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”There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” (Thomas
Aquinas)
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What is the most precious thing you’ve got in this world?
Over the past few weeks, as I was saying good-bye in Kansas City, I realized
anew that friendships are the most precious thing I’ve got. Only as children
of God can we find that depth and closeness in our relationships. And they
are truly to be cherished and thanked God for.
Before I go any further, I need to clarify something concerning my last
e-mail “Last Precious Weeks In Kansas City”. Right after I had written it I
thought it didn’t come across right, which was then confirmed. I wrote about
what I had left in Vienna two years ago, and what I was leaving now. However,
it sounded like all I had left back then was material things, and now the
friendships, which is not true of course. I left my natural family in Vienna
(who doesn’t know Jesus yet), and I left my church and friends, which I
missed the most for the first few months. My point was that I found very
unique and precious friendships in Kansas City on a level I had not known
before, partly due to the fact that you are together every day, partly due to
the way God has changed me, and partly it’s simply a God-thing, and that
there is really nothing material I’m leaving behind now. I hope you
understand me now. Being back in Vienna, it’s been awesome seeing my church and
all my “old” friends again, who are very precious to me also.
CLOSING THE KANSAS CITY CHAPTER
My five weeks in Kansas City seemed so short, but I cherished every minute. I
returned to praying in the Healing Rooms at the International House of
Prayer (IHOP) every day I was able to, and spent as much time as I could
in my beloved IHOP I will miss so much. I also had to say good-bye to one of
my favorite teachers, Jill Austin, who I had had the honor to learn from over
the past two years, which has changed my life significantly. And I was
thankful for one last conference with her where I had the joy of serving one
last time. And then there was graduation in my last week, which was an
interesting experience, and I also got my doctorate of theology. In between,
I was packing up my belongings, giving away as much as I could, until I was
left with a few boxes, mainly books, to be shipped to Mali.
I also had the privilege of being there at the birth of a new church that
really excites me and is very promising. And I had very special moments as I
spent precious last moments with friends. But the last weekend was the most
precious and extra-special. Up to that moment I wasn’t quite ready yet to
leave and sad most of the time, but God knew what was needed and He
absolutely blew me away. I had a going-away party the night before actually
leaving, and many friends came to send me on the way. We were having a good
time, and then someone suggested to pray for me. So I stood in the middle
surrounded by my friends, when they started praying and prophesying. It was
the most awesome and holy time of commissioning and setting things in place. Wow!
So, while the five weeks were filled with much sorrow as I did everything and
saw everybody for the last time, it was changed to joy on my last weekend,
and I left Monday morning with joy and anticipation.
UNEXPECTED “EXCITEMENT” ON MY JOURNEY
First of all, thank you to all who prayed for my trip to Vienna! I didn’t
know how important that would be.
I guess I have to share a part of the story about my getting in the US now
that I hadn't shared before. I had told the INS officer that I would only be
able to stay in the US for about three weeks, now that I had the job in
Africa etc. When she stamped my passport, she said, "But make sure you
don't stay a day longer than that." When I later checked my passport, it
said "Oct 14" on the visitor's visa, which is the full three months
you're allowed to stay in the US as a visitor. I was glad to see that and
stayed 5 weeks altogether, until after graduation.
When I got to the K.C. airport Monday morning, I had a nice guy at the
check-in counter who seemed rather new to this job. He had a hard time
figuring out my ticket from Toronto to Vienna and typing in the right airport
codes to go on the suitcases. I helped him a little bit. Also, he thought my
Air France frequent flyer number was weird, which it wasn't. He finally got
it. Then my one suitcase was 75 pounds (34 kg), but only 70 (32) are allowed.
I told him that in Vienna I was told 35 kg are allowed, which they did. Another
lady came to help him. Then he scanned my passport with the computer - and
got an error message! EXPIRED. When I heard that, a rush went through my
whole body and I told Dawn in the back to start praying which I did myself
also. I was thinking of what the INS officer had said and wondering whether
she had put a three week ultimatum in the computer. Would they now put me in
jail after all? Would I now get banned from entering the US? He scanned it
again - EXPIRED. He looked at the passport, and saw that it was valid until
2010. They wondered and started typing in the number manually, all the time
wondering. Dawn was by my side now, and I talked to her. Then they suddenly
handed me the passport back. And the guy said, he would let me go with my
overweight bag, even though he had earlier said it would be US$ 80. WOW! The
favor of the Lord!
Now, either the INS officer had put in a date and it was not the passport but
the visa that was expired, but the Lord "blinded" them to see that,
maybe even that it still said so after typing it in manually. Or, the enemy
simply wanted to scare me by creating a computer glitch. I don't know. Either
way, I went away praising the Lord and thanking Him - I know all of this is
just "practice" for the days ahead.
The enemy wanted to put fear on me by suggesting my passport would be scanned
again, and that time I wouldn't get away. But again, it was God's providence
that I went through Canada, Toronto, so that it was not scanned again (contrary
to Chicago, which is where I usually go through). Even so, I rebuked the
enemy and stood on the promises of God, so that the fear left.
VIENNA
After four planes and a long journey, I arrived in Vienna Tuesday afternoon. My
Mom picked me up and dropped me at my friend’s house who was so kind to take
me in for the time being. I couldn’t wait, and a few hours later I was at my
church’s weekly prayer meeting, seeing many of my friends again, which was
great. In the next few weeks I will have opportunities to share about Mali,
as Vienna Christian Center (my church since 1994) is considering
supporting me and sending me out.
My time in Vienna will be filled with preparations for the move to Mali –
medically, purchases, visa, meetings, studying, etc. – and I’m sure it will
pass quickly again. I’m leaving Vienna September 18.
MALI
Click here to read MALI INFO &
VISION
Over the past few days I’ve received some answers to my questions concerning
what life is Bamako is like, so I can prepare appropriately. One of the big
surprises came as I found out how much housing costs – about $600 (!),
especially if you want electricity and running water, or even a telephone
line. Of course, white people are charged twice or three times as much as the
Malians. My missionary friend suggested a monthly budget of $2000. While I’m
not aiming at such a large amount, I’ve certainly come to realize the
importance of monthly supporters. Would you pray whether you could be one who
sows into Mali?
I’m also thankful for every one-time gift, as I’m still thousands of dollars
away from what I need now, and not yet able to do any of the purchases yet.
Isn’t it awesome that I can totally rely on my glorious King and Lord to
provide everything necessary? I haven’t worried once, since this is all about
His kingdom and His purposes for Mali, and not about me at all.
I have been trying to get into contact with missionaries in Mali, but haven’t
been successful at all, except for my long-term friend who doesn’t live in
the capital. I don’t know yet where I’m gonna stay when I get to Bamako, but
the director of the school, Alassane, is going to help me find a place to
live when I get there. I know the Lord has already prepared everything,
including the perfect place. I’ve been praying for Alassane and the school,
that the power of God would come down to heal and change lives. I’ve been
seeing the day when one of my kids walks in sick and I pray for him….
I’ve just had reports on Mali from the UN which are not too good. Earlier
this year, they had no harvest in some areas – including where my friend is –
and needed aid from the government. Now, they’ve had record rains which
caused flooding, including in the capital city. Read for yourself:
The grain eating birds in Mali "are reported on about 205 hectares of
crops in the Office du Niger zone. Army worm attacks are also reported in the
Office du Niger and treatments have been undertaken," the report said.
According to the report, small-scale breeding of desert locusts was expected
with the onset of the summer rains in Chad, southern Mauritania, northern
Mali and Niger.
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Mali, Burkina Faso's eastern neighbour, has so far enjoyed an abundant rainy
season in some parts of the country. However some of the rains that have
fallen since early July, when the rainy season started, have caused flooding,
notably in the district of Tominian, 480 km north of the capital Bamako.
On 10 August, Tominian lost among other things over 700 storehouses; over
2,000 hectares of inundated fields, and hundreds of inundated houses.
The capital Bamako and surrounding neighbourhoods have also suffered from
damaging rains. In Missabougou, flooding damaged 95 houses, including 54
which totally collapsed, while in the neighbourhood of Niamaroko, one man
drowned.
Bamako has suffered floodings in 1999 and 2001. According to Bamako's mayor,
Ibrahim N'Diaye, many of the houses have been built in the bed of water
currents, putting residents at risk of flooding. Another major problem is the
town's malfunctioning drainage system.
So far the authorities have provided medicine, milk and numerous other food
and non-food items to those affected who hope to be relocated to news homes.
H2TN Prayer Cover
If you haven’t received an e-mail with this subject line, you’re not on my
Prayer Cover e-mail list. If you’d like to support me in prayer on a regular
basis, simply send me a mail and let me know, and I’ll put you on the list.
Thank you for standing with me in this crucial time of my life. May the
kingdom of God come to Mali like never before!
In HIS service,
Claudia
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Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your inheritance. (Ps 2:8)
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until Sep 18 Tel. (+43)(0) 676 / 517 4008
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Dr. Claudia R. Wintoch
Wurlitzerg. 50/19
A-1160 Vienna
Austria
Catch The Wind Ministries
P.O. Box 11962
Kansas City, MO 64138
claudia@healing2thenations.net
www.healing2thenations.net
www.glorywebservices.com
Talk to me online - I'm "healing2thenations":
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Mail checks to Catch The Wind Ministries
IMPORTANT: Don't write my name on the check, but add a note that it's for me.
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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