Update November 29, 2023

October and November have scurried by with many opportunities to serve the Lord, and while much sickness has gone around, the Lord has protected our family from being hit too hard. I am grateful for God’s provision of strength while I continue to recover from a painful sinus infection. My state Sunday reminded us of how desperately we need to keep praying that God will send laborers to partner with us in this ministry.  The disparity in the number of workers involved in the English and French ministries was underscored as both of us pastors were not well.  There were English speaking Sunday school teachers, worship leaders and substitute preachers available for both English services, but not a single replacement available for the French Bible study and worship service. In His omniscience, the Lord had guided in our French program so that D., the retired professor in our group, was scheduled to preach in the afternoon French service.  He had been out with illness the past two Sundays, but had recovered by Sunday and was able to preach, leaving me with the Bible study and leading worship. We were thrilled to see a first time visitor, a Parisian woman who is agnostic that has lived in NB for many years. We were also encouraged to have 19 present, the largest attendance since we began services in September.

Praise for

• the faithful attendance of some in our 3 p.m. French service and 9:45 a.m. Bible study and for a few first-time visitors. 
• the opportunity to speak on missions three times at the youth retreat that our church hosted November 3-4 to a group of 70+ youth from around the Maritimes.

• the Lord’s provision of health and strength to minister despite all the sickness. 
• growth in the Ladies’ Bible study and for God’s work in hearts.
• great opportunities for Gospel outreach at the memorial service for Remembrance Day (November 11) and at the well-attended Christmas Parade Outreach with 1000+ tracts handed out.

• the safe travels and mutually encouraging fellowship with the R family visiting from France and for the opportunity they had to see and get involved in our ministry here. Mr. R shared their testimony of how God brought them to faith in Christ after years of searching and life with no meaning.

• The new Christian school with 68 students that is now functioning in our former home and place of ministry in Bambari, CAR.  Praise God for His provision of a special gift so we can help with the cost of building much-needed benches.

Pray for

• greater commitment and increased faithful attendance for certain individuals in our French Bible study and worship services.
• complete restoration for our health and strength, and for God’s enabling and help in the challenges we face daily. 
• God to send laborers to partner with us in this French ministry. 
• for guidance and blessing of all the special services, fellowship, and outreach opportunities during the Christmas season, including the Winter Music Recital and Christmas Cantata.  Pray for Cherith as she incorporates the hours of piano practice for the cantata into her busy schedule.
• the new Christian school in Bambari, CAR, and for the finances needed to complete doors and windows and add sufficient benches. 
• God to continue to move our paperwork along for Canadian residency without long delays and without much greater cost.