Casilla 2033, Santiago, Chile. Dec. 11th 1979 My dear Louise, I have been wanting to write to you ever since I heard that Mike is held hostage. You must know that we here have prayed very much about this situation and I know that these prayers are being answered. There is one thing that strikes me forcibly and that is that "ike was called whilst in Chile to know our Lord more intimately; I noticed this particularly when we met about Outreach matters and also when he presided the Church Council meetings. My point is simply that there is no coincidence here - I have found over recent years (when I finally let the Lord have some say in what I do) that He guides us beautifully and wonderfully to where He wants us to go to the point that curious situations and strange circumstances all have a meaning. Personally I feel strongly that Mike is going to come out quite well from this experience and that he has been sent there on a visit (coincidentally ?) because the Lord wanted some Christian salt to flavour and preserve the others and he was the one chosen. Of course, we do not know how all this is going to end, and once again we simply have to trust the Lord who is so gracious and merciful to those who call upon Him. He is too wonderful a gentleman to be otherwise. I cannot tell how close to our Savior you are; perhaps this letter may seem to you to be from an odd person who has a religious failing to the point of becoming unbalanced. It is merely a question of point of view. This I do know, Louise, from the bottom of my heart, that if you will only trust Him He will give you such a glorious peace - the one that the world cannot give - that you will be amazed. Even the most terrible of problems are reduced to their real size. Alice, my wife, (did you know her?) is writing to me on similar lines from Baton Rouge, La. where I shall be joining her for Christmas and our two sons: I shall be flying to Miami and to Mexico City and drive round to La. I would like to call you from there. I shall arrive on the night of Dec. 24th and my son's telephone number is (504) 2931335 - Peter Jowett - so perhaps you would like to call me. If I can help you in any way at all it will be to help you to find our Savior Jesus Christ. He will heal your fears, He will keep Mike safe but remember His ways are not ours, His purposes are dimly seen by us so with prayer and faith you will see all working out according to the plan He has for each and everyone of us and there are some superb surprises in store. Do, think and speak for HIM and He will show you a happiness that you never dreamed could exist. I offer you these thoughts to comfort (strengthen) you and to leave the worry to Jesus; He wants you to turn to Him NOW, to hand yourself over to Him entirely because then you leave Him free and able to show you what He wants of you - He cannot give gifts to people who refuse them. I do not know where you stand today with Him but you can also start by saying quite simply "our Father and see what happens.... For His sake and for Mike's, I pray for you that you will not be discouraged but find a new life which Mike is already finding. May God keep you both safe, Yours, in His name, few Lewis H. Jowett AND MAY CHRISTMAS BRING You Joy