Praise and Prayer for January 22, 2010

This Sunday, January 24, at 3 p.m our time, the Evangelical Baptist Church of Reims will be voting on calling their own pastor. While this day has been long anticipated and prepared for, it is also a day that would begin a new era for the church that has been established through the Farrells’ ministry over the years since their arrival in Reims in 1986. Our prayer is that the members of the church will sense the leading of the Holy Spirit as they make their decision and that the results of the vote will show a unity of mind and spirit among the voting members (38). Each of those of us serving the church desire God’s will for the church and that the church will continue to move forward and grow in spirit and in number.


We praise the Lord for the results of tests Jonathan’s Mother (Betty Teachout) had this week by a renal doctor. Her kidneys are functioning well and she has no need for dialysis at this time. Elva Farrell (pictured) continues to recover in the hospital from her hip replacement surgery January 13. She is scheduled to be released from the hospital this Saturday, but will continue rehab at home over the next couple months. Here at home, Caleb continues to have asthma struggles and Josiah still has some congestion. They were well enough for us to have a couple families visit on Wednesday with their children. Our friends the Clapots even offered to watch our kids for us on Thursday so that we could get out on an enjoyable date, our first one in several months.

Praise for:
- the good services on Sunday, both in French and in Sango.
- answers to prayer for Mother Teachout’s kidneys and for Elva Farrell’s continued recovery.
- the completion of the reports for the ministries we are involved in at church for the annual business meeting January 31.
- the opportunity to encourage the two families that we had in our home on Wednesday.

Pray for:
- good attendance at the church business meeting on Sunday afternoon, and for a spirit of unity among the church body as it votes to call the Fischers.
- Elva Farrell’s return home Saturday and continued rehab.
- individuals coming to our services that need to make decisions for the Lord.
- good health and rest for our family.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our future ministry (after home ministry in 2011).

Praise and Prayer for January 15, 2010

After the snow and cold spell that hit France and much of the northern hemisphere on the heels of the global warming conference and headlines, it seems as though Reims is beginning to thaw. This week, we have been nursing both Caleb and Josiah through illness. Josiah is almost recovered from a pretty nasty cold, and Caleb seems to be finally over an asthma attack and flu that had him out of school for nearly a week.

The church counsel met Saturday evening to go through final details regarding the upcoming business meetings and pastoral vote. We are praying that the Lord’s will be made evident to members through a strong positive vote to call the Fischers. However, the changes that lie ahead for the church can seem daunting to some. We are so thankful to the Lord for the way that He has blessed the Farrells’ ministry here in Reims and that the church is now ready to call her own French pastor. Pray for the church, for the Fischers and for the Farrells as the Lord gives each guidance for future ministry. We also need your prayer as we strive to help the church through this time of transition, and as we work to strengthen several church ministries: Sango outreach, Sunday school, worship and music.

Praise for:
- Elva Farrell’s hip surgery going well on Wednesday, for a good beginning to the long recovery process.
- improved health for Caleb and Josiah.
- unity and good meetings of church leaders as we approach the January 24 pastoral vote.
- God’s blessing of the Reims Evangelical Baptist Church to bring her to this very important time and opportunity.
- Jonathan’s opportunity to accompany Caleb’s class on a field trip to the circus, at the teacher’s request.

Pray for:
- good attendance at our Sango service Sunday and for Jonathan as he preaches.
- God’s guidance for the church body in the coming days and for harmony as the church votes on calling the Fichers on January 24.
- a speedy recovery for Elva Farrell after hip surgery.
- complete healing for Caleb and Josiah, and for good health for the rest of us.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our future ministry (after home ministry in 2011).

Praise and Prayer for January 8, 2010

Happy New Year to each of our friends reading this update! We are so thankful to the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness to us in 2009 and for bringing us into this new year. Living in an insecure world and listening to sensationalized news reports, one could allow himself to spiral into a state of fear, insecurity and alarm. We cannot begin to fully express our thankfulness to our loving God for being our Father, Keeper, Helper, Guide, Friend, Protector, Provider, Comforter, Lover, Teacher, and so much more. In His Presence, it is with great joy and anticipation that we look toward the future knowing that He has His perfect plan for our individual lives in 2010. It is also a comfort to us to know that, while we may not always like or understand circumstances that we may be in right now or will go through in 2010, we can trust Him to do what is best for us and in such a way that He receives the most glory in each circumstance. May He be pleased to use us to point others to Him and to His Word this year.

Elva Farrell put together a beautiful Christmas collage of all the children that have come to Sunday School in the past couple months.

Among our goals this year is seeing our Sunday School program become more independent. In our experience, we have seen that when programs are built by and revolve around individuals, the programs dwindle and eventually disappear when those individuals move away. This can be disastrous in a church setting, whether it be a church plant or an established church. Our desire from the beginning of our involvement in this church plant has been to try to start ministries that we could share and eventually turn over completely to church leaders and members who would, with God’s help, continue the ministries when the time comes for us to leave. During this past year, the Lord has blessed our efforts to build up the Sunday School ministry here at the Evangelical Baptist Church of Reims. One of our current responsibilities is the scheduling of Nursery workers and teachers and helpers for the two younger SS classes. As we prepare this update, we are making final adjustments to the SS program for the next two months. Although we are losing one of our faithful teachers this month to a work related move, we are thankful for others that have responded positively to getting involved in this ministry. They will have opportunities to help experienced teachers as they train and prepare to teach classes in the future. During this year, we will be looking to turn over more of the administration/scheduling responsibilities to qualified and willing church members.

Praise for:
- a blessed Holiday season and the beginning of a New Year.
- a good reaction from many of our neighbors to the gift of goodies along with a calendar and Christmas tract.
- Josiah receiving his French residency identity papers this week from the French government.
- the opportunity we had as a family to visit one of the shut-in members of our church on Thursday evening.

Pray for:
- the Sunday School ministry, and especially the new individuals that are getting involved this quarter.
- good attendance at our Sango service Sunday, for Jonathan and he preaches and for Cherith as she has the children’s class.
- both of us as we take on and share a new ministry: the accompanying of the morning services.
- Elva Farrell as she anticipates hip surgery on Wednesday.
- the church counsel as it meets Saturday evening, for direction for the church, as they vote for a pastor and select deacons on January 24.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our next term of ministry (after home ministry in 2011).

Praise and Prayer for December 19, 2009

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. I John 4:9

Snow falling, traffic jams, busy shoppers preparing for family gatherings, Christmas village shops filling pedestrian areas, even Christmas carols playing from speakers perched out of sight. Amidst the busyness, few seem to pause and listen to the Good News proclaimed by the carols. Unfortunately, many are in English and not easily understood by the passersby. Meanwhile billboards and stores are full of images of Santa Claus and toys for young and old, promising happiness, making hearts yearn for much more than budgets can afford. During this holiday season, despite the distractions, we as believers can take extra opportunities to share with those around us the true Reason for the Season.

Our Church Christmas program was held Sunday afternoon. Although many who’d been invited did not attend, the church was nonetheless full. The message of a Savior born in Bethlehem, sent to save people from the penalty of sin was clear through the songs, the verses, the skits and the devotional. Our home has become a bustle of activity preparing Christmas goodies to share with teachers, friends and neighbors this Christmas season. We have already given out several plates of goodies along with the Christmas message and each has been well received. Some of our friends will also receive the “Bonne Semence” calendar with daily Bible readings and meditations.

Thank you so much for your prayers for us throughout 2009! Lord willing, our next update will be posted on January 8. May the Lord bless your Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Praise for:
- Jesus, God’s Gift to all at Christmas and throughout the year.
- the excellent Christmas program and for a good turnout of Church family and guests.
- opportunities to share the Good News this Christmas with neighbors and friends.
- Josiah’s good growth in the two months since his birth.
- another year of life for Jonathan celebrated on Wednesday.
- the church counsel meeting Thursday evening and safety on the slippery, snowy roads.

Pray for:
- those who receive the gifts we are sharing, that they will read the tracts and have open hearts.
- our opportunity to share with the family of one of Adrianna’s friends on Monday evening as we have them over for a special Christmas dinner.
- a Christmas cookie party (bake and decorate) with two of Adrianna’s girlfriends Tuesday afternoon.
- health and rest for each of us, especially for Josiah as he has quite a cold; for Elva Farrell as she anticipates hip surgery on January 13.
- direction for the church, as they vote for a pastor and select deacons on January 24.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our next term of ministry (after home ministry in 2011).

Praise and Prayer for December 11, 2009

We held a Christmas party for our Sango group at our house last evening. We were 21 in all, including 9 children. Although one of our regular attendees was ill, there was a family with two children who we met for the first time. Our goal this Christmas season had been to provide the group with an opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus together while enjoying fellowship and deepening relationships. While some were still arriving after 8 p.m. (we started at 6), it seemed to us that before everyone had left after 10:30 p.m., the Lord had richly blessed and helped us to reach our goal. We would love to see the visiting family return and more regularity in the attendance of some of the others. Pray that the Lord will work in hearts and give a hunger for spiritual things.

This Sunday afternoon our church will be having its annual Christmas program. Each of the groups in the church will be participating through music, skits, Scripture memory or readings, a Bible study, and refreshments. We have been working with the SS children, the choir and the Sango group to prepare their contributions to the program. This special service provides an opportunity for members to invite friends and acquaintances to see and hear (many for the first time) the Good News of the Savior born in Bethlehem. We have invited several of the teachers in the children’s schools as well as some of the other parents. Please pray for this special outreach this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (our time).

Praise for:
- the good turnout for the Sango Christmas party last evening and the profitable time together.
- the invitations to Sunday’s Christmas program that have been given out.
- Caleb’s healing and return to school this week, though his asthma continues to bother him.
- the life of Aunt Alice Lathrop (Jonathan’s Dad’s guardian) who entered heaven on Wednesday morning at 99 years of age.

Pray for:
- last minute preparations for the Christmas program and that the Lord will bless each contribution to the program.
- the Lord to prepare hearts of those who will be in our church for the first time this Sunday and that our lack of space will not pose a problem!
- good health for each of us, especially for Josiah.
- Elva Farrell as she anticipates hip surgery on January 13.
- direction for the church, as they vote for a pastor and select deacons on January 24.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our next term of ministry (after home ministry in 2011).

Praise and Prayer for December 5, 2009

We are encouraged to see the way the Lord continues to bless the Eglise Evangelique Baptiste de Reims. On Sunday evening, members and guests gathered for a precious time of fellowship at the Q and A with our pastoral candidate and his wife. The Lord’s blessings were evident as good questions were asked and the Fischers’ responses were clear. It was good for the church to be able to hear Emmanuel express his vision for the future of the church. As the January 24 vote draws closer, the church body needs God’s direction calling a pastor. If the church calls the Fischers, this will be one of the largest steps the church takes in nationalizing, and in becoming independent. The Farrells would then be free to take a long anticipated time of home ministry. We have committed to staying throughout the remainder of our term of service (until summer 2011) so would be able to help the church through the transition to having a new pastor. Our goals include continuing to build and nationalize both the Sango outreach and the Sunday school program. This January 24 vote will have great impact on the church, which we believe is ready to take this significant step. Thank you for praying for this.


On the home front, the Lord brought Caleb through a serious bout with a flu this week. On Monday evening, he came down with a fever and over the next couple days the fever topped 104 F a few times. He saw our doctor Tuesday evening, took lots of baths and received lots of fever reducing medicines. We were so thankful that the fever disappeared Thursday and only a cough remains. Thus far it seems like he didn’t share it with the rest of us. Our concern was especially for Josiah. We were able to make the trip to Paris on Thursday with Josiah, while the Farrells kept Caleb and had Adrianna during her lunch break from school. As we crawled through Paris traffic for 40 minutes, we wondered if we would be on time. Praise the Lord, we were and we came away with an official looking Declaration of Birth, and applications accepted for the Social Security number and passport.

Praise for:
- good attendance and participation in Sunday School and church.
- a good Q & A last Sunday evening with the Fischers.
- a safe and profitable trip to Paris Thursday where we applied for Josiah’s official documents.
- healing for Caleb who battled a flu with a high fever this week.

Pray for:
- preparations for the Church Christmas program on December 13.
- good health for each of us, especially for Josiah.
- Elva Farrell as she anticipates hip surgery on January 13.
- direction for the church, as they vote for a pastor and select deacons on January 24.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our next term of ministry (after home ministry in 2011).

Praise and Prayer for November 28, 2009

We were reminded of our dependence on the Lord for good health this week as many around us have been sick. Numerous children and teachers in the Preschool and Elementary schools where Caleb and Adrianna are enrolled have been out of school for much of the week. The H1N1 flu is changing habits for cleanliness and people are doing what they can to avoid catching or spreading it. How thankful we are for the peace and freedom from fear that is ours through our faith in Jesus Christ.


The Lord gave good services Sunday, with good attendance in the morning French service and in the evening Sango service. There were 19 at the Sango service, which is the highest attendance yet this season. And this was despite a strong windstorm that began Sunday afternoon. On Monday, our teammates, the Farrells, joined us for a good time of fellowship over dinner. We made the trip on Wednesday to and from Algrange to celebrate Thanksgiving at the Bible Institute. While we greatly missed our families, we were blessed to be together with these dear friends to reflect on God’s goodness. In the afternoon, the Lord gave us some special time with Roger and Jean Reisacher in their home before we had to load up and head back home. The Lord has given some special opportunities this Thanksgiving to share with those around us a bit of the history and reason for this holiday. On Thursday afternoon, our family visited one of the grandmothers from our church here who has been unable to get to church for some time with health problems.

Praise for:
- the good business meeting Thursday evening with church leaders.
- good attendance in Sunday school and church, and a good evening Sango service.
- special time spent with students and professors at the Bible Institute as we celebrated a American holiday, Thanksgiving, together.
- those who are part of a special Christmas chorale ensemble, as we prepare a part of the Christmas program for December 13.

Pray for:
- Elva Farrell as she anticipates hip surgery in the near future.
- Granny S. to feel well enough to come to church tomorrow.
- us as we gather documents needed and travel to Paris Thursday to apply for a record of birth, S.S. number, and passport for Josiah.
- our intern and pastoral candidate Emmanuel and his wife as they participate in a special Q & A time this coming Sunday as the January church vote approaches.
- continued protection and good health.
- God’s direction to be clear to us for our next term of ministry (after home ministry in 2011).