Praise and Prayer October 27, 2016

We appreciate your prayers for our ongoing building search for our church here in Saint Medard.  Since our last update, we visited a promising prospect that was well situated.  However, with no second exit doors, the building doesn’t meet code requirements for a church meeting place.  So the search goes one. 

At church, we have been blessed to see God working in the hearts of several unsaved people that are attending.  Continued interest in studying the Bible and the children’s keen interest in the Sunday school lesson encourage us and remind us to pray that God will apply His truth to hearts.  Of course we need His help to faithfully and clearly teach and preach His Word!

Praise for:

- good attendance and particpation in the English outreach club, and for help in our organization with the increased numbers.

- the good questions that we are hearing from adults and children as they try to comprehend and assimilate spiritual truth from the Bible with the things that they have been taught in a secular society.

- the good contacts with five families for Josiah’s Birthday, including some we had not met before.

- the visit of an unsaved grandmother from Reims, for her interest in what she saw and heard in our services.

- the baptismal service last Sunday at the Bordeaux center church for a teenager and a woman in her fifties, and for the Gospel announced in testimony, song and message.  Praise for the unsaved present who heard.

Pray for:

- God’s work in the hearts of the unsaved individuals that are hearing the Gospel.

- the grandmother as she returns to her town that she will pursue contact with the church there where we used to be involved.

- the annual four-plus church retreat this weekend.  They expect over 60 in attendance.  Pray that God will use the retreat to speak to hearts for salvation and for spiritual growth.  Pray for safety, good fellowship, and spiritual refreshment for believers.

- God’s provision of an adequate building to meet our growing needs as a church.

- the Central African Republic that continues to face much turmoil, both in Bangui, the capital and in other cities around the country where we have brothers and sisters in Christ serving Him.  There have been senseless attacks on some of our people, and some of our friends have been killed in the past couple weeks.

Praise and Prayer update October 13, 2016

In the midst of a world in turmoil, isn’t it encouraging to remember that God is on His throne and worthy of our confidence in every aspect of our lives?!  Here in Saint Medard, we have seen His hand at work these past couple weeks.  Thank you for your prayers for us through these challenging days!

The first English club outreach of the year was held Friday, September 30 and we were thrilled to have a number of new families get involved.  In fact, there were 23 of us at one point crowded into our living room!  

Some were checking it out and we trust they will be back tomorrow evening for our second outreach.  One family contacted us to say she did want her son to participate in the club this year.  With the increase in participants of various ages (from 2^nd grade to adult) we have decided to split the group and have one group learning the Bible story while the other group is having their activity/game, and then switch groups.  

For our Bible theme this year, we are going through the 7 C’s of History from Answers in Genesis.  We need the Lord’s help as we prepare and teach God’s truths, and for the participants to see their need to put their trust in Christ.

Preparing for the evangelistic film outreach on October 8 included getting out more than 2000 invitations.  These were shared with neighbors and friends, distributed to homes and handed out at the Saturday market the week before the film.  

We didn’t know if there would be an overwhelming response and we would be scrambling to find more seating or if, as in some of our past outreaches, there would be almost no response.  

God brought 10 visitors to see the film, from four different families.  One of them was one of Caleb’s friends from school who came with his mother and younger brother, a family that we have been praying for and reaching out to over the past couple of years.

It was a great opportunity to introduce these people to our church ministries and everyone enjoyed a time of refreshments and visiting after the film.

Praise for:

- the great attendance for our first English club outreach, and for the need to split into two groups for the activities.

- good contacts with neighbors and for the visitors that came to the evangelistic film outreach.

- those attending our Sunday school and morning service, both saved and unsaved.

- Josiah’s seventh Birthday this week and for the work that God is doing in his heart to help him to grow to love and obey Him more.

- Cherith’s Mom’s safe return to the USA from Romania and for the opportunities that God gave her to serve Him there.

Pray for:

- The English outreach club tomorrow evening, and for wisdom and help in preparing and teaching.  Pray for the contacts with each family.

- God’s work in the hearts of the unsaved individuals that have heard the Gospel.

Adrianna helping to prepare for the Retreat

- us this Saturday as we will have contact with the families of five of Josiah’s friends that he has invited to celebrate his Birthday.

- the annual family retreat that our church participates in along with the three other Bordeaux churches and a few others.  It will be the weekend of October 28-30.  Pray that God will use the retreat to speak to hearts for salvation and for spiritual growth.

- God’s leading and provision of a new building for our church.