October 1967
Dear Friends:
Isaiah 55: 8 & 9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
As I sit by the window in the sunshine on this lovely fall day, I marvel at the beauty of God's world and wonder which season is the loveliest. It is hard to choose as each has its own beauty. It is with much eagerness as we write this, the long-awaited day has come. By the time you read this, we will be occupying the new Immanuel Cottage -- six boys and one set of houseparents. But in a few short weeks it will be filled to capacity.
As usual the Lord is faithful (it is we who become anxious), and as a final date was set, with two new sets of houseparents ready to take over, we thank and praise Him once again.
Pray for the Roy Yoders as they continue in the Grace Cottage with 11 children, and the Mervin Martins as they take over in the Immanuel Cottage; then too, the Gary Stutzmans, who will do relief work, two days in each cottage; Pray for these new houseparents as well as the new boys, as it is an adjustment for all in new circumstances. Pray also for Jack as his Administrative duties are doubled, and for Doris in the office.
The children in the Home are using the services of two elementary schools and two high schools, so the bus stop is quite busy around 8:30 each morning. Our children, of course, ride these same busses. Terry is a high school Junior; Doug, 8th grade; Jackie, who is in 3rd, proudly came home the second week of school, saying he could count to ten in French. And a new experience for us all is having our only daughter enter the first grade--Jill Ann--who is adjusting quite well. Tom is in his Junior year at Kings College this year.
We rejoice with you again as you have your missionary conference. May the Lord continue to bless you and the missionaries who are home for a time of rest. Thank you for your part in this vineyard. Much praise to Him who has allowed its inception and privileged us to be a small part of it here at Cedar Ridge.
Your Ambassadors for Him,
Jack, Doris & all