April 29, 2006

Every day God is strengthening us to grow in new directions, rise to different
challenges and expand toward new horizons. It is a joy to share those
experiences with you and have you join with us in prayer for the continued
growth here in East Caracas. It's not an easy task to share those stories
when you don't know the people like I do. I wish it were possible for each
and every one of you to come down and work with us for a time, get to know the
people and share in their struggles and victories. In the meantime, please
continue in your prayers for them, and for the ministry here in general.
Thanks!

I have often mentioned Rosa and her son, Jhonny. Rosa was one of the first
new Christians in the East Caracas work. She has grown tremendously and we
have developed a special friendship. Her older son, Jhonny, was baptized last
year in April, just two weeks before a special (and very crazy) road trip to
baptize his grandmother in Eastern Venezuela. Many of you may remember that
story. We had to baptize Mama Rosa in a trashcan. Unfortunately, because of
her health, she is unable to leave her house (rarely leaves her bed) and the
nearest congregation to her home is two hours away. It was definitely time to
go for a visit, encourage her and evangelize the family. The timing worked
for the trip to be over the Easter holiday and take advantage of more days for
travel and visiting.

Three cars of people left on Monday morning and caravaned together the first
seven hours of the trip. Luis and Fabiola Gomez (the preacher and his wife),
along with their son, Daniel, and two other members, Hector and his mother,
Mercedes, continued on further east when the rest of us turned south to visit
Mama Rosa. Luis was teaching in three different cities: Cocoli,Cumana and
Maturín. We all met up on Friday so that I could drive back to Caracas with
Hector and Jhonny for the Sunday morning church services.

Mama Rosa's house is just off the highway in a turn so sharp, it's called
"Cockroach Turn." The suspicion is that it's named after the cars that took
the turn too fast and ended upside-down. I was finally able to get pictures
of this famous spot in the road, Mama Rosa's house, and most importantly, of
the people. Be sure to check out all of those pictures on my website:
www.MichelleMissions.com Many of Mama Rosa's children and grandchildren came
to visit during the Easter holiday and we were able to take advantage of their
visits for nightly devotionals, led by Jhonny, with other conversations and
studies during the daytime. It was good to be able to encourage Rosa and
Jhonny in the ways they could reach out to their non-Christian family. So
many new Christians struggle with teaching their family about salvation and
having them come to an acceptance of their new lives in Christ. When family
becomes stressful, Christians come to a greater appreciation of their new
family in Christ.

Our family in Christ is especially important for the young people. Many do
not have the support of their families and in a world trying so hard to pull
them in, it's hard to "go against the flow" and obey the Spirit vs. the
flesh. One young lady, Zulmelly, is just starting at the university and we
are studying together weekly. She is very close to becoming a Christian.
Vanessa is a young lady whose aunt is a Christian in Puerto La Cruz. Jhonny,
Hector, and I spent the night with Denis and Robbie Ruiz (missionaries in
Puerto La Cruz) on the way back to Caracas and were able to visit the Eastern
Venezuela Youth Conference Friday evening. While there, we witnessed the
fifth baptism of the weekend and more came later. There were over 200 teens
and it was encouraging to join them in worshipping together, even for an
evening. Vanessa had been invited to the camp by her Christian aunt and was
baptized on Easter Sunday. Since Vanessa lives in Caracas, Denis called me
with her phone number so that we can help with the follow-up here.

Vanessa and six other young people took a special outing to a German town
about two hours outside of Caracas on Saturday, April 22. We had a devotional
and enjoyed walking around the town, spending time together and encouraging
each other to "go against the flow." There are pictures from this outing on
my website as well: www.MichelleMissions.com

Thanks so much for your prayers and support. We can't keep doing it without
you!
In Him and for Him,
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)
mjgoff@gmail.com