June 29, 2006

Throughout the month of June, word has spread of my imminent move to the US
(February/March 2007), so there are many local churches who are trying to
coordinate their calendars with ours in East Caracas and squeeze in one more
invitation for a speaking engagement. I am honored to be a part of such a
national team of workers and be a part of encouraging them, the preachers and
their families, the Christian women, especially the young women, and gaining
new experience and insight in the Lord's work throughout Venezuela.

A previously scheduled example of that unity and support was my trip to
Puerto La Cruz, where Denis and Robbie Ruiz serve as missionaries. We are
sponsored by the same church, the South Baton Rouge Church of Christ, so it
was even more special to encourage them and the work there. The focus of that
trip was to start a congregation in the part of town where they live
(Lecheria) and teach the young women in a series of classes. The campaign
started on Wednesday night and went through Sunday evening. Julio and
Michelle Coizman, a young couple currently living in Searcy, Arkansas, also
came down for the campaign. They arrived in time to do some door-knocking in
the area and made a few contacts before the nightly meetings started. Denis
and Robbie currently host a Wednesday night study in their home (which they
will continue) and plan to start the new congregation there on Sunday
afternoons. There were more than 15 visitors throughout the week and several
personal Bible studies set up as well. Don't forget to check out the pictures
online ( www.MichelleMissions.com ).

As a part of taking advantage of all of my time while there, I also led a
series of classes in the afternoons for the young women. "My Relationship
with God," "My Relationship with the World" and "My Relationship with
Others." The classes were very well received and were a perfect setting to
discuss the challenges young Christian women face in trying to live by the
Spirit instead of living by the flesh. I was able to meet with a few of the
girls outside of the context of the class as well. There were many topics
addressed that Denis and Robbie have been working on with the girls and it was
encouraging for them to have someone else from "the outside" come in and
reinforce the solid biblical teaching.

While I was away from Caracas for part of four days in Puerto La Cruz, Sr.
Dostoievsky Paredes, a man we've been studying with for almost a year, was
baptized! He is in very ill health and has not been able to come to church
for months, but one of the brothers has continued studying the Bible with him
and is now taking the Lord's Supper to him on Sundays. Please pray for his
physical health and new spiritual life in Christ.

The weekend before heading to Puerto La Cruz, we took the young people to the
beach for a day of games and biblical reflections. It's always a joy to
combine God's creation with His direct teaching in the Word. We did a series
of activities and looked at the Scriptural application after each activity.
The two visitors who joined us that day were also encouraged by the lessons
and look forward to spending more time with us and in the Word.

I seem to be going backwards this time, so it's only appropriate that I now
mention the Ladies' Bible class we had the second weekend in June. We rotate
the teaching, but this time I was able to teach on the transforming power of
the Word. There are so many spiritual babies and toddlers in the congregation
that it was vital to talk about the milk vs. the meat of the Word and
encourage them to delve into Scripture on their own, not just on Sunday
mornings or in other church settings.

God continues to transform us as individuals and as a church here in East
Caracas. Your prayers for our continued growth are appreciated. There are
more prayer requests and updates on the website, so don't forget to look at
the pictures and learn more about all God is doing and the people He's
transforming ( www.MichelleMissions.com )
Thanks again and don't forget to keep in touch.

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