June Update

We are thankful for the health and strength God has provided us with as it seems we have been pulled in many directions this month.  God protected Adrianna on her trip to MI (June 11) where she began her summer missions internship with Bibles International, and then on to Chad, Africa (June 18) where she is helping with translating literacy workshops and helping the local B.I. team with instruction on the use of spreadsheets, etc. for financial reports. We are thankful for God’s care for the team, led by Cherith’s sister Hadessah, for the way He is using each one in their service for Him, and for all of the learning experiences they are having.

We are making progress in the French ministry despite losing F last month, and the absence of M and B, our two Bible Institute students.  M and B are both involved in pastoral internships this summer in other churches (Quebec and NB).  Dr. B, a retired French professor who is deeply burdened for the French community, is getting more involved.  He led the Bible study for us one Sunday for the first time and did an excellent job.  The A family from Ivory Coast invited our family for dinner before Adrianna left and we planned a picnic fellowship for the group in our backyard (which quickly moved indoors when a flash rainstorm blew in! See picture below!).  

D, the young lady Cherith is discipling, continues to show much progress in spiritual growth and integrating into the church.  We are moving forward for more of an online presence for our group, as we try to reach out to the French community around us.  

We chose a name for our group with input from the others, created a Logo and prepared a public Facebook page which was launched last week.  Please feel free to search for our group on Facebook (Espérance Vivante Moncton) and Follow and share posts, if you have French speaking contacts! I am working on a website and other material as time permits.  This is not my area of gifting, so I am thankful for how-to instructional videos which have been a big help. 

We pray God will use these tools to help us reach French speaking people in the area.

On June 3 we ministered in music at the funeral of one of the charter members of Emmanuel Baptist Church (she was 99).  Then on the 12th I preached the morning service while Pastor Eastwood was away with his family on vacation.  We had a surprise opportunity to connect with the seniors when they invited us to their fellowship on the 17th, and asked me to bring the devotional.  At the potluck that evening Cherith was able to connect with the ladies about starting up a ladies’ fellowship/Bible study.  They haven’t had a special ministry focused on the ladies in many years and were thrilled with the possibility of something starting up. This is one of the ministries that Pastor Eastwood had mentioned to Cherith one of the first times he talked to us. She is planning the first evening of fun and fellowship for July 15.  

Summer camp ministries are starting up this week. We are attending Family Camp for the first time ever — and wishing Adrianna could be with us! Caleb and Josiah are both panning to attend camp for their age group in July.  We are thankful for these opportunities, and pray God will use the messages and fellowship in each of our lives.  Caleb has also volunteered to help out at a camp in Nova Scotia for their week of Junior camp.  

Thank you for prayers for us and for the work God has given us here in New Brunswick.