Goldfuss update-November20--December 20, 2013
Thank you for praying. Much has happened, and we thank The Lord for his daily mercies.
Praise#1
The Lord gave me the incredible privilege of going to my Aunt Mary's funeral in SC. (David and Mary Naff were missionaries in Liberia, Africa for over 40 years.) I was able to speak on behalf of our family and share how much Uncle Dave and Aunt Mary's furloughs in our home changed my life. They truly were my mentors. She taught me the importance of daily prayer partners. She also prepared me for spiritual warfare and what it would look like. Through them I saw how difficult it can be to adjust from coming off the field. They taught me how precious time alone with God can be. They lived with us after they were rescued by the Marines from war-torn Liberia. From this I got a first- hand view of how it is to completely give yourself to the Lord. This was valuable preparation. I even learned how to pack for four years as I helped them prepare for each new term. Over ten years ago, they gave me their missionary library which we have used with our interns and our teachers. Their generous gift has helped to prepare several missionaries that are on the field today. We have also used my Uncle Dave's books that he has written for children in our Bible Clubs and VBSes.
It was a good trip for me. I believe I was able to help encourage Uncle Dave and my mom. I also was blessed by being able to see 3 of my dear sweet cousins, and be able to spend some fun time with my brother. He has always been a comfort in hard situations. The trip was quick; and to get the best price, I spent the night on the return flight (10 hour layover) in the Miami airport. But I found a corner, laid down on the floor, threw a coat over myself, and no one bothered me. As I laid there, I just praised the Lord for the precious time; and I was so thankful for my dear, sweet husband that allowed me to go.
Mike was dealing with difficult situations back home.
1. One discipline situation of a wife/mother in adultery. She was nearing the final step of Matthew 18, but the last month has seemed better. We are praying for true repentance. The Sunday that I was gone, he brought this before the church in a message. Through all of this, she has been faithful to every service.
2. When I returned, together we dealt with a heart wrenching situation. We have a couple where the man is still married to his first wife. They have 2 children together in this second relationship. This last year the second woman has gotten saved! We had to present the situation before the church. They are in no way under church discipline because both seem to just want to do what the Lord wants them to do. We had a meeting with a meal in our home where we invited his entire family ....children from his first wife, etc. It was amazing to hear the second woman say that it would be hard for her to see the first wife come to church, but if the Lord would save the first wife, it would be for His glory. They are separating to not be living in adultery while he is living near to help rear the children in the Lord. Please pray for this very difficult situation. Pray for the first wife to be saved. She is also a neighbor that we have ministered to--- giving medicine and injections etc.
3. I wanted to write this third situation as a praise, but it has changed back again. We have a very dear girl who has been seeing an unsaved man that she met at our church. We talked with her,-- and she totally turned from the relationship only to return again. They are both attending our church.
4. Ceci and Jorge may be returning to Peru. While we are sad that they are leaving us, we are waiting on the Lord for his perfect will, and we know that He is working! Jorge has 5 friends that are professionals who live in Peru. Three of them want to help him start a Christian university in Peru. Jorge (who got his doctorate while in Mexico) wants all five men to come to Mexico and have the experience that he had of coming to our church. Kind of related, Jon Crocker's desire has been to start a seminary with Mike. All of this needs to be bathed in prayer. Our first step may be to have some sort of web site where it would be easier to download messages so that these men can hear the messages. Right now we are having some problems with our drop box. If anyone would love to help us with building and running a web site, we would be so grateful.
5. Alberto was involved in a shoot-out!! The Lord has brought us a wonderful couple, Alberto and Coni, this past year. They are behind the scenes doers. (They are the elves that clean the church 2x per week amongst other things.) We heard on the news that there was a big shoot- out at a hospital. It ended up being right where Alberto worked. 5 men dressed like doctors killed a guard that was changing money from the ATM in the hospital. Alberto hid under his desk for 20 minutes while the firing continued in the next room. He said that he was not scared for himself, but for his brother who works as a guard. So he prayed for his brother the entire time. The other guards ended up killing all of the men. Alberto needed to wait in the building for several hours as they were evacuating the people by 10s, and there were several thousand people in the building. As soon as he got out, he went straight to his brother's home to witness to him again. He shared with his brother what had happened, and his brother wouldn't even let him in the door. He actually slammed the door on him. Alberto said that the situation with his brother was the worst part of the whole day. We praise the Lord that Alberto was kept safe.
6. Dinora's 5 year old niece fell 2 stories and has swelling on the brain still ---It has been almost 1 month.
7. Two families in our church lost loved ones on the same day. Please pray for Erasmo's family and the Arredondo family. They both lost their grandmothers. Mike was called to the bedside of Juana's mother in law. She had attended our church faithfully for several months about 15 years ago, but has not been faithful since. She has heard the gospel repeatedly throughout the years. She asked for Mike to come to her bedside two weeks ago. Mike literally dropped everything to go and see her at the hospital. The first two times Mike tried to talk with her, she was totally unresponsive. However, on the third try, she was perfectly with it, and seemed to totally understand everything that Mike was saying. It was special for me to see how Mike lit up as he was telling us that he really thinks that Doña María seemed to understand the gospel. She passed away the next day, and Mike was able to preach at her funeral.
Praise #2-- The Crockers found an apartment and were able to move into it last week. Please pray as they begin to make contacts with the goal of establishing a new church in the Coyacan area of the city.
HOME FRONT:
The older children are busy with finishing up first semester. While they are doing fine and quite responsible, I have gotten behind with the younger three. It has been difficult to manage all 6 grades with the difficult situations that we have had this semester. (This is my hardest year with 6 children full time! ) Well, with the realization that we are already behind, I just received word that Lauren, our school teacher, will not be able to join us second semester as planned. This also may remove Bible Club in the spring as Lauren completely organized the Bible Club. Please pray for Lauren as she is serving the Lord in her home church in PA. The prayer request is that we now need a teacher! AND QUICKLY!
KIDS:
Mikey--took his ACT last Saturday! He invited a friend from basketball to the Christmas service and dinner at church on Sunday. We are continuing to prepare for college next year!!
Cristi--is doing super well in school and also in her new level of gymnastics. She has a very difficult teacher who does not like that we do not drop everything for her. Praise the Lord, Cristi was able to talk with another teacher for over an hour and half about why we do what we do--and why we don't do what we don't do).
Carissa-- has become very close with her girls basketball team. They just spent the day together at Six Flags. She would appreciate prayer for her witness to them.
Matthew, Cheri, and Cara are all loving their new swimming class and are good helpers. They helped me organize the cabin after the Crockers left and made a "home" in the loft. Their sleepover in the cabin lasted 3 minutes and 30 seconds before they all tromped in the house with all of their blankets. Too funny.
8. Mike has been working with our mission board to solve a problem about our bank taking 3% of any money we withdraw. We think the new solution might work without a fee. This may help other missionaries in Mexico that are going through the same problem.
9. Mike is also having to declare fraud on our van situation both to the man who sold us the van with the transmission from a '94 van and to the man who "rebuilt" our engine, but didn't do the work.
Praise #3--with all that has gone on, I encouraged Mike to go and help a young couple with two young children. In my mind I also thought it would be a good 4 day get- away trip for him to La Paz, Mexico. The young husband is the son of one of our members here. They have been listening to Mike's messages for almost 3 years now. Recently, Mike has been able to help them with various questions and situations. So Mike flew the two hours and was able to encourage them in the Lord, give counsel, and get away for a long weekend. Lourdes told me last night at prayer meeting that his visit was a great encouragement to them. I think it was good for Mike too!
I realize that this letter has bounced around everywhere, but so has our lives! So thankful for a Saviour who is our Rock and our only stabilizing factor. Praise to our Lord for giving us Jesus!
Merry Christmas! HE is the only gift we need!
Faith
