We appreciate your prayers for our family and for this work here in Saint Medard.  With the beginning of the new school year, there are always lots of changes at church and at home.  Through the changes, God’s hand has been evident and we are grateful for your prayers and for His answers.

We took a hit when one of our families announced this month that they would be leaving our church to find another one closer to their new home. Already, we knew that one of our singles who has been such a faithful part of the church for the past two years would be leaving for a missions trip to the Netherlands.  Yet God continues to show us that He is in charge and that He is at work in our midst.  This month He has brought an unsaved family of five to us that we had been in contact with when we lived in Reims and our children attended the same school.  They have been in church the past three Sundays and have shown interest in Bible study and in the children being in Sunday school.  The kids, especially the older two, have actively participated in the Sunday school class “hanging on every word” as Cherith put it. 

After the fellowship dinner last Sunday

This past Sunday, with two other visitors that were present, there were 25 present for our morning service, and every seat that was set up was filled.  One lady was there for the second time, a baby Christian expressing a need for spiritual food and growing in her new faith.  Another lady found our church online, and though she isn’t part of any church now, knows that she needs to be in church.  We don’t know how God will continue to work in the hearts of these people, but we long to see each one in a growing relationship with the Savior.  Cherith continues to have contact with “A” over the telephone as she calls for information from the Bible and advice, though she hasn’t dared come out to church. She continues to keep a low profile to avoid getting into trouble with those that do not want her to be a Christian. 

Praise for:

- the visitors that God has brought us, including a family of five, and for the interest in studying the Bible.

- God’s leading in J’s life as she leaves us to serve on a missions project in the Netherlands.

- the good start to the kids’ school year and for renewed contacts with parents and teachers.

- God’s protection through the knowledge that our second car was determined to be undependable and irreparable.  Praise that our other vehicle is running well.

Pray for:

- God to continue to work in our church, and that we would see lost souls saved.

- the startup of our English outreach club, with the first gathering this Friday evening.  We are expecting a number of first time participants.

- the evangelistic film outreach on October 8, for a good response to the invitations that will be given to friends and the people of Saint Medard, and for space to seat everyone that comes.

- God’s provision of a larger, more adequate building for our church, and for His grace and wisdom to use what He has provided in the meantime!

- Cherith’s Mom (Dr. Mary Broeckert) who is currently in Romania on a BMM medical team missions trip.