Mary Kelly and Esther Galt had been best friends for nearly 50 years. Over that time, they had spoken of many things, including God and His promise of Heaven. The two friends had a favorite story about dragonflies, just like the ones that buzzed around the Galt’s pond, which stood in a distant meadow.

Hershey Free Church has long been supporting Patty Shenk and Butch and Shirley Hammond as missionaries. With their retirement from full-time missions at the end of 2011, we would like to recognize them for their service.

Sitting in the Hershey Free Church one sunny Sunday morning in April several years ago, I felt it was finally safe to begin hoping again. On Thursday, an ultrasound technician had said the child I was carrying appeared to be growing in the right place this time.