August 4, 1963

Dear Friends of Immanuel:

PSALM 34:8 "O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." About 10:00 P. M. the second night here, one of the board members helping unload new furniture asked if we were keeping a diary of happenings. We laughed, but little any of us knew what our first week in Hagerstown held in store. Ephesians 6:12a "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers". The Lord was good and we had a good trip---cool the first day---we stayed overnight to rest the drivers and children. In the afternoon when we reached the Home, the Mission truck was just unloading our posessions and praise the Lord, not even a chipped plate or cracked glass which is something considering the unprofessional job of packing and the steep mountains around here.

On the way we were thinking one of our first needs would be a refrigerator, and one of the men that met us here who was on the Building Committee has a store and told us he had a refrigerator in his store just the size we needed if we were interested. Thursday afternoon he, Jack and Tom drove to Baltimore and got the furniture we needed; also four beds and chests of drawers for the children who will be coming in.

Friday after we arrived, Terry decided he wanted to acquaint us with the Washington County Hospital. While Jack and Tom were putting the mailbox in cement, Terry was riding his bicycle down the big hill in front of the Home and slid in loose gravel amd fell--the Lord in His mercy had a man in his car talking to Jack. They quickly picked him up, and he drove them to the hospital as Jack had no idea where it was. Terry was unconscious until they arrived, X-rays were taken and no fractures were found. but the doctor said he had a severe concussion. He had four stitches on his arm and lots of cuts and bruises on his face, head and arms and even his side. Jack stayed all night with him and when the night nurse came on duty, she said, "Did all that happen falling off his bicycle?" and Jack answered, "Yes, it looks more like he was in an airplane crash. Terry was in the hospital 5 days, and the Lord in His goodness spared him from permanent damage. He feels fine, and we can hardly keep him quiet.

One of the boys remarked it seemed odd doing chores before church (cattle and pigs). They have become quite the farmers, mending fences, and also helping in the house, washing most of the 25 windows. They do miss their Holland friends. We have become fairly well settled. The two downstairs rooms which needed to have floors finished, are occupied now. No landscaping has been done as yet, so our front yard is quite a mess. Twenty pairs of drapes have been ordered for the large windows.

Saturday night Jack and Mr. Resh took a busload of under-privileged children and men to a nearby town to see the "Tony Fontaine Story". Jack spoke Tuesday and Saturday nights at the mission and will speak at least once a week there--they have services morning and night. We were thrilled when the love offering arrived in the mail. We would like to thank each of you personally but realizing this is impossible, please accept our humble thanks.

We shall never forget the farewell service and your words of farewell and encouragement. Also thanks to the ones who made the purchase of the camera possible. We are putting it to use.

We close with these prayer requests:

(1) Our first children, Frankie, age 9, two brothers, Chuck, age 11 and Harvey, age 14. Their father is unable to care for them (mother passed away this past winter). They will be coming to the Home on Monday, August 5. Pray that they as well as our own children will adjust to this new life.

(2) The Mission has a rest tent at the Fair to begin August 12. Jack will be there much of the time. Pray for souls as the Word in sermon and music goes forth.

(3) Jack is taking instruction in driving the bus. Pray for the day camps which we plan to start next week; Children will be brought out from the city to spend the day.

We remember you in prayer each day.

Your Ambassadors for Christ,

The Droogers