January 7, 2007
As I write this, it is approaching midnight before the day that will mark one
month before my departure. It hardly seems real. I know that this final
month will fly, as I go through the transition, as planned, and
start with the Campus Ministry in Baton Rouge, March 1, 2007. Shortly after
being there, I'll turn around and come back, but this time with a group of
twenty people for a campaign to Puerto La Cruz, where Denis and Robbie Ruiz
live and work (they too are missionaries supported by the South Baton Rouge
Church of Christ). Please be in prayer for that campaign and the college
students or other members at South who are considering joining us for that
trip.

I think I'm getting ahead of myself. I haven't even told you all about what
God's been doing here in Caracas since I last updated you at the end of
November. Thank you for your prayers for the election. Things remained
peaceful in the electoral process and Venezuelans have returned to life as
"normal." December is always a busy and less than normal month in Venezuela
anyway. Some people work seven days a week and others are gone more days
than they are in town. Because of the holiday events, it is also an
opportune time to reach more visitors. During the month of December, we had
more than seventy visitors visit at least one church service or activity!
Please pray for these contacts and the follow-up in 2007.

At the beginning of December, I hosted a recipe exchange and cooking class
for the women. I have heard many joke (in Venezuela and the US) that if
there's one thing the Church of Christ knows how to do, it's eat! Saturday,
December 9, the church gathered at my apartment to make 140 hallacas and 55
bollitos. If you haven't been on my update list for very long, this
Venezuelan traditional holiday meal will not be familiar to you. I invite
all of you to go to my website and see that a picture is worth a thousand
words, especially when explaining a foreign food. ( www.MichelleMissions.com )

About twenty-four people came to help make the hallacas and there was a great
spirit of servanthood, fellowship and love. Special guests for the
preparation were Daniel and Mary Mata, from San Cristobal, Venezuela. They
have been special prayer and counsel partners for the East Caracas
congregation since February 2003 when the church started here. Daniel was
able to preach on Sunday, December 10, giving almost bookends to the year for
the congregation since he was also in town to preach January 1, 2006.

That Sunday afternoon, the Matas celebrated with the English students in
their graduation. After three years, the advanced English class students
(including Luis and Fabiola Gomez), graduated from the World English
Institute. It's hard to put into words the emotion and sense of
accomplishment that was felt on that day. "Perseverance" might go a long way
in summing it up. I encourage you to read two of the final essays written
during the last class by a couple of the non-Christian students. I have
posted them online ( www.MichelleMissions.com)

It's humbling to see how God worked in the lives of the students. Five
advanced students and four beginning students persevered and received their
reward that Sunday afternoon. All of the ones that graduated also attended
the congregational end-of-the-year party the following Sunday. Some also
came to church. Many have committed to coming again in January. Seeds have
been planted. May God bring about the growth.

Sunday, December 17, the day of the end-of-the-year party was the record
attendance for East Caracas so far: 75. At the party that afternoon, we had
101 people, half of which were visitors! Everyone enjoyed a great meal,
games and a celebration of God's blessings during the past year. There will
be many other opportunities to celebrate before my departure since the East
Caracas congregation is hosting an Area-Wide Worship Service, Sunday, January
28. We'll be celebrating the church's four year anniversary on Sunday,
February 4. This is also the Sunday that the congregation will be sending
me off. Please be in prayer for these events, my transition and this
emotional time for the East Caracas congregation.

Also in December, I had the blessing of hosting most of my family for the
holidays. It's something we had planned since before the Baton Rouge
opportunity came along, and we continued with that plan. Dad was able to
preach two Sundays, Paxton, my brother-in-law was able to lead singing one
Sunday, and the congregation was greatly encouraged by everyone's visit.
David and Jocelynn Goff, my parents, Paxton and Kim (Goff) Edwards, and
Chrystal Goff were the ones that were able to come. Brandon and Jenn (Goff)
Sale were unable to make it. I was able to take the family to see parts of
Venezuela and to meet a lot of the people who have become so special to me.
There are, of course, pictures of their time here on my website as well.

There's so much more to share, but I mostly want to thank you for your
prayers in this transition time. God has blessed me with so many
affirmations that this is the right thing at the right time for the work here
in Caracas, for the church in Baton Rouge, and for me personally.

May God's blessings be upon you all in 2007.
Prayerfully,
M.
www.MichelleMissions.com

Donations and monthly contributions can be sent to:
South Baton Rouge Church of Christ
8725 Jefferson Hwy.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Venezuela Contact:
225-612-3998 (Baton Rouge phone number that rings in Caracas)
mjgoff@gmail.com

New US Address:
9420 Samoa Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70810