HAPPY 97TH, DAD!
As a family, we gathered to celebrate my dad’s 97th birthday. God has blessed him in amazing ways as he has been faithful in serving and living a Christ-filled life touching many lives with the hope of the gospel in Ethiopia and now here at home in Charlotte, North Carolina. He doesn’t get around like he used to. No more tennis, but his mind is sharp as can be. Betty is a wonderful companion, and it is so fun to see them together. These birthday parties mean more and more as time marches on.
Thanking the Lord for times of celebration filled with joy and laughter!
Bill has experienced JOY traveling to Philadelphia to participate in the mission conference of Proclamation Presbyterian in Bryn Mawr. We were the first missionaries sent out by this church. They have been faithfully supporting us for many, many years. It was wonderful to connect again with dear friends and supporters from our Denver Seminary days, John and Deb Tornfelt who live in Lancaster,PA. So thankful for friends like this that we have such a fun history! (Their first child was born on the same day, same hospital as our first-born.)
The next week, Bill was a participant in AMPLIFY 2025 at Wheaton College put on by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. This was a gathering of hundreds of pastors to be more equipped to share the Gospel. The main sessions, breakouts and round table discussions challenged us on how to maximize the church’s impact for the Kingdom. This was a precious time for the Lord to speak to me with that which matters most to Him. (It was also a special joy to have time with our granddaughter, Kirsi, studying to be a CRNA.)
Then it was off to Florida for the JOY of connecting with friends and supporters. Some of them, we had not seen for years and others, new friends whom we had not met before.
I, Bill, was hit hard by the sudden, unexpected passing away of my dear friend and colleague in ministry in Ethiopia. His name is Yonas (Jonah) Checka. He was a trusted, godly friend and leader of hundreds of SIM related churches in Yirgacheffe where we have served for years and continue to serve each year. He has led the Harding Memorial Bible College construction projects as well. Yonas was a young man preparing to be a missionary to Pakistan but was denied because his family was too big. In his forties, he brought that missional vision and discipleship skill to the local churches in the area. Thousands are still in mourning including me but not with out hope. Yonas is more alive now that he ever was in the presence of Christ his Savior in Heaven.
Please pray for his dear family who are bearing the loss of a husband and dad. Pray also for wisdom in the selection process and for God’s choice to take up his former leadership position for the building up of the church and to continue to bring God glory throughout that region.
Maybe some of you have recently experienced both joy mingled with sorrow. In the Bible an anchor symbolizes hope and stability, particularly in times of trouble. Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as a “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.” We pray that your heart is fully anchored in this sure hope.
Grace and I wish to send our love to you at this time of Thanksgiving, one of our favorite national holidays here in the USA. We will have many Hardings around the Thanksgiving Day table very soon. Grace has already started preparations!
2025 is coming to an end. Please let us know how we can pray for you.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Celebrating with joy,
Bill and Grace
We are so thankful for your prayers and support through the many years!
Bill and Grace Harding Support #24543
