I Am Packing my Bags and Leaving in a Ford Taurus

August 2008

Hello Friends and Family,

At last the time has come for me to pack up my bags and head out to Springfield, Missouri. I will begin my time with Convoy of Hope at the end of August.

I am excited to begin this journey that God has in store for me. I want to thank each and every one of you for your prayers and financial support. Now that I am going to begin my commitment with Convoy of Hope I will need your support more than ever. Please pray for traveling mercies and that the rest of the support I need to be able to leave in August is raised. This also means that for those of you who have partnered with me by making a monthly commitment will need to begin sending your monthly commitment come September.

My first assignment with Convoy of Hope will be with the Fall 2008 Intern Team. This team will be heading out over the Atlantic Ocean to Armenia and Moldova. In Armenia we will build water filters in a Kurdish village, help in orphanages, and distribute food and firewood in villages. In Moldova we will have outreaches, distribute food, help Teen Challenge, and celebrate twenty years of evangelism with a Moldovan church. I will be updating my blog (www.clairewithconvoyofhope.blogspot.com) with stories from the field. I encourage you to take a few minutes every now and then and to take a look at my blog.

As I end this letter I want to end with the Apostle Paul's words "Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace…The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, this intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you." (2 Corinthians 13:11-14)

Live in Christ Love.

Claire Balch

Missionary Associate

Convoy of Hope

I am off to Springfield, Missouri!