Worry could not coexist in the presence of this great compassion...

Clair,

I’d spoken with Dean in the context of meetings and seminars but the first time my husband and I went to visit him on a personal matter in 2002, I was very nervous. His powerful presence awed me. What evidence of demonic activity would he see in me, even though I was going to meet him on behalf of someone else?

We parked the car by a cornfield and prayed before gathering up the courage to pull into his driveway. I don’t think I would have been more apprehensive before the Pearly Gates expecting St. Peter to answer the ring than when I rang the Hochstetler’s doorbell. Dean opened the door and just stood there with such a big, welcoming smile on his face that worry could not coexist in the presence of this great compassion.

“Perfect love casts out all fear.” I John 4:18

Dean, of course, spent hours with us. He armed us with deliverance prayers, books, case studies ... and assured us that we were equipped by the power Jesus gives to confront and overcome evil. We thank God for Dean and Edna’s faithful courage and obedience that opened the windows of God’s redeeming love in so many lives.

Lynda Hollinger-Janzen
Mennonite Mission Network