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| Adrianna and Caleb with the Bixbys in 2008 |
We are so thankful for your prayers and for
God’s enabling over these past several weeks. Nearly one month ago, on February 26, we were sitting with
our guests around our Sunday dinner table when we received the word that our
beloved friend and BMM teammate, Bob Bixby had suddenly been called Home to
Glory. He had preached the sermon
that morning in his church across town.
We had been looking forward to having the Bixbys join us for supper that
Tuesday evening, and seeing pictures of Bob’s January ministry trip to Chad,
Africa. He was “Uncle Bob” to our family and with Aunt Bonnie, they were adoptive
grandparents to our kids. We were
in shock, along with his wife, their family and his church family. Our Bordeaux team lost a strong leader
and mentor. His example of loving
God and His Word as well as people of all ages has had an impact on our lives
as long as we have known him (Jonathan was 4 when his parents worked together
in Bangui, CAR).
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| Aunt Bonnie with her "kids" |
In the days that followed, each of the Bixbys’
five children was able to join her here in Bordeaux. There were more than 200 people present for a wonderful
service here in Bordeaux celebrating Uncle Bob’s life and sharing the Gospel
message that marked his life. The
Lord allowed us many opportunities to come alongside Aunt Bonnie and her family
over the following two weeks through visits, meals, hosting, childcare and
cleaning. One of the blessings
that the Lord gave was a special reunion of a number of us who had been together
with the Bixbys in Central Africa when we were kids. We continue to grieve, along with many others, but not as
those without hope. We know that
Uncle Bob is with his Savior that he loved and served and that we will see him
again. And how thankful we are
that the God of all comfort comforts us in all of our tribulation, preparing us
to share God’s comfort with others in their time of trouble.
Praise
for:
- God’s comfort and grace that He has given to
Bonnie Bixby, her family and the church in Pessac as He walks them through
these difficult days.
- the visitors that we have had in church
services and Bible study recently.
Praise for the record attendance that we had recently with every space
filled.
- God’s working in all five members of the R
family through Bible study both at church and at home.
- for good attendance and growth in our English
club, and for God’s help as we work with a large diversity in age and level in
English.
- God’s help as we had our first pastors’
meeting in March without Bob Bixby.
Praise for the leadership at the Pessac church that is determined to
remain faithful in service.
- a prospective building that may be available
for our church to rent.
Pray
for
- the Bixby family and the church in Pessac who
are most affected by the sudden Homegoing of Bob Bixby. Pray for God’s grace and guidance for
Bonnie’s future, and that God will provide the church with a pastor and a
building.
- God to open the spiritual eyes of lost souls
in Saint Medard. Pray for those
who are hearing the Gospel at church, English Club and personal Bible studies.
- our displaced family who have been living in
poor conditions for over four months awaiting the refugee office for a move to
a better place. Pray for S who is
having some critical health concerns, that God will give them answers and
relief to these problems.
- God to open the doors for our church to be
able to move into this new building if this is where He wants us.
- the church in Central African Republic which
continues to face great hardship with rebels controlling much of the country.
- preparations for our home ministry this summer and for our need of additional support.
