Having a Baby!

No, I'm not pregnant. You can stop that rumor right now.

Glad I'm not dealing with that at this point in my life, but beginning the Home of Hope ministry is a lot like having a baby. There is a lot of waiting, a lot of preparation, a lot of pain and agony. One day we know that this baby will be birthed and that day will be full of joy. Right now we are still heavy with labor for this new baby.

Why the baby picture?

Last week I was in Lyon, France with two women from our AGWM team and one member from my Home of Hope staff for a Christian conference on Human Trafficking. The conference blessed us and we learned new things that will be so helpful to all we are doing. On the second morning of the conference, we sat to breakfast and Elena, our counselor at the Home of Hope said, "I had the strangest dream. I dreamed I had a baby. I told God, 'I'm too young. I'm unmarried. It is a shame.'"

I was shocked because I too had woken up that morning with a dream of having a baby. I told God, "I'm too old. It is too much. I don't want a baby at this point in my life." And when I said this, Irene, a Swiss woman, said, "dreams of babies means God is birthing something in you."

Now, I was not big on dreams and interpretation. I have never studied this or asked what these things meant. The Bible says, "in the last days I will pour out my spirit... and you will dream dreams." I'm beginning to believe.

So I begin to ask God what He meant by these dreams. What is He saying to us? Later in the day I told Elena that we are like Mary & Elizabeth. She is telling God she is young. I'm telling God I'm too old. BUT God is birthing this ministry in our hearts. We are feeling the pains of labor right now, but God is bringing it to life.

This Sunday we will celebrate the dedication of this ministry with many of the leadership in the churches here in Moldova. We also have guests coming from the states. We are excited about this celebration and ask you to pray for the day. Pray that God's hand of blessing would come down on that day in a mighty way. Pray that His work and will would be done.

Thanks again for your prayers.

Sometimes Life

Sometimes life overseas is just a pain.

My washing machine has been broken for more than 2 months. There is no Sears store to call for the repair guy. We've thought we've had the part sent 3 times, only to find that the parts supplier keeps sending the wrong part. Today again we found the wrong part had been sent (same wrong part every time, although Andy has given them a picture from THEIR website of the part we need). This just gets discouraging.

Our registration papers for the Home of Hope have been rejected again. From what we've heard, the communist government made a deal with the Orth. Church to not grant any new humanitarian works with the evangelicals.

And today Elissa has gotten sick like so many others around here are sick. Sore throat, fever--we think it is strep throat and put her on some antibiotics.

Please pray for us. That I'd finally get the right part. That we can be registered. That Elissa is healed. Sometimes things here are just a pain, and we get so tired of it.

PS--Yes, I'm getting laundry done by carting it to the Home of Hope each week and doing it there. But this is just such a hassle and my washing machine lays on it's side gaping open.