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.