Praise and Prayer September 15, 2017

Greetings in the Lord from Saint-Medard!  We returned to France on September 1 after a packed two months of furlough/home ministry.  Thank you for your prayers for us as we traveled more than 4,000 miles and visited churches and individual supporters in eight states.  Through the generosity of dear friends, the Lord provided us with the loan of a spacious minivan for our long road-trips, which helped to make the hours on the road more pleasant.  

As we traveled, our children counted license plates from 47 out of 50 states! What a joy it was to connect with so many dear people in such a short time.

On August 26 we joined all of Cherith’s siblings and many friends and family at Grand Valley Baptist Church to celebrate God’s faithfulness to Cherith’s parents over the past 38 years of full-time missionary service.  This was the first time for all of Cherith’s immediate family to be together since our wedding in 2001, and that was before any grandkids!  

We praise the Lord for the many ways that He has used their faithful service in both Africa and Asia and we know that He will continue to use them as they continue to serve in retirement. 

Upon our return to France, we hit the ground running as we took part in the wedding reception for Pastor Christian’s son Timothée on Saturday and jumped right back into church ministries in the midst of unpacking and jet lag.  

The kids began school that Monday and since both Adrianna and Caleb are homeschooling this year, that has required many hours of Cherith’s time each day, especially as Caleb adjusts to a new system.

Praise for:

- God’s protection and blessing on this past summer of home ministry, for the loving kindness shown to us by so many loved ones, and for precious time with family and friends. Praise for God’s provision for our airline tickets and the children’s BJU Homeschool curriculums.

- each of the churches and individuals who faithfully partner with us in this ministry, and for the opportunity to present our ministry in two new churches.   Praise for those individuals who have increased their support and others who have begun to partner with us, bringing our current support level to 86%.

- the opportunity to participate in the celebration of Cherith’s parents’ retirement.

- the R family’s safe arrival and settling into their new place in the Paris area.

- a good opportunity to connect with the neighbors in our cul de sac for a little potluck lunch and afternoon of visiting, including formally meeting two of the families for the first time.

- some good progress these past couple weeks for increasing the visibility of our church (website, pens, signs). Praise for good help with the website from John G. and Kéran X.  Praise too that we were able to find a place in Bordeaux center to laminate some Scripture verse posters to use to cover wall advertisements in our church auditorium Sundays.

Pray for

- continued health and that we will know God’s enabling when our strength is small! 

- the R family to be able to find a good church near their new home and to continue to grow in Christ.

- the preparations for beginning another year of the English outreach on October 6. Pray for all of our contacts with unsaved friends.

- more churches and individuals to partner with us through prayer and financial support as God leads, and that He will continue to help us through each month.

Praise and Prayer July 7, 2017

Greetings from Tipton, IN where we are enjoying a brief visit with Cherith’s sister Hannah and her family.  We drove down from Grand Rapids yesterday, one week after our arrival from France.  God blessed our flights and has given us many opportunities over the past several days to connect with family, church family and other friends.  Thank you for your prayers for each of us during these next several weeks, that God will make this a time of refreshment and growth and that He will use our family to bless and impact others for eternity. 

It has been a special treat to be a part of the July 4^th celebration in our own country as we were able to watch fireworks with friends, attend a parade and participate in a family picnic.  We have had some concentrated time of catching up with aunts and uncles as well as cousins that have grown and changed as much as our own kids. 

Praise for:

- the safe trip that God gave us to the USA and for all of the opportunities to connect with family and church family.

- the Gadbois family’s safe arrival and willingness to serve God in France during much of our absence.

- each person who is a part of the church in Saint Medard, and for the Christys’ presence there through the summer.

- the new believers in the R family and for their spiritual growth.  Praise that they are determined to find a solid church in the Paris area where they can continue to grow.

- the opportunity to present our ministry at the church Cherith’s sister Hannah and her family are a part of, and for the possibility of a meeting in another new church.

Pray for

- our family as we will be travelling many miles over the next 6 weeks and meeting many people.  Pray that God will help each of us to be useful instruments in His hands.

- the R family whose move to Paris seems to be quite definite as Mr. R has found a new job there.  Pray that God will lead them to a good church right away and help them as they grow as disciples of Christ.

- the Lord to send another unsaved family to our church plant and we will see more souls saved in Saint Medard.

- ongoing contact this summer with Jonathan’s friend in the Middle East.

- God to open a door for our church to another building in His time.

- God’s provision of new support, both prayer and financial, so that we can continue serving the Lord in France.  Our current support level is around 82%.  Pray for provision for additional expenses this summer as we travel and purchase materials for both Adrianna and Caleb’s schooling next year.

Praise and Prayer June 13, 2017

In just two weeks from tomorrow, we will be boarding the plane to begin the three-leg journey to Grand Rapids, MI to begin two months of mini-furlough and home ministry.  We look forward to connecting with a number of our support team of churches and individuals in Grand Rapids, MI, northeast and southern PA, Keeseville, NY, VA, Winston-Salem, NC and Parkersburg, WV.  Many of you we haven’t seen in nearly six years!  We also look forward to seeing many friends and family members.  There are three main objectives for this trip: connecting with our support team, seeking increased prayer and financial support and wanting God to use us to challenge His people to answer His call to serve in His various harvest fields and particularly in France where less than 1% of the population claim to be Born Again.  If you are interested in connecting with us while we are in any of these areas, please contact us! 

Praise for:

- God’s working in the hearts of the R family and for their continued thirst for spiritual things.  A third member of the family has recently trusted Christ for salvation.

- the hearts and lives that were touched through the English club outreach this year, and for a good finish to the year with an American Picnic.

- the continued regular contacts over Skype with Jonathan’s friend from the Middle East, and for some opportunities to witness.   

- news from the displaced family that moved away in April, that they have arrived in a new location and are being provided for.

- the opportunity to preach and minister to the church in Pessac recently, and for the help God is giving to this church whose pastor was called to Heaven in February.

- the details that God is working together for our mini-furlough/home ministry, including the provision of a vehicle for the time we will be home.

- direction regarding the building we have been requesting permission to meet in, though it looks like the door is closing due to a requirement for parking places (besides public parking) that are not possible.

Church Fellowship Picnic at the Park

Pray for

- God to bring out other visitors to our services, especially for Friends’ Day on June 25. Pray that a woman who recently attended and showed much interest would return.

- God’s direction for the R family who may be moving to the Paris area, if they find jobs for both parents there.  We would be very sorry to lose them but desire to see God’s will accomplished.  Pray too that God will show those who are saved their need for baptism. 

- the salvation of lost souls we are in contact with here, as well as Jonathan’s friend and his family in the Middle East.

- God to open a door for our church to another building in His time.

- God to help us to be ready for our departure June 28 and for our ministry in the US.  Pray that God will call laborers into this harvest field and that He will increase our prayer and financial support through partnership with others who share a burden for the people of this land.

- the Gadbois family as they prepare to come to France for six weeks this summer to help in these ministries.

Praise and Prayer May 10, 2017

In the past couple months we have received two advertisements in our mailbox and one phone call that are both heartbreaking and alarming at the same time.  While they appear and sound harmless and even rewarding, each gives evidence of the spiritual darkness in this country and why the Lord has sent us to labor for Him in this part of His harvest.  Each was a promotion for the services of a psychic/medium “healer” who for a fee was “capable” of revealing the future, restoring a marriage, guaranteeing professional success, and removing spells among a myriad of other services.  While receiving this type of ad is offensive it is also disturbing.  Buying into Satan’s lies many of the people around us have a false sense of comfort and security while they race toward the precipice of a Christless eternity in hell.

Thank you for the interest you have in us and in the spiritual welfare of this country.  Please join us in praising the Lord for the ways He is working as well as in praying for these concerns.

Praise for:

- God’s work in the hearts of the R family, and for two in the family recently putting their faith in Christ! 

The French and German BMM teams along with our speakers and their families.

- God’s help with our recent annual Bible conference and team meetings.  We were blessed by the messages from BMM European coordinator Ken Houghten and the children’s ministry of the VanDussen family.

- recent visits from two families from the US who encouraged and blessed us with their gifts.  One of them was the VanDussens, some of our own church family from Grand Rapids, MI.  Besides providing an amazing VBS experience for our children at conference, they also made it possible for us to hold a Baseball game with Caleb’s friends in honor of his 11^th birthday, which provided a great bridge builder with a number of families.   

- the opportunity that God has opened up recently to reconnect with one of Jonathan’s Middle Eastern classmates from language school 20 years ago.  Seeking help with English, he has requested regular meetings over Skype.

- God’s help for Adrianna as she homeschools and for the encouraging results of her annual examination by the acadamic inspectors..

Pray for:

- Pray for the salvation of those who are hearing the Gospel through the English club and our services and Bible study at church.

- God’s help for the church in Pessac as it seeks God’s direction and provision of a pastor and a building after the recent loss of its pastor. 

- God’s continued care for the displaced family that was with us for several months who recently moved away.

- our church plant to receive the necessary authorizations from City Hall for us to rent the building that we have found.  Pray that God would speed up the process and that we wouldn’t lose the building to someone else, if He so wills.

- our brothers and sisters in Christ in the CAR.  They country is largely in rebel hands, and our people there face great difficulty.

- that God will raise up new support for this ministry from churches and individuals.  We learned this week that God has called Home another of our faithful individual supporters.

Praise and Prayer March 22, 2017

Adrianna and Caleb with the Bixbys in 2008

We are so thankful for your prayers and for God’s enabling over these past several weeks.  Nearly one month ago, on February 26, we were sitting with our guests around our Sunday dinner table when we received the word that our beloved friend and BMM teammate, Bob Bixby had suddenly been called Home to Glory.  He had preached the sermon that morning in his church across town.  We had been looking forward to having the Bixbys join us for supper that Tuesday evening, and seeing pictures of Bob’s January ministry trip to Chad, Africa. He was “Uncle Bob” to our family and with Aunt Bonnie, they were adoptive grandparents to our kids.  We were in shock, along with his wife, their family and his church family.  Our Bordeaux team lost a strong leader and mentor.  His example of loving God and His Word as well as people of all ages has had an impact on our lives as long as we have known him (Jonathan was 4 when his parents worked together in Bangui, CAR). 

Aunt Bonnie with her "kids"

In the days that followed, each of the Bixbys’ five children was able to join her here in Bordeaux.  There were more than 200 people present for a wonderful service here in Bordeaux celebrating Uncle Bob’s life and sharing the Gospel message that marked his life.  The Lord allowed us many opportunities to come alongside Aunt Bonnie and her family over the following two weeks through visits, meals, hosting, childcare and cleaning.  One of the blessings that the Lord gave was a special reunion of a number of us who had been together with the Bixbys in Central Africa when we were kids.  We continue to grieve, along with many others, but not as those without hope.  We know that Uncle Bob is with his Savior that he loved and served and that we will see him again.  And how thankful we are that the God of all comfort comforts us in all of our tribulation, preparing us to share God’s comfort with others in their time of trouble. 

Praise for:

- God’s comfort and grace that He has given to Bonnie Bixby, her family and the church in Pessac as He walks them through these difficult days. 

- the visitors that we have had in church services and Bible study recently.  Praise for the record attendance that we had recently with every space filled.

- God’s working in all five members of the R family through Bible study both at church and at home. 

- for good attendance and growth in our English club, and for God’s help as we work with a large diversity in age and level in English.

- God’s help as we had our first pastors’ meeting in March without Bob Bixby.  Praise for the leadership at the Pessac church that is determined to remain faithful in service.

- a prospective building that may be available for our church to rent.

Pray for

- the Bixby family and the church in Pessac who are most affected by the sudden Homegoing of Bob Bixby.  Pray for God’s grace and guidance for Bonnie’s future, and that God will provide the church with a pastor and a building.

- God to open the spiritual eyes of lost souls in Saint Medard.  Pray for those who are hearing the Gospel at church, English Club and personal Bible studies. 

- our displaced family who have been living in poor conditions for over four months awaiting the refugee office for a move to a better place.  Pray for S who is having some critical health concerns, that God will give them answers and relief to these problems.

- God to open the doors for our church to be able to move into this new building if this is where He wants us.

- the church in Central African Republic which continues to face great hardship with rebels controlling much of the country.

- preparations for our home ministry this summer and for our need of additional support.

Praise and Prayer update February 17, 2017

As summer looms closer, we are making plans for a two-month trip to the USA for July and August to connect with churches and individuals who have partnered with us in this ministry.  We are eager to reconnect with many on our home team and share what God is doing here in Saint Médard, France.  We have our tickets in hand and a number of meetings lined up.  Please pray that God will use this trip to challenge hearts to greater service for Him (maybe even in France) and that He will provide for our needs through both churches and individuals.  We need to see an increase in our monthly support, which registered at 82% when our support estimate recently underwent a long overdue revision.  Increased ministry expenses, increased health insurance fees and inflation are all part of the increased need. 

Praise for:

- the good response of a new unsaved family to the most recent English club outreach, bringing our number present to 27 as the parents both stayed for the entire club. Praise for a good pizza and film night prize for the most faithful participants.

- the good start to the Christianity Explored series at church, and for several who are going through it for the first time.

- new church flyers that we have designed and begun to distribute to the people of Saint Médard.  The new flyers include a small map to help people find the church, rather concealed in its current location.

- the pastors’ prayer breakfast that we hosted last Saturday with the four other Bordeaux area pastors.

- God’s provision for the purchase of airline tickets for our summer of home ministry.

Pray for

- God to use the remaining Christianity Explored sessions to bring people to faith in Christ. 

- for God to work in the hearts of unsaved visitors that attend services: this Sunday we are expecting a family of four as well as a single lady, each related to people in our church.

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

- the English club outreach, for wisdom in leading and keeping the attention especially of the younger children.  Pray that we will be able to share God’s Word freely and that God will cause it to bring light to hearts in darkness.

- God to provide for our lack of support.

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.