October update

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). As October whirled in, we had no idea how God would show us His help and strength nor did we know how much we would need it! He has reminded us again of our full dependence on Him for health, strength and care as well as His faithfulness and help.

The Lord sent us a missions team of 16 individuals from Quebec on October 7-10 to assist us in our French ministry. They helped us in door to door outreach in parts of Moncton and Dieppe and in street evangelism at the Dieppe farmers’ market.  They brought joy, love and passion, as well as language skills in French and many in English as well.  There were a number of opportunities to share the Gospel verbally and we estimate that close to 1500 bilingual flyers and tracts were given out that weekend alone.  Pastor Roy (from Quebec) preached in our French service on Sunday and their group shared special music and testimony in both the French and English services. Cherith was responsible for feeding meals to around 25 people, including several from our own group.  She was thankful for those from the church here who helped as needed. What a joy to see God blessing this collaborative effort and the mutual encouragement between the two groups.  We pray the Lord will continue to give lasting fruit.

On October 14, Cherith and I both were involved in speaking to a pastors and wives fellowship hosted at Emmanuel Baptist Church.  Then on Saturday, the 15th, we both took a high stake English language test (IELTS), one of the requirements in our application for extended Canadian residency. The Lord gave strength and help through the long tests (which are costly and non-refundable) that day and got us home safely just before Cherith was hit with feeling sick and extreme exhaustion.  She became quite ill over the following week and was in bed for most of two weeks.  Through a series of divine interventions (another story!), the Lord made it possible for Cherith to see the leading lung specialist for our area that next Wednesday and he has now taken her as a patient.  Along with the respiratory and asthma issues she has been fighting for several years, she was also fighting pneumonia and possibly a flu going around.  The specialist was able to adjust her medicines and get her on an antibiotic, and she began to slowly improve.  Stamina continues to improve, but she has been able to return to her ministries since Sunday.  We praise the Lord for His healing and for all the ways He has ministered to our family this month through our church family and even sending Cherith’s Mom to us for 8 days. He truly has helped us and upheld us with His right hand!

Praise for

• God’s blessings of the evangelistic outreach with the Quebec missions team who came to assist in our French ministry. Praise for the many who heard the Gospel or received it in writing and for the team’s ministry in our services. Praise for the joyful collaboration of these two churches in the Gospel ministry.
• three young adults that were baptized October 23, including two saved in February. Praise for these and several other new members that have joined the church. Praise for good attendance for the French ministry and for several visitors.
• God’s help for the EBBI students as they presented the school, preached and shared special music at Grace Baptist Church October 16 and at the Prince Edward Island Bible conference October 21.  Praise for God’s helping us to be able to have these ministries while Cherith was ill.
• Praise for God’s help with our English tests.
• Praise for God’s help for Cherith with the heavy load she carried through the middle of the month, and for His care and healing for her through this time of recovery. Praise for the provision of a lung specialist to follow her as a patient.
• Praise for God’s help for Mrs. E as she led the Ladies Bible study October 27 as Cherith was recovering.
• for God’s provision for the financial needs for Caleb and The Gambia missions team, and for Caleb’s visa coming through.

Pray for

• God’s continued healing and strengthening for Cherith.
• good contacts and opportunities to share the Gospel with door to door outreach. Pray for visitors and that God will continue to grow this ministry.
• the Teen Retreat that Emmanuel is hosting this weekend with around 80 teens from all over the three Maritime provinces.  Pray for Cherith as she speaks to the girls on biblical womanhood and purity in a divided session this Saturday and that God will work in the hearts of the teens to seek His will and glory. Pray for the EBBI students as they lead various activities and as they share special music in each session.
• a team of 7 men (including 3 EBBI students and our son Caleb) that will be traveling to The Gambia on a missions trip to help build a church building from November 21 to December 1. Pray for good health, protection travelling and that God will use this trip in the lives of these men as well as in the lives of those they minister to for His glory.