December Newsletter

Merry Christmas!

The month of December will be a different time for me in Moldova. The Raatz family is in the states for a month so I am not teaching during this time. Instead I will be helping at the Home of Hope. I, along with my roommate, will continue teaching life skills and English. Beyond that we will be spending time just hanging out with the women and their children.

International Service

The International Service is full of people from all over the world. We have one family from England, another family is from Holland, and another is from Australia. Some are here with the Embassy and others are involved in ministry in Moldova. We also have quite a few Moldovans who come to enjoy the service as well.

On Sunday we said goodbye to a family with 3 children: Jon, Rebekah, and Sara. Their Dad was here on a Fulbright Scholarship and so the time has come for them to head home. This is something one gets used to in Moldova, people coming and going.

On December 6^th, we had a kids and youth event. In the morning we took the kids to pizza and bowling, and in the evening we watched a movie and played games with the youth.

Thanksgiving in Moldova

While Moldovans do not celebrate Thanksgiving, we got together with about 25 Americans and had a wonderful time. When we arrived at the Raatz home, to help out, we learned that they had no power. Their stove uses gas so they were still able to cook most of the food. Then half way through dinner, the power came back on!

These next few months will continue to be busy as we work together in reaching Moldova. Thank you for all of your support, Merry Christmas!

Misc. Photos

A guy at the Central Market, I bought hot sauce from him.


The market near our house.


The night before Andy and Nancy left to go back to America for one month. The girls decided to jump on me and then the dogs were added.


Bowling with the kids from the International Service.

Blog Post from Nancy Raatz

Blog post from Nancy Raatz, concerning the Home of Hope:

"One of the hardest parts of the issue of trafficking is the rejection that the girls get from their families, if they have them, when they return.

Ira wanted so badly to see her family. She misses them terribly and hasn't seen them in so long. We finally worked out that today she would be taken to see her family. Some of our staff accompanied her to her village. It is in a part of Moldova that is very difficult for Americans to go, so I did not go.

When she got there she was told that her dad was at work. This was hard to believe because she'd called ahead and she knew he would be home. Her mother wasn't at her home and when they finally found her mom and step dad, her step dad began yelling at her, condemning what she'd been.

She hadn't eaten breakfast at the Home this morning, thinking her family would have a big meal prepared when she got home. Not only was there not a big meal, but she wasn't even welcomed. She came back this evening so incredibly sad.

Please pray for Ira tonight. Pray that she finds and accepts the Love that is greater than all. Pray that she'd see the care in the home as God's love for her. Pray that she understands He is a father unlike any she has ever known. Pray for peace.

Pray also for Tanya, one of the workers in the home. For several months now she has had a problem with her neck. Would you join me in praying that God would bring healing and relief to her neck?"

Saturday, oh Saturday

So for several weeks now our neighbor below us has been doing some type of "construction, " and we have been having power issues because of it. All of this peeked on Saturday, November 24th. The lights flashed around 11am and the tv turned off. About an hour later I realized that my laptop was using the battery instead of the power cord. I played around with it but it still wasn't charging so I shut it down. After a few more minutes Sara and I realized we had no heat. We go to look at the heater/hot water heater and there are no lights on. About this time the neighbor comes up and tells us that something "went wrong" downstairs and so the power company will be coming on Monday. So Sara and I decide to go to the new mall, Malldova, instead of sitting in our cold apartment.

The mall is pretty nice. It has some interesting stores. We go into Forchette to pick up a few grocery items. Then we go to the bookstore and find the Romanian visual dictionaries that we have been looking for! We walked around the mall for a little bit and ended up going to the food court to get something to eat. While we are eating there is a man walking through the court acting very suspicious. He stops and watches a family at a table. He waits for them to leave and then he takes their receipt. He does this a second time and then walks away. Five minutes later he's back. This time he asks a guy if he can have his receipt, and he gives it to him. Then he disappears and does not return. After that we returned home, still with no heat or hot water.

At this point both of us just want a hot shower so we go over to the Darrins house. When I turn on the water, they have no hot water. We stayed there for almost an hour but still no hot water so we go back home and go to bed. Sunday morning rolls around and we go back to their house to take our showers. Thankfully, they have hot water! After taking a shower we head back home and take naps. Then the power company guy shows up and he does a few things in our building but our heater and computers still aren't working.

After all of this....our heater/hot water heater is fried. Our laptop power cords are fried as well. The heater was fixed yesterday but we are still waiting on our power cords. Fortunately, we didn't have to sleep in our cold apartment. Andy and Nancy let me crash at their place, and the Darrins let Sara sleep at their house.

It has been almost 2 weeks since this happened and I just got my computer power cord back!!! Since having my computer back I've realized that utilizing technology isolates us from those around us. During the time that I didn't have my power cord, my roommate, Sara, and I spent a lot of time together. We played card games, went out to grab a bite to eat, and just spent time actually speaking to one another. It's amazing how our computers separated us from one another.

Home of Hope Update

My roommate and I taught our first English lesson to the three children at the Home of Hope. They are all under the age of six so it was a short, but fun, lesson. We will also be teaching life skills to the women at the home starting next Friday.

These women have come from a difficult life and they face a challenging one ahead. All three are illiterate, two of the women have children, and all three have medical issues. Please pray as these women have taken a huge step in the right direction. These next few months will be very hard for them as they decide whether or not they want to face their past. Pray that they would find peace in the Home of Hope. Pray also for everyone who works with the women and pray that we would shine the love of Christ in every word and action.

-Corrina

Iasi, Romania

On Friday we left for Romania. We went, as a team, to have a mini-vacation. This past month has been crazy as we have had 4 missions teams come in and one Convoy of Hope intern team. We met each morning to discuss our goals and to spend time getting to know one another better. In the afternoons we went into Romania to see the sites, watch a movie, eat Pizza Hut, and/or to shop for the items you cannot get in Moldova (like tortilla chips). I enjoyed my time and was sad to be leaving on Monday morning. I posted 3 photos of our recent trip into this blog post, enjoy!

November 2008 Newsletter

Below is my November newsletter:

Greetings from Chisinau, Moldova! These past 2 months have been an incredible experience.

HOH: Home of Hope (Project Rescue)
On October 20th, 2008, the Home of Hope opened. The home is a rehabilitation center for women who have been trafficked. Right now there is only one woman living there, Arena, but within the next week there will be 2 more joining her.

In a few weeks I will be working with my roommate, Sara, to teach the women life skills. We will also be teaching their two children English.

Life so far…
The past 2 months have been busy, I have:
• Traveled across the world
• Had 2 days of medical testing (for my living permit)
• Got my living permit
• Taught the Raatz girls for 7 weeks
• Lead kids church, at the International Service, 4 times
• Was sick for 6 days
• Had several team meetings
• Helped at a Convoy of Hope outreach
• Sorted/organized clothes for the HOH
• Spent an evening meeting one of the women in the HOH
• Went to Romania for 4 days

These next few months will continue to be busy as we work together in reaching Moldova. Thank you for all of your support. God bless!

Post from Nancy's blog

Below is an update from Nancy Raatz, concerning the Home of Hope.

I drove to the short term shelter again today with Elena, our project manager. Today two women were ready to go with us. With little fanfare we met them and they loaded into the car with us to head home. For Elena and me it was an emotional time.

As we drove home we talked. One of the girls speaks only Russian, so Elena translated when they asked me questions. Mostly they talked together with Elena.

We took them to the home, showed them around, welcomed them to our home--their new home.

A song has been in my heart this afternoon and evening. It is a song I sang several times many years ago. It is early Steven Curtis Chapman.

"How do you explain? How do you describe?
A love that goes from east to west and runs as deep as it is wide
You know all our hopes Lord, you know all our fears
And words cannot express the love we feel
But we long for You to hear
So listen to our hearts.
Hear our spirits sing.
A song of praise that flows
from those you have redeemed.
We will use the words we know
to tell you what an awesome God you are,
but words are not enough
to tell you of our love
so listen to our hearts."

This sums up how I feel today and how so many who have prayed, feel. We don't have the words to express, but I'm so grateful to the Lord for leading us in this work. Yes, the work has only begun, but God is leading us.

Please pray for Aliona and her daughter Sabrina and pray for Irina as they settle into the home this week. Pray for Deanna who will join us with her daughters next week. And praise God for the work he has done.

The Castle

For several weeks we have been learning about the medieval times in history. So for a project, I came up with the idea to have the girls make a castle. Above are a few pictures of the castle...I think it turned out really well!

Home of Hope update

Below is a note that Nancy wrote concerning meeting the first women who will be entering the Home of Hope.

"Wednesday morning we went as a Home of Hope staff to a short term shelter and met with the first women who will come to our home next Monday. We talked first with the social workers who manage these women's cases, then we met with the women. Three women will come to the Home on Monday. We met with two of them. They also have three children that will come with them.

Both of the women we talked with today spoke Russian so I was out of the conversation, but I sat in amazement at the staff God has put together. Rodica is such an amazing woman. She asked them (I was told later) their dreams for life and said that we are here to help them reach their dreams. We are not here as an end in their lives, but to help them move to what their lives can be. Elena told them they could know that we are a family and they will be a part of this family. And Sara told them they are not alone. We will help them learn to raise their children.

We began to dream about games to play and being "Auntie"--"Tante" to some little girls who have had no one to love them. We began to see these women that sat so scared, so lost as women that God has called us to show His love and healing.

After the meeting we talked about how God has so much more ahead. So often we think we are here to do just one thing and God leads us to another. We built a Home for women to find healing from the scares of trafficking and we are also building a bridge to the women who work in the short term shelter. It is not a place that is faith based, but there are lovely women that work there and care about these young women who are trafficked and friendships are forming with these women also.

Pleae pray for the coming week. Pray for a smooth transition for these women. Many who have walked through the home have prayed for the peace of God to be over the home and in the home. Continue to pray for this. Pray for the children who will come. They are 2, 5, & 6 years old. They need to know God's love in their lives too. Pray for God's continued leading and guiding in all that happens in the coming week."

A Quick Update

Here are a few updates from my recent posts: October 20th, 2008 is the official opening day for the Home of Hope. The Convoy of Hope (COH) team is visiting/ministering in several villages until Sunday. This past Sunday was the international service and a few people from the COH team lead kids church. This past Tuesday was a celebration of Moldova's capital city: Chisinau. We went downtown for a few hours to join in the celebration. At the end of October we (the Moldova missions team) will be going to Romania to relax after a crazy month. We are all looking forward to the much needed break!

Thank you for your support,

-Corrina

Convoy of Hope outreach 10.04.08-Sarata Galbena

Today we had a Convoy of Hope outreach in Sarata Galbena. There was a service, followed by a free lunch, activities for the kids, and free groceries. I made balloon animals for most of the time, however the only balloon animal I can make is a dog! Below are some pictures from the day.

A view from the church.


Outside the church: tables of "lemonade," and a food tent in the back.


A boy waiting with his bags of groceries.

Convoy of Hope (COH)

We had a new team arrive last week: the Convoy of Hope team. A few days before them the Paul Greer team arrived and then today the Helena team arrived. Saturday is the Convoy of Hope outreach at a local village. We will be giving free meals, groceries, hair cuts, and many other items along with the hope that comes through Jesus Christ.

At the end of October we will have 6 women come to live in the Home of Hope.

Today I went to finish the paperwork for my living permit. Tomorrow I will be going to get my picture taken to actually get the permit. Get the living permit can be a huge hassle but thankfully the process to get mine has been smooth sailing.

This past Sunday we had the second International Service and I lead the kids church again. Right now we are doing the basics as some of the kids have never been to church before.

Beyond that I am staying busy working with the missionary kids and helping out in any other way that I can. Thank you and God bless.

Busy, busy, busy.

I've been busy lately. I've been teaching the missionary kids and doing odd jobs here and there. On Wednesday we sorted clothes for the Home of Hope, and we are expecting 6 women to arrive in a few weeks. I also just completed my third language lesson. So far, all is well and I am enjoying my time here. My roommate has been "showing me the ropes" of life in Moldova. I've been riding public transportation without any glitches so far. On the 14th I led Kids Church at an international service and will continue with this every other Sunday as the service is just twice a month. I am looking forward to helping in any way that I can as I continue my service here. Thank you and God bless!

(picture of my language teacher, Olga, and I in my apartment)

My apartment-on the 2nd floor










My street: Coca Street













Moldova from the airplane

Arrival in Moldova

So after a few flights I have finally arrived in Moldova. Thank you so all who helped me to get here. I will be putting updates and pictures here within the next few days. Thank you and God bless.

Pictures from New York

On May 11th, 2008 I shared at CNY Evangelical Christian Church in Syracuse, New York. Below are 2 pictures from the service.

Spring Newsletter

Prayer Requests:

•The Raatz Family- the missionaries I will be working with

•Shauna & Sara- the two other MA’s in Moldova

•Opportunities for me to share about my vision and passion for Moldova

•The ministries in Moldova: Convoy of Hope, Project Rescue, Teen Challenge, church planting, discipleship, and outreaches

Contact Info:

•Email: ckholcomb@gmail.com

•Blog: ckholcomb.blogspot.com

•AGWM Account #294468-4



Awaiting Departure!

I’m still in the states, awaiting my departure date, and am working on raising my funds so I can head out as soon as possible. I have had several opportunities to share with people and churches about my call to go to Moldova. However, I am still in need of more opportunities.

PFO: Pre-Field Orientation

In June I spent two weeks in Springfield, Missouri at PFO. I had an incredible time and met some amazing people. There were over 80 missionary associates eager to head out onto the mission field, as well as almost 60 brand new missionaries who are starting their journey. I was amazed at the variety of individuals, ministries, and countries represented in this group.

During my two weeks we attended seminars, fellowshipped with one another and listened to some incredible people. People who have served God on the mission field for years and still have His passion in their hearts. Others, who are going out on the mission field for the first time and who have a vision that can only be from the Lord.

Support Information

If you want to make a pledge, please call or email and I’ll send you a pledge form

Contributions can be sent to: (put account number in memo section of check)
Assemblies of God World Missions, Acct. #2944684
1445 N Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65803

Or online at:

https://secure1.ag.org/contributions/
-type in my last name, Holcomb, for ministry name

It seems that things are starting to turn around

So-in the last 3 days I have been finally hearing back from people about Moldova. I might be sharing at a missions convention at a church in Philadelphia,several friends are speaking with their pastor and one told me that I would definitely be able to share at his father's church.

Pray with me, that these opportunities open up and I am able to share.

Raatz family newsletter

Yesterday was not a good day.

It started from the dreaded phone call that Nancy's mom had suddenly
passed away. All of sudden, Nancy was no longer packing for a visit
to see her mom and dad to packing for a funeral. A million decisions
crashed into me yesterday.

* Do I bring the girls or should we stay in Moldova?
* The girls don't want to go back, but want to stay in Moldova. How
do I resolve that?
* How can I comfort the tearful questions from the girls at losing
their Grandma?
* How can I comfort their fear of not being able to come HOME to
Moldova?
* Do we jeopardize our return if we leave?
* Can I even find tickets for us all, or afford it if we do?
* Where did I put my car keys? (yes, stressful question also)

All this is complicated by the fact of our continued living permit
situation. As Nancy left, she was given grief for her lack of a
living permit, told not to return until we have resolved that. So
if I leave with the girls, is this permanent? Semi-permanent? Two
weeks? Three months?

Then I got the second call that I had to stop our interns that are en
route to Moldova. They are missing one document, and NOW I am told
they need it BEFORE they arrive here. Last night I frantically tried
to track them down, locate a contact number, and have them halt
before they flew into Moldova.

To paraphrase a once-read quote, I was facing a fork in the road. One
path led to utter despair. The other led to total annihilation. I
was praying for the wisdom to choose wisely. My high blood pressure
was NOT being controlled by medication yesterday.

But the sun comes up, even in this snowy, cloudy, gray country. The
girls and I have resolved to fly back tomorrow morning. We have
found some good tickets. At 1 am, the living permit situation turned
to the better, with a message giving some semblance of hope that we
can resolve it. And I finally reached the interns and put their
arrival on hold.

I love The Message's take on the Beatitudes, with the words of
Jesus. "Blessed are you when you are at the end of your rope. When
there is less of you, there is more of God." I don't have a lot of
theological answers about death, life, and living permits. I don't
pretend to grasp God's sovereignty, or our place in building the
Kingdom of God. Simple spiritual platitudes don't sink too deep into
my soul, usually causing more questions than resolving them.

But I know I can still hang on to God.

I may be stressed. I may have peace. I may have answers. I may be
filled with doubts and questions. Life may be going great or going
terrible.

But I will still hold on to the rope of Jesus Christ.

Thanks for praying,

Your missionaries to Moldova,
Andy Raatz

Disturb us, Lord

Disturb us, Lord

When we are too well pleased with ourselves

When our dreams have come true

Because we have dreamed too little.

When we arrived safely

Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord.

When with the abundance of things we possess

We have lost our thirst

For the waters of life

Having fallen in love with life

We have ceased to dream of eternity

And in our efforts to build a new earth

We have allowed our vision

Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord

To dare more boldly

To venture on wider seas

Where storms will show your mastery

Where losing sight of land

We shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back

The horizons of our hopes

And to push into the future

In strength, courage, hope, and love.

~ Sir Francis Drake

Still in the States

Well-I'm still in the states. I recently got a new job and am in the process of moving. Life is changing rapidly.

I am still planning on going to Moldova, I'm just not sure when that will happen. I'm working on raising my budget but am having some difficulties. I know it takes a long time...but I would rather have it come in sooner than later! I'm trusting God, knowing that the timing is in His hands and I have nothing to worry about.

The other MA, Sarah, is also working on her budget-please pray that she will have the doors swing wide open for her! Also pray for Shauna (the 3rd MA who is already in Moldova). Pray that she adjusts well and is able to learn Romanian so she can communicate. Lastly, please pray for the Raatz family. Pray for their 3 daughters. Pray for the ministry that God has called them to. Pray that they would be blessed and encouraged.

Thank you so much for all of your suppport!

-Corrina