Praise and Prayer for June 20, 2011

 With each hour of every day full to the max, the time seems to pick up speed as our departure date approaches.  My Mother was able to return home from the hospital on June 10 and has been slowly recuperating.  We have been thankful for the telephone and for the way the Lord has helped her.  If all goes as planned, we will be together again on July 15 when we arrive in MI where we will be based for our furlough ministry.  There are still a couple meetings to schedule as well as visits with as many members of our support team as possible.  Our presentation is coming together, though complications with technology are causing a few delays (time that we didn’t think we had to spare!).  God is helping us with our projects, but the list is still long.

Sunday was a very special Father’s Day for me as Adrianna shared her testimony of salvation with the church and followed the Lord in believers’ baptism.  We praise the Lord for a full auditorium, and for the positive feedback that we heard from many people who were encouraged by Adrianna’s example.

Praise for:

- progress with projects and encouraging visits with church family.

- a special farewell party that was organized by the GBS (Sango outreach) in our honor, and for the fellowship and encouragement there.

- Adrianna’s desire to obey her Savior through baptism on Sunday, and for God’s help as she shared her testimony with the congregation.

- God’s help for Jonathan’s Mother, for her return home and for returning strength.

- all that God has done over these past four years of life and ministry in Reims.

Pray for:

- the BJU Musical Missions Team that will be in concert tonight in Reims, and for a good response to the 10,000 flyers that have been distributed.

- God’s help with innumerable projects this week as we finish up our presentation and pack suitcases for our flight to the USA next Tuesday, June 28. 

- our children’s health as Caleb is coming down with Chicken Pox and Josiah will likely follow (keeping in mind the big trip and transition next week).

- for our last Sunday at the church here, for the special farewell program that is planned as we leave our dear church family that has been a major part of our lives for over four years.

Praise and Prayer for June 7, 2011

This week has been especially challenging for us emotionally as the miles seem to stretch farther than ever between ourselves and Jonathan’s Mother who has been in the hospital undergoing tests and procedures related to her heart.  Tests last week revealed that she did have a silent heart attack during this past month, resulting in further damage to her already weak heart.  A heart cath yesterday revealed three areas in her heart with 90% blockage, resulting in a procedure to put stents in two of them.  Because of her weakened condition, the doctors did not think it wise to continue with the third blockage.  With her oxygen problems, the possibility of Mother needing to be put temporarily on a respirator was very real.  Praise the Lord, it was not necessary and her oxygen level was nearly back up to normal (with the help of an oxygen mask) within a couple of hours.  Thank you to those of you who have been praying for her.  Please continue to do so!  We enjoyed seeing her and talking with her on Skype in her hospital room on Sunday.  Thank you also for praying for our family and especially for Jonathan as we struggle with the decision regarding the timing of our departure.  We feel a vital need to be near Mother at this time, yet there is much going on here these last few weeks before our scheduled departure on June 28.  Please pray for the Lord’s clear direction as we determine what He would have us do.

Jonathan met the Farrells in Belgium and brought them back to Reims on Wednesday.  Saturday we were invited to dinner in the home of one of the families from church.  It was a nice time of fellowship together.  The work of preparing for home ministry continues as we work at putting together a presentation to communicate clearly the work we have been involved in and the spiritual needs in this land.  Jessica’s help is invaluable as she packs boxes, watches the kids and helps with meals.  We praise God for her!

Praise for:

- safety as Jonathan drove up to Belgium to meet the Farrells.

- the Farrell’s safe arrival back in France.

- the progress that has been made this week in packing and preparation for our return to the USA.

- the care Jonathan’s Mother is receiving in MI, and for God’s help as she underwent the procedure to put stents in her very weak heart Monday.

Pray for:

- Jonathan’s Mother as she regains her strength and for healing for her heart.

- wisdom for us as we determine the timing of our return to the USA.

- for continued preparation for home ministry, including a presentation script. 

- the invitations being given out to the BJU choir concert outreach on June 20.

- for strength and time to complete projects in our apartment which include retiling the shower floor and repainting the kitchen walls.