Praise and Prayer for April 16, 2012

God blessed the Resurrection Day celebration at church as a good group of people gathered for the services and the fellowship dinner.  There were seven children in junior church and at least 35 that stayed for the dinner and afternoon service.  I had been asked to speak in the afternoon service, but as the time went by I began to be concerned that if we didn’t start the service, people would begin to leave.  However, it seemed as though everyone was content to be with their family in Christ and I didn’t see anyone leave before we began the afternoon service.  For our family too, so far from our own families and friends back home (in MI, PA and Reims), the Lord surrounded us with a loving church family with which to celebrate this special day.  I shared some of the facts that are true for us today because Christ is risen from the dead.

As a family of five with three children, doing laundry is a regular part of most days around here.  Last week the washing machine that we had bought used from a friend in 2007 died in the middle of a cycle.  After researching washing machines for a replacement, we purchased a new machine that should be delivered this Friday.  The growing pile of laundry has necessitated two trips to the Laundromat thus far, reminding us through the time and money spent why a washing machine is such a blessing and help to us.  On one of those trips, Adrianna came along and we were able to do her Science lesson while we waited for the laundry.

Praise for:

- God’s blessings for our Easter celebration at church, including a lovely presentation by our small group as they shared the message of Easter through song.  We were encouraged by testimonies last Sunday of how God had blessed others through the Easter services.

- the good opportunity that Cherith had to visit with one of our neighbors as they went to the town market on Saturday morning together.

- healing for several of us who have fought a bug, especially Caleb who has had a fever and an infection in his eye. 

- a time of fellowship and encouragement with our teammates on Easter Monday as we shared a meal together at the Bixbys’ house.

Pray for:

- several visitors to the church downtown to return, and that the church would see growth.

- guidance in our involvement at the church and as we work with the Sunday school program.

- a sister committed not to work on the Lord’s day who is now (after several years with the same employment) being threatened with the loss of her job if she will not work Sundays.

- Cherith’s Grandma Hovingh who was hospitalized Friday evening in Grand Rapids, MI for stroke-like symptoms.  Pray too for Cherith’s Dad (Hubert Broeckert) as he leaves Wednesday for Cambodia and for her Mom as she follows April 25.

- the Lord’s provision for our support needs, and for unexpected expenses like a new washing machine this week.
- traveling mercies for us and each of the others attending our France field conference this next week (April 23-26), and for the Lord to bless in the Bible-hour sessions with our speaker as well as in the business meetings.

Praise and Prayer for April 4, 2012

The dust is beginning to settle around here as we adjust to our new surroundings and get more involved in the ministries.  There are quite a number of boxes of books to unpack and there has not been time to organize the office yet, but we are enjoying the organization that has come to other areas in our house and lives.  We were very surprised when our new sofa arrived at the house in umpteen pieces waiting for us to put it together (thanks to IKEA’s we make it, you assemble it furniture!).

The Lord has continued to give us good contacts with neighbors.  Last Friday, one neighbor took me to meet another couple down the street who had honey to sell.  They kindly invited us in for a visit and were interested in what we are doing here.  The children who have been working hard on school enjoyed an annual Carnaval parade in downtown Saint Medard en Jalles where we saw many other families taking part in the festivities.  On Saturday, our family worked together to plant flowers in window boxes and in the back yard. 

God is blessing the work at the church downtown.  On Friday evening, there was a special speaker for prayer meeting.  Audrey, a senior at the Bible Institute in Algrange who is from this church, shared her heart as she presented the mission work in Congo (DRC) that she and her soon-to-be husband will be involved in.  

Our family took the bus and tramway to get to church to avoid driving in traffic and it still took 2.5 hours total to get to and from church.  Sunday, I preached in the morning service on the errors Pilate made in his response to Jesus.  There were two visitors in attendance.  This Sunday there will be a special Easter service followed by a fellowship dinner.   

 
Praise for:

- continued progress in settling in to our new home and ministries.

- the opportunity to have our teammates over for dinner (our first guests) and a time of prayer.

- the opportunity I had to lead the Bible study in Merignac this evening and for the 8 people present. 

- God’s help as we learn the best ways of transportation to get around this large, busy city.  Praise for God’s protection.

- the Easter cards we sent out today to a number of our friends.

Pray for:

- the Easter program and fellowship dinner this Sunday.  Pray for a small group of us that have been practicing a special number to share.

- hearts to be touched with the message of Easter.

- continued contacts and the building of relationships that the Lord can use.

- the preparations for our France team conference (April 23-26) and for our speaker coming from Germany this year.