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"Come, make us gods... Aaron answered them, "Take off the gold
earrings... He took what they handed to him and made it into an idol... He
built an altar... "Tomorrow there will be a festival... the people... [had]
so become a LAUGHINGSTOCK to their enemies.(Ex 32:1-5, 25)
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Moses had been away for a while, up on the mountain with God, and Aaron
stayed with the Israelites. When they come to him asking to make them gods,
what is Aaron's answer - righteous indignation? Fury at such a suggestion? Or
even the attempt to remind them of the Lord God, asking them to reconsider
their request? No. Aaron IMMEDIATELY responds by giving them directions what
to do and fulfilling their request. Aaron, who had been there from the very
beginning, who had seen all the miracles the Lord had done in Egypt, who was
at Moses's side when standing in front of Pharao, trusting in God's
protection before this most occult, powerful leader; who was at Moses's side
when the Red Sea parted, who saw the glory cloud and the pillar of fire. Yet,
not a single objection.
What was the result? Israel became a laughingstock to their enemies. Israel
had been watched on their journey by their enemies every single minute. All
peoples feared them because of their living God who was mighty. They watched
the Israelites closely. And now the great I AM had become a laughingstock to
all peoples. God had been dishonored - because a single man, the leader,
didn't care about Him and gave in to the people.
Today God is being mocked and laughed at by the people and religions of this
world - we have made Him a laughingstock. His church, who is supposed to
represent Him, has dishonored Him. Revival is about restoring His honor
again, so that the fear of the Lord will fall on all peoples; so that they
won't dare mocking the creator of the universe but fall on their faces crying
out for mercy and turning to Him. Let's examine ourselves - will people who
watch us have reason to mock the living God? Or will they fear Him and want
to have what we have?
WORSHIP LEADING
Every morning before school starts at 9, we worship the Lord for an hour. We
used to put in a CD, but a few weeks ago we started live worship two days a
week. God then led the way, so that the second-year students do two mornings,
and the first-year students do two mornings. That way I ended up leading
worship every Tuesday morning - praise God. I immediately jumped at the
opportunity! What a great way to learn and grow! My guitar class is over by
now; the last few weeks having been a little frustrating because of the
limits put on me by a classical guitar. I've been praying for an acoustic
guitar now for a long time and God answered my prayer: in a few weeks a
fellow-student will give me his when he buys a new one!
I've led worship two mornings so far. My goal is to lead the students into
the throneroom of God, to see His glory come down, and He is faithful - when
we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. I'm very excited to grow in this
area!!
EVANGELISM
This is a totally fresh testimony. Many of you know that years ago God laid
"Servant Evangelism" on my heart in a big way. I started going out
with people and we did lots of great things, sowing seeds and showing God's
love practically. By the time I left Vienna, the "Tutoring Club"
(helping kids with problems in school) was the only part of this ministry
left. People hadn't caught the vision and I had gotten weary. When I came to
Kansas City, I avoided the subject of evangelism and pushed it aside. WRC has
a pastor of evangelism and every Saturday morning they are going
door-to-door. Well, since Christmas the church has been pushing for
evangelism more and more. I knew all along that the day would come that I had
to give in and go, but somehow I wasn't ready. Maybe I had subconsciously
decided 'no more evangelism' when my heart's dream and vision died back then.
Over the last few weeks it got more and more difficult to push it aside and I
was praying that the Lord would make a way for me to get past this and come
back to my calling. I didn't expect Him to answer that quickly.
Last night at the service, the pastor of evangelism spoke about the outreach
the following morning. I closed my ears. Then senior pastor Steve Gray came
back, one of the most wonderful men of God I know, and he said something
about evangelism and your calling and future ministry. It pierced my heart to
the core! Evangelism is gonna be a big part of my ministry and here I was in
Kansas City to get ready for ministry... I had a hard time concentrating on
his sermon as the Holy Spirit was dealing with me. I finally gave in and the
Lord touched me powerfully, restoring to me the passion for evangelism and
the lost. I felt like I was made complete again.
This morning I went out with the evangelism team. I was so excited - not only
is it much easier to evangelize in America, but now I have more than ever to
give! We had awesome conversions, prayed with people, and God touched them
(one backslider said he was dizzy when we prayed for him :-)).
I'm excited because a new chapter has started - and I wanna go preach the
good news, pray for the sick and brokenhearted and I know He will work and
confirm His word as He has promised.
INNER HEALING
Last weekend I had the next training session for the inner healing ministry
I'm about to start of in. As you know, I attended a 10-week counseling school
that changed my life 6 years ago and I've always desired to move on and give
away what I have received. Now God is opening those doors and I'm so excited
to walk through. Last weekend I had the joy of being on a team with the
leader and pray for people for 3 hours, seeing the Lord move mightily to set
the captives free and heal people's hearts. Thank you, Jesus!
SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
One third of the trimester has already passed. What an awesome school, awesome
teachers, awesome teaching! In our 'Spiritual Development' class we have to
memorize Scripture verses every week, and I've been enjoying learning them
not only in English, but also in Bambara and sometimes in Fulfulde (both
major languages spoken in Mali). In our 'Luke' class we are presently giving
a 5-min inspired speech - my turn will be Tuesday. The Lord has given me a
great message to pass on. I'm so amazed to see how the Lord is changing me
and making me more and more spontaneous, how He's making me more into a
speaking-person (I've always been the writing-person), and how He's speaking
to and through me.
I have lots of papers to write, and I'm a little concerned about how (WHEN)
to accomplish it all. I've only just finished the first one (on the levitical
sacrifices) - but I just LOVE doing them!
WRC HIGH SCHOOL
Our church has a school for its church members, all grades. I've been asked
to help out there and will be doing so two afternoons a week. I love doing
it!
LANGUAGE CLASSES
After Christmas I relaunched the French and German class and at first it was
very encouraging to have a good number of people. Unfortunately one after the
other left and now the continuation of the German class is questionable and
three people are left for French class (2 families). I've invested a lot of
work and time into them, getting hardly any return (financially). I thank God
for the way He's provided for the February rent and tuition, but March is at
the door and I don't have a single dollar (needing $440). Please pray that He
will move people's hearts to give - and they'll be blessed abundantly
themselves.
APARTMENT IN VIENNA
The never-ending... no, soon-ending story! In January everything fell apart
and I was finally told by the house management, that I had to vacate the
apartment and return it. The burden was on my Mum's shoulders. Thanks to my
e-mails and word of mouth, people have come and taken all my furniture,
electrical equipment, etc. with them. Some said they'd give me money for it -
please pray that the Lord will remind them!
And then the Lord moved on a friend's heart to take care of the rest, which
is taking away the trash and actually returning it. So if everything goes
right, the February rent will have been the last one to pay! Thank God!
FINANCES
Please consider supporting the work the Lord is doing here in Kansas City -
in me and through me - and sowing into the ministry He is preparing for me. I
cannot do this without you guys. I'm not allowed to work in the US and I
don't have any money or supporters.
Well, time to get ready for church... another awesome night in the presence
of God that will change lives forever!
Come and visit - the guest room is ready for YOU!
Abundant blessings,
Claudia
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TUITION: $1100
PAID: $ 200
DUE ASAP: $ 900
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Mag. Claudia R. Wintoch
Linguist ~ Teacher ~ Translator/Interpreter (also via e-mail)
8488 Lane Drive
Kansas City, MO 64138
USA
(+1)816-353-6125
claudia@healing2thenations.net
www.healing2thenations.net
www.healing2thenations.injesus.com
Talk to me online - I'm "healing2thenations":
yahoo! messenger
msn messenger/netmeeting (including webcam)
Your support - whether by prayer or giving - is greatly appreciated:
Europe:
Bank Austria - bank number: 12000
account number: 509.101.468.00
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