October 31, 2006
It has been a while since I have updated you about all that's happening and
Caracas. I'm actually in Bogotá right now for my final visit to the churches
here and the final renewal of my Venezuelan visa. God has been blessing us
and keeping us busy as we continue to prepare for my transition and imminent
departure from Venezuela. A recent surprise in that department was a
send-off by all the central Venezuelan churches at the Central Venezuelan
Women's Retreat, October 20-22. One hundred and twenty-five ladies from
twelve congregations were in attendance and it was a time filled with
blessings, fellowship and teaching. From East Caracas, eleven of our
members and one visitor were able to attend. During the farewell, the
downtown Caracas congregation thanked me and the church in East Caracas for
reinitiating the women's conferences as weekend retreats (as we did two years
ago). They remembered me teaching them the song "Family of God" at that
time, so they sang it to me. I don't know if you know the song, but it
starts with "We're part of a family that's been born again..." It also talks
about laughing together and crying together. I translated it with Luis a few
years ago so it could be sung here in Venezuela. Needless to say, the whole
event was very emotional and very special.

In East Caracas, we've been keeping busy with the teaching and the normal
growing process of a local congregation. Jonathan Hanegan is getting
adjusted to life in Venezuela and has jumped into organizing the youth
activities. He and Luis Gómez, the preacher, have been working with the men
on a better schedule for the men's discipleship meetings. God's continuing
to work through those men and strengthen them in His service. Luis and his
wife, Fabiola, continue to encourage the married couples in the challenges of
their relationships and growing as the family God wants them to be. Fabiola
and I have been blessed by our work with the women on the individual and
group level. There is a group that has recently come out of a domination
situation in another church. I have been working with these eight women in
healing and teaching the truth in love. Because of the delicate nature of
their situation, I cannot go into details, but please be in prayer for them
and their situation. May God be praised for the way He has rescued them and
surrounded them by His love.

So many of the East Caracas members are finally delving deeper into their own
personal relationships with God and are growing in their hunger for the
Word. Some of that has come from the new home Bible study we have started
in my apartment on Thursday evenings. We have started with the book of
Philippians. Even when I move, that study will continue in the same
apartment since Jonathan will be taking over the apartment upon my
departure. The Tuesday night prayer meetings and devotional continue and
thankfully, a new sister has opened up her home to host those studies. The
average attendance at both activities is between fifteen and twenty! On
Sunday mornings, we're up to 60-70 every other Sunday!

Our biggest challenge right now is finding a larger and more permanent
meeting place. We have outgrown the hotel we're in and since it is changing
management after the first of the year, our urgency has become a dire
immediate need to locate a better facility. The problem is that anything
that would meet our needs is nowhere near what we can afford. The cost of
living in Caracas has almost tripled in the four years I have been there.
That's hard to explain or fathom unless you've lived it and experienced it
for yourself. We would appreciate your prayers for this need and that God
will provide as only He can.

We're already gearing up for the end-of-the-year activities. I can't believe
it's almost November. As soon as I return from Bogotá, I will have exactly
90 more days among the Venezuelans. I am finalizing the last of my
out-of-town trips so that I can dedicate myself 100% in December and January
to the local East Caracas congregation. Your prayers for a smooth transition
continue to be greatly appreciated.

Just this past weekend, I was able to travel to Carora (6-7 hours from
Caracas), a new church planted by the largest church in Venezuela (in
Barquisimeto). Evelyn, one of the young women in East Caracas, is from
Carora and her mom and sister were among the women that received us there.
Evelyn and Lorena, another East Caracas Christian, accompanied me to Carora
and in the seminar on Depression and Discouragement. This seminar has become
highly-solicited all over Venezuela. It's a real issue that so many women
deal with, or others that they know and love. God has blessed me with the
opportunity to prepare and teach these classes in five different
congregations. Please pray for the new church in Carora.

There are pictures on my site: www.MichelleMissions.com of all the activities
listed above and even more. Please keep up your prayers and support. We can't
do it without you!
In Christian Love and Service,
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