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Dear
friends,
I thought I'd get to write to you
much earlier, but I've been pretty busy, going wherever HE wanted me to go,
and meeting with whoever wanted to meet with me. It's been an awesome ten
days of pouring out and seeing God move in small ways, and being a blessing
as I had been praying, and also meeting with half my family, with only one
yet huge disappointment. Let's start with that negative thing.
CATCH THE WIND IN VIENNA
June 19-25
On my first Sunday in Vienna last
week, I was informed that the Catch The Wind weekend has been canceled. Please take note if you were planning
on coming.
FAMILY TIME
On the night of my arrival, I
celebrated my 30th birthday with my family, that is my Mom, step-father, both
their moms and my brother's girl-friend. Unfortunately, my brother had to go
on a 10-day business trip that day, so I haven't seen him yet. I had another
chance of meeting my Mom, my step-father and my Grandma, and I also met with
my Dad's parents, and will hopefully see my Dad when I get back from Africa.
I've had a wonderful time with my
family, for which I'm really thankful. Since I'm the only one who knows
Jesus, it's hard for them to understand me or what I'm doing, but they accept
it.
VIENNA CHRISTIAN CENTER
Last weekend, they only had one big
celebration instead of the six services they usually have, and it was
wonderful to be there and meet all those "old friends" again. This
weekend, I went to the Austrian service last night which was wonderful, and
I'm going to the international service (the congregation I used to be a part
of) tonight. It's so awesome to see how much the church has changed over the
last two years, how it's grown, so that there are many faces I don't know,
how busy they've become, and how they still pursue revival.
MEETING PEOPLE
I've met with quite a number of
people one-on-one, with some in their homes, and others in coffeehouses or
restaurants. I've been sharing a lot about the Lord, what he's done in me
over the past two years, and I've seen so much hunger for the Lord in people,
so much pain, and so many "stuck" in their callings, not able to
move forward. My heart's been going out to them, and I've had chances to pray
for some and watch the Lord come and touch the depths of hearts. Last
Tuesday, a friend got three of her friends together, and I had an opportunity
to worship with them, share from the Word, and then allow the Lord to
minister to them, and it was so powerful to see the Lord touch and encourage
them and do a deep work in their hearts.
That's what I am in Vienna for. The
Lord has done so much in me, and given me so much, in the last two years, and
I just LONG to pour out! Next Tuesday we're meeting again, with a few more
people, and I'm praying for the Lord to move in power again.
I also have more on-one-one meetings
again. I've really been enjoying so much being a blessing, and allowing the
Lord to do through me whatever He wants.
AFRICAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT
On my first day in Vienna, I right
away went to the African Studies department, where I did my Masters
(finishing one and a half years ago). I wanted to find out when the Bambara
and Fulfulde classes are to come sit in there and refresh my languages. Those
two are my two African languages, and they're both two of the major languages
in Mali. So far, I've spent three afternoons there in those classes, and
thoroughly enjoyed it. I was glad to see how much I still remembered, and
even happened to be there when the teacher showed a video he recorded in Mali
just a few months ago. I got so homesick for Mali as I was watching, my heart
aching as I'm longing to be there.
I also had a great time renewing
relationships. I talked a lot to all the language teachers (3 for Bambara, 2
for Fulfulde), old colleagues and other teachers. It so happened that the
Dean of the department, who was also the supervisor for my thesis, celebrated
his 60th birthday while I was there. I felt honored to also be invited,
surrounded by doctoral students and other teachers. Since our department is
so small, it's always been more family-like. I have very fond memories of my
time there.
Many of the people I met again there
asked me about where I had been, and where I was going. I was amazed at their
positive responses, especially since Christians are really despised there due
to their history in Africa. Yet, they seemed to respond more positively than
some Christians!!
The Lord also gave me a few more pieces of the puzzle for my own move and ministry
in Mali. Praise God!
NEXT...
One more week and I'm leaving for
Malawi & South Africa. I'm so excited about this trip, expecting so much.
I'm glad I received my visa for Malawi this week, and the only one shot I
needed to refresh. This week, I'm meeting with several people and family
again, as well as going to university, much like I did last week. My prayer
is that I can be God's vessel, His hands, His voice, His heart to everyone I
meet.
When I get back from Malawi, I will do much of the same. I'm hoping for more
meetings with hungry people, allowing the Lord's kingdom to come in power.
Because I'm returning to Kansas City as a tourist, I can only stay in the US
for 3 months. For this reason I can't leave Vienna before July 10, which is
later than intended. Please go to the CALENDAR page on my website to see
what's coming up. I also hope to have VIENNA pictures up there very soon.
I very much appreciate your prayers,
your support and partnership, and pray the Lord's presence is in and around you
at all times. E-mail me and let me know how you're doing. The Lord's so good!
All HIS,
Claudia
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Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your inheritance. (Ps
2:8)
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Phone Number in Vienna May 14-June 1
and June 13-July 10
(+43) (0) 676 / 517 4008
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Mag. Claudia R. Wintoch
10808 Fremont Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64134
USA
(+1) 816-966-9294
claudia@healing2thenations.net
www.healing2thenations.net
www.glorywebservices.com
Talk to me online - I'm
"healing2thenations":
yahoo/msn messenger
Your support - whether by prayer or giving - is
greatly appreciated.
In Europe:
Bank name: BA/CA
Bank number: 12000
Account number: 509.101.468.00
Online (it will say Glory
Webservices):
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