On November 24, our family had the unique privilege of participating in a Central African gathering here in Bordeaux. The group meets several times a year to pray for the CAR and to sing and study the Bible together in Sango.
Ironically, it was while Caleb and I were in Bangui that one of the couples leading the group came to our church in Saint-Médard to invite me to preach at this service. We were amazed by the large group of Central Africans that had gathered and I was thrilled with the opportunity to preach to them in Sango.
Cherith was also delighted to use her Sango. She saw S (with Cherith below) at the meeting, a lady she had just “happened” to meet in the hospital waiting room the preceding Friday as Caleb was having his cast removed. Cherith had overheard her talking on the phone in Sango there in the waiting room. When Cherith greeted her in her own tongue, her eyes got wide and she exclaimed to her son “This lady is one of us!” They talked about many things including the meeting that Sunday.
Our family will be travelling to Anglet (near the Spanish border) this Sunday where I will be preaching in the morning service and our family will take part in the Christmas Concert outreach in the afternoon before driving home that evening. The Cheloudtchenkos (BMM colleagues) and the church there invited our family to help with this musical outreach. With Cherith at the piano, Jonathan will be leading the choir which includes our children. Adrianna will be part of a violin trio and also accompany a violin duet on the piano. Additionally, we will also be singing an English Christmas carol medley and Cherith and I will have a piano duet. We have been practicing here at home and have been able to join the Anglet church for two practices (November 10 and December 5).
Praise for
- good attendance of our special Christmas breakfast and service last Sunday (25), and for the work God is doing in hearts. Praise for the children attending the English club and for their good attention to the Bible lessons.
- our Thanksgiving celebration as we hosted a gathering of 26 people, mostly missionaries from this area and as far away as an hour beyond the Spanish border.
- the good week that Adrianna and Caleb had at the MTR (Missionary Teen Retreat) in Spain last week, for the good fellowship with Christian teens (a rarity for our children) and for the spiritually challenging sessions.
- the good healing of Caleb’s arm after being in a cast for over 9 weeks.
- for the opportunity to share in a children’s church group in Connecticut over Skype !
Pray for
- God’s blessing on the Christmas outreaches, and for people to respond to the Gospel, both here in Saint-Médard and in Anglet.
- the ongoing Bible studies Cherith is having with S, and for the weekly contact Jonathan has with his Muslim friend.
- L’s salvation and for her adult daughter to begin to attend church with her.
- God’s provision of a larger building for our church, and for sufficient funds to be able to rent it.
- Cherith to get relief from the respiratory issues she suffers from. She will be seeing another specialist Monday.
- the many details concerning our planned furlough/home ministry next year. Pray that God will provide someone to replace us and for His help in the scheduling of meetings.
