Praise and Prayer for September 25, 2009

Last weekend sort of came and went in a flurry, making it difficult to update our blog. Thank you for checking back for updates! Our first Sango service on September 13 went well with 12 in attendance. The grape vintage had already begun for some who were unable to attend. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Charlie and Gai Jewell as they spent several days with us on their way from Bangui, CAR to the States for a six-month furlough. They shared with us of some of the victories and challenges in the ongoing work in the CAR. They gave greetings in our Sunday morning French service and had opportunities to visit with several of the folks. It was a treat for us to be able to introduce them to some of the Central Africans that are part of our ministry here in Reims. Charlie’s message Sunday night in our Sango service brought a good challenge and was well received. We were sorry that the attendance was so low, but we knew that it might be. The grape harvest was in full swing and many were absent from church as they were involved in the 10 day full-time vintage of the grapes. Praise God for the 3 adults and one child that were present. Pray that God will work to bring about decisions that need to be made.


We had more than the quorum for the Church business meeting last Sunday, though we missed some key people due to the vintage. We went over two of the church documents with the members Sunday afternoon. After three hours of review, discussion and a few changes in wording, it was decided to continue the meeting this coming Sunday (27). Once the congregation has accepted the documents, they will be signed and submitted and the church will be officially chartered.

The Lord is giving us opportunities to build friendships with parents from Adrianna’s school. Adrianna went to two of her friends Birthday parties this past week. She has also started ice skating on Wednesdays which gives us even more interaction with some of the parents.

Praise for:
- those present for our first two Sango services.
- the visit of our CAR friends and colleagues Charlie and Gai Jewell.
- the Church business meeting and the progress toward chartering the church.

Pray for:
- Charlie and Gai Jewell as they travel to the States. Pray for refreshment and blessing as they begin a time of home ministry.
- our outreach to Central Africans in Reims and for the Lord to bless our Sango service.
- the members review and acceptance of the remaining documents at the Church business meeting this Sunday afternoon, and for the church to move forward with the charter.
- preparations for an English outreach.

Praise and Prayer for September 11, 2009

Fall is on its way and the brisk, cool mornings remind us that summer is behind us. Students are in school and routines are falling into place. Living in the heart of Champagne County, people are preparing for the vintage that will begin on Monday and last for about two weeks. The vineyards covering the countryside around Reims are bursting with ripe grapes waiting to be harvested. Many people will be involved in the process of picking the grapes, a very hard, tedious, yet well-paid job. Please pray with us that we would be just as motivated to work in the spiritual harvest fields that God has placed around us.

This Sunday we will be resuming the Sango services at church. We will be meeting each week at 6 pm and are praying that the Lord will bring us into contact with those whom He would have us reach. Jonathan has spent a lot of time this week working on preparations for this ministry this fall. We met together with one of the fellow Central Africans who is helping us lead this group and were able to work through some logistics in planning as well as brainstorm of various strategies to reach Central Africans in the Reims area. Jonathan has been preparing messages again and we are working on finding material to use for the children during the time of the message. September 18th, Charlie and Gai Jewell will be coming through France on their way from CAR to Pennsylvania. Charlie will be sharing in our Sango service on the 20th. We look forward to their visit and know they will be an encouragement to the Central Africans here. Please pray with us that the Lord would continue to use us for His glory as we minister to Central Africans in France.

Praise for:
- returning health for our family.
- various work that we have been able to accomplish this week.
- the progress made at the Pastors and deacon meeting which met this week to finalize official church documents for the church charter.

Pray for:
- a good number of Central Africans to come to the Sango service this Sunday.
- Charlie and Gai Jewell as they wrap things up in Bangui and travel, arriving in Reims on the 18th.
- the annual business meetings on September 20 and 27 as the church votes on the official church documents for the church charter.
- those responsible at our CAR Ippy Hospital and for God’s intervention in dealing with some major conflicts that have arisen.

Praise and Prayer for September 4, 2009

Sunday was a special day as we watched two women follow the Lord in believer’s baptism. Their salvation testimonies were clear and the joy of the Lord was evident to all, including several visitors, some who are searching for God. Pray for these women as they continue deepening their relationship with God and become more involved in the church. Sunday afternoon was the all-church picnic at a local park. The weather was beautiful and there was good fellowship among the forty plus who were able to be there.

This week we have been preparing for our next quarter in Sunday School: scheduling teachers, preparing lessons, making up new attendance charts and decorating the rooms. Jonathan has also been able to lay more groundwork on preparing for the English outreach we anticipate beginning this fall.

Good health has been something that has been a bit rare around our house this week. Jonathan fell sick with some bug earlier this week and Caleb in turn developed complications with his asthma due to the same virus. Though the doctor was concerned it may have turned into pneumonia in Caleb’s case, we are thankful that medication seems to be working and Caleb is doing much better. What a disappointment for him to have to miss his second day of school already because of being sick! Cherith is now taking her turn with the bug and we are praying Adrianna stays healthy and manages to avoid this all together.

Praise for:
- the two women who were baptized this past Sunday and the well attended church picnic.
- work that we have been able to accomplish this week despite our illnesses.
- the positive start Adrianna and Caleb had on Thursday: their first day of school for the year.

Pray for:
- continued health and strength for our family.
- time and strength to get some office work (correspondence, receipts entered, expense reports) done this week.
- our coworker, Elva Farrell, who has returned to Michigan for a month to help her Father as he recovers from surgery.
- the Pastors and deacon meeting that will be held this Monday evening.