Dear Friends, A Nation in Grief In the face of death, hatred, and terrible loss of life and innocence, I find myself needing to put my hand over my mouth. That is the sense I have made of the hush that fell over DFW Airport on the morning of September 11. Suddenly, there was an absence of airplane engines, televisions, P.A. announcements, and laughter – only the sound of people walking slowly as if they had lost all sense of direction. We waited for hours for the return of our bags and so I withdrew and pondered what was happening. I am reminded of a day in Sarajevo, April 1994, during an uneasy ceasefire. We walked through a city that had been under siege for two years. There were no sounds of children at play or laughter. Even the animals and birds were gone. I remember thinking, “This is a city in grief. ”When we suffer a loss, there is naturally a time of grieving. Then we return to our lives – change forever. The Life of One While the world was reeling from the tragedy of September 11, Bobby White was in the struggle of his life – how to face death with some semblance of grace. Suspecting that her patient was dying alone, Bobby’s doctor gave his name to Bill Waugh. During the next few months, Bob Striler visited or called Bobby every day. In the midst of the most depressing of circumstances, we saw in extraordinary ways, the Spirit’s movement among us – especially in the spaces and silence that we made for Him. His daughter’s worst fear that he might die without her knowing, was laid to rest. Bobby was reconciled with his son and grandson. A sweet and sad time of reconciling with his former wife took place just weeks before his death. Bobby died knowing his family loved him and that it was well with his soul. Bobby's graveside service was simple and filled with such sweetness. With a gentle fall breeze in our faces, we listened to Willie Nelson’s version of Just a Closer Walk with Thee and Amazing Grace. I kept thinking, “How precious is this moment.”

Bob Clark Bob Clark and his family arrived in August. Our warehouse has never looked so good! We’re already wondering what we did before Bob came. Thank You HUG As we prepared 40-foot containers of aid to go beyond our borders earlier this year, HUG Internationally donated many wonderful things. Clothes, shoes, and toys were only part of what filled the more than 300 cases donated. Without their help, we could not have shipped so much to places of need. A special ‘thank you’ to our friends at HUG! New Friends Jerry Marroquin is an important part of the Axe Methodist crew who faithfully show up to help us in many ways. We neglected to introduce Jerry to you in our last Update. Thank you Jerry! Nonye, an international student, comes to our warehouse to give her time and energy two to five mornings a week. What a gift she is! Ray Lasiter from the Axe Methodist Church is now helping regularly. Bill Morrison also from Axe is helping us with wheelchair repair. Carl Hunt works tirelessly to secure medical treatment in the U.S. for medical patients abroad. Thank you for your gifts to us and to others. Every gift of one’s self and time makes us who we are. Thank you, Rae England Executive Director Immediate needs: Warehouse space, sewing machines, fabric, yarn, computers for a school in Kosovo, and surgical instruments (especially for plastic surgery).