Having gone to bed late, the night was very short, as we had to leave the house at 7 am. It was time to say good-bye to Peter's family. I had enjoyed spending some time with their two children, and had read a few stories to them my first night. I had shown the 4-year-old some pictures of Mali, and told her about our children. She listened with much interest.

I said good-bye and we left to go from Traun to Linz, where Peter dropped me off at the train station. I found my train to Vienna, and got on. It was pretty empty and I had plenty of space and quiet.

In Vienna my good friend Renate picked me up, and we ran some errands on the way home. Back home, I enjoyed a few hours of not doing anything, before it was time to leave again.

I visited my Mom and her husband, and had one of my favorite dishes. I've already gained so much weight in Austria! After a few hours I said good-bye again and drove back home. I was so thankful that my friend had lent me her car!

Then it was time to pack, and to burn a few more DVDs - they were all gone after having been to 3 churches in 5 days. We have to leave the house at 4:45 am to drive to the airport, and God knows how much longer I'll be burning DVDs. Looks like it's gonna be the third short night in a row.

These next few days I'll be in Rotterdam, in Holland, with 7000 Christians at a big conference. I'm praying for divine appointments!

I had to get up very early, and leave the house with my host at 6:45 am to get a ride to Linz, where I was to meet with my brother and his wife at 8.30 am. My friend dropped me off at the hospital, and I found a nice spot in the hospital coffeshop where I spent the next two hours, drinking tea and writing important emails I had not found time for yet. My brother showed up at 9 am - his wife was already with the baby in the intensive care unit, where only the baby's parents are allowed in. However, my brother had discovered that it's possible to look inside through the window, since Max's spot is right at the window - the window to the outside sidewalk!

So the two of us walked in the rain, all the way to the dark window, where I looked inside and saw my nephew with his Mom. Max was sleeping, and connected to all kinds of tubes. Now I'm the only person in the family who's seen Max besides his parents. And the timing was absolutely amazing, as Max is being transferred tomorrow. Thank You, Lord!

I also thank the Lord that he is doing so well. Today is also my brother's birthday, and the doctor's report was the greatest birthday gift for him. The only problem is the thrombosis in his one leg, caused by the doctors in the previous hospital, but that should be okay pretty soon as well.

I returned to the coffee shop, while my brother & wife had to do different things. At noon we left the hospital to have lunch together. My brother was very upbeat, while his wife is a pessimist by nature. We still enjoyed our time together. Then my brother took me back to my friends' house where I arrived at 3 pm, being very tired becauase of the short night. Since no one was home, I was able to lie down and get some rest - thank God!

Church In Pucking

Both my friends are teachers, and this morning, my friend's husband was going to the movie theater with his students. He said I could come along. They were gonna see the Austrian movie that got an oscar this year - a movie that plays during World War II. I had heard about it, and was interested, and now I had an opportunity to watch it. It was a good movie.

I walked back home from the cinema, where my friend Beate was back home from school. Her husband also had a one-hour break, and so we had lunch together. Then it was time to pack.

Once done, we left the house with all the luggage and walked over to an icecream shop where we sat down outside, enjoying the warm sunrays. We had some wonderful icecream, as we enjoyed our last moments together. Finally we had to continue walking to the train station. I got my ticket, and she accompanied me up to the platform my train left from. A few minutes later it came, and I waved her good-bye.

I very much enjoyed my three days with them - that's longer than I usually stay with them. They are precious friends, and I've known Beate since I was saved 15 years ago. She's been a very faithful friend.

Arrival In Linz

I had not slept well during the night; I once woke up feeling sick, and took something. I wanted some time with the Lord in the morning, and so I got up earlier than I have been. I spent some wonderful moments with Him, before we left to drive the 20 minutes to Großrust, outside of St.Pölten where I'm staying, which is a regional capital.

We arrived at the church early, and I set up my papers and DVD. The pastor was already running around. The TV journalist arrived a few minutes after us. It was my first time meeting him, since we had only talked on the phone so far. He came by himself, with a camera. He was young, and very nice. He set up an additional light in the meeting hall, since there wasn't enough, and then blended in to do the filming.

The special guest and speaker of the day was Erwin Fillafer, the best-known evangelist of Austria, a 67-year-old man who is extremely energetic, has travelled to 15 nations, and has been on Austrian TV several times. Of course I knew his name, had seen him on TV, but this was my first time meeting him in person. We exchanged a few words before the service. He was a very kind man.

Since I had met with the pastor yesterday, he already knew me, and he wanted me to pray with the evangelist at the end of the service as well. I was excited to pray for healing again. As you can see, two people in a wheelchair also came.

The service started a few minutes late, and they did two worship songs. Then the pastor came up, and then Alex, who was to introduce me. Alex was a youth pastor in this church before marrying a girl in Vienna, and becoming a part of my church there. He was also part of the team that came to Mali in November, and so he was the perfect man for the introduction. Following the introduction, I immediately showed my 10 min. presentation. The pastor and the evangelist had never seen it, and it was fun to see their marvelling, especially the evangelist's who knew nothing about me.

After the video I came up to speak about 15 minutes. I wasn't nervous at all - even though I had to speak German and was filmed by television - but just shared my heart. I could tell that the evangelist loved it.

After me the pastor came up and said he was gonna take an offering. Then he said that he wanted to do the following, even though he had not talked to me or the evangelist - 70% would be for Mali, and 30% for the evangelist. The evangelist spoke up immediately, saying, "No, I don't want that." He made a dramatic pause. "I want a 100% to go to this mighty work of God in Mali." Wow! And the few people gathered gave very generously!

We sang two songs, and then the evangelist came up to preach. He started off saying that he would support me on a monthly basis, and encouraged others to do so as well, even if it's only €10 a month. Wow again!

He then did a very evangelistic, energetic, sermon on healing - he's a healing evangelist. It was great. In the end, he called for some specific sicknesses, but nobody responded. Then he called for more typical sicknesses, and people came forward. They officially closed the service, and we started praying for the sick (and others), and a lot of the people came. A few had just given their lives to the Lord, others were not believers at all.

The first lady I prayed for (see picture), was immediately healed, praise God! Her neck and head was in pain, and her upper back very tense. It was all gone.

I prayed for other people, like these two kids, and many had tears in their eyes as the Lord touched them. I prayed for all kinds of things, not only healing, and was able to pass on prophetic words or words of encouragement from time to time.

I also prayed for the two people in the weelchair - so very precious people, who were so thankful for me praying. One of them also had tears in eyes - such a precious man. Neither one saw immediate healing, but they have faith and will continue to press on.

Finally most people had left and we were done. Many people had signed up for my email newsletter, and a lot of flyers and DVDs were gone. The pastor's Mom had cooked dinner in their adjacent home, and we all went into their apartment - pastors, evangelist, my two friends, the TV journalist, pastor's Mom, and myself. I sat between pastor and evangelist. It was also our first time really talking to the TV journalist, and I enjoyed talking a little more with the evangelist. He gave me a few words from the Lord, which was great. One was that the finances are coming (third time it's said prophetically), and he told me to have "Erlagscheine" made - that's the easiest way for people in Austria to give. He also told me that what I'm seeing in Mali now is nothing to what's coming - only 1%. Praise God!

After lunch, the evangelist left to drive home; he was actually on his way home from Vienna. Next time I come to Austria, I can go visit him and the church he is a part of in a different part of Austria. The pastor also told me to come and preach next time I'm in the country.

Then it was time for the TV interview. The journalist set up in the garden, and my friend Beate took the role of his assistant, having to reflect sunlight into my eyes - how pleasant! The he interviewed me for about 20 minutes, asking predictable but also surprising questions. After all, this is secular TV, but the religion department, but a non-Christian journalist. It was interesting, and I enjoyed it. They are doing two programs, 8 minutes each, so they won't show much anyway. He also wants to come to Mali for a few days - either in June or in September. If he comes in September, the programs will be broadcast in fall.

After the interview, my friends and I walked up the hill to where there was a village festival, and the journalist accompanied us, filming us walking there, greeting the pastor who was already there, and sitting down with them. Then he said good-bye. He wants to also film me when I leave for Mali, at the airport, so I'll see him again.

My friends and I stayed a few more hours, sitting in the sun, enjoying a spring day and the company of the pastor and his family and some other church members. Unfortunately, the tiredness and sickness I had noticed during the night were catching up with me. I felt pretty miserable, and finally we said good-bye to drive back home. I just wanted to lie down and rest, and did so for a little time. I also took some medication.

We had some dinner at home, and spent the rest of the evening talking. I also showed my friends some more pictures from Mali, before we all went to bed late.

We got up late, and had breakfast together late, my friend Beate and I; her husband was already out and about. We took our time, and then we went to visit her aunt who was giving away stuff in her old house that she wants to sell. We spent quite some time there, and Beate's husband also joined us there.

Then we went back home, and had some rest, before leaving to go to the grocery store, and then stroll through the downtown special market. They were selling a lot of different hand-made craft, and I bought two little glass crosses as gifts for two of my kids whose birthdays are in May.

Back home we had a cup of tea, before we all left to drive to a village 20 minutes away, where I'm gonna share in the service tomorrow. I had never been there, and never met the pastor, just talked on the phone. One of the Austrians that had come to Mali in November was youth pastor there for a while, so that's how the connection was made. And since it's my last time sharing in Austria, and last Sunday's church didn't want TV there, Austrian TV ORF is filming there tomorrow.

The entrance to the church shows the posters they produced and put up all over, to invite people to come. It says in big letters on top, "ORF is filming", and then my name. They also have a guest speaker tomorrow - the best-known Austrian evangelist, who's already been on TV several times. I'm looking forward to meeting that man.

We spent two and a half hours with the pastor and his wife, talking. He asked me a lot of questions, and I basically told him my life story. My friends are old friends of his, so it was good for them to see each other as well.

The pastor invited me to come back next Sunday to preach, and I told him I'd be in Holland. Then the week after - I told him I'd be back in Mali. Then he asked me if I already had my ticket, if I could change it... I learned tonight that this pastor is hungry for God, and next time I'm in Austria, I'm invited to preach there.

Before we left, we prayed together. It's hard for me to pray in German (though it's my mother tongue). While praying I saw that this church is a healing center - people will come from all over to be healed. I asked him afterwards whether healing is on their heart, and he confirmed that.

We had a good time together, and left with high expectations of what God would do in the morning.

Back home we had dinner together, and time just flew by. Now it's midnight and time to go to bed for a big day tomorrow.

Going to bed late, and getting up late, is my natural rhythm - if possible at all - and so this night wasn't an exception either. I had a few hours before leaving town, and it was time to pack and rearrange all the stuff that has to go to Mali with me. It's already more than I can take, and the less important things will have to wait for our next visitor to make it to Mali.

Just after 3 pm a friend of mine came to take me to the train station - I was very thankful for that, not to have to use public transportation with my luggage, and on top of that, it was raining. We found a parking spot, and then went to the coffee shop. It was under construction, and so I had to carry my luggage up the stairs. Then my friend who is highly pregnant had to go down three stories to find a bathroom. Time was short, but we were able to have some good Austrian coffee and cake, and time of fellowship. My friend accompanied me to the train, which was so full that I had a hard time finding a seat. Thankfully, it was only a 40 min ride from Vienna to St.Pölten.

Arriving in St.Pölten, my friend Beate was waiting for me in her car. I got in and we drove to their apartment. We still had over an hour, before having to leave for church, and I enjoyed catching up with my old friend. I met Beate at the sports camp where I found the Lord 15 years ago, and she's been my faithful friend ever since.

Youth Meeting

Yesterday I had lunch with an old friend, which was great. It was good to catch up.

Afterwards I got some shopping done. I already have more than I can take back to Mali!

Today was the first day I spent entirely at home, and all alone. I greatly enjoyed a day of rest, before it's back on the road again tomorrow.

I had lunch with Hama's sponsor today; it's a family of four, and I've known the Mom since days after my salvation, though our paths later went different directions, until they "adopted" Hama. I had a great time with my old friend and her two little sons. She gave me some gifts for Hama and the kids. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture.

My Old University Department

A Lost Earring

In the morning I met with a young man who contacted me a while back because of his interest in Theophostic Prayer Ministry. We had a good time talking, and I was greatly encouraged to see an Austrian who is called to the inner healing ministry, which we need so badly in Austria. Even more, he is also called to youth ministry, so that's wonderful.

My Only Remaining Grandparent

My Dad

The church service started at 10:30 am, and thankfully my friend Renate lent me her car so I could get there quickly and easily.

I had already been to the Vineyard church once before, last year. They have a woman pastor, who I've known casually for many years, but last year she wasn't there when I shared. It was a good time, though, and so I asked if I could come back to give an update this year.

I showed my video presentation, and then I talked a few minutes. The people all just sat there, giving no feedback whatsoever. It felt really strange. After the service, I talked to very few people. My Christian dentist had come and talked with me about what he could possibly do. Then another man had come just because of me, because of his interest in Theophostic Prayer Ministry, and we agreed to meet tomorrow. Finally, a lady came up to me and admitted that she's very sceptic when it comes to healing, and wants to come to Mali to see the healings for herself.

I went home with one new person on my mailing list. Back home, I had a little snack, before retiring to my room to spend time with God for two hours, before having to leave for the service. I was in great anticipation of what God would do tonight!

Powerful Church Service

To my greatest surprise, I actually had a day without meetings or appointments - and that even on the weekend!! Even in advance, I felt that was not a coincidence, but had to do with the service Sunday afternoon.

Two weeks ago, I already went to the church I'm preaching at tomorrow, just "for fun", to be with God. I was on the floor throughout the whole service, in God's presence, and God started speaking to me about the service tomorrow, and the church. Another thing I felt was that I should ask the pastors if I could go pray in the basement of their house the day before. That feeling never left, and when I asked them, they said okay.

They invited me to come over and have lunch with them, and so we did. I enjoyed spending a little time with them. Wolfgang & Angela were elders of the church that is officially "my" church in Vienna, and they were my cellgroup leaders for a few years. I first really met them less than 2 years after I came to know the Lord. I was always close to them, and I'm so amazed at how they have been able to see the way God's changed me, and see me the way I am today, not the way they've known me in the past.

After lunch, they left to do other things, and I went into the basement. I was so looking forward to spending a few hours with God! I was excited! I set up my computer, but felt not to turn on the music. In silence, I just started praising God, and coming into His presence, and He was right there to have fellowship with me. I prayed for three and a half hours. It was a wonderful time!

I felt that my assignment was accomplished; funnily enough, it really wasn't to pray and prepare for the service, but I felt more that I had to be there for the pastors, and what God wants to do in their house. After all, the house where I'm staying was empty all day, and I could as well have prayed there.

My friend Renate was on her way home and in the general neighborhood, so it was easy for her to pick me up and go home together. While waiting for her, I had another opportunity to talk to the pastor, which I enjoyed.

As we were driving home, we talked about how we hadn't gone out to eat yet, since we have some places we always go, and so we spontaneously decided to go have a pizza near her house. We had a wonderful time eating great pizza, and having fellowship with each other.

Back home, I had meant to go to bed early, with a long day ahead, but it didn't work out that way.

Because of my quick trip to the US last weekend, I missed my Mom's birthday on Friday. So today we had lunch together - my Mom, her husband, and I - to celebrate her birthday. I had a special Malian gift for her - a handbag with snake leather. She liked it.

We had a good time together, with great Austrian food. From the restaurant, we went to their house, which is nearby; it's where I grew up. Unfortunately my step-father won't allow me to stay there with them.

My Mom had a new bathroom done not too long ago, and she's bought herself a new kitchen and a new car, so she proudly showed me all that. Very nice! I couldn't help think how that money had been promised to me, for my house in Mali. But God will provide a different way.

Children's Sponsors' Meeting

My friend Renate and I went to a store where I got another suitcase to fill up for Mali, as well as a lot of little things to take back. Renate also bought some gifts for the kids. I have more and more stuff being heaped up to take back!

In the evening, I was invited to minister in Nadine's VCC cellgroup. I've known Nadine for about 10 years, and we once led a cellgroup together. Every time I'd visit, it would only be enough for hello and good-bye, but this time she had invited me two months in advance. Renate's friend is in this cellgroup, and she was so kind to pick me up and take me there; Renate joined us later as well.

I was there early, and was thankful to connect my computer to the internet for a few minutes, just to send and receive emails. Meanwhile more and more people were arriving. What an international group! I hardly knew anyone, just a few. Finally Nadine arrived as well.

I was excited about the night, but unsure how it would turn out. I had borrowed a guitar from someone, but am out of practice, since I have a different type of guitar, and always use my keyboard in Mali now. So I burned a very anointed worship/ministry CD to use, but brought the guitar along anyway, just in case. After all, I was gonna do whatever God wanted, and maybe He'd need me to play the guitar.

My general idea was to show my Mali presentation, then have a time of worship, then share a message, and then minister. It didn't turn out that way.

A lot of ladies had turned out - maybe 20. I first showed them the DVD, and they were all fascinated. I then took questions, and the question and answer time was blessed, and went on and on. I was wondering whether that was it for the night, when Nadine spoke up just before 9 pm. She suggested that we'd do some ministry.

So I put the CD I had burned in, and we started worshipping God. During the CD, I was praying, talking to God, but also sharing some stuff with the people, that I felt the Lord giving me. I wanted to draw them closer to God's heart, and many entered in. Finally, I told them I'd go around laying hands on them, and if they didn't want it, they should simply tell me.

I started going round, and prophesying over everyone. For some reason, I often feel like the best is for last, and I knew Nadine was the last one I'd prophesy over, and I did. Many were encouraged. Some people I prayed for healing for.

Since it had gotten late, some people started leaving. When I was done, one lady came up to me, asking me how I had known the things I had told her. I was able to encourage her further in her calling, and she also has a serious medical issue I trust God healed her of.

It was an awesome evening, and Nadine was very happy with the way it had turned out. She said she wouldn't miss me preaching on Sunday for anything. She also said she's book me for two cellgroup evenings next year!

Renate had already left, and so her friend took me home by car. I was so wound up, I needed some time to chill out before going to bed.

 

The Lord has blessed me big time with a Christian dentist who treats me for free. That's very amazing! As every year, I went for a check-up, and he did some fillings. I gave him a flyer, and DVD, and told him what churches I'll be at next Sunday. He was very interested and said, he'd come in the morning.

He's done missions before, and wants to help us. I told him our medical center should be built by the end of next year. He was so interested, he said we'd talk more after the service on Sunday. I shared with him again, how horrible dentists are in Mali, and how much we'd need him.

His young assistant (not a believer) was also very interested in Mali, and asked me lots of questions. I told her to come on Sunday as well.

Women's Cellgroup

Because of jetlag, I was unable to go to bed at midnight. I stayed up until 3 am, and then slept for 8 hours. Neither my brother, nor his wife or my Mom were able to sleep.

I had not scheduled anything for today, so I could recover from the tiring weekend, and be ready for the days ahead. I only went grocery shopping, and my friend made a wonderful Austrian dinner. Other than that, I did a lot of burning of DVDs and printing of flyers, as well as watching some TV. However, TV doesn't have any appeal for me any more - what a testimony of healing for me!

News From Back Home

The flight from Los Angeles is slightly shorter - only ten and a half hours. I had a window seat - as always - with two seats next to me, but thankfully nobody sat in the middle. I enjoyed my flight as always, and even got more sleep than on my way to the US.

I arrived in Paris at 6:45 pm local time, and had plenty of time to catch my plane to Vienna this time around. On that short flight (an hour 40 minutes), I was so tired I really slept well, if only for a short time. I arrived in Vienna at 10:35 pm local time. I was looking forward to going home and getting much sleep. My Mom was picking me up this time.

I was hoping my two bags would come quickly, but I kept waiting, and waiting, until there were about 4 of us left, and the conveyor belt stopped. Great! On the way there, I had to run across the airport and my bags made it (thank God!), and now they hadn't made it in Paris in nearly 2 hours! They said they'd deliver them tomorrow afternoon. I had to go home with nothing but my carry-on, having no other clothes than the ones I was wearing. Good thing that I had kept Tuesday free of appointments to rest.

I'm An Aunt!

I was so glad to have 8 hours of sleep! What a difference how I felt today compared to yesterday! So rested, and fresh!

When I got up at 9:30, I knew I only had an hour and a half before the people taking me to Pasadena would show up. There was so much I wanted to get done, and so I started multi-tasking - drinking tea, checking mails, burning DVDs, and packing - to name just a few. Still, time was just running, and so I was thankful when they called saying they'd come half an hour later.

I was ready just in time, having accomplished pretty much all I had wanted to. I went downstairs to the lobby to wait for them. The couple who does the CDs for Jill was there having breakfast with her, and so I got to see them all again. I said good-bye to Jill once again, who was apologetic about not having spent any time with me, but I told her I understood. She said we'd get some time together in Rotterdam in two weeks.

Since my ride was 15 minutes late, I had an opportunity to speak a little more with the lady whose husband does Jill's materials, and we had a great conversation. She said she'd like to pray for me and stay in touch. It's great to have another new friend!

My ride showed up - a couple and two ladies. They were from a town a couple of hours north of here, and were driving home today. Pasadena - where I was going - was pretty much on their way. I had already felt so much honor coming from them in the way they treated me, and that was to be confirmed. I had a great hour in the car with them, sharing about Mali and my life, as they asked me question after question. It felt more and more like a divine appointment to all of us, and I'm curious to see what the future will bring.

They dropped me off at Harvest Rock Church - which is the HIM base (the network I'm a part of). My good friend Victoria was waiting for me there at the end of the service at 1 pm. It was a precious time of saying good-bye to my new friends. And then one lady took off her golden necklace and gave it to me, as well as her earrings. She said that God had told her to do so. I smiled thinking - another preparation for my husband - and told her she could pray for a husband for me. When the other lady heard that, she got all excited! She said that God had told her that I was getting married very soon, and that my husband is already looking for me. She just didn't want to say anything. Awesome confirmation!

My friend Victoria and I then went out to eat to a restaurant I had first been to in January and really liked. I was glad to have another opportunity to see her, since she's leaving this area to move further north. However, when she talked to the people who gave me the ride, they discovered that they are very close. Since they invited me to come up this summer - and I actually had a week still without anything planned - it looks like I'll see my friend again after all.

We enjoyed our time at the restaurant, and then went to her home, where she lay down for a nap, which I tried as well, but too much went through my head. Time passed quickly, and soon it was time to go back to church for the evening service. I had never been to this church on a regular (non-conference) Sunday. I was shocked how few people were there and realized, I wouldn't get to say hello to people I know.

The time of worship was good, and Victoria left right after it, while I had another hour until Joy showed up to take me to the airport. I updated her on how the rest of the conference had been, and soon enough we arrived at the airport. I said good-bye and thanked her for all she had done, helping me out so greatly.

Flying Home

It was 3 am before I went to bed, burning CD and DVD after CD/DVD. It's very slow to do them individually. For that reason, I only had 4 hours to sleep. I was so tired I was afraid I wouldn't hear my alarm clock, and I so I woke up frequently, checking the time. I ended up sleeping very little, and was wondering how I'd get through such a long day.

We were at the church at 8 am, and I went to the guest room for breakfast. This morning was very different from yesterday's - nobody was there! Mel didn't have breakfast here either. Later a couple came who does all the duplicating and mailing CDs and DVDs for Jill. They have their own ministry/business, doing this for different people. It was very interesting to talk to them, and then the husband said he'd have some time in the morning to duplicate something for me, when I asked whether this was possible. I was excited, since it would save me staying up hours burning CD after CD. Unfortunately he didn't have any DVDs with him, just CDs. So I asked him to make 50 copies of my preaching CD, that I was giving away to people. I would only have to pay the cost for materials. I was happy!

I had asked Jill whether I could put my CD, DVD and papers on a table in the bookstore, and she had said yes. I didn't have enough DVDs to put there, but after they were done duplicating, I had plenty of CDs. I didn't want to ask people to pay for them, so I put them there to be taken for free. I was amazed at how many were taken. I wished I had had DVDs as well!

And God blessed me another way: the guy made a mistake and misspelled my name, writing "Claudio"; for that reason he didn't charge me, and I got them all for free. Hallelujah! I just had to make a little line on every CD manually :-).

Another lady I connected with during one of the meals was someone with a foundation to help children in the third world, and she got very excited as we talked. She's doing a big, secular fund-raising concert in October, and is considering raising money there for us. She even wants to pay for my airfare so I can come up from Mali for that. So we'll see how this contact is gonna develop.

Last Conference Session

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There wasn't any breakfast included in the hotel price, and the church was providing all three meals for the speakers and guests. I was riding with the lady from the worship team again, and she had to be there early. A few people were there for breakfast, and I enjoyed one of the best things the US offers food-wise: bagels. After some time, Mel Tari came, and I ended up talking with him.

Who's Mel Tari? He's a 62-year-old Indonesian who's written 4 books, and who travels the world now. He's become famous because of the great miracles God was doing while he was in Indonesia, like walking on water, or water turning into wine for communion. He's a spiritual father to Roland & Heidi Baker, and was their best man at their wedding 28 years ago. He was a catalyst in launching them into ministry, when he gave 20-year-old Heidi a platform to preach in Indonesia.

This very same Mel Tari loved what I'm doing in Mali, and he said, he had a special love for missionaries. He said he could connect me with people in France, and other people, and would do it. Later in the day I talked more with him, and I ended up sitting next to him in the evening session, where Heidi was the speaker. On Saturday he came up to me again, saying to not forget to email him, so he could connect me. I was very touched and blessed by the obvious interest he had in me and Mali.

In fact, he did three meetings, and in two of them he mentioned me. I was especially touched the first time, as he said something like, if the church could have an appartment for missionaries and give them what they need, so they don't have to run from church to church to raise funds......

I was greatly blessed by this man of God, and am curious what the future will bring.

Before the first session yesterday, I told my friend who was there to my greatest surprise, that I was here to connect with Heidi. This intercessor's answer was that I shouldn't be surprised if the connections that would be made were not the ones I expected. The connection with Mel Tari was one of those.

Heidi Baker

Thankfully, yesterday was a more quiet day. I slept in, and in the afternoon I ran some errands to be ready for my trip to the US. Also, my friend Renate who I'm staying with cooked my favorite Austrian meal, and we had a great time of fellowship. I was gonna go to bed early to be fit for my long trip to the US and short stay there, but it didn't work out that way. I still had to print flyers to hand out in the US, as well as burn CDs and DVDs. So it was after 2 am when I went to bed.

Flying To LA

It was after 3 am as I went to bed, having caught up on some work. Unfortunately I was not able to sleep in since I had an appointment in the morning.

I had to be at my homechurch at 10:30 am to meet with the Austrian pastor and his wife. It's a long way from where I'm staying, so I had to leave an hour in advance. I very much enjoyed the precious time I had with them. This couple and their congregation is most behind me in Vienna.

At 1 pm I had an appointment with a lady who's been on my mailing list and praying for us since last year. It was time to meet in person! But first, I took advantage of the internet connection at church, and connected with my own computer.

Then the pastors offered to take us with them to the church's construction site. I hadn't seen it before, and really wanted to see it. My new friend didn't mind, and so we all went there. It's a big, great building, a huge project the church is undertaking. I can tell that it's gonna look great one day.

Fun Time

I had already seen Vroni (who spent over 2 months with us in Mali) at the service on Saturday, but today we went to McDonald's together. We had a great time talking, sharing, and catching up; in fact, time was too short. We had an appointment to keep.

On Christian TV

Best Pizza - With Family

How tough it was to get up! But I had about 40 flyers printed and ready (double flyers plus an additional paper). Thankfully, I was able to borrow my friend's car again to drive to church! Thank God! I had to be there at 8:30 am.

I handed my presentation to the tech guy, and joined the leaders at the prayer meeting before the service. I had a hard time praying, and definitely had to keep my eyes open because of the tiredness!

The service started at 9 am, but it was amazing how few were there, and how full it was in the end. And what really amazed me was how few people I still knew. After all, I joined this church in 1994 and was a part until I left in 2001. However, as an international church there is big turnover every year.

The senior pastor had given me 10 to share; I told him the video was already ten minutes, and so I had to get up during the video to share a few words. I was SO TIRED that it was totally uninspired what I said. Then the pastor prayed for me. A guest speaker preached, and I managed to stay awake.

There was a break before the next service, which was an opportunity to speak to people. Several people signed up to receive my email updates.

Then the next service started, which was the English African service, where most people are Nigerians. The senior pastor also leads this congregation. I was praying that this time around my words would be inspired by God. Finally my turn came, and this time, it was the opposite from the first service. I knew exactly what to say, and it was just God the way it came out. The difference was also so obvious as the senior pastor came up and said a few words before praying for me. In both services, the pastor told people they could put money in an envelope for me if they wanted to give when the offering basket comes by.

I had wanted to stay to the end of the service to talk to people and still meet some Filipino friends, who'd come for the third service of the day, but I simply could not. It was 1 pm, and I knew I had to leave the house again at 4:30 pm, and would not be able to if I didn't get a nap in. So I left before the sermon and drove home.

Afternoon Service

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After a short night, my host's four-year-old woke me up an hour earlier than necessary. He just came into my room. He is cute little boy that constantly wanted to play with me.

At 9:15 am two ladies from the church came to pick me up and drive me to the airport. We had a great time talking in the car; it was good to have that time of fellowship.

I still had lots of time at the airport, and went into the frequent flyer lounge, where I had a wonderful French breakfast - and I took a nap!

My Hometown Vienna

My Homechurch

 

Since there was no morning meeting as I had been told at first, and no evening meeting because of the conference Thursday, there was no meeting at church at all today! I ended up spending all day home alone, until 4 pm. But I sure enjoyed the quiet, and the chance to catch up on emails and finally finish my Easter update (see NEWS page).

When my host came home in the afternoon, she was so kind to take me to church, where I picked up last night's CD. And then I had a chance to talk with the pastor for a few minutes, which was great. I hadn't seen the pastors in over a year, so it was good to catch up. They - as many ministries - have also been going through very tough times.

Back home, we had dinner together, and later in the evening my friend Corinne came to spend some time with me. I showed her pictures from Mali, which she enjoyed. Poor Corinne was very tired, and so I let her go to sleep. I'll see her in the morning, before leaving for the airport to fly to Vienna - my hometown!!!

After a short night I got up early to finish packing. We left the house at 9 am, but stopped at my friend's medical cabinet on the way. I picked up a prescription and took one last picture of him. Wolfgang (a general practitioner) has had Mali on his heart for many years, and he and his wife (my good friend) are looking into when to come visit. Wolfgang has helped me design our little medical center in Mali, and I'd love for him to help set it up once it's built.

I then drove the 90 minutes from the Western tip of Austria across the border and to Zurich, with my good friend Christine at my side. It was raining, and even snowing at one point. We had lunch at the airport, which was our last chance of talking. The days had passed by far too quickly. As always I had been greatly blessed, staying with my two precious friends. Thank God that He gives us friends on earth!

Flying To Paris

Prophetic Evening Meeting

My daughter, you took the little that I gave you, along with the insecurity and the fear of life, but you said, I won't let it limit me. I won't let it hinder me. And you took step by step to where you find yourself now. But know, within the next several months, there's coming provision for enlargement. There's coming a creative anointing to make wealth. Much of what you're doing is gonna begin to be spotlighted by other ministries and missions. That will be a teaching tool for many because many people have big organizations and great budgets behind them, and they haven't done a third of what you've done. And I believe mission groups are getting desperate to see something done. And I'm going to showcase you, because I've made you strong. I put into your hands now the ability to make wealth, the ability to raise funds. Gifts and surprises will come your way without even understanding where they are coming from.

I'm gonna just give it, and I'm gonna trust that it means something to you, but the Lord just said the number 16 to me. And what I sensed when I heard the number 16: there's like 16 extensions that He is bringing into your ministry and life, that will bring a multiplication of what you're doing. Like you're a pattern, but now God is going to begin to duplicate the pattern. We release this to you, and we bless you in Jesus' name.

They continued for a while, and it was about 11 pm when they were done. Then I finally had a chance to talk to a few people, including Steve & Rita. I was disappointed to only have those few minutes to talk, but they were precious few minutes. They are looking into coming to Mali at some time, which is wonderful. They are a great couple; itinerants that travel much in Europe, especially French-speaking Europe.

It was midnight before we got home, and late when I went to bed.

Last night a get-together was scheduled at my friends' house, but nobody showed up. I didn't mind. I very much enjoyed a more quiet day.

Today two meetings were scheduled. One was my friend Christine's women's cellgroup in her home at 3 pm. Four ladies showed up. First I showed them my video presentation, and then I led worship in German, singing 4 German songs I hadn't sung in a long time.

Then I had only half an hour left to share some Scriptures and discuss them with them. We had a really good time together. Two ladies had to leave right away, and then we prayed with the remaining two ladies.

We had a little break before the evening get-together was to start. For a while we were wondering if anyone would come. Then a young man showed up that I first met over two years ago, and who's been interested in the work in Mali. He's now a pastor in a new church in Switzerland. We had a great time talking, and watching the presentation.

Much later my friends' daughter showed up, and we had a very good time talking. It was late when everyone left. Then it was time to start packing, since I'm leaving early in the morning to go to Paris. It's gonna be a short night!