Update January 26, 2017

Caleb helped out by making cookies for club

It seems like there is never enough time in a day to accomplish all that we want to.  With our limited time and energy and the to-do lists that seem to grow rather than shrink our need is the same as Moses in Psalm 90:12, for God to “teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”  Life is short.  Life is fragile.  When it is over, what fruit will remain? 

We are grateful for the opportunity that God has given us to serve Him here in Saint-Medard.  For our church plant documents, we are currently preparing the statutes.  We continue to check into potential buildings.  Recently one of the buildings we had been checking into purchasing was put back on the market so we are back to looking at the feasibility of it, and seeking professional help.

The English club outreach continues to grow.  At our last club, we had a second little girl in kindergarten attend whose brother in 2^nd grade has been attending this year.  The interest of the younger ones (there were 6 children age 7 and under) has caused us to make some organizational changes, including moving the 6^th graders up to the older level.  

Then Tuesday, another mother of one of Josiah’s friends approached Cherith to ask about her son (second grade) and his sister (fourth grade) coming to our club.  She had been talking with the two other mothers and was interested both in the English as well as the Bible lessons for her children.  We are thrilled to see the interest and to have the children attending but we do need much wisdom in our planning, teaching and structure so that we can get through to these children. 

Praise for:

- the building that has come back on the market that our church is looking into.

- parents that have come to us to request that their kids come to our club, and for their interest both in English and the Bible.

- for a number of clubbers that will be joining us for a special film/pizza night tomorrow night, a prize for those who have worked hard and been faithful in attendance.  We expect to be 17 in all.

- answered prayer for our displaced family, that a school has been found for the son.  They recently turned down an opportunity for housing that would take them to another town, preferring to wait for an opening nearby where they continue to be involved in our church.

- a special get-together that we attended last Saturday with people from our neighborhood (five homes in our cul-de-sac represented!), hosted by one of the neighbors, with each family bringing something.

Pray for

- for God to help us and guide us as we share His Truth in the many opportunities that He is giving us. 

- health and strength for our family as we fight colds.  The flu has hit many in France (epidemic proportion), including many in our area.  Pray for strength and health to accomplish God’ will.

- God’s leading regarding a building for our church and for His help in the redaction of the statutes.

- us to be able to begin a Christianity Explored series soon, and for the participation of several people from outside the church.

- two families in our church facing very challenging situations.

Prayer and praise update January 11, 2017

Happy New Year!   We are so thankful for God’s help and blessings in 2016.  I am still adjusting to this New Year and I’m so thankful that despite all the turmoil and change in this world, God has not changed one iota and He has not given up on us, or our world.  What does He have planned for us this year?  How will He surprise us this year?  As we think over this past year, we are amazed at some of the ways that God has worked.  Even the way He has lead some people to our church while others have left has surprised us.  He keeps reminding us to keep our attention focused on Him, and to not be swayed by the circumstances.  He is God and He is faithful. He is sovereign. He is wise and He is good.

 At church, we rejoice in seeing God working in the hearts of several unsaved people that are attending.  Just Sunday, an unsaved man attended the Bible study hour (he’d come one other time).  We have been greatly blessed by having the displaced family among us.  They do have special needs including permanent housing, and with no car are dependent on us or our teammates to drive them to our church services and activities.  They are believers and show great joy in the Lord and His Word, despite the great trials that they are facing. 

This past Friday, we had 22 people present for our English club outreach, including 10 who are not saved.  Two of them were a friend of Josiah from school and his younger sister.  Their Mom had heard about the club from the mother of another of Josiah’s friends who has been coming. She approached us before Christmas to ask about it and if her child(ren) could participate.  The parents are not believers but they were willing, even favorable to have their children come and learn the Bible lessons that we are teaching.  We are so grateful for this opportunity to teach God’s Truth and for His blessing. 

Praise for:

- those who are attending church services and Bible studies and English outreach faithfully, a number of whom are searching spiritually.

- the opportunity to help the R family move to Saint Médard, and for their deepening spiritual understanding.

- the good attendance of the Christmas outreach film, including neighbors of several of our families (including one of our neighbors).

- the opportunities that we have had around the holidays to share goodies and Scripture calendars with neighbors, teachers and other contacts.

- a special Gingerbread house decorating party with the children from church and their families.

- renewed contact with another former classmate of Jonathan’s from language school days.

- a blessed New Years Eve service at a sister church where people from three churches met to celebrate God’s blessings and seek His guidance.

Pray for:

- God’s Truth to penetrate the hearts of those who are searching.

- for God’s guidance for us as we interact with those around us, as we prepare for teaching and preaching ministries and as we share.

- God to use the goodies and especially the Gospel calendars that we have shared this year to point people to Him.

- God’s leading and provision of a new building for our church.

- our children to continue to grow in their relationship with the Lord and in His wisdom.

- us as parents to faithfully model and teach the truths of God’s Word to our children.

- more good contacts with former unsaved classmates, and for God’s wisdom in communication.