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From the desk of

PHYLLIS SIDEBOTTOM

100A Garden St.; Grain Valley, MO 64029

Tel: (816) 847-0981  

15 August 2003

Dear Ladies,

To be real honest, this is a hard letter to write. We have such mixed emotions at this point in our lives.  Many of you have not heard from us since April so I will try to quickly bring you up to date.

After 2 1/2 months in Ethiopia we returned to The States on May 3rd.  We are happy to report that Don's notes on "Characteristics of Cults" were finished in time for us to distribute them to our churches before we left.  That was an answer to prayer.  Don enjoyed teaching a 30 hour modular course on "Life of Christ" to a good group of serious students and he preached in one of our churches almost every Sunday.  It was a blessing to see many of our dear friends again & to rejoice with those who were newly married, had new babies etc.  One highlight was our reunion with Demeke. We had lost contact with him for several years.  He's a very successful business man now but was quick to acknowledge the fact that in the process of establishing himself in a career he has neglected God.  PRAY that he will join the Worley’s weekly Bible Study group.

While there were many joyous reunions, we came away from Ethiopia very concerned about the need for revival among our people and in our churches.  It is time for Bro. Worley to renew his work and resident permits.  However, he has not been able to do this because someone has lodged a complaint against him and/or our mission in the Ministry of Justice.  It is always sad when God's people work against each other instead of together, focusing on disagreements instead of on the matter of winning this lost world to Christ.  Some of the men who are "at odds" with us missionaries are the very ones we have worked with and helped over the years and who we still love dearly.

Some of you know that our grandson, Joshua, broke his back when he fell from a roof on which he was working. God answered prayer and he was able to return to work just two months after the accident!! He could have been a paraplegic so easily. God is so good!

Aug. 28th will be our 50th wedding anniversary.  It has been such a blessing to have these years together, walking through life hand-in-hand.  Of course there have been bumps in the road and right now we have a big bump in our road of life.  Two weeks ago Dennis' wife of 26 years "walked out."  At first Pam said that she would not go to "church" counseling but she has consented to counsel with their pastor and has gone twice.  Dennis and the boys are devastated. PLEASE PRAY MUCH FOR ALL OF THEM!  What would we do without brothers and sisters in Christ who share our burdens and pray for us?  I honestly do not know.  Thank YOU for your love and prayers.  Again, let us assure you that although we have not written, we do pray for you and your requests.

With much love in Christ,
Phyllis Sidebottom

E-mail: donsidebottom@netzero.net