“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!” Galatians 6:9
Dear Family and Friends,
You will understand how appropriate the title is as you read this email!
This has been a blissful, fun week that has been laden with some minor mishaps. I left for Bucharest on Tuesday morning and I had an awesome time meeting the team from Grace Church in Huntington Beach, California. It was a very special time of fellowship for me which included a outrageous water fight between myself and the team leader that nearly got us kicked out of the Christian dorms we were staying in (of course, I won the fight!)
While I was staying with their team, I took a hard fall in the bathroom and hit my head against the wall. It knocked me loopy for a few moments (some may argue this is my natural state) but the team nurse came to the rescue with an ice pack and ibuprofen. The real healing came when two small girls, children of team members, prayed for my me. About 30 minutes after, I was fine except for a minor knot on my head.
The team leaders, Wayne and Dave, had their baggage PACKED full of goodies for me and the hospital. (Thanks again for doing this, Wayne and Dave!) I got some awesome CD’s, Christian literature, software, and plenty of food items. It was like having “Christmas in July” as Wayne phrased it!! They also brought a much needed piece of medical equipment for the hospital that was sent by Samaritan’s Purse. It is a pediatric bronchoscope with a light source (for you medical people) and it will prevent them from using the adult scope on infants and small children now. Samaritan’s Purse continues to bless the hospital with great equipment! Many thanks to Bill and Cindy at Samaritan’s Purse!!
After I returned on Friday night, I noticed that Allie had defrosted the refrigerator again (I just did it last week.) I have only vague childhood memories of freezers that were not frost free but I can tell you life is MUCH simpler with the frost free!!! The people here say that it is necessary in the summer to do this weekly……oh, my, the blessings in the US I took for granted!
Yesterday, Allie and I got a laugh as I fell up the stairs in one building and then I came home and fell out of the bed after taking a nap. She is insistent now on holding my arm when I walk or attempt stairs!! (The etiology for all this falling is that the team from California was jet lagged so I did not get much sleep this past week because I stayed up late with them!)
I ask you to join me in praying about the house that I need to buy for Crizantina’s family. After deliberating with several Romanians, we have determined that I can buy a house and renovate it for about $5,000. This would allow Crizantina to reside with her family while receiving medical treatment and attending school. I will try to do some fundraising for this while I am in the US but I have complete faith that God will provide.
This is Allison’s final week here and she is saying her tearful good-byes to all the friends that she has made here. I ask that you please pray for her as she transitions back to the US. In my opinion, the culture shock of going back to the US is much worse than it is leaving. Allie has been a blessing to have here and her servant’s heart is something that many people here have used as a role model. The children at church that she attended camp with two weeks ago sang for her today during the international service. She has touched the lives of many during her three months here. And, thanks to her, we have established an even stronger relationship with the hospital staff and the babies. She will be missed terribly.
On Friday morning, we joyfully leave for Allie’s debriefing and our vacation to Vienna, Austria. We are close to catatonic due to our excitement! One of the team leaders from California has contacted us to his friend that is a pastor in Vienna. We may be staying at the house of one of the church members while we are there. (This church also has missionaries in Romania.) My friend, Michael, who will be traveling from Macedonia to meet us, called me last week to express his excitement at fellowship and fun! Please note that I will not have my computer with me or any work related material with me. I will call my mama (like a good daughter!) to let her know where I will be staying. If you need to get in touch with me, please do so through her.
Thanks for all the uplifting, encouraging emails that you have sent this past week. I feel like Jesus continues to smile on me!!
Basking in the Son,
Michelle
Posted on July 25th, 1999 by Michelle
Filed under: Michelle's Journal