Praise and Prayer for December 19, 2009

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. I John 4:9

Snow falling, traffic jams, busy shoppers preparing for family gatherings, Christmas village shops filling pedestrian areas, even Christmas carols playing from speakers perched out of sight. Amidst the busyness, few seem to pause and listen to the Good News proclaimed by the carols. Unfortunately, many are in English and not easily understood by the passersby. Meanwhile billboards and stores are full of images of Santa Claus and toys for young and old, promising happiness, making hearts yearn for much more than budgets can afford. During this holiday season, despite the distractions, we as believers can take extra opportunities to share with those around us the true Reason for the Season.

Our Church Christmas program was held Sunday afternoon. Although many who’d been invited did not attend, the church was nonetheless full. The message of a Savior born in Bethlehem, sent to save people from the penalty of sin was clear through the songs, the verses, the skits and the devotional. Our home has become a bustle of activity preparing Christmas goodies to share with teachers, friends and neighbors this Christmas season. We have already given out several plates of goodies along with the Christmas message and each has been well received. Some of our friends will also receive the “Bonne Semence” calendar with daily Bible readings and meditations.

Thank you so much for your prayers for us throughout 2009! Lord willing, our next update will be posted on January 8. May the Lord bless your Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Praise for:
- Jesus, God’s Gift to all at Christmas and throughout the year.
- the excellent Christmas program and for a good turnout of Church family and guests.
- opportunities to share the Good News this Christmas with neighbors and friends.
- Josiah’s good growth in the two months since his birth.
- another year of life for Jonathan celebrated on Wednesday.
- the church counsel meeting Thursday evening and safety on the slippery, snowy roads.

Pray for:
- those who receive the gifts we are sharing, that they will read the tracts and have open hearts.
- our opportunity to share with the family of one of Adrianna’s friends on Monday evening as we have them over for a special Christmas dinner.
- a Christmas cookie party (bake and decorate) with two of Adrianna’s girlfriends Tuesday afternoon.
- health and rest for each of us, especially for Josiah as he has quite a cold; for Elva Farrell as she anticipates hip surgery on January 13.
- direction for the church, as they vote for a pastor and select deacons on January 24.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our next term of ministry (after home ministry in 2011).

Praise and Prayer for December 11, 2009

We held a Christmas party for our Sango group at our house last evening. We were 21 in all, including 9 children. Although one of our regular attendees was ill, there was a family with two children who we met for the first time. Our goal this Christmas season had been to provide the group with an opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus together while enjoying fellowship and deepening relationships. While some were still arriving after 8 p.m. (we started at 6), it seemed to us that before everyone had left after 10:30 p.m., the Lord had richly blessed and helped us to reach our goal. We would love to see the visiting family return and more regularity in the attendance of some of the others. Pray that the Lord will work in hearts and give a hunger for spiritual things.

This Sunday afternoon our church will be having its annual Christmas program. Each of the groups in the church will be participating through music, skits, Scripture memory or readings, a Bible study, and refreshments. We have been working with the SS children, the choir and the Sango group to prepare their contributions to the program. This special service provides an opportunity for members to invite friends and acquaintances to see and hear (many for the first time) the Good News of the Savior born in Bethlehem. We have invited several of the teachers in the children’s schools as well as some of the other parents. Please pray for this special outreach this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (our time).

Praise for:
- the good turnout for the Sango Christmas party last evening and the profitable time together.
- the invitations to Sunday’s Christmas program that have been given out.
- Caleb’s healing and return to school this week, though his asthma continues to bother him.
- the life of Aunt Alice Lathrop (Jonathan’s Dad’s guardian) who entered heaven on Wednesday morning at 99 years of age.

Pray for:
- last minute preparations for the Christmas program and that the Lord will bless each contribution to the program.
- the Lord to prepare hearts of those who will be in our church for the first time this Sunday and that our lack of space will not pose a problem!
- good health for each of us, especially for Josiah.
- Elva Farrell as she anticipates hip surgery on January 13.
- direction for the church, as they vote for a pastor and select deacons on January 24.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our next term of ministry (after home ministry in 2011).

Praise and Prayer for December 5, 2009

We are encouraged to see the way the Lord continues to bless the Eglise Evangelique Baptiste de Reims. On Sunday evening, members and guests gathered for a precious time of fellowship at the Q and A with our pastoral candidate and his wife. The Lord’s blessings were evident as good questions were asked and the Fischers’ responses were clear. It was good for the church to be able to hear Emmanuel express his vision for the future of the church. As the January 24 vote draws closer, the church body needs God’s direction calling a pastor. If the church calls the Fischers, this will be one of the largest steps the church takes in nationalizing, and in becoming independent. The Farrells would then be free to take a long anticipated time of home ministry. We have committed to staying throughout the remainder of our term of service (until summer 2011) so would be able to help the church through the transition to having a new pastor. Our goals include continuing to build and nationalize both the Sango outreach and the Sunday school program. This January 24 vote will have great impact on the church, which we believe is ready to take this significant step. Thank you for praying for this.


On the home front, the Lord brought Caleb through a serious bout with a flu this week. On Monday evening, he came down with a fever and over the next couple days the fever topped 104 F a few times. He saw our doctor Tuesday evening, took lots of baths and received lots of fever reducing medicines. We were so thankful that the fever disappeared Thursday and only a cough remains. Thus far it seems like he didn’t share it with the rest of us. Our concern was especially for Josiah. We were able to make the trip to Paris on Thursday with Josiah, while the Farrells kept Caleb and had Adrianna during her lunch break from school. As we crawled through Paris traffic for 40 minutes, we wondered if we would be on time. Praise the Lord, we were and we came away with an official looking Declaration of Birth, and applications accepted for the Social Security number and passport.

Praise for:
- good attendance and participation in Sunday School and church.
- a good Q & A last Sunday evening with the Fischers.
- a safe and profitable trip to Paris Thursday where we applied for Josiah’s official documents.
- healing for Caleb who battled a flu with a high fever this week.

Pray for:
- preparations for the Church Christmas program on December 13.
- good health for each of us, especially for Josiah.
- Elva Farrell as she anticipates hip surgery on January 13.
- direction for the church, as they vote for a pastor and select deacons on January 24.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our next term of ministry (after home ministry in 2011).