Although he’s only 18, Nathan Dimmock has already had almost a lifetime of unique experiences. He’s lived in five different countries and learned seven different languages.
Dimmock was born in Lesotho, a country landlocked by South Africa. He has lived in Zimbabwe, Kenya, spent most of his life in Malawi and now lives in Johnson City. He speaks, English, Spanish, French, Swahili, Chichewa, Tumbaka and Basotho. “I learned English, Spanish and French in the classroom and the others from living in the different countries,” said Dimmock, an ETSU freshman.
Dimmock’s parents are missionaries, as were his mother’s parents and grandparents. He has six siblings, five of whom are adopted. “I have always had at least one sibling that was adopted,” he said. “I thought it was normal for awhile and that everyone’s family was like that.”
His parents along with three of his siblings live in Malawi, South Africa. “It is very difficult not getting to see my family very often,” Dimmock said. “I am hoping to be able to fly back to Malawi to see them for Christmas.”
Frank, his father, works as coordinator for the mission hospitals in South East Africa, making sure that they all have the medicine and supplies that they need, Dimmock said.
His mother, Nancy, started the Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery out of their home in Malawi three years ago, caring for orphaned babies with AIDS or other life-threatening maladies, he said.
While his two sisters attend a boarding school in Kenya, Dimmock, does have family nearby. Moses, Dimmock’s oldest brother, goes to King College in Bristol, Tenn., and his grandparents are in Asheville and some extended family in Johnson City.
Before Dimmock began school at ETSU, he attended boarding school in Kenya for five years and said that life there and in Malawi is extremely different from life in the United States. “They don’t have the advanced technology like we have in the states and there are fewer choices to make,” Dimmock said. “When you go to the grocery store there are two kinds of cereal to pick from instead of a whole aisle.”
Kenya isn’t as urban as Johnson City and Dimmock said he likes that. “Everyone doesn’t drive a car like here, and the cars you do see are packed with people,” he said.
“I don’t think like people here,” Dimmock said. “I feel sort of out of place here. To many people here a serious decision is, ‘Which movie theatre do I want to go to?’ or ‘What clothes do I want to buy?’ In Malawi, people think more about ‘What food can I eat?’ and ‘Will I have shelter tonight?’ ”
One major problem that Dimmock’s family is helping prevent in Malawi, is the fast spreading of diseases. At ETSU, Dimmock is majoring in geography so he can track diseases and create disease maps. “Diseases spread fast in those areas because people don’t understand them or how to prevent them. I want to help in any way I can and help the people understand how to protect themselves.”
He plans to be a missionary like his parents. “Since I grew up on the mission field, being away from home and doing mission work, is home to me,” Dimmock said. “It would be familiar.”
When he is not in class, Dimmock works for the ETSU Alumni Office. “Nathan is very mature for his age, probably due to all the things he has seen and done and from not growing up in this environment,” said Debi Frakes, the Information Research Technician for the Alumni Office. “He is a hard worker.”
One of Dimmock’s co-workers was quick to comment on what he thought about his lifestyle. “He is an interesting guy,” said Seth Emerson, a sophomore at ETSU. “I wish I had the opportunities he has had to live in different parts of the world. It is great that his family is spreading the word of God and helping people in other countries. I’ve only known Nathan for a month, but he is an easy guy to get to know.”
When Dimmock is not working or going to school, he and his brother, Moses, play on the Johnson City Silver Bullets Rugby Team.
“I started playing rugby when I went to a British prep school in Malawi,” said Dimmock, who has been a member of the Silver Bullets since August 2004. “It is an interesting sport and I am glad I get the opportunity to continue playing here.”
This summer, Nathan is going to work at the Montreat Conference Center, a Presbyterian youth camp outside of Asheville. “I am excited that I have this opportunity,” Dimmock said. “I think it is going to be a valuable experience. I will get to spend lots of time outdoors with lots of kids. That is something I am comfortable with and it will feel like the mission work at home in Malawi. It’s a great feeling to help people in our area just like the people in Malawi.”

Author