Update September 1, 2023

The Lord brought us safely back to Moncton, NB on August 8 nearly 11,000 miles after leaving on June 1.  We are thankful for the new two year visitor records we were given at the border as we continue to pursue longer term residency. 

God had helped M as he ministered to the French group in our absence, and in his involvement in the English ministries as well.  We are grateful for progress over the summer, including a new couple from Madagascar who began attending a few weeks ago.  M has returned to Québec continuing to seek God’s direction regarding future ministry.  Door to door outreach and Saturday outreach at the downtown market have given some great contacts for the Gospel throughout the summer.  We are continually reminded of the serious spiritual need in this area among French speakers who make up 40% of the population of Moncton.  Our hearts cry out “Where are the laborers?!”

As we diminish our involvement in English ministries and focus more of our time and energy on French ministry, we are gearing up to move our French service on Sunday mornings to Sunday afternoon at 3:00 starting September 10 while continuing a French Bible study during the Sunday school hour.  This coincides with entering our third year of regular French outreach and ministry at Emmanuel Baptist Church and we praise the Lord for what He has done so far.  The Lord has raised up others to take over some of our English ministries but there are some areas where workers are still needed.  

Praise for

• God’s protection and blessings throughout all our travels and visits this summer and for His opening the doors for us at the border. 
• God’s help for M as he ministered in our absence and for the addition of the new couple attending Espérance Vivante. Praise for God’s blessings over two years of regular French ministry.
• Opportunities to share the Gospel through door to door outreach and Saturday market outreach.
• Those who God has raised up to take on some of our English ministries.
• The arrival of our nephew Gage Sherd to spend a semester with us and attend classes at the Bible Institute (EBBI), and for the other new students and the returning students that began the new semester this week.

Pray for

• God’s direction for M regarding future ministry and for God to send laborers to work among the French speaking people of New Brunswick.
• Opportunities to share the Gospel with our French speaking neighbors, and for God to use the various outreach efforts. 
• The French ministry, Espérance Vivante, as we enter our third year.  Pray for the new Sunday afternoon services beginning September 10.
• EBBI as it kicks off a new school year, and for the new and returning students. 
• Our nephew Gage as he takes classes and serves in various ways this semester.  
• The Lord’s help for our children with their schoolwork this year.  Adrianna, in her third year at BJU, is responsible for several girls in her discipleship group and has a full load of classes along with helping lead several student organizations. Caleb is now a senior and is taking several dual credit classes at EBBI.  Josiah is now a freshman in high school.
• God to move our paperwork along for Canadian residency without long delays and without much greater cost.