JULY 8, 2005
Wow. It's here. After a very busy few months, we'll be leaving in just two days. We're all paid up, almost packed up, and very anxious to get over there and love on those kids! We just want to thank you all so much for every ounce of support you've given us - writing, giving money, praying, sending stuff to sell, coming to our yardsale, spreading the word of our trip and we can't forget our team-mates! You guys are all awesome and we hope that you feel like a part of you will be over there with us!
So we packed all of the supplies with the group on Wednesday night, the 6th. Unbelievable - we must have had a small Dollar General store in Courtney's house! I saw kites, kazoos, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, yarn, soccer balls and CD players - all bought by our congregation at Rolling Hills. We've also collected mounds of travel size toothpastes, little brushes, shampoos, soap, and deodorant, many collected at Roxanne's Starbucks and Amy's desk at LifeWay. It's so incredible!
If only I could see the look on the poor guy's face that inspects out luggage! HA! This is what it's all about - loving the craziness!
We've all been through a lot of stress lately, too. Speaking for myself, this website up and disappeared last week. I couldn't get ahold of my host server and finally got in contact with Phoebe at dixiy.com, who agreed to spot me a few weeks of hosting services to figure out what the heck happened with hdhosting.com. Anyhow - in plain English, mikeandrox.com crashed and Phoebe saved its life so it can be up for the trip.
We had two people lose passports since receiving them back for the Moldovan visa authorities. One guy found his passport, but Julie is still missing her's and plans to fly to Chicago Friday to get a replacement.
If that's not enough, London was attacked by terrorists yesterday.
If you don't think some force is working against us, think again. We will not be scared - we'll be bold. we have a job to do and we're ready to do it.
FEBRUARY 20, 2005
Wow. I never thought my life would change so suddenly. So we heard about this trip to Moldova in early January, and attended a meeting in late January to learn more. We immediately felt a calling to go, but had no idea how to meet the financial obligation for not just one person, but two. As many of you know, we sent out letters to rally the support of our friends and family and already support has started to come back to us - prayerfully and financially. More than that, I found a REAL job that will pay REAL money and Roxanne is up for a promotion to General Manager in the very near future. God is Faithful! I've known it all of my life, but never trusted in Him as much as I have in the past few months.
For those who don't know, I've been delivering pizza for the last 9 months to supplement my Part-Time income with Anderson Merchandisers - the leading music retailing in the world through our accounts with Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, the pizza shop closed Feb. 6, and I was really starting to worry about our financial situation. We've both been praying for God to provide, and He did - and it's awesome! I'm so excited about this new job and everything else in our lives that I just shake my head and smile. It's truly amazing. Awesome.
Wow, there's a tangent for you.. So back to this mission trip.. for the past two years, our church has sent teams of people to Moldova to organize summer camps for Moldovan orphans. I have not truly realized the severity of their situation, but imagine not having a family, living in the poorest of conditions, having no one to love you and no hope for life beyond the orphanage. This is what life is to them. Many of the kids will end up in a life of crime and immorality - human trafficking, prostitution, and organized crime.
When we think we're down on our luck, these kids probably think we're living like kings. Living in the world we are living in, I think perspective is often overlooked. We watch the news - suicide bombings, decades of war, natural tragedies - we're desensitized to it all. It means nothing to us because we never step back and think of it from any other perspective but our own. This is our chance to see how the rest of the world lives. This is our chance to give them hope - if not for a lifetime, for a few days.
We're excited about what God's going to do - in our lives, their lives, and your lives. Please, do what you feel lead to do. We're committed to making this happen and your support is much needed and appreciated.
Please, take some time and do some research - learn a little. We've compiled some notes given to us and posted them collectively as "Facts and Articles About Moldova."
If for whatever reason, we missed you in our initial mailing spree, email us with an address and we'll send you a packet. Until then, "Our Letter To You" will serve as a preview.
Again - immeasurable thanks for your support, and feel free tocontact us with questions, encouragement, information, etc.
Love and respect,
Mike and Roxanne Anderson
