Dear Friends,
We arrived safely in the US on August 8th, and are meandering our way to Florida to fix my dental bridge, enjoying fellowship with new and long-time friends and supporters, and we are already beginning to collect supplies for our return trip to Siberia in late October or early November. Once again, our loving Father’s sovereign direction was seen at every step of our travels (Prov. 16:9). We were in transit 30 hours before we slept. Here is that story:
We arose at 6:30 a.m. on Thurs., August 8, to say goodbye to dear friends and hosts Yuri & Sveta in Moscow. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 1:30 p.m. for Frankfort, Germany but we didn’t fly till 3:30 p.m. Many on the plane did not make their connections but we did, and just in time. We arrived at JFK around 7:30 p.m. God had provided another guardian angel who purchased us tickets from JFK to Buffalo, saving us much time and grief. Our 10:55 p.m. departure was delayed till 12:05 a.m. We arrived in Buffalo, NY about 1:05a.m., and by 3 a.m. we knew there were NO rooms ANYWHERE in the greater Buffalo, Niagara Falls area. Though there were no cars to be rented either (and nowhere to go…), Mike ventured a conversation with 2 ladies about to close at their adjacent car rental counters. He shared our prayer cards, the Gospel, and a brief rundown of our miraculous trip and work in Siberia—you know; just like any other typical customer that comes in to rent vehicles from them each day! One lady took our card into her office and prayed…then offered to take us to her home for the night, and be our wheels the next day.
We accepted her kind offer and had blessed fellowship with this very special sister (another guardian angel) in her home in Niagara Falls, NY. She fixed chicken and corn bread with mashed potatoes for “dinner” at 6:00 a.m. and we all slept till noon. She made a wonderful “breakfast” at 2:00 p.m. and delivered us to Armor Bible church at 4:30 p.m.
We stayed with a dear saint at Armor Bible for the weekend and Mike preached at the 8:30 and 11:00 services and updated the flock on our work for the Sunday school hour. We then had a great evening picnic on the shore of Lake Erie. While there we visited with a lady who is an MD who arranged for Mike to have a neck X-ray Monday morning. We are SO grateful that the results showed no neck fractures. We then went over to the office of another Armor Bible member who is a massage therapist and she worked on Mike’s neck and back. Mike is still very sore but healing.
Monday, Mike and Pastor Doug took care of the legal details and by mid afternoon, we were driving our “new” car. Mike wasn’t comfortable with the mechanical condition of the ’97 van donated by the Buffalo City Mission, so he and Pastor Doug asked if a more suitable vehicle was available. It just “happened” that a Ford sedan with only 29,000 miles on it had just been donated by an elderly lady who hoped it would go to a missionary. Our God does not overlook any need, and delights to show His power and faithfulness to those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 18:30).
We have an appointment with a “new” church interested in our work in South Carolina; Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. and we’ll speak at a supporting church in Georgia this Sunday. Monday, August 20, we hope to be with my mom in Cocoa Beach and my appointment with our dentist, and visit family and many of our co-laborers in Florida.
Throughout our stay in the US, we are available on a first-come-first serve basis to share what God is continuing to do through these two weak vessels of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7) in Siberia’s “Black Hole”. Please continue to keep us in prayer, as we travel across the US gathering prayer-support, the supplies and tools needed for our return to Siberia in November. IF you would like to have us speak in your church between September 1st and November 1st, PLEASE let us know as soon as possible so arrangements can be made. We are praying that the new updated DVD documentary on our work will be available for distribution by mid-September.
We are available 24/7 to chat and our receive messages at:
we2cold@yahoo.com
Mike’s cell: 240 876-7573
Diane’s cell: 240 315-3319
With our deepest gratitude and love in Christ,
Diane & Michael
|
