Praise and Prayer for October 18, 2010

Thank you to each one who prayed for our special outreach on Sunday with the showing of the Jesus film. The rest of the invitations were given out during the week, including more than 20 of our acquaintances from the neighborhood and the children’s schools. Special prayer meetings were held on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for Sunday’s outreach. Much work went into preparing the hall on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, and by 4 p.m., chairs were set, projector, dvd player and sound system were all checked, coffee was perking, baked goodies covered three tables, special guests from our sister church in Chalons were set up with keyboard, two violins and a guitar to provide beautiful music as people entered, and the welcome crew was ready at the door, waiting for the crowds to begin flowing inside. While I can’t honestly say the numbers were staggering, we must say that we did see God at work. The crowd that gathered barely topped 60, with perhaps around 50 from the churches. In that number, however, were a couple that have yet to accept Christ. Invited guests were around 10, and none of those we’d invited had come. We were thankful that the guests who were there had good opportunities to speak with church members and leaders.

One of the most encour-aging parts of the event was the way so many individuals in the church came together to serve happily in this endeavor. We believe Christ was glorified yesterday, and we continue to pray for fruit. Those 10,000 invitations that were distributed throughout the city of Reims bore a witness to Christ and included contact information and the church website. Just today, I received a call from a woman who had heard about our church and was interested in coming to our services.

Another very specific answer to prayer and witness to God’s power marked our weekend. Adrianna came down with a fever and an earache, which resulted in my running her to the emergency clinic in town Sunday morning before church. The doctor diagnosed a viral infection but then decided to do an additional test to be sure it wasn’t bacterial and in need of antibiotics. The test revealed a bacterial infection surprising the doctor and changing the diagnosis. As he wondered to his assistant why he had even run the test when he normally wouldn’t have, I told him that we had prayed on our way in that the Lord would give him wisdom in diagnosing the problem and in treating it. He acknowledged immediately that God must have heard our prayer, and that we now had the proper diagnosis and treatment. Praise the Lord for showing His power to the doctor and his assistant, as well as to our little 7 year old and her papa.

Praise for:
- those who did come to see the “Jesus” film on Sunday, and for the excellent teamwork by so many who were eager to reach out to Reims.
- new visitors in church on Sunday.
- the woman who called Monday interested in coming to our church.
- the answer to prayer on Sunday morning in the doctor’s office and the demonstration of God’s power to even work through the doctor.
- Josiah’s 1st Birthday on the 12th and for all God has done for us since those very difficult days with him in intensive care one year ago.
- Baptist Mid-Missions celebrating 90 years of ministry.

Pray for:
- ongoing fruit from the “Jesus” film outreach and the 10,000 flyers that were distributed.
- the woman who called today for more information about our church to come to church this Sunday.
- me as I lead the prayer meeting and Bible study Tuesday evening.
- opportunities to witness to result from my participation on the elected parent-teacher counsel at Adrianna’s school this year.
- the Ladies Tea coming up on November 7.
- Ippy, CAR where our BMM hospital work continues to minister under African leadership and where there are four churches in our fellowship of churches. Rebel factions took over the town on Saturday (October 16) causing locals to flee to the bush.
- guidance in making decisions concerning our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for October 11, 2010

Thank you for your prayers for us this past week! We are thankful for the Lord giving us good health again and for protecting the children from coming down with the flu/cold that we had. This Sunday, October 17, our church will be hosting an evangelistic outreach where we will be showing the “Jesus” film. It has been fun to watch different ones in the church getting excited about this opportunity and to see the willingness of so many to get involved. Even if nobody from outside the church comes, it seems like the experience and blessing of embarking on such a project will already have been worth the effort and expense. But we are counting on the Lord to bring in enough people from around Reims to fill the 250 chairs in the community hall that City Hall has given us the use of for this outreach. Many from church have been distributing invitation flyers in their neighborhoods and beyond. In two afternoons last week, Jonathan and Emmanuel placed more than 1500 of the flyers in mailboxes, announcing the showing of the “JESUS” film. As a church, it looks like we will reach our goal in placing the 10,000 flyers that were printed. It is a little frightening to think about all that could go wrong Sunday, but we are depending on the Lord for enabling, for protection, for blessing, and most of all for fruit! Thank you for praying for us this Sunday and for this special Outreach for our church!

We had our first Sango service last evening. Numerically speaking, we could be disappointed as there was only our family and one other couple there with their children. We understood that some were absent due to sickness and travelling, but some of those we expected to see were not there. However, the Lord gave us a good opportunity to share with the couple that was there who is struggling in many areas. They need prayer, but we were so thankful for the opportunity to give biblical counsel, which seemed to be well received.

Praise for:
- a couple of individuals who are preparing for baptism.
- a number of first time visitors in church on Sunday.
- the good participation of many in church in the evangelistic outreach, for the willingness and the desire to be a part of what God may choose to do through this effort.
- the friends and neighbors of ours and others in our church who receive invitations to see the “Jesus” film.
- the good health the Lord has given our family at this time.

Pray for:
- the church-wide evangelistic outreach this Sunday, October 17. Pray for God’s blessing on each one from church that will be helping with set-up, welcoming, cleaning, preparing and serving food.
- the Central Africans reached through our Sango language outreach, that hearts would be receptive, resulting in changed lives.
- more opportunities to share the Good News.
- the Ladies Tea coming up on November 7.
- guidance in making decisions concerning our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for October 6, 2010

It has been a busy time for us, comp-licated last week by both Cherith and myself being down with this flu/cold. We are thankful for the Lord’s sustenance through it and that He enabled us to fulfill each of our responsibilities including walking the kids to or from school four times a day. We made it to the important appointments last Tuesday that involved Adrianna and Caleb’s papers for their official status in France, and by Friday had all of the documents in hand that we have been waiting on for nearly a year. We did learn of an obligatory all day appointment set for the day of the Ladies Tea. Our protests weren’t sufficient to have the date changed. Just the day before we had learned that Emmanuel’s wife was also being required to be at work the day of the Ladies Tea. So with both of the pastors’ wives out of the picture, Emmanuel made the decision to postpone the Tea until Sunday, November 7.

It was good to catch up by phone with Mike and Elva Farrell in Michigan on Thursday. They have enjoyed the meetings they’ve already had and the safety God has given over the many miles of travel. We are thankful to the Lord for a full auditorium Sunday for the missions presentation and excellent challenge from the Word by our own supported missionary, Eric Hossack. From here he continued on to Algrange for a week of classes at the Bible Institute. We welcomed Mr. Vernon Rosenau from BMM’s Home Office for a visit this week from Monday until he continued on his travels this morning (Wednesday). We were encouraged through the fellowship and counsel that he brought, not only as our administrator, but also as our “Uncle” Vernon since childhood days in CAR.

Praise for:
- a young lady who has been coming to our services who accepted the Lord this week!
- good attendance these past two Tuesday evening prayer meetings, especially last night with 19 present!
- good progress with our children’s official documents, and for the interest of one of the agents in coming to church.
- conversations the Lord has given us opportunities to have with those around us, and for a request from the director of Adrianna’s school for Jonathan to serve on the parent/teacher counsel.
- a good visit with Mr. Rosenau and for God’s guidance.
- much improved health for both Cherith and Jonathan, though we still aren’t completely back on our feet yet.

Pray for:
- good attendance to continue in our services, and that more people would come to Christ.
- the distribution of the 10,000 flyers for our October 17 showing of the Jesus film during this week and next, and for final preparations and logistics.
- more opportunities to share the Good News.
- the Ladies Tea coming up on November 7.
- guidance in making decisions concerning our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for September 27, 2010

We thank the Lord for another week and for His care for us. On Tuesday, we picked up our new one-year residency cards at the district office downtown. After waiting for three months, we are relieved and thankful to have these cards in hand which are good through May 30 next year. With the vintage (grape harvest) in full force, our prayer meeting Tuesday night was missing several who have been very regular. However, it was encouraging to have a number of our newer people present for our time of prayer and Bible Study.

On Saturday, we made the trip across France to Caen for the wedding ceremony of Mathieu and Jennifer, two of our former students at the Bible Institute. We were thankful to arrive in time to attend the civil ceremonies at the City Hall, followed by the church wedding and reception, and finally a formal evening dinner for around 140 invited guests. Although it was a long, tiring day, we were happy to be present, in part to be able to see a number of other former students as well as a number of others who are working in this country. Most of all, we praise the Lord for this young couple and for their desire to honor the Lord in their marriage and in their lives as they serve Him in the days ahead. We felt that the Lord’s Name was honored through their strong testimonies and through the way the ceremonies and festivities were planned and carried out. Besides there being a great number of brothers and sisters in Christ there to support the couple, there were also many unsaved present to hear a clear presentation of the Gospel.

On Sunday morning, we had the privilege of attending the service in a new church plant, a daughter work of the Evangelical Baptist Church in Caen. Our trip home brought us through some hard rain and a bit of traffic around Paris, but we arrived safely in Reims about 6 p.m. We would appreciate special prayer for Cherith, who’d been fighting some cold symptoms and laryngitis before we left on the trip. She has managed to keep going, but continues to suffer. Tomorrow, we have an early morning appointment in town for Adrianna and Caleb with two administrative offices, which will take the whole morning.

Praise for:
- our new one-year residency cards that were delivered Tuesday.
- a good prayer meeting Tuesday night and for each one present.
- a safe trip to and from the wedding in Caen.
- the good example that Mathieu and Jennifer have given and for the way the Lord was honored at the wedding and in the festivities.

Pray for:
- good attendance and participation at Tuesday evening prayer meetings, especially by members.
- quickly restored health and strength for Cherith.
- the annual church business meeting this Sunday afternoon.
- ongoing preparations for the evangelistic outreach on October 17, and for the Ladies Tea October 23.
- guidance regarding our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for September 20, 2010

Our Pastor, Emmanuel, has prepared a flyer and is having it printed for the evangelistic outreach October 17 when the “Jesus” Film will be shown. This morning, he and I visited the community hall where it will be held and found 4 huge windows without coverings as well as two skylights that will all need to be covered for the hall to be dark enough for the film. Pray for these logistics for this outreach, and others such as a large enough projection screen. There is room for 250 people. Cherith and a couple other ladies are working on plans for the Ladies Tea scheduled for October 23. This Saturday, our family will be making the trip to Caen to attend the wedding ceremonies of two of our former students from the Bible Institute (Matthieu and Jennifer). On Sunday, we look forward to attending the Evangelical Baptist Church of Caen, and seeing at least one member of our French Team, Mrs. Betty Lacey who works in the church there.

Separation from our family was perhaps more strongly felt this week as Jonathan’s Mom celebrated her 79th Birthday on Saturday and Cherith’s sister, Hadessah, celebrated her 25th. We thank our Father for His watch care over our loved ones, and that in Him we are one though there be oceans between us. Josiah had an asthma or laryngitis attack about midnight Monday night that nearly had us headed with him to emergency around 1 a.m. Praise the Lord for His intervention and for Josiah’s response to the treatment he was given. After a couple days the loud cough was gone, though he still has some of the chest congestion and a runny nose. Two of the evenings this week were taken up with meetings with the children’s schoolteachers. We took turns going to show our support and learn as much as possible about the school program that our children are taking part in. We are thankful for the good teachers the Lord has given our children, and pray the Lord will give us opportunities this year to share His love around us.

Praise for:
- good attendance Sunday, despite the beginning of the vintage - grape harvest - which gives temporary work to many people in our area and will last for at least a part of three weeks.
- God’s help for Jonathan as he prepared his message and preached Sunday morning.
- the word we received today that our new one-year residency cards are approved (word we have been waiting for since June 23!).
- healing of Josiah’s burns, and asthma symptoms early last week.
- care and protection of our parents and for the blessing and encouragement they are to us.

Pray for:
- opportunities to share God’s love with those around us this week.
- Jonathan as he leads the Bible Study Tuesday evening.
- our family travelling this weekend and that the Lord will be honored in all that is said and done in the wedding and festivities.
- healing of Josiah’s cough and congestion.
- preparations for the community hall for the evangelistic outreach on October 17, and for the Ladies Tea October 23.
- guidance regarding our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for September 13, 2010

God continues His work in Reims. While one of our acquaint- ances gave his reason why he wasn’t interested in coming to church, other people have come. There was a good number out Sunday for the morning service, including for Sunday school where both classes had a visitor. The fellowship dinner had very good participation, and I think people went away with full hearts (and stomachs!).

On Thursday, we were once again reminded of our dependence on our Father for His protection when in a brief instant, Josiah’s lengthening reach had a hot cup of tea falling on top of him. He was burned pretty badly but we are amazed at the Lord’s protection of him and thankful for the calmness He gave us to respond quickly with cold water and aloe gel. Praise God for all the healing that has already taken place.

Praise for:
- visitors in church yesterday and for returning students and families after summer vacation.
- good attendance in Sunday School Sunday, and for two visitors.
- the good group that participated in Sunday’s fellowship dinner.
- God’s protection and healing of Josiah after his accident Thursday.
- a good meeting with the Church leaders on Saturday evening.

Pray for:
- the starting up of fall ministries, and continued preparations.
- Jonathan as he prepares messages for Sunday and Tuesday.
- continued healing for Josiah’s burns, and for protection of our children at home, at school and at play.
- good participation in preparing for an evangelistic outreach on October 17 with the showing of the film “Jesus”.
- Cherith as she and a few others prepare for a special Ladies Meeting/Tea scheduled for October 23.
- guidance regarding our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for September 6, 2010

For prayer meeting on Tuesday evenings, Adrianna has been accom- panying either Cherith or myself each week. The other one of us usually stays home with the boys so they can get to bed before 9:30 p.m. As I led the meeting Tuesday evening, it was a joy for me to watch Adrianna interact with the others, by far the youngest in attendance. One person noted in her prayer what a huge encouragement it was for her to see Adrianna there. Praise the Lord. We had much to do last week to prepare for our meeting Friday evening with the Sunday School teachers. Among the documents we needed to have ready were a handout with reminders and instructions concerning changes, new attendance sheets for the two classes, forms for setting up the monthly program and more. Looking over the past two years, we are so thankful for all the good help the Lord has raised up from within the church for this program. We hope that it will be completely in the hands of church members within a few months, without giving any one person too heavy a burden. Thank you for your prayers for wisdom for us as we go through this process for the first time! Fifteen people, including the senior pastor and 4 children, joined us on Friday for our planning meeting and supper. The Lord blessed the evening with great fellowship and we felt the time was very profitable.

On Saturday, the church leaders drove to Chalons (about 40 minutes away) to meet with the leaders of a sister church in that city to discuss ministries and the opportunities there will be this year for joint activities. The time together was a blessing as both churches learned so much about the other one and discussed how we can be a help to one another. When evangelical Christians are so few in Europe, it is a blessing to see that God is working in other places not too far away. It is important too for youth and young adults to be able to have activities with other young people who share their faith.

Praise for:
- a good Bible Study Tuesday night with good attendance, and for the encouragement that Adrianna is to others.
- God’s help in preparation and for the profitable time together Friday with our SS teachers.
- the good meeting that the church leaders had on Saturday with the leaders from Chalons.
- the time with our Central African friends Tuesday and time Sunday with a student who just arrived in Reims.

Pray for:
- opportunities this week to witness to neighbors.
- preparations for different fall ministries that will soon be starting up.
- more families to come to church.
- the church leaders as they meet for a counsel meeting Saturday evening.
- the special fellowship dinner scheduled for next Sunday after the morning service.
- guidance regarding our future ministry.