Letters From Grandpa #493

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 493

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will be about a missionary named Isabel (Maxey) Dittemore. She came from a devout family with eight children and her siblings were also devout servants of the Lord. Isabel became a Christian at the age of 5. Soon after she met a missionary to Asia named Dr. Albert L. Shelton. She was so impressed by his ministry that she dedicated her life to foreign missions.

Dr. Shelton, as you may remember, also recruited J. Russell and Gertrude Morse to be missionaries to Asia. They went to Asia in 1921 with their infant son Eugene. Soon after they arrived Dr. Shelton was shot by Tibetan bandits and died in J. Russell’s arms.

Isabel passed away May 30th, 1994 at the age of 85. But before her passing, however, I did an interview with her at Good News Productions International. Here is a link to that interview https://vimeopro.com/wotruth/venture-in-faith/video/110225062 An autobiography of her amazing life is titled He Leadeth Me and was published by College Press in Joplin, Mo.

Isabel went to China in 1937. As she was going to be 700 miles from the nearest doctor or dentist she made the decision to have all of her teeth pulled. She had been having some trouble with her teeth and wanted to avoid any dental emergencies when she was so far away from medical help.

With war with Japan looming on the horizon she returned to the states and married a Kansas farmer named Warren Dittemore. He too felt called to be a missionary. They returned to Asia after the war in November 1945. Sadly, Warren died of Typhoid August 5, 1946. He was only 30 year old. His grave overlooks the Salween Valley in China and the words on his tomb stone are “He being dead yet speaks”. His memory is revered by the local believers as a Christian pioneer who died bringing them the good news about Jesus.

Later in her life Isabel spent ten years in Japan and 18 years in Taiwan. Having taken a class in radio in Tulsa while on furlough, she broadcasted the Gospel into mainland China for many years. Her program featured Bible stories for children both in English and in Chinese. Over the course of this ministry she wrote and recorded over 3,000 Bible dramas from Genesis to Revelation. After the story Isabel taught her listeners songs that helped them remember the Bible stories they had heard.

Now let us fast forward many years to Isabel’s retirement. She returned to America and spent her final years at the Spring River Christian Village in Joplin. While she was there a prominent Chinese scholar came to Good News Productions in Joplin to produce 600 video tape lectures on the Bible. At that time the Chinese Government allowed the Three Self Patriot Movement to operate 13 seminaries to teach the Bible. Bro. George Tien was authorized by the government to teach in all of these universities. Putting his Bible lectures on video would enable him to teach in all of these seminaries at the same time.

Ziden Nutt, the founder of Good News Productions International, tells what happened next on pages 144-145 of his book Beyond Ourselves. Ziden asked George how he became a Christian? George said it was because of a woman who broadcast the Gospel over the radio in both English and Chinese. Since he wanted to learn English he listened often and as a result of her teaching accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord. He couldn’t remember the woman’s name, but when Ziden asked if it could have been Isabel Dittemore his eyes lit up. George was even more amazed when Ziden asked if he

would like to eat lunch with her on the next day. Ziden had already scheduled a lunch with Don and Elsie DeWelt at a popular Chinese restaurant a mere mile away from where Isabel lived. It was a divine appointment! Isabel and George sat at the end of the table enjoying traditional Chinese food and savoring the opportunity to speak the Chinese language that both of them loved.

Luke 8:4-15 records the parable of a farmer who went out to sow his seed. The seed fell on four different types of soil. Jesus said: “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (Luke 8:11-15)

After a life time of planting the word of God we have evidence in the life of George Tien that at least some of that seed that Isabel planted fell on good soil! According to some estimates, in spite of opposition and persecution, there are between 100 and 130 millions Christians in China. The Psalmist said it like this: “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” (Psalms 126:5-6) Only eternity will reveal the full magnitude of our efforts for Christ.

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce