Praise and Prayer December 31, 2012

We trust that you are enjoying a happy holiday season, and that your celebration of our Savior’s birth was special indeed.  This evening we will be attending a special New Years’ Eve service at a sister church in Pessac where people from the three Bordeaux churches will be gathering for a special time of celebration and fellowship.  We want to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year in the Lord.  Watching world events certainly makes us wonder how much longer until we see our Savior face to face.  We are certainly listening for the sound of the trumpet!

These have been very busy weeks for us and we are so thankful for your prayers and for God’s answers.  The Lord truly blessed the Christmas Concert in a wonderful way.  His blessing was evident in the ministry and the Gospel was clearly presented in various ways.  I had the privilege of bringing the message.  The Lord filled up our auditorium, with several standing in the back.  Among the many visitors who responded to personal invitations that were given out, we were thrilled to have seven of those we had invited attend, including our landlord and his wife. 

Praise for:

- God’s blessings in the special services this month, including the Ladies’ Bible Study, the Christmas Concert, the Christmas dinner and the English service last Sunday.

- the health that we have had through these weeks, especially while Pastor Christian was ill, as I have had to replace him on several occasions.

- all of those who have heard or received the Good News this Christmas through church ministries as well as through the goodie platters we prepared to share with our neighborhood contacts with calendars and Christmas tracts.

- improved health for Pastor Christian.

Pray for:

- the Lord to continue to work in the hearts of those who have heard the Gospel for the first time this Christmas.

- improved health for Claire Corenthin, and for wisdom for the doctors as they work with her treatment. 

- Jonathan as he prepares to teach another series of Adult Bible studies on Sunday mornings, and Cherith as she prepares and leads the Ladies’ Bible study on January 8.

- our French Drivers Licenses to be granted soon and for our search for a house to purchase in a very, very hard market!

- the Central African Republic that has been experiencing political unrest, with rebels taking cities around the country, including the places where we lived and worked (Bambari and Ippy).  Pray for our colleagues, the Jewells and the Dannenbergs that are still in the country.

- the church plant project in Merignac and for committed prayer partners.  Pray for the Bible studies this month and for contacts that are being made.

- wisdom and grace for each contact the Lord gives us, that His love and light would shine through our family to those around us.

Praise and Prayer Dec. 6, 2012

The Holiday Season is upon us and with it come further opportunities to minister to those around us.  How thankful we are for Thanksgiving and for all that God has done for us.  We celebrated this holiday with American friends serving the Lord here in Bordeaux.  It was good to remember that first Thanksgiving Day when the Pilgrims gave thanks to God for his protection and provision.  The Christmas season is a special opportunity to reflect on the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ and to celebrate God’s wondrous Gift to man.  There will be a Christmas Concert held at our church on December 22, in which Jonathan will be taking part, in a brass ensemble and singing.  Thank you for praying for the preparations. 

Thank you for praying for the Ladies’ Bible Study that Cherith has been leading at our church.  It has been encouraging to see the women that have been faithful in coming and participating in the discussions.  There have been many good questions each time.  Please continue to pray for strength and clarity of thought, particularly as we translate the workbook questions each month from the English version into French. 

God has provided a house for us to rent here in the Bordeaux area since we moved here last February.  It has been evident that we need to begin house hunting.  So much of our ministry is done from our home.  Not only is our location difficult to get to since we are not near a bus or tram stop, but it is also too small for us to accommodate groups of people for meals or Bible studies.  Now that we have a clearer picture of the area and ministry God has called us to, we are looking for a house to buy.  Pray with us that God would lead us to the perfect house for us and for our ministry. 

Praise for:

- the good recovery of Pastor Corenthin’s wife, Claire, after the pulmonary embolism that she had last month.

- the healing the Lord has given our family after all three children became quite ill with colds, the flu and fevers.  Adrianna and Caleb are both back in school after missing several days.

- a new CD of Bible Stories for children that has just been produced in French that is available for 1 euro per CD.  We are so thankful for this excellent tool to help with outreach this Christmas season.

- progress in work on church maintenance that Jonathan has been able to help Christian with these past few weeks.

Pray for:

- the monthly Ladies’ Bible study (meeting December 11) and for Cherith as she leads.

- the granting of French Drivers’ Licenses.  They have been initially denied, so Jonathan has had to seek legal counsel as to our next step. 

- the addition of men and children to the downtown church, and for the Lord to send one or two families to help with the work in Merignac.

- the health of Pastor and Mrs. Corenthin.  Christian has been ill for several days, and Claire will be undergoing more tests at the end of the month.

- the church plant project in Merignac and for committed prayer partners.

- wisdom and grace for each contact the Lord gives us, that His love and light would shine through our family to those around us.

Praise and Prayer November 13, 2012

The Annual Church retreat on November 1-3 went very well with around 70 in attendance, representing our three Bordeaux churches (downtown, Pessac and Floirac) as well as a church in the Basque region down near the Spanish border who came for the first time.  The theme of the retreat was “A Dynamic Church” with messages on persevering in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer and passion for souls.  Acts 2:42 was the key verse.  

There were a number of unsaved people present, including some from our church, and we have heard reports that God continued to work in hearts during the retreat.  There was a great testimony also watching God’s Family working together, serving one another.  

We were responsible for the children’s ministries, and had help from several other church members.  There were 15 plus children divided into two groups: 0-3 and 4-11.  We learned about God and God’s Home (Heaven).  The kids listened intently, worked hard on memorizing verses and learning a song to present to the adults, as well as on their crafts.  

Our children were especially happy to make friends with children from Christian families and we were blessed to get to know many of our brothers and sisters in Christ from around this area.  The Retreat was held in the beautiful facilities of the Chateau Peyreguilhot about 2 hours from Bordeaux where it has been held for many years. 

Caleb came home from the Retreat with a high fever, which lasted for a few days until we got him to our doctor who discovered Strep.  We praise the Lord that he responded immediately to the antibiotic and the fever hasn’t been back.  It is also a big praise that none of the rest of us came down with it as the doctor reminded us that it was extremely contagious.  

On November 7, three of us met in Merignac to pray for the new church project there.  I led the Bible study on the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, beginning the chain of events that would culminate in the sacrifice on Passover of the “Lamb of God”, providing for the forgiveness of sin for all who believe.  Please pray that the Lord raise up a team of prayer partners committed to pray especially for this work: for the spiritual needs of the people of Merignac and for the plans and preparations in process for this work.  

Praise for:

- God’s blessings of the Church Retreat in so many areas.

- the Lord restoring Caleb’s health after having Strep throat, and for His keeping the rest of us from coming down with it. 

- the Lord’s  help in our preaching and teaching ministries, and for His help in preparations. 

- the visitors that have come to church including two pre-teen unchurched girls that were in Sunday school last Sunday.  Pray that they will return!

- the prayer meeting in Merignac, and for the team of prayer partners for this work that God is putting together.

Pray for:

- the second Ladies’ Bible study this evening (November 13) and for Cherith as she leads.

- Pastor’s Corenthin’s wife, Claire, who was hospitalized last Friday evening with a pulmonary embolism.  She continues to have tests and treatment in the hospital, while her family gets along without her.  Cherith will greatly miss her at the Ladies’ Bible study this evening.

- the addition of men and children to the downtown church, and for the Lord to send one or two families to help with the work in Merignac.

- the church plant project in Merignac and for committed prayer partners.

- wisdom and grace for each contact the Lord gives us, that His love and light would shine through our family to those around us.

Praise and Prayer October 26, 2012

God answered our prayers in giving us our 10-year residency cards this week!  What a relief to have these in hand after more than a year and a half of waiting.  Pray that now we will be able to get French driver’s licenses.

Jonathan was encouraged by those who came out last Wednesday for the special prayer meeting for the new outreach in Merignac.  It was good to have some people in attendance from our church downtown and from the church in Floirac.  Ed led the Bible study, a challenge from Psalm 3 before a time of sharing and prayer.  Our prayer is that God will use these times together to give guidance to this project, while growing the burden and vision.  Our next meeting will be November 7.

Acting out the Bible story

Please continue to pray for the children’s S.S. ministry in the downtown church.  Pray for God to touch the hearts of members in the church and give them a burden for the children that come to this church.  We would like to see members volunteer to be trained and then take over this ministry while we are yet here to help.  As Jonathan will be preaching in the morning services for the next few weeks, Cherith will be full-time with the children for Junior Church.

We have had a special opportunity to reach out to one of our neighbors whose mother passed away on October 11.  They were appreciative of the flowers and a card that we shared which included encouragement from God’s Word.

Praise for:

- the 10-year residency cards that were granted to us this week. 

- further contacts the Lord is giving us with neighbors and through children and parents at school.

- deep cleaning (including second story, large windows) of our Sunday School room at church that our family was able to do safely this past Saturday.

- the women who came out for the Ladies’ Bible study and for a good time of study and fellowship together.

- the prayer meeting in Merignac

Pray for:

- Jonathan as he preaches Sunday, Cherith as she teaches the children and for our fourth English Encounter Sunday afternoon.

- our ongoing preparations for preaching, Bible studies, Children’s ministry and English classes.

- the Annual Church retreat coming up Nov. 1-3, for our preparation for the children’s ministry, and for all those who are making plans to attend.

- that the Lord will continue to give us wisdom and opportunities to be a witness to the contacts the Lord is giving us.

- God’s protection for our children, and for His help for us as we strive to raise them to love and obey the Lord.

Praise and Prayer October 16, 2012

God continues His work in our lives and we are thankful for the privilege that He has given us of serving Him here in southwest France.  We are reminded daily of His goodness as He gives the help we need.  We are also reminded of our limitations and our need.  Praise the Lord for His provision of grace and strength to face each day with its challenge. 

English Service in Pessac

This is a red-letter week for us as two new activities are added.  One is the monthly ladies’ Bible study that Cherith is leading which begins this evening.  Guidance and wisdom for Cherith, good attendance, and safety for the ladies returning home alone (especially after dark in inner city areas) are among the concerns that we need special prayer for.  Tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, we and our teammates, the Christies, will be having our first monthly prayer meeting for the outreach in Merignac.

The Bordeaux churches (three of them) are preparing for a church retreat during the fall vacation period.   It will be held Nov. 1-3.   Each church has responsibilities related to meals, children’s ministry, group activities, etc.  We are responsible for the children’s ministry and are working with our church choir to prepare at least one song to present as special music. 

Praise for:

- God’s blessing on Josiah’s life as he celebrated his 3^rd Birthday October 12. 

- further contacts the Lord is giving us through sports and school, including accompanying Caleb’s class on an all-day field trip.

with Bixbys, Anna Wivell and the Rosenaus

- first time visitors in church Sunday with a 4 year old son, for contact with a Central African family in the area, and for the work God is doing in some unsaved hearts at church.

- the opportunity Jonathan had Sunday to preach at the monthly English service in our sister church in Pessac, another suburb of Bordeaux.

- a special time of fellowship with our BMM administrator and his wife (Vernon and Jan Rosenau) as they were in our home earlier this month.

- the new temporary residency cards that we received, and the word that our 10 year cards are moving forward in the process and should be ready soon.

Pray for:

- the Ladies’ Bible study that begins this evening, for Cherith and the ladies that will be participating.

- the Lord’s guidance and blessing as we begin regular prayer meetings emphasizing the outreach and prospective church plant in Merignac.

- our ongoing preparations for preaching, Bible studies, Children’s ministry and English classes.

- good participation from each of the three Bordeaux churches at the Annual retreat coming up the first of November.

- guidance in our witness to the contacts the Lord is giving us, especially to our neighbor whose mother just passed away last week.

- God’s protection for our children, and for His help for us as we strive to raise them to love and obey the Lord.

Praise and Prayer October 1, 2012

September was an extremely busy month for our family.  As we look back over the month we are so thankful for God’s provision of help and strength.  A highlight of the month was the two-week visit of my Aunt Mary Lee Teachout from September 13 to 26.  We tried to introduce her to as many aspects of our life and ministry here in France as possible.  She shared her testimony in church one Sunday and even gave a special lesson to our children’s church with the help of two puppets.  She jumped right in and helped us in so many areas around the house as well.  The kids enjoyed many special times with her as well.

The kickoff of the school year has gone well and we are enjoying many more contacts in our community than we had before.  We have had some good contacts through the sports clubs that Adrianna, Caleb and I have joined.  The kids continue to integrate into the new school they are enrolled in and have enjoyed making new friends.  Last week Adrianna brought home two invitations to Birthday parties.  Cherith had a good opportunity to meet several other parents at the party she took Adrianna to last Saturday.  We have prayed for these opportunities and the Lord is giving us many of them.

My regular meeting with Pastor Christian on Wednesday evenings has been a source of ongoing blessing as we share and pray for the individuals and ministries of the church.  The Lord has been working in hearts and we are seeing fruit.  Several who have recently begun to attend are considering joining the church, and one young lady did join this month.  I have continued to lead the adult Bible study Sunday mornings.  The monthly ladies meeting will begin October 16 with Cherith leading the Bible study.

Praise for: 

- the help (and health and strength) God has given us this month and the many new contacts that He is giving us.  

- the Lord’s help for our children in adapting to French school again, new teachers and in making friends.

- safe travels for my Aunt Mary Lee and for the effect of her visit not only on our family but also on our church and in our neighborhood.

- a good English Encounter last Sunday with 16 present.

- a good start for a church choir, and for the desire many have to use their voices to praise the Lord.

- the pastors’ prayer meeting that we hosted this last weekend.

Pray for: 

- God to bless and guide in the contacts that we are having through school and neighborhood sports.

- Cherith as she prepares for the Ladies’ Bible study and for good participation by ladies of all ages in the church.

- Jonathan as he prepares Bible studies and messages for these next few weeks.

- us to see more children attending Sunday school consistently and for others in the church to catch the burden for this vital ministry.

- the Christys who are back now from their home ministry tour this summer in the USA and getting back into their ministries here in France.  Pray for wisdom as we plan and strategize for our Merignac outreach. 

- Mr. and Mrs. C. with failing health and increasing weakness, and for God to use us in ministering to them in this challenging stage of life. 

Praise and Prayer August 29 2012

Summer is grinding to a halt and the “Rentrée” (pronounced “rawntray”, meaning the return to school) begins this next week with elementary and secondary schools starting classes.  Attendance is picking up again at church as folks return after summer travels.  There were a number of visitors in church on Sunday including a family with 3 children.  It was great to have 8 children in our Junior Church! 

We had our second English Encounter outreach Sunday afternoon.  Although I was hoping for more present we were happy to have 9 present including a lady who had not been present for the first one, besides several children who did not participate.  Everyone was encouraged to invite others to come next time and left with new invitations.

Praise for:

- the way God is blessing the adult Bible study Sunday mornings as Jonathan teaches through the attributes of God. 

- the family with 3 children that was in church Sunday and the return of two other children that have not been coming.  Praise for attentiveness in Junior Church.

- our second English Encounter last Sunday.

- a working landline telephone as of last Thursday!

- the Lord helping us as Adrianna and I met the local Inspector of education last week for him to evaluate our last year of homeschooling.  Other than needing a little help with French vocabulary and fluency, he seemed pleased overall with the curriculum (BJU Press) and with Adrianna’s level.

Pray for:

- those travelling and returning after summer vacation, and for attendance to continue to be good.  Pray that the family and the other two children will return next Sunday.

- good contacts this month concerning the English Encounter and that God will bless and grow this effort for His glory.

- our teammates, the Christys, as Sylvia and Jana return this week from the USA in time for the Rentrée.  Pray for Ed as meetings continue until his scheduled return September 26.

- Mr. and Mrs. C. and for the Lord to bless our time of helping and sharing with them.

- our 10-year residency cards to be approved and granted soon.

Praise and Prayer August 22, 2012

After six months of waiting, we finally have Internet service at the house and the landline telephone should soon be activated.  When we moved here we never imagined it would take this long to get hooked up.  The Lord helped us through this time by providing cell phone service, including limited Internet through which we have been able to keep up with email and this blog. 

Summertime usually brings transition at church, both activity-wise and through arrivals and departures.  We have been blessed to have a number of Hispanic young people attending church during the past year, from Central and South America.  There was a special fellowship dinner on August 12 as a farewell to one of the young ladies who was returning home after a year of working and studying in France.  P. will be missed by all as she had attended and participated in the services faithfully.  Adrianna and Lydia, the pastor’s daughter, are always eager and ready to help serve.  Others are beginning to return after summer trips, and soon students will be arriving for the new school year.  There have been new visitors several times, and some continue to return each week. 

Praise for:

- fairly good attendance continuing through the summer. 

- the good response to the adult class that Jonathan has been teaching Sunday mornings.

- the Lord’s help in preparing a website for the English Encounter.

- the Lord’s help for our elderly friends through a very hot spell and for the opportunities that we have had to visit them and take them grocery shopping.

- the new weekly meeting that Jonathan and Pastor Christian have set up to discuss church matters and to pray, and for the pastors’ prayer meeting that Jonathan took part in for the area pastors (5 of us present).

- that we now have Internet service in our house as of Monday of this week.

Pray for:

- God to continue His work in hearts through the teaching and preaching of His Word, and for the return of visitors, including children and men.

- Jonathan as he helps the church in developing a needed church website as a tool to reach the lost in Bordeaux.

- Cherith as she prepares for the Ladies’ Bible Study beginning this fall and for both of us as we study and prepare for the Adult Bible study and the children’s Sunday school class each week.  Pray as we prepare for our second English encounter this Sunday afternoon, and pray for the group that will gather for it.

- our land-line telephone to be activated and usable.

- our 10-year residency cards to be approved and granted soon.

Praise and Prayer August 7, 2012

Thank you for your prayers for us during these past few weeks.  This update has been on our minds and it is past time that we share with you.  These have been full weeks and we have seen God’s blessings and answers to prayer.  A couple of the highlights have been our first English service on July 29 and the visit of our dear friends, Frank and Joel Leslie, from our home church in Springville, PA.  There were 14 of us at our English service, including at least two that are unsaved.  We were encouraged by the response and ask you to be praying for our next English service on August 26.  The Leslies were with us just a few very full days and we enjoyed introducing them to our ministry as well as to French history and culture.  We enjoyed a bus tour of Bordeaux together that also helped us to further our knowledge of this beautiful city.  Frank taught our adult Sunday School class and shared his testimony in both the morning service and in the English service.  He gave a great challenge regarding obedience to the Master and shared a report of what they had accomplished in Greece as part of Operation Joshua.  It was good to see increased burden for world missions among our folks.

Praise for:

- a good response to our first English service outreach. 

- the Leslies’ visit and the encouragement and impact that they had on us and in our church here.

- that our temporary residency cards have been granted and our request for 10-year cards is now being considered.

- unsaved visitors who continue to come back to church.

- our daughter Adrianna celebrating her 9^th Birthday July 23, and for her growth this year, physically and spiritually.

- Jonathan’s one-month post-op visit with the surgeon on July 27 and for a clean bill of health.

- the installation of our telephone line last Friday nearly 6 months after we requested it.

Pray for:

- God’s work in hearts through the teaching and preaching ministries in church, and for the Lord to bring visitors, including children and men.

- Jonathan as he helps the church in developing a needed church website as a tool to reach the lost in Bordeaux (technology is not one of our strong points).

- the planning and preparation for women’s ministries for this fall.

- Jonathan as he continues to teach the adult class this month.

- us as we try to help and encourage the elderly couple who have had a vision for a work in Merignac for over 20 years, as their health declines.

- our 10-year residency cards to be approved and granted soon.

Praise and Prayer July 17, 2012

The Lord has given me nearly complete recovery since my surgery on June 22.  Cherith and the kids did a great job nursing me, and I was able to take advantage of some of my down time to read, study, and later, unpack a few more boxes of books from our shed.  Two weeks and two days after my surgery, the Lord had given me sufficient healing so that I was able to teach the Adult Bible study and preach in the morning service.  I am scheduled to teach the Adult Bible study throughout this month and the month of August.  It is a rewarding study as we go through the attributes of our wonderful, awesome God. 

The Lord has given us some opportunities to connect with some of our church family through hospitality.  On July 1, we were privileged to have Pastor Corenthin’s family and another brother from church join us at our home after church for dinner and an afternoon of good fellowship and encouragement.  Last Saturday, our song leader came over for lunch and a visit.  While helping him to practice his English, we learned of how the Lord has worked in his life and the life of his family, and we even brainstormed together about future ministry opportunities. 

Although the distance from our home in the USA had us far from family, patriotic parades and fireworks, we did have a very special opportunity to celebrate our country’s birth and our physical freedom and the spiritual freedom we have in Christ with nearly 25 other Americans at the home of some of our teammates (the Bixbys). 

Praise for:

- Jonathan’s good recovery from surgery. 

- God working in hearts at church, including some who have been visiting regularly.

- the Lord helping us to connect with people in the church and for those who have been in our home.

- more contacts with two of our neighbors and for opportunities to witness.

Pray for:

- the Lord’s help for Jonathan as he teaches the adult class each Sunday, and that truths we study will have a profound effect in our lives.

- the children’s ministry, that the Lord will continue to bring children, and that the Lord will help us communicate His Word clearly to these children.

- preparations for our first English outreach service on July 29.

- the renewal of our residency papers and for the installation of a telephone line.

- for the upcoming visit of friends from our sending church who are currently on a missions trip in Greece.