Amy Dick

May this brief summary of a life well lived inspire you to turn to Jesus in the face of every disappointment. "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”  Amy Dick was born in Leamington, South Ontario, Canada in the year that the Lord had predetermined. Her parents, George and Agnes Hamm (a Mennonite couple of the family that manufactured vinegar aka Hamm beer) gave birth to eight children. Like their parents, each child was raised with a great work ethic. As of this recording Amy and her older sister Ella are the remaining Hamm sisters that continue to support themselves as they trust in God for their total provision. Amy remembers her mother Agnes always working hard in the family vegetable garden. They handpicked the fruit, loaded the truck and drove it from Leamington, Ontario to Detroit and Windsor. Amy attended United Mennonite Educational Institute (UEMI) and met her future husband in that school. Before Amy got married she worked for Heinz in their Ontario office for a year, and then for another year after her marriage to John Dick.  God positioned Amy to work in the foreign sales department of Heinz. This world-wide exposure fueled her desire to travel. Amy was 19 years old on the day of her wedding. She reminisced with a smile, “I never wanted to marry a farmer, because I knew the hard work involved.” John and Amy Dick farmed 200 acres of tomatoes for 45 years, raised three kids (Tom, Larry, and Ed) ran a Bed and Breakfast for 12 years and owned and operated a Christian Book Store for five years.

Because of her fear of heights, Amy challenged that fear and got her pilot’s license at the age of 50! The couple worked the land for six months hiring Mexican Mennonite Farm laborers, then they flew all over. Many of their B & B guests were from England. One famous guest was Dr. John Stott, the private Chaplain of Queen Elizabeth. Mr. Stott called the Queen every morning from the quarters he rented from John and Amy. Another interesting truth about quiet little Amy is that the Russian Czar Nicholas hid one of his nephews (a Count) in a Mennonite village in Ukraine. This Russian Count married a girl from the family that hid him. Later the daughter of that Russian Count married a cousin of Amy. For 25 years, John and Amy traveled for 6 months of the year. They visited England, Ireland (where Amy enjoyed her first Irish Coffee), Germany, France, Belgium, Aruba, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, the Crimea, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Chili and Costa Rica. In the year 2000 John and Amy sold the farm and other business ventures and invested in a property in Ukraine which is now used as a Bible School.

The couple traveled to Lake Chapala where they lived for six months each year. John and Read Vawter used to golf together. For years John and Amy kindled many relationships at Lakeside. On Christmas day 2006, after a tough battle with cancer, John closed his eyes and was greeted by Jesus. Amy stayed with her sister-in-law for a while before she moved permanently to Chapala. In 2011 her son Ed Dickson, a missionary in Ukraine since 1997, took 4 days to drive Amy across the Tien Shan mountains of China into Kyrgyzstan, to a resort town around Lake Issyk Kul. Amy wanted to meet her 2^nd cousin, her dad’s, nephew’s daughter Lydia, a long journey for a reunion. Because grandpa spoke Russian to Ed, he was astounded that he understood the language. 

Amy now has nine grandchildren and her favorite thing to do is to hand out Christian tracts. “The Lakeside gas station attendants stand there and read them. I have never felt snubbed. Some have asked me for more to pass out.” Wisdom has settled into the soul of this lady of tremendous value. In her 80's, Amy's favorite saying is worth quoting. “Only one life will soon be passed, and only what was done for Christ will last.” Harold Dueck, Amy's uncle published a first hand, journaled account of a young minister and his wife who dare to continue serving their community. Removed from their home in Southern Ukraine, the young minister is exiled to work in forced labor. CLICK LINK to PREVIEW book "Uncommon Providence"  available on Amazon. Amy’s youngest son Ed Dickson has helped over 8,000 Ukrainian orphans through his organization. CLICK to HEAR UPDATE from Ed in Ukraine.  Loads of Love  By our Father’s great love, we were adopted as His Kingdom Kids. We bow in honor of God Almighty and praise Him for He alone is worthy. “Let all who take refuge in You be glad;  let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. Surely, Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:8 NIV 

Lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine