Metropolitan Missionaries

Dear Praying Friends, July 21, 2008

In 1978 Paula and I had a wonderful honeymoon in Shangri la…now 30 years later we
found ourselves celebrating our wedding anniversary in another paradise - Honolulu! (Did
I mention that Shangri la was a small resort near Afton, Oklahoma?) We spent one week in
the guest room of a retired minister’s wife on the north shore of Oauhu (Tim and Lydia
had honeymooned in the same guest room in August 2007…also the price was right –
only $95!).

When we arrived at the north shore we had some time to kill and decided to get a snack.
We stopped at a nondescript bakery and I went inside to order sandwiches. Meanwhile,
Paula went to find a table outside. As I emerged from the bakery I found Paula sitting with
four high school girls in bikinis…I thought “Oh boy, I get to sit with five hot babes.”
(notice I said five babes). What followed was a wonderful opportunity to share our
testimonies and gospel with these young ladies. As we talked, Paula asked about local
foods and added, “Our neighbor in Pasadena is from this area and told us to make sure
and eat at a “hole in the wall” restaurant called Ted’s which may not look like much, but is
a favorite with the natives and has great burgers. One of the girls interrupted, “Lady, that
is the place you are eating at RIGHT NOW.” Up to then I thought we were doing well
relating to the younger generation…from that point they must have wondered how these
geriatrics ever made it to the north shore.

As I climbed to the top of Diamond Head I overheard what I thought was a family
speaking Thai (turned out to be Lao). They turned out to be a older Lao grandpa and
grandma with their daughter and grandkids. They had left from Laos in 1979 and had
moved to Hawaii with their 7 kids. The grandpa said that it was the first time he had ever
climbed Diamond Head and that a few years ago he had moved to the mainland. “Where?”
I asked. He said, “Coweta, Oklahoma.” I was amazed that anyone would leave Oaohu for
Coweta. The other thing that amazed me was that he wasn’t Buddhist…he was Jehovah
Witness. It reminded me how important it is to reach newly arrived immigrants with the
gospel. If we don’t act quickly then the cults will snatch them up. Pray that Mr. En and his
family can hear the true gospel while there is still time.

Titus informed us that his eardrum (that was burst) is healing nicely. Amber is finishing
up her time working in Colorado and asks prayer as she begins to teach 3rd grade this fall.
Lydia has been diagnosed with mono and gallstones (may need an operation for the
stones). Since she is off work she has started a wonderful website…be sure to check it out
http://ladylydia.wordpress.com/ Tim and Lydia are busy with Jr. High ministry and leading
our home church. Andy is working 40 hour weeks and is trying to finish up the last
requirements for his masters.

Paula would appreciate prayer for her neuropathy in her feet. Both feet have been numb
for months but it seems to be getting worse. Also, all the travel has made her backache
much more acute. This has served as a prayer reminder for all of us.

I continue to prepare for two mission classes in the fall. The trip to Germany did not come
about as we first thought. However, I will be preaching and doing workshops throughout
August and have a very full fall schedule.

In Him,

Larry and Paula Dinkins