Saturday, February 16, 2008

Canaan in the Desert

A few weeks ago an enthusiastic customer by the name of Pete Allenbach stopped into our Dalton, OH gallery and shared with me a story about how P. Graham Dunn has had an influence on him and his family. He told of when a friend brought him to our store for the first time, and he had been awed by our inspirational products. He was so impressed that he purchased a plaque that he sent to his sister Georjean who lives in Phoenix, AZ.

He wanted to share this with me because his sister is a member of the Evangelical Protestant Sisterhood of Mary. The “Our Daily Bread” plaque that he sent as a gift to the convent has become a favorite decoration in their dining room. I have recently corresponded with Sister Georjean and she has shared more with me about their convent’s history:
“We are Evangelical Protestant Sisterhood, founded in Germany in 1947, just after WWII by Basilea Schlink. Our motherhouse is in Darmstadt Germany, and we are the only branch in America. We have branches in Israel, Japan, Korea, Canada, Brazil, Paraguay England and Australia.... [Our local branch] Canaan in the Desert, here in Phoenix was started in 1967. I have been here since 1984.”

Their ministry hosts a visitor center, and distributes literature and DVD messages; their goal is to “encourage reconciliation, repentance and first love for the Lord Jesus.” They also do a lot of work with military and prison chaplains. Visit their website for more information: www.canaaninthedesert.org

One picture is of their facility in Phoenix; the other features members of the order in front of the P. Graham Dunn plaque in their dining room (Sister Georjean, with her mother in front of her, Sister Pinea and Sister Romelle).

Amanda Wolfe – Assistant Manager, P. Graham Dunn in Dalton.
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