Praise and Prayer September 11, 2019

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)  We are very grateful for your prayers and for God’s help again this past month. Through each full week, He continues to sustain and enable us for challenges often beyond us.  How thankful we are for our God who promises to uphold us as we trust and follow Him.  Today, we welcome back our teammates, Ed and Sylvia Christy.  We are thankful for God’s protection and blessing for them as they have travelled and shared with churches and individuals in the US this past summer.

God often surprises us with a change of plans and with help from an unexpected source.  I was recently contacted by a missionary to Germany accompanying a large group of  vacationing German believers to southwest France.  Some of them were interested in giving some time to help us distribute church flyers.  I was encouraged by the news that 10 adults would be available to help.  But last Wednesday, a group of more than 25 met me in a Saint-Médard parking lot!  We divided into several teams, gave out maps and flyers to each team and prayed before heading out. In the meantime, Cherith was doing double-duty preparing lunch for 17 while trying to keep up with homeschooling.  We were so encouraged by the enthusiasm of our German brethren and their desire to serve God in this way, while on vacation! The fellowship was also a blessing to our family.  

Praise for

• the return of our teammates and for the relief that brings to us. Praise for God’s sustenance and enabling through this time.
• the help and encouragement that God sent us from Germany. 
• the visitors we’ve had this summer, some who’ve returned. 
• Praise for growth in the children’s Sunday school ministry.   
• spiritual growth in a number of lives this summer, and for the upcoming baptism on September 29.
• Increased strength for Madame T. after the serious health issues she faced last summer.  Praise for her example and that she has been able to attend services recently.  
• some progress in preparation for Jonathan’s two-week module at the FIBAT seminary in Bangui, CAR October 11-26.

Pray for

• God to cause those who receive church flyers to seek Him “while He may be found.” Pray for the salvation of the lost that are attending our services.
• T. who recently presented his ministry in Kiev, Ukraine in our church. Pray for our believers to have a greater vision and burden for the lost near and far.

• P, who’s six-month internship here ends this month.  Pray that God will provide him with a permanent job in this area (if it is His will) so he can  continue to serve the Lord here. 
• consistency in attendance of the kids attending our children’s Sunday school ministry. Pray for increased attendance for our Kids’ English club outreach.
• God to soften the hearts of the spouses of some of the ladies in our church, and that He would draw them to Himself.
• Madame T.’s strength to continue to increase.  Pray for the salvation of her daughter and grandchildren.
• strength and enabling (as God has promised) to carry on when we feel weary. Pray especially for Cherith’s respiratory issues, that God will give some relief when medical treatments do not. 
• our children’s schooling, and for Cherith as she works long hours with the boys each day.  Pray for Adrianna who has a heavy load that includes two dual credit college courses and  music lessons for two instruments.

• the remaining preparations for Jonathan’s trip to CAR.