Author: dustin@goteamhedrick.com

The Tajik Journey 4-24-2008

 

 

 

Good Morning Friends & Family,

 

Here’s something interesting. This AM I awoke and spent time with Lori and the baby and time in my prayer closet. I went about everything pretty much as usual, yet today, GOD melted my heart like wax.

 

Last night I played a bunch of old songs with my guitar just in a time of refreshing and reflection. I simply wanted to have that personal communion before being in the public eye again since we are going to Tajikistan and working with so many wonderful leaders. I also knew that my fingers needed the time on the strings to re build my calloused finger tips after having to stop playing and singing for a few weeks due to being ill.

 

And GOD stirred me.

 

Today, I see the pictures and read the schedule for the Tajik Journey and for the first time in many weeks, I am moved inside. GOD is doing something. I needed this. Thanks for allowing me to be a part. Thanks for allowing your pastor the opportunity to grow. Thanks for supporting him and even financing his crazy adventures. Thanks for joining in on my personal faith journey. Thanks for keeping the church going and even making it a better place with your activity, lives, hope, vision, plans and services! I am able to be obedient to GOD and GO only because of you!

 

Tapestry, you make my life wonderful. You make my dreams come true. Every day that I awake to be in your service is another day that I am truly blessed.

 

I love joining GOD in these works that HE is already doing. I am always amazed at my being the one most blessed when I go to serve. I hope that in some small way, we can encourage the discouraged and empower the battered. I can’t wait to just go and make some more friends. You know? GOD is so good to us.

 

I am so excited for what this Tajik partnership means to my little Tapestry. I can sense a bit of destiny in all of this.

 

Well, I must run back to my duties.

 

I will miss you all next week, and I look forward to reporting what happens as a result to your prayers, fasting and support the Sunday after I return. It’s all a bit humbling. You know? I mean. You all are the support base I have always longed for.

 

Blessings!

dh

 

 

Dustin Hedrick

Senior Pastor

 

 

Hi Everyone,

 

I want to share with you a short story from Sonia Calcagno. (She worked with us here at Dembo Jones during tax season and attends the Tapestry with her son John and often her sister and mom). She will be participating in the upcoming Race for Hope DC. Sonia has an amazing story of hope, faith and life. I want to share it with you today and ask you to think about either supporting her in her participation or actually taking part in the walk! Here is a direct link that you can use to go right now and give online.

 

Give Online to Sonia’s Race! (CLICK HERE)

 

So, read her story and GIVE! Way to Go Sonia! I know you’ll make your goal!!!!!!

 

Blessings!

pd

 

Dustin Hedrick

 

 

SONIA’S STORY | April 22, 2008

 

I’m so excited for this year’s race!  It is my 10 year anniversary as a brain tumor survivor.  It’s so amazing when I think about everything that I went through.  I was one of the 60 survivors to complete the race last year, and I hope to be in the top 10 of survivor finishers this year!  I haven’t set a monetary goal, but I know that together we’ll raise a good amount of money to support brain tumor research.

 

In 1998, after one month of having a headache 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I was finally diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Oddly enough, I had no other symptoms than the headache.  During that month, I went back and forth to the doctors at least four times.  At 25, I wasn’t terribly concerned that something was really wrong with me.  The doctors felt the same way because they reluctantly prescribed an MRI after four weeks of suffering from this intense headache.  I laugh now, as I look back and remember how the doctor said, "Sonia, we’re not concerned that there is anything seriously wrong with you, but we want to prescribe an MRI to rule out any of those possibilities."  Not even twelve hours later, I received a call at work.  I was told over the phone that I had a brain tumor and I had to follow up with a specialist that same day.  So, a co-worker drove me to the neurologist since I was beyond upset.  Life was already stressful enough as a new single mom juggling work and home.  Now I had to deal with a major illness.  The neurologist scared me to death because he said he had no idea how I was still walking or talking with the size of the tumor that was growing into my cerebellum.  He said the one good thing was that the tumor was encapsulated by a cyst so it had not grown fingers or attached to my brain.  He then told me that I had to undergo emergency surgery that weekend.  Labor Day weekend, September 8, 1998.  Truly a day that I will never forget.  So, I took the doctor’s advice and underwent an 8 hour surgery.  Miraculously, my neurosurgeon removed the entire tumor, and I have been tumor free since then.  Other than the scars on my head, I have a tremor in my left hand as a result of my surgery.  Not bad for potentially facing a lifetime of not being able to walk or talk.  I am so blessed!

 

I appreciate all of your support!  I look forward to walking with you on Sunday, May 4.  Thank you!!

 

-Sonia

 

 

Give Online to Sonia’s Race! (CLICK HERE)

 

 

 

 

Hey Everyone,

 

I just wanted to give everyone an update on What is going on with the Tapestry and Tajikistan.

 

(Maria, Todd & Myrle. I only included you guys from BAI in order to let you know I truly appreciate your support!)

 

1 – This week we moved into the new building, (Rockview ES) for Tapestry Sunday mornings at 11am. IT IS AWESOME! It’s beautiful and has sky lights, a beautiful location, it’s visible from Connecticut AVE and has a pool table, piano and foosball table! WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT!!!

 

2 – We have begun to podcast our services every weekend. If you would like to get a copy of them or sign up for our iTunes podcast, you can do that here: http://tapestrychurch.com/entwine/?p=285

 

3 – Tajikistan has a guitar! It was donated by Tony Falcone! He has been attending our AM services and works with IJM downtown. The Lord is sending him back home in the next couple of months, but we sure have enjoyed his being here and his guitar will be travelling with me to the people in Tajikistan!

 

4 – Kevin kicked off the first week of speaking on Sunday nights and BLEW THE ROOF OFF THE HOUSE!!!! Way to go bro! We have a packed out schedule until almost JULY!!!!! WOW!

 

5 – We sent off our music to the Vineyard and it is just a matter of time until we know if we are selected. Whether selected to be on the album or not, we have started work on a collaborative album with our worship team and leaders!

 

6 – I have received almost all the funds I need to go to Tajikistan. Thank you to these folks for the help:

            i – Jyak & Jeanne for the use of their truck and the hard work repainting Su’s Apartment.

 

            ii – Patrick for helping paint and for cooking for the cookout that raised a couple hundred!

 

            iii – Su for painting with us, donating funds for the painting, cooking and allowing the guys to have the cookout at her Falls Church Hacienda! YOU ARE A MISSIONS FUNDRAISING HERO!

 

            iv – Ross for cooking & All the rest of you guys who helped either cook at the cookout or ate at the cookout!

 

            v – Yong (VA) Kim for helping paint Su’s.

 

            vi – Zuska for helping paint Su’s.

 

            vii – Lori for getting watching Anna and setting up the painting day.

 

            viii – Burt Associates, Inc, Todd Growney, Fred & Jan Raynaud, Myrle Morris, and so many others for their special gifts.

 

            ix – Mom Hedrick for committing to come to DC and hang out with everyone in my absence.

 

            x – Dad Hedrick for driving her up.

 

            xi – Everyone who is praying.

 

            xii – Pastor Fidelis, for being available to fill in the gap while I am gone. Without you, bro, I couldn’t go!

 

If I missed anyone, let me know. I want to let it be known to the world that I am proud of you and blessed by your involvement in this amazing journey!

 

And everyone else out there for all of your support, prayers, encouragement and just plain being with our church family. I am excited to see what’s next. And if you would still like to give, you are welcome.

 

Whatever comes in after we meet our cap, we will be distributing through micro-financed loans with our group in Tajikistan or use in the provision of soccer uniforms and such for the various works our teams are doing there. http://www.firstgiving.com/dustinhedrick

 

So, here is the link one more time.

 

And please PRAY for GOD’s continued blessing on our church and this trip!

 

Love you all!

 

Blessings!

pd

 

Dustin Hedrick

Operations Manager

 

Burt Associates, Incorporated

6010 Executive Blvd., Suite 900

Rockville, MD 20852

 

Phone 301-770-9880 x23

Fax     301-770-9885

Email   dhedrick@burtassociates.com

Web   www.burtassociates.com

 

 

 

 

 

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