What A Difference A Friend Makes!

by Lydia Schaeffer TOA Director

It is a rare but true friend that would go to the ends of the earth to help you in a time of need. Michelle Grajeda of Costa Mesa, California is just that kind of friend. Michelle is a CPA, a professional in her field and has donated many hundreds of hours over the years to Hidden With Christ Ministries to help with our accounting and tax issues. But she left the comfort of her air conditioned office in America to brave the heat (and mosquitoes) of Africa and took her commitment to friendship to another level.

Michelle’s primary purpose for her visit was to serve the orphanage with her accounting skills. She helped our new Business Manager Warren Oberst set up an accounting system for the New Year that laid a good foundation for the future. But she accomplished far more than that. She helped me with projects I had been working on but had not been able to finish. Because of Michelle, two big projects have now been crossed off of my list! On top of this, she took time to go outside and play with the children and brought several crafts projects to teach them. They enjoyed it so much. She taught the older children to play dominos and then left the game with them to enjoy after she left.

But one of the sweetest parts of Michelle’s visit was the encouragement and care she brought to the missionaries. She came loaded down with four suitcases filled with gifts both for the children and for us. Knowing that we miss the Mexican food so common in California, she brought homemade tamales for a wonderful pre-Christmas celebration dinner. She also brought the ingredients for both enchiladas and burritos and we enjoyed several special Mexican dinners right here in Africa! Her thoughtfulness and care touched our hearts and encouraged us all. The Lord knows what a challenge it is for missionaries to be away from family and friends over the Christmas holidays and He used Michelle to make our Christmas so sweet. What a difference a true friend makes!