Those of you reading this post already know the
latest news of what has transpired in France this past weekend. We are thankful for the safety God has
given to our family and to our connections in the Paris area. As far as we know, none of our friends
or their loved ones were involved in Friday’s terrorist attacks which killed
130 people and injured more than 300 others. We have been encouraged by so many of our contacts around
the world who have posted that they are praying for the country of France as it
navigates yet another tragedy.
The increased prayer for this country was
evident Saturday when three of us from our church met near the open market to
give out church flyers, witness and invite people to church. Rarely do we see someone we know on
these ventures, but that morning I saw 6 different people that we know
personally. The Lord gave an
excellent opportunity to witness to several of them as well as to some others
who were total strangers. Among
those I already knew was a man from the rollerblading club that I participated
in a couple of years ago, a mother from the kids’ school, and a neighbor from
our cul de sac! The neighbor
stopped to discuss spiritual things for 40 minutes on her way back to her car!
Praise
for:
- an increase in prayer for France this past
weekend and for the good opportunities that God is giving, during this crucial
time.
- the strangers and especially the acquaintances
the Lord brought to me on Saturday that I was able to talk to about the Lord
and invite to church.
- two more first time visitors to our English
Club outreach.
- the details coming into place for the Christmas Cantata and play.
- the excellent multi-church retreat with good
attendance, challenging messages, good fellowship and beautiful weather. The following pictures are from the retreat this year.
Pray
for:
- France as a country, and for individuals to be
open to the Good News of the Gospel.
- all of those who have heard the Gospel or have
been invited to church or to Bible study. Pray for the kids that are coming to
the English outreach, that the new visitors will return and that God will help
these young hearts to grasp the Truth of His Word.
- the few practices that remain for the choir
preparing the Christmas Cantata “The Lost Star”, and for the three people that
will be delivering the message through a dramatic presentation intertwined with
the songs. Pray for those who will
be invited and that God will bring the lost to hear the Gospel through this
effort.
- Pray for Cherith’s Grandma Hovingh in MI who is facing some tough health problems, that the Lord would relieve her pain and give His strength.
