“GLOBETROTTERS”
Gene (EC ’59) and Carole Dillard (EC ’61), Winston-Salem, N.C., spent 90 days in Chatel, Switzerland. Chatel overlooks Lake Geneva and is the location of a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) base. Gene provided volunteer service to the mission in a number of capacities from landscape to skill construction, while Carole shared her culinary skills with the base students and staff. While in Switzerland, Gene and Carole enjoyed visiting many unique places in Europe, and one very special highlight of their stay included a trip to Paris where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Gene and Carole’s next adventure takes them to Kona, Hawaii, in March 2012 where they will serve for a short term with YWAM-University of The Nations. Congratulations to the Dillards. It is great to see EC Alums serving in this manner!
–Sherm Smith
“SOUTHEAST ASIA MISSIONS”
Greetings from our ministry hub in Southeast Asia. As we reflect on 2011, our family wants to take a moment to thank each of you for co-laboring in the Great Commission with us.
We celebrated our first Christmas as missionaries on the field. We were wisely instructed by our overseers to take this first six to twelve months to acclimate ourselves to the new surroundings. Crossing a cultural bridge is never an easy thing to do, and there has certainly been plenty of “culture shock” to go around. Our family, however, remains grateful to God for His grace and your prayers during this tremendous transition. In August, Hayli and Heidi became International School students. Even with their subjects and activities, they both take the time to be part of “The Mission.” They love the refugee and orphan children that are part of our work here, and they are developing many new international friendships.
In August, Debbie and I began school as well, learning the Malay language. We also began learning to drive on the other side of the car (as well the other side of the street), and all while dodging millions of moped drivers determined to outrace us to the next stop light. And as those of you who have ever driven from the front right seat of the car will appreciate, it is still amusing to see Debbie and me “turn signaling” with our windshield wipers. Getting accustomed to purchasing our fruits, vegetables, and meats at the outdoor “Wet Markets” is also another unique experience for a family used to doing all their grocery shopping in the air conditioned Food Lions. In it all, we give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for both our daily bread and the roof over our head that we now call home.
On the ministry side of the equation, we are privileged to be part of work in the mega Malaysian cities of Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Penang, as well as in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Batam. Fruitful work has also been done in the nations of Sri Lanka and Myanmar. 2012 is already shaping up to be a banner year with additional work in the cities of Medan and Solo, Indonesia; a Church Planters Initiative in a strategically sensitive location; and several potential U.S. Mission Teams [one educational and the other humanitarian (medical/dental)]. The Good News that Jesus is Lord of the nations is being spread throughout Southeast Asia, and we are tying to be “His hands and feet.”
–Allen & Debbie,
Hayli & Heidi Mayo
“FIRST LADY OF TEA”
Can you imagine the thrill of being invited for afternoon tea at the White House and in addition being seated beside Corrie ten Boom? This happened to EC Alum Ruth (Cato) Turton (EC ’52) when Pat Nixon was first lady. At this wonderful event Ruth was given the moniker of “First Lady of Tea” and continues to be known by that distinction today.
Ruth learned how to give beautiful ‘tea parties’ from her mom, Minnie, who was the wife of Rev. James Cato [IPHC Superintendent of the Alabama Conference for many years]. Ruth watched as her mom hosted numerous afternoon teas in their home for ministerial associations, ladies’ groups, friends, and neighbors.
When Ruth married her husband, Rev. Ronald Turton [of Canada], she continued the Afternoon Tea Party tradition in the churches and communities in which she and her husband served in ministry. While living in Washington, D.C., Ruth was recognized for her expertise in tea and was invited to teas in the White House, foreign embassies, and other significant venues. Expertise in tea blends led Ruth and her daughter, Susan, to compete in international tea conventions. At one of these conventions in Las Vegas, Nevada, two of their ‘Turton Tea’ blends were selected as winners from entries of flavored teas by hundreds of vendors from around the world.
Turton Tea Products have gained high regard and recognition among tea lovers and those who are experts in this product line. Ruth and Susan were invited to do a series of lectures aboard the cruise ship Amsterdam of the Holland American Cruise Line. This allowed them to literally sail around the world sharing their knowledge of teas. What an adventure!
After her husband’s death in 1995, Ruth was appointed to succeed him as Protestant Chaplain for the International Showmen’s Association, a position she held until her retirement in recent years. Ruth now lives in Destin, Fla. Her brother, John Cato, resides in Franklin Springs with his wife, Jane.
–Bett Smith