Dear Family and Friends,
I guess the answer to this question should be Chevrolet but I claim it as prayer although both have played a vital role in my ministry as of late. In case you don’t know, I now drive a 1984 Chevrolet 6.2 Litre van that is about the size of Rhode Island. We have various names for it but Godzilla seems to have stuck with me because it is such a beast!! It was donated to the ministry that I have been working with but none of the other people can drive it so I am seen by many terrifying the residents of Oradea, Romania. In fact, I laughed the other day when a man saw me behind the wheel and ran screaming out of the road. He thought it was some kind of joke that I was driving (it is NOT common for a woman to be seen driving such a vehicle.) Last week, as two young men watched me climb into the driver’s seat, I heard one say, “Such a small woman driving such a big machine.” Jeff and I got a good chuckle out of that! God never gives us a job without equipping us, even when it comes to cars! So, I continue to defy the comprehension of all here as I zoom down streets built for match box cars.
Yesterday, my best friend, Wendy, left here to go back to the US. Oh my goodness, I miss her!! It was so wonderful to have her here and she was such a trooper with all the work going on. I have written about Wendy before. She is a RN working in Columbia with two years experience as a burn nurse. She came to try and help with Crizantina, the little burned girl who I hope to bring back to the US. We were unable to secure Crizantina’s visa in time to have Wendy take her back. We know that God must have a reason for this and we continue to wait. Please note for your praise reports that we DID get her passport…Amen!! There is one more miracle to be attributed to the kingdom! Now, we must pray that God will provide the visa necessary for her travel.
Before taking Wendy to the hospital to see Crizantina, I showed her some photos that I had of Crizantina. I was amazed as I watched Wendy burst into tears. I knew I was in trouble. I have never seen Wendy cry over any medical condition…she has practically seen the worst of the worst burns while working at MUSC. But even she had never seen anything like this child.
I took her to the hospital and she gave me some great medical advice on what to do for transporting her back. But most importantly, Wendy ministered to me. She helped whenever and wherever needed and she videotaped EVERYTHING that occurred while she was here so I will have some great footage to show people when I return.
The most exciting news that I have to share is a miracle that God has provided through Donna Durst, a team member from the WMHK Christian radio team that traveled here in August. Donna has bull dogged the Tonia project with tenacity that can only come from being Divinely motivated. Donna’s employer, PMSC, has decided to pay for the air ticket of Crizantina. I was stunned as I read her email this weekend. Many people MUST be praying for this child. The people here in Romania are shocked when I tell them that Crizantina will most likely be leaving with us at the end of the month. Praise God for His goodness and mercy which endure forever! Any of you that would like to, please email Donna at donnadurst@pmsc.com and tell her thank you for allowing God to us her in this project.
In addition to Donna’s employer, Jeff’s father’s church took up an offering of over $700 to cover any expenses that Crizantina will have at the hospital. This money will go into an account for Crizantina so that personal items can be purchased for her as needed. We praise God for making this provision.
Yet another praise item is that four of you emailed me with amounts that you donated to my ministry. This total adds up to exactly what I need to purchase my new air line ticket!! God is soooo good! What a week of praise this has been!
Many other wonderful things are happening but this email is already long enough. I will tell you that the “Abandoned Caring for the Abandoned” project continues to amaze me. I went to the hospital the other day and one of my young women, Mia, was teaching a child to sing. You cannot imagine the difference in these children versus the children who are left in cribs all day. I wish I could hire enough girls for the whole hospital but the hospital is already hesitate about what I am doing through the grace of God. Presently, we have 3 full-time young woman working with the infants and one part-time young woman (not an older orphan) who tutors a special need child. God’s hand is certainly on this program….it could not run this well under the direction of me alone.
I ask each of you to continue to pray about the projects that we have begun in addition to a camping ministry for children with emotional/behavioral problems that we would like to start. God is opening some serious doors for this here but we are patiently waiting on His guidance for this. We are praying about continuing our ministry with FPB or joining with a local pastor that we feel led to support. Patience does not come easy for me but praise God, I am learning. Jeff balances me so well in this area…he truly has God-given patience…especially with me. We frequently comment about our “Sun and Moon” relationship. He wants to begin a camping ministry for 10 children, I want to begin one for 1,000 children. I am sure there is a happy medium there…but only God knows for sure!!
Thanks to all of those who write and fill me in on your own life events. I can’t believe that I only have four weeks left here before coming back to the states and seeing some of you again (not to mention, using Charmin bathroom tissue!)
“And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” Luke 12: 29-31
Seeking first His kingdom.
Basking in the Son,
Michelle
Posted on October 27th, 1998 by Michelle
Filed under: Michelle's Journal