March 26, 2006

I know it's a little sooner than normal for another update, but I wanted to
share the good news of a new brother in Christ! Juan Carlos Caruci was
baptized on Sunday, March 19, the day after we culminated an all-night
activity with the young people of the congregation. At 6:00 am Saturday,
after being up all night, Luis invited anyone to share any reflections or
comments from the evening. Juan Carlos's comment was, "I think you'd all be
happy to know that I plan to be baptized on Sunday." Luis studied with him
one last time on Saturday, and he was baptized after Sunday services in our
very patched-up pool at Luis and Fabiola's apartment.

Juan Carlos is the sister of Evelyn, one of the other young people in the
congregation. They both joined a total group of sixteen in a night of Bible
study, prayer, fellowship and games. Don't forget to check out the pictures
online (www.MichelleMissions.com) The theme of "More than Conquerors"
reminded the youth about the Lord who's on our side and the support team we
have fighting with us. Everyone left encouraged and ready to fight the fight,
keep the faith, and win the prize. In addition to the time in prayer and
study, we played Bible Pictionary, Bible Baseball, and other games... all at
my apartment... all night.

Please pray for the studies with the Christians and non-Christians. Evelyn,
whose brother was just baptized, has grown by leaps and bounds spiritually. We
study together each week and it is encouraging to see her growth and the
growth of others.

Tomorrow (Friday), Zulmelly, a young lady in the church, will be accompanying
me to Cabudare (~4-5 hrs away) to give a ladies' class on Saturday. We'll
come back the same day, but that will be a lot of time on the road to
talk/study with her. She grew up in the church, but her divorced mom had not
been back to church for second half of Zulmelly's life (9 years). Zulmelly
has really opened up with me about personal and spiritual issues. She has a
lot of questions about the church and the Bible now that she is looking at it
as a young lady, not a child.

Antonietta is another lady I'm studying with and seeing lots of progress. I
met her through her daughter. In December, I traveled to a nearby city for a
wedding and got my nails done (only $4 ladies!) While Betty painted my nails,
I talked with her about God, His Word and His church. She expressed her
personal interest (she'd been attending a local evangelical church) and also
began to tell me about her mom in Caracas. I called Antonietta upon returning
to Caracas the day after the wedding and she began attending sporadically. As
of about a month ago, she has not missed a Sunday or a ladies class, among
other activities. She is very open and it's amazing to see her grow in
understanding of the Word. She is _very_ close to being baptized.

Maria del Pilar is a blank slate when it comes to the gospel. We started with
the basics of the Bible being God's Word, the love of God, God's plan for man,
etc. This past week, one of the things that most impressed me was the need to
define what the word Lord means. That question come up when we talked about
the importance and beauty of being IN Christ. Everything we study together,
she also takes home to read to her four children.

Please pray for these ladies and so many more. I would love to have the
opportunity to introduce you to them personally. Thanks for helping make all
of this possible. You too are a part of these people's lives.

In Him who makes it all possible.
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

US Contact:
9836 Keenan St.
Highlands Ranch, CO 80130

Venezuela Contact:
720-249-4266 (Denver phone number that rings in Caracas)
58-212-266-0164 home
58-414-129-2035 cell
mjgoff@gmail.com