by heart, as it burst forth from my mouth in praise! I learned by memory many of those great old songs, which ministered to me many times over the years.
On a light note – Yodeling at the county fairs always made me smile, and I declared that I wanted to learn how to yodel. Somehow, my tongue never mastered that art!
At the age of 15 when I ended up in a hospital in Idaho with tuberculosis, music is what comforted and carried me through six months of separation from family and friends.
“My faith looks up to thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary…..May Thy rich grace impart,
strength to my fainting heart. My zeal inspire; As Thou hast died for me,
O may my love to Thee, Pure, warm, and changeless be, A living fire.”
“He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone!”
“What a Friend we have in Jesus….Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer….”.
“God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.”
“Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, help me stand;
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Thru the storm, thru the night, Lead me on to the light,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.”
As a young missionary wife and mother living in Germany, the cassette tapes we received from a church in the United States ministered to me when I longed for English words. At one point when I was so tired I didn’t feel like I had the energy for another day, one of those cassettes came in the mail with the song, “One Day at a Time” on it. I played it over and over, singing along with the words:
“One day at a time sweet Jesus,
That’s all that I’m asking from You.
Lord give me the strength to do every day what I have to do.
Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord help me today and show me the way one day at a time”
It thrilled my heart to hear my young children singing:
“Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the waters
Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea
Take a look at yourself and you can look at the others differently
By puttin’ your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee.”
-or-
“A sunbeam, a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
A sunbeam, a sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.”
When we came back to the U. S. on furlough one time, we were treated to a trip to Disneyland. That year they had a special presentation, “America, the Beautiful”. As scenes from coast to coast came across the big screen and the words played in the background, the tears streamed down my face.
“O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years…..
America! America! God shed His grace on thee.
And crown they good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!”
To this day, I cannot hear “The Star-Spangled Banner” without tears either, as I think of all the blessings we in America have enjoyed because of the brave men who fought for our freedom. Now as I hear of citizens who seem so unhappy with our country, I cannot help but think, “Perhaps they should try living in another country for at least one year. I believe their perspective would change dramatically!”
A few years ago Rick took me to a restaurant in Roseburg, Oregon, for my birthday, and he invited the Strubhar family to join us. While we were eating and visiting, Andria said she’s like to sing a song for me, and she asked me what my favorite hymn was. I told her it is “How Great Thou Art”. She has a beautiful voice, and when she began to sing, there was a hush in the whole restaurant. I’d like to think that it made a deep impression on someone there that day. Maybe we’ll find out when we get to heaven!
“We praise you, Lord, for all your glorious power.
With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.”
Psalm 21:13 (NLT)