Strength to face the trials

Day by day and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best –

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

The beloved hymn brings comfort and strength in bleak times.  On Saturday a card came in the mail from the daughter of one of our former neighbors in Reims that we have corresponded with since our move to Bordeaux.  She had received the letter and Scripture calendar that we had sent to her Mom, but regretted to inform us that our friend had passed away.  Sunday a text message brought word that our friend with cancer that we have been witnessing to and praying for over the past year had just died.  Two precious souls in eternity.  Where are they now?  Did they put their trust in Christ for salvation before they took their last breath?  Did we take every opportunity God would give us to share with them the Gospel of hope that is in Christ?  Surely we could have done more.  God knows where these souls are and we must trust Him and find our strength and comfort in Him.  May God help us seize every opportunity to share His love and His light while we have breath, and while others can still respond.

Praise for:

- the opportunities that we have had to share the Gospel with Tony and with our friend from Reims.

- the great attendance at the English outreach last week, including five unsaved kids.  Praise that the kids have listened well to the Bible stories the past two times.

- God’s encouragement in times of trials, and for sending a first-time visitor to our church on Sunday when attendance was down.

Pray for:

- God’s grace and comfort in sorrow, and for guidance in sharing Christ’s love with hurting hearts.  Pray that God will open hearts to Him.

- the final preparations to come together for the Christianity Explored course, including finishing editing the student handbooks in French (Jonathan) and recording the French audio for several sessions (one of the men in our church).
- our church as we meet with the members this Saturday for a planning meeting.  Pray for God’s guidance as we look to the future and that there would be unity. 

- Pray for God’s solution and timing for our very real building problem.  We have little room for guests if God were to send them to us!