Out of Ashes: Mercy Intersecting the Lives of People with Disabilities in South Sudan - Softcover

Nuffer, Patricia Squibb

Softcover

ISBN 10: 069268798X ISBN 13: 9780692687987

Publisher: Mercy Matters, 2016

Synopsis

During her ten-year experience developing the African mission of Hands of Mercy as a training center for people with disabilities, Patricia Nuffer (Deaconess, Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) learned a lot. At first, compelling missionary stories were her textbooks; a theological degree in deaconess studies from Concordia Theological Seminary laid the foundation and underneath, the lifelong challenge of raising a son with Down syndrome was her training to become an advocate. But nothing could compare to being “on the ground “in South Sudan, seeing the plight of people who drag themselves through the mud, wearing flip flops on their hands. Once her eyes were opened to their lives, Deaconess Pat committed to putting a life of mercy into action, hands on! Hands of Mercy was born to bring the “tangible love of Jesus Christ” to people with disabilities. The mission is to feed, both spiritually and physically, the outcasts of South Sudan and the Church. Home grown ideas transformed into kits for first aid, hygiene, washable sanitary pads or diapers and energized mission minded people here. And slowly in South Sudan, the people began to see their God given gifts and talents that lay beneath the broken vessel of their bodies. Clearly God was bringing beauty out of ashes of their broken lives.

About this title

About the Author

Pat grew up in Birmingham, MI, product of good public schools and an Episcopalian heritage. She attended Northwestern University, married her high school sweetheart, Rick and graduated from Valparaiso University. After four years in Chicago while Rick taught school, they moved to Texas, their adopted home, to attend Baylor University. She obtained a M.S. in Speech Pathology, while her husband got his law degree. She established her private practice in Brenham, TX until a career change brought them to Concordia Theological Seminary for Rick to become a pastor. Back to Texas to Rockport to pastor Peace Lutheran Church, then back to Fort Wayne years later for Rick to become a professor and Pat a deaconess with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. After homeschooling their fourth child all the way to enter Hillsdale College, Pat began her current journey as missionary and founder of Hands of Mercy. Advocacy for people with disabilities, woven together with sound theological training and a bit of a vagabond spirit, led her to follow the Lord's lead to South Sudan. Currently, Pat resides in Fort Wayne, IN and enjoys hiking the lands of the Bible, leading women's Bible studies and enjoying her four grown children, their families and four grandchildren.

Edition details

• Publisher: Mercy Matters
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 069268798X
• ISBN 13: 9780692687987
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 136