Steve and Kristi in Romania

Kristi wrote:

Ligia, pictured here, received her first wheelchair. Ligia’s mother, Neli, asked for the wheelchair some months ago. She had talked with a member of a small village church where Steve and I visited last Easter. During our visit, Steve measured Ligia for a chair. We prayed that within the shipment of wheelchairs coming from Wheels for the World would have something perfect for her. [Wheels for the World is a Joni Eareckson Tada ministry.]

Answering this prayer, God provided just the one for Ligia. At Cluj, our friend and colleague Jenny Lotter spotted the chair that would fit her perfectly. On August 1st, all three of us delivered the chair.

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You may remember the Carnazzos when they worshiped with us each week. In 2006, Steve and Kristi moved to Romania. They currently live in Timisoara. Their gifts, training, and heart for the disabled have led them to serve in Eastern Europe. Helping the disabled is the focus of their ministry.

Steve, an Occupational Therapist for the past 12 years, worked with a variety of patients within the Scottsdale Healthcare system. Steve also completed his Master of Divinity in 2004 from Phoenix Seminary. Steve's desire is to use all the gifts and talents God has given him to serve the disabled in Romania as well as helping and educating others to incorporate disabilities ministry.

Kristi, a Music Therapist for the past 12 years, has worked using music as a tool to reach the disabled with a variety of diagnosis and ages. Her focus is children with sensory integration dysfunction and autism.

The Carnazzos are also International Ministry Associates with Joni and Friends- Wheels for the World. They are part of a team that organizes and distributes wheelchairs, walkers, and other donated rehab equipment to those in need. Through this process those involved are able to share God's love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

New School Year Starts in Ireland

Patrick Mitchel, the Director of Studies at the Irish Bible Institute, writes, "We started a new school year last week and are very encouraged with the numbers of new students from a wide variety of churches and locations across Ireland."

Patrick is someone Highlands sponsors as a result of networking with Mark Carlson, one of the bass players at Highlands. Mark's father was associated with the Institute for several years.

More about Irish Bible: "Ireland continues to need people who will lead the Irish Evangelical Church through a rapidly changing landscape. We believe these leaders are best trained in Ireland, with an emphasis on the Irish context, where they become answers to Irish questions." Further detail

One-Day Missions Opportunities

Phoenix has its share of homeless people, and Jesus told us serving them is a good thing to do. In fact, He said that the best dinner parties are the ones you host without expecting to receive a return invitation.

Taking this to heart, some Christians in Scottsdale created an non-profit organization that would provide opportunities to serve dinner to homeless people in Phoenix. The group took its name from the scripture passage in which Jesus said, "When you do it for the least of these, My brethren, you do it for Me."

On the third Saturday of September, about 50 people -- mostly from Highlands and Scottsdale Bible -- visited three shelters and served taco dinners to families and single women off the streets. In addition we provide bibles, toiletries, and a short worship service for those interested. Prayer requests and spiritual inquiries are also addressed.

We go down every third Saturday of every month. There are three ways to serve. 1) You can check out our sign-up table in the rotunda and donate the items we need. 2) You can sign up and join us to serve dinner. And/or 3) you can get on our prayer request distribution list.