Praise and Prayer for June 25, 2010

Do you ever get discouraged looking at your to-do list at the end of the week compared with what it looked like at the beginning of the week? That’s something we struggle with, especially when the list is long (like right now!). Unexpected interruptions to the week plan, tasks taking longer than planned, difficulties contacting people, meeting the needs of our own children, etc. We are reminded that although we may plan our course (and seem to revel in being in control) it is the Lord who directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). With God’s intervention and by His grace we can see the “interruptions” and would-be “wastes of time” turned into means of giving God glory. Whether or not everything on the to-do list is finished by the end of the day or week is really neither here nor there. I should be more concerned about whether or not I allowed God to use me for His glory throughout my day or my week. When I get my focus back where it should be, on what’s truly important, my day-to-day frustrations get fewer and less significant!

Yes, our to-do list is still long with what we see as important jobs still awaiting attention. However, the Lord has filled our week and we have seen His hand at work. On Sunday, the children took part in a special presentation in honor of fathers. We have had several good contacts with neighbors and school parents, including through Birthday celebrations that Adrianna has been invited to attend and Jonathan’s accompanying Caleb’s school on the field trip to Paris on Monday (both time consuming ventures!). E-flyers have been sent out and contact has been made with a number of Central Africans regarding a special outreach this Sunday evening where we will be showing the movie “Flywheel”. The summer Sunday School program is taking shape, although it is on hold while we continue to await confirmation from a number of people who we have asked to take part.

NEEDED: We are looking for an English song/chorus book to use with an English outreach. If you or your church has from 15 to 20 songbooks that are no longer needed, and you would like to see them put to good use, please contact us for further details.

Praise for:
- the reception we received Wednesday as we requested renewed one-year residency cards.
- opportunities for contact with friends and neighbors, including children’s Birthday parties and school field trips.
- those who have been contacted about the special film outreach Sunday evening.
- church members who are willing to serve in the Summer Sunday School program.
- Josiah’s first two teeth finally popping through this week after a bit of suffering and interrupted nights!

Pray for:
- a good turnout Sunday evening for a special Sango service film night.
- our Australian friend Anita as she travels home this weekend and for our family (especially the children) as we say goodbye to another friend.
- opportunity to work on important paperwork and reports.
- Jonathan’s Mom as she moves today into a new apartment nearby with special facilities for seniors and without stairs.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for June 20, 2010

Thank you for your encouraging comments, and for your prayers for us this week. We are excited to see what the Lord is doing here in Reims. While attendance isn’t where we would like it to be, it isn’t unusual to see it drop at this time of year both due to heavy exam schedules and the beginning of vacation for many of the students. We are also saying goodbye to a few people that have been a faithful part of the church, as they move this summer to China, Australia and the French West Indies. Some will be moving to Paris this summer for jobs over the vacation. Nevertheless, we are confident that the Lord will continue the work He is doing here. As attendance in Sunday School (and church) can be rather sporadic at times, we encouraged the children to be there for at least 10 out of the last 13 Sundays. This Sunday we will be rewarding 7 children for their faithful attendance and having the children sing a song in honor of the fathers present!

On Saturday, the church counsel met to go over church business. It was good to see the spirit of unity the Lord gave to the leaders as various matters were discussed. The Sango service will be meeting three more times before breaking for the summer. We are planning a couple events for the end of the year. There were some good contacts with people in the neighborhood this week. Please continue to pray for further opportunities and fruit.

Praise for:
- our fathers and what they have meant to us and how they have impacted our lives for Christ.
- the Lord’s help for Jonathan as he gave the Bible study last Tuesday and for those who attended.
- a productive meeting with the church counsel this past Saturday.
- the 7 children who have had faithful S.S. attendance this past quarter.
- contacts made with people in the neighborhood.
- the safe return of John and Paula Dannenberg to the CAR.

Pray for:
- good attendance this Sunday in both French and Sango services.
- those who will be leaving our church and for the church’s summer ministry.
- our appointment on Wednesday to renew our residency cards.
- Jonathan as he accompanies Caleb’s class on Monday to Paris for an all-day field trip.
- Carol McGowan, fellow BMM missionary to Haiti, who fell and injured her wrists, left knee and back. She along with her husband, Dr. Brinson, worked formerly in the Central African Republic.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for June 11, 2010

Never give up! We were reminded yesterday that the Lord’s hand is far reaching, especially when we think there is no hope! We have asked prayer several times for important documents that were sent to us from the US that seemed to be lost in the mail. Yesterday, exactly four months to the day after they were mailed, these documents were delivered to our apartment. Included among them were official copies of Jonathan and Cherith’s birth certificates. When it seemed all hope was lost that these documents would ever show up the Lord reminds us “Nothing is impossible with God!” Thank you so much for praying.

We are adjusting to life without Jessica AND our teammates, the Farrells. Yes, we miss each one. Last Wednesday, we had one of the children from our church here with us while his Mom had some medical tests. Last Friday, Caleb’s pre-school held their annual School festival. We saw a number of people connected with the school including children, parents and teachers. Caleb proudly took part in his class presentation. We left there early in order to get Adrianna over to her end of the year Ice Skating show in which she took part with her group. The Fischers and Anita, our Australian friend, joined us to help cheer on Adrianna and her friends. The night was late for all of us, especially our four year old and 7 month old, as we didn’t get home until after 12 midnight. Jonathan preached Sunday morning and led the song service for our Sango service in the evening. There were a number of people out with travelling and other reasons, so we were a small group, especially in the evening.

Praise for:
- the safe arrival of our important documents after four months in the mail system.
- the Lord’s help for Jonathan Sunday morning and for the Lord’s working in lives.
- Heidi Sisson’s safe arrival home in IN for home ministry.
- the good results of C’s medical tests last week.
- the return of Charlie and Gai Jewell to the CAR.

Pray for:
- good attendance this Sunday in both French and Sango services and for Jonathan as he gives the Bible study next Tuesday evening.
- Jonathan’s Mom’s knee to recover from her last fall, and for her as she moves this month to an apartment nearby with better facilities for seniors.
- the church counsel as they meet this Saturday evening, and for guidance in planning.
- John and Paula Dannenberg as they travel back to the CAR this next week.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for June 1, 2010

These days have been extremely full, but we want to get a short update out. Thank you so much for your prayers this past week. We are thankful for the Lord’s protection and help for Jessica’s return trip. Despite flight delays (due to plane repairs and a storm in Newark), she finally arrived home safely 23 hours after she walked out our door. We enjoyed an encouraging visit with Heidi Sisson over the weekend, as she made a special stop on her way back to the USA from Bangui, CAR. She left Monday afternoon and we are all missing our guests. The Lord has really helped the children adjust thus far.

On Saturday we drove up to Algrange for the graduation ceremonies at the Bible Institute where 8 young people received their diplomas. It was an encouragement to hear the testimonies and hear the message. It was also a sad time as the school said goodbye to Roger and Jean Reisacher who will be moving to the USA this month, leaving shoes difficult to fill. There is also a great need for new students at the Institute.

Praise for:
- Jessica’s safe arrival home and for Heidi’s encouraging visit.
- the opportunity to meet and visit with two Central African ladies at Adrianna’s ice skating lesson last Wednesday. They were interested in our Sango service.
- the 8 graduates in this year’s graduating class from the Algrange Bible Institute.
- Pastor Goumba Pierre, the Central African director of the Bambari Bible School and pastor of the Center 1 Baptist Church of Bambari, completing the Master’s program at the Grace Brethren Seminary in Bangui, CAR.
- a good service Sunday morning with special attention to mothers and participation by the children, as it was French Mother’s Day. The special praise service the young adults planned went well a week ago Sunday, and there were a number of visitors who heard the Gospel clearly in message and song.

Pray for:
- Heidi Sisson as she travels to the States Tuesday.
- opportunities to witness and for prepared hearts.
- Jonathan’s Mom’s healing from another fall on Friday.
- the 8 new graduates from the Bible Institute and for God’s continued guidance in their lives and ministries.
- Jonathan as he prepares and preaches in the French Sunday morning service.
- guidance as to our future ministry.