Praise and Prayer October 8, 2013

It has been too long since our last update.  When it seems like the days couldn’t be any busier we find ourselves with more and more to do!  Our need for your prayers and support has been so evident to us as we endeavor to fulfill our responsibilities and be used of the Lord, though we get stretched physically and emotionally.  This week we have nearly all been fighting colds and viruses that are going around.  We want to say a big Thank you to all who have been praying for us, even without an update in several weeks.  The Lord knows what we face on a daily basis, and He uses you as you pray, giving us His help in answer to prayer.

The Lord blessed our first Sunday of services for our new church plant on September 15, and continues to bless and answer prayer since.  We have welcomed several one-time visitors, and a couple that returned this past Sunday for the morning Bible study (Sunday school) and service.  Each responded to the flyers that were distributed.  This past Sunday, we had our first Communion service.  The team of workers that the Lord has put together continues to pour themselves into this new work with a wonderful spirit of oneness in purpose and mission.  We began a weekly distribution of the church flyers early on and quickly ran out of the first 1000 flyers.  More flyers were ordered (2500 this time) and we continue to make a bigger dent in this city of more than 27,000 residents and covering nearly 33 square miles.  It would be so nice to have a team of helpers with us to help to cover the city more quickly!  We are thankful though for the help God has provided for us, as we have typically been 6 or 7 people helping, including a young lady from the church in Floirac who has joined us for some of these distributions, just because she wants to help.  Our prayer is that God would use the flyer to touch many more hearts and bring them into the hearing of the Gospel.

On the home front getting settled has taken much longer since the church has been the priority.  We are thankful that the painting of walls and ceilings is now finished and most of the work of getting shelves together and boxes unpacked is nearly done.  On Sunday evening we had several friends over from the church downtown to practice for a special music number at the church retreat coming up in a few weeks.  It was great to have guests and not have full boxes around the floor. 

Praise for:

- God’s working in the start up of our new church, helping each one with great responsibilities, helping with flyer distribution, bringing visitors to services, even helping the children adapt to all the changes.

- consistent though slow progress in getting our home prepared and settled while keeping up with ministry and the children’s schooling.

- the way the Lord has helped the two churches that have lost leaders and members as the two French couples, the Christys and ourselves have left to begin this new work.

- God’s help for our children with their rigorous schedule with subjects both at school and at home.  Josiah who knew very little French has had the hardest time adjusting to being in French school each day.

- the help that our children have been in our ministry, setting up and tearing down the meeting rooms each Sunday, helping distribute flyers, singing, and Adrianna running the computer for projecting the songs on Sunday morning.

Pray for:

- Ed Christy and Jonathan as they prepare the weekly Bible studies and messages, and for each one involved in teaching Sunday school. 

- Pray for the annual church retreat coming up November 1-3 for the sister churches in our area.  Pray for Jonathan as he prepares a workshop for the retreat on how to plan and lead the song service portion of the worship service.

- the Lord’s provision for special financial needs at this time.  Besides the euro/dollar exchange being at the lowest point in the past year, we were recently hit with a very large social tax bill from the French government and our desktop computer died this week.

Praise and Prayer August 28, 2013

This is the final week of vacation for the kids and next week, they go back to school.  It has been an unusual summer for our family as our move and work on the house has made it extra busy.  Preparations continue for our September startup of our new church plant.  The Eglise Baptiste de Saint-Medard-en-Jalles will be holding its first services on September 15. Flyers, Church website, signs, Sunday school materials, scheduling, Bible study and preaching schedules, Sunday school teacher schedules, flyer distribution and invitations, Insurance, etc.  Much has been done already, but there is still much to do.  We are so thankful for the teammates (Ed and Sylvia Christy) that God has given us as well as for the help and involvement of the Letellier family in this endeavor.  God is at work.  We need His help!

Praise for:

- the provision of a meeting place in Saint-Medard-en-Jalles where we are able to rent two conference rooms for Sunday mornings.

- a safe move and for the work that has been finished on our house.

- the work that has been done on the website and flyer for our new church plant.  Praise for the help in designing the flyer from Pastor Emmanuel in Reims.

- the contacts that we have in this community who have been interested in the Bible.

- a special time of fellowship at our church picnic in August.

Pray for:

- us as we finish painting and settle in.  This Saturday we have invited a couple of committed believers for dinner, one of whom is returning to Ecuador after being a part of the downtown Bordeaux church for a number of years.

- our canvassing as we get word out a about the new work and for our first church services in our new church plant September 15, that people will come interested in hearing the Gospel.

- the two churches that will be losing leaders as we and our teammates the Christys leave the churches where we have been serving to begin the new work.  

- our children as they began their Home school subjects of Bible, History and Spelling this week and as they begin public school on Monday.  Josiah will be starting pre-school this year.

Praise and Prayer July 17, 2013

The days are flying by, each one full to the brim, but we need to get this update posted to let you know some of the ways God is answering prayer and as well as how you can be praying for us at this time.  Thank you for praying, and for your interest in the work God is doing here in the Bordeaux area.

As the days move forward toward our own move on July 27 and a projected launch date for our new church plant Sunday services, we are more than ever aware of our need for God’s help, His guidance and His strength.  Our friends recently moved from Reims have been a great help in the search for a location. While he continued to search and wait on the Lord for full-time work, J.C. continued research for potential meeting places.  He and I visited several of them, though the limited budget greatly narrowed our possibilities.  Though at times it seemed like there was no possible solution to our need, the Lord has been opening a door for at least a temporary meeting place at an affordable rate where we can begin Sunday services this Fall.

Ministries continue in the downtown church, and we need wisdom as we pull back on our work.  Our prayer is that as the Christys and ourselves will be able to leave these two other maturing works, that these churches will not be weakened, but rather able to grow stronger as others move forward to fill the gaps. 

Much strength is needed during these weeks as we prepare to move into our new house.  Between packing up our current home and preparing our new home to move into, it seems nearly impossible that we be ready a week from this Saturday for the move.  The keys for our current house must be turned in July 31, however, so we must move.  Besides the short time remaining to us before the move, yesterday Cherith began to feel sick with a stomach bug that has been going around.  We definitely don’t feel we have time to be sick, however our confidence is in the Lord Who made us and Who knows all about the deadlines we are facing.

Praise for:

- the door the Lord is opening for us for a place to meet this Fall.

- several new visitors in church, including L.’s boss, who she has been witnessing to who came to church for the first time last Sunday.

- the contacts the Lord is giving us, Mr. F., Mr. R. and Mr. D.  Mr. D. is very interested in spiritual things and has expressed interest in attending a church service even this weekend.

- the impact of the adult Bible study, the monthly Ladies’ Bible Studies and the English Encounter on the lives of those who attended this year. 

- God’s help for Adrianna and Caleb through this school year evidenced by good report cards and encouraging comments from their teachers.  The children also finished up their Homeschool subjects of Bible, History and Spelling before the end of the school year.  Praise the Lord for their hard work.

- the help God has given us through teammates, visiting friends, two young ladies doing missions internships with the Christys this summer, and through Adrianna who has proven to be a great packer!

Pray for:

- all of the preparations for beginning services this Fall, for all the details to work out and plans regarding the new church plant.  

- us and the Christys as we pull out of current ministries and wind down our involvement at our current churches, and that our departures will be the occasion for these churches to be strengthened as others step forward.

- continued contacts, and for Mr. D. to come to church.

- M. who has been attending services for a couple months who is searching.

- T and N, now back in Tahiti, that God will direct in their continuing study of His Word and that we will be able to continue to have opportunities for input.

- our preparations for our MOVE July 27, and for good health and strength for Cherith and for each of us during these demanding days.  Pray that the house will be as ready as possible for our move.

Praise and Prayer May 27, 2013

We are so grateful for the freedoms that we enjoy, and today we remember in a special way all those who have sacrificed so that we can enjoy this freedom.  News headlines these days remind us just how much the world is in need of freedom in Christ through the Savior who showed us not only how to live but also demonstrated God’s infinite love by dying for our sins so that we could have eternal life.  God has given us the privilege of being His ambassadors in a corner of our globe where He is unknown to most people. 

Your prayers for us and for our ministries are so vital and we appreciate them so much.  Each week comes with new challenges, opportunities and blessings.  We enjoyed a very special blessing in welcoming Lane Elmer and his daughters Charissa (18) and Liz (16) for 10 days this month.  Lane’s wife Valerie is Cherith’s cousin, so not only was it a great encouragement and help in our ministry but it was precious time to connect with family from home.  They were an encouragement to our church family and Pastor Christian as they shared in church in both the French and English services and helped to get a lot done at church for a work day (deep cleaning, painting, and even cabinet making as Lane built a custom fit kitchen cupboard from raw materials).  Their main ministry was to the 9 mks during our annual team conference, which was a great highlight for the kids.  We were also blessed this month by the visit of Charles and Babs Anderson, who before retirement served as the pastor of the downtown Bordeaux church before Pastor Christian.

Praise for:

- an excellent French team conference.  We were blessed by the good Bible messages on the life of Hezekiah by our speaker, good music, good fellowship, and good food.  Praise for God’s protection when our car was hit by a tourist train on the special visit to Saint Emilion that many of us at the conference made.

- good progress made at a planning meeting for the new church plant project on May 18.  We were thrilled to have two French brothers join the Christys and ourselves as we discussed and formulated the mission and purpose of the church, discussed the search for a place to meet, and outreach strategy.

- those in whom God’s Spirit is working through one on one Bible study, Ladies’ Bible study, Adult Sunday School, English Outreach, etc.  For the Living Bible presentation for May, Adrianna and Lydia C. each quoted half of Exodus 13.

- the acceptance of our loan application by the bank and that we are moving forward on the purchase of a new (to us) home.  Final signing is scheduled for June 14.

- Mothers everywhere!  We know that this title represents much challenge in our world, but I am so thankful for the godly Mothers in my life. 

- for God’s goodness and our celebration of our 12^th Anniversary on May 26.

Pray for:

- the Lord’s leading to the right place and His financial provision for us to rent a meeting place for Sunday services beginning this Fall.  It may cost up to $300 a week to rent a meeting room in a Hotel just for Sunday mornings. 

- all of the details to work out and plan regarding the new church.

- guidance and wisdom in the opportunities God is giving us to teach His Word, and for the Lord to give understanding and acceptance of His Word.

- the spiritual needs of B. a high school senior who was highly involved in the church.  His struggles and the influence of an atheistic philosophy professor have brought him to the point of turning his back on spiritual things including church.  Pray for his family and that the Lord will increase the faith of His children.

- Mr. and Mrs. C. to soon be given placement in a retirement facility where they would receive the care they need.  They submitted their request some time ago, but so far nothing is available.

Praise and Prayer April 23, 2013

While our hearts ache from reports of suffering in the CAR, in Boston and Texas, we are reminded of Paul’s encouragement to be faithful serving the Lord where He has placed us.  “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58)  We do praise the Lord for His help and the work He is doing in hearts here in France.  His blessing was evident as we presented the Easter Cantata “The Centurion” three times during Easter weekend.  There were numbers of visitors present for each presentation, many for the first time, and the Gospel was clearly presented through music and drama.  We pray that God will continue to work in those hearts who heard His Word there.

It has been exciting to see the thirst for spiritual things that T. and N. have exhibited in my weekly Bible studies with them.  I believe the Holy Spirit has been working in their hearts, and at least N. seems to realize that she is not ready to die.  Her sectarian beliefs and connections are definite roadblocks to her understanding and acceptance of the Gospel of saving faith in Christ.  Trusting one’s own works for salvation is so much easier for them to accept than trusting the finished work of Christ on the Cross.  This week N. flies back home and we don’t know if we’ll see her again.  She is taking her own copy of the study we have been doing using “Stranger on the Road to Emmaus” and is determined to continue going through the study.  T. wants to continue the study for now, though that may change if he can’t find a job in this area.

Praise for:

- the good presentations of the Easter Cantata.  Praise the Lord for His enabling for all, including Adrianna who had a significant part in the drama.

- the Lord helping Cherith and one of the other ladies in our church as they recited Exodus chapters 11 and 12 respectively on Sunday as part of the “Living Bible” presentation after our fellowship dinner.  What a blessing God’s Word is to our hearts as we memorize it and as we hear it recited.

- the work God is doing in several lives here.

- God’s amazing provision for Lane, Charissa and Elizabeth Elmer to come from Michigan to minister to our children at our annual French team conference in May. 

- the answer to prayer in L. finding a job/internship.

Pray for:

- an end to the violence in the CAR and that a viable government would be set up soon.  Pray for many who have lost so much, including many Christians.

- those who are studying God’s Word, that the Lord will open hearts to understand and receive His truth.

- jobs for Pastor Christian, our friend J. from Reims, and for T.

- us as we prepare to begin an evangelistic Bible study in our home.

- the Lord to open the door for financing for a house that we have found.

- preparations for our French team conference that we will be having in Bordeaux this year.  Besides logistics for housing, the music ministry, and the children’s ministry, there are also annual financial and ministry reports to prepare.

Praise and Prayer March 28, 2013

Happy Resurrection Day!  “Jesus Christ is risen… and He liveth for evermore!” These words are spoken near the end of the Easter Cantata (“The Centurion”) that will be presented three times this weekend, once in each of the three sister churches that have a part in this joint ministry.  The Centurion himself makes this declaration when he has finally accepted this truth and received the forgiveness of sins, including participating in Christ’s crucifixion.  Last Sunday was the dress and final rehearsal.  We would appreciate your special prayer for this special Easter outreach that the Lord will enable and give His blessing.  We need healthy (and present) choristers and actors, and are depending on the Lord for the ability to sing and recite lines clearly and for God’s glory.  Many have been invited and we are praying for filled auditoriums. 

We have had further evangelistic Bible studies with T. and N. and are asking the Lord to open their hearts to the truth of the Gospel.  Though N. is Mormon, she has shown willingness and even interest in participating in the Bible study. 

Our friends from Reims arrived on Monday and are in the process of settling in while continuing their search for work.  L.’s parents are visiting from Asia and have been a huge help during this transition.  Cherith picked up a bag of groceries for them and prepared a welcome meal for their arrival, which I took when I went to help unload the truck when they arrived.  Last evening we had a special visit when the family came for supper.  Although the grandparents don’t speak a word of French, we were able to have placemats on the table with Bible verses in their language that Cherith’s sister had sent to us several months ago.

Praise for:

- the safe return of Pastor Christian and for the opportunities that he had to share with his unsaved family members in Guadeloupe.  Praise for the Lord’s help in the various ministries here at the church in his absence.

- the good attendance and participation in the ladies Bible study on March 19.

- the Lord’s protection of our teammate, Ed Christy, who was hospitalized for several days this month with some worrisome symptoms.  A heart cath revealed a nearly blocked coronary artery and a stent was placed. 

- the evangelistic opportunities the Lord has given us recently and for all that have received invitations to the Easter Cantata.

- the safe trip that our friends had in moving from Reims, though they encountered potentially serious risks when the engine of their rental truck caught fire about 30 minutes from Reims.  We marvel at the way the Lord protected and sent help through Pastor Emmanuel and other brothers in the Reims church.

Pray for:

- the 3 back-to-back presentations of the Easter Cantata this weekend, for strength and stamina and ability, that the message would be clear through the music and the drama.  The program which lasts for nearly 2 hours, is demanding and we need to stay strong through the final performance!  Pray that many will respond to the invitations and that hearts will be touched through the message.

- T. and N. and others attending services that need the Lord.

- the Lord to lead and provide jobs for our friends from Reims in the very near future.  Pray for the salvation of L.’s parents.

- us as we prepare to begin an evangelistic Bible study in our home.

- the Lord to help us to find a house to purchase exactly where He wants us to live and minister from.

- the Central African Republic that is facing yet another Coup d’Etat as the capital has now fallen into the hands of the rebels and the president has fled the country.  There has been a lot of looting over the past few days as law-enforcement has been minimal.  Pray for peace and stability to return, and for God’s solutions for the future of the government of the country.

Praise and Prayer March 13, 2013

Yesterday would have been my father’s 75^th Birthday had the Lord not called him Home nearly five years ago.  I miss him dearly but am so thankful for his teaching and example to follow the Lord and serve Him faithfully.  How thankful I am for God’s promises and for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Because He lives, we shall live also!

Spring is coming to Bordeaux, evidenced by bushes and trees beginning to burst into bloom.  This is a welcome sight, but even more welcome, are the answers to prayer that we are seeing in the work here.  Thank you so much for your prayers for us and for this work that God has called us to.  You prayed for children in our Sunday school, and we have seen three families bring their children during the past few weeks.  They haven’t been there every week, but some of them have come back.  On one particular Sunday, the Lord showed His sovereignty in very special ways.  Cherith was home sick that Sunday and I took Adrianna and Caleb with me to church.  There we discovered the senior pastor had fallen sick as well and was unable to make it to church.  I would need to preach.  This would have created a problem for Junior Church, except that the Lord had the other teacher already prepared to teach through a scheduling “error” the week before.  It was wonderful to be able to have three extra children present in church that day, and to see the children’s classes cared for. 

A big prayer request regarding beginning a new work in the Merignac area has been for the Lord to provide some mature couples and singles to form a core group for this work.  This month we have learned of one of the ways God is answering this request.  When we learned that a young couple from the church where we worked in Reims is moving to Bordeaux at the end of this month for career opportunities, we asked them to pray about joining us in this new work.  They prayed and responded with interest and last night we learned that the Lord is providing them with housing on our side of Bordeaux.  We were present at their wedding in Reims several years ago (Adrianna was their flower girl), and both of them were involved in the Sunday school ministry and choir, as well as serving on the church counsel.  They have two small children.  This Sunday, the husband will be coming to Bordeaux for a work interview and will be spending a couple of nights with us.  We look forward to the opportunity to discuss the opportunities with him this weekend and thank the Lord for sending this couple to us.

Praise for:

- opportunities to preach and teach the Lord is giving us at church, especially these two weeks that Pastor Christian is gone to Guadeloupe to visit his family.  There have been some returning visitors, some unsaved.

- opportunities to share and teach the Word of God here at home as we have hosted T, a young man interested in spiritual things, although comes from a background with much spiritual confusion.

- the help of a young man who is teaching the Adult Bible study these two weeks of Pastor Christian’s absence, when I am preaching in the morning service.  M. did a great job last Sunday.

- the way the Lord has brought children to church and for the way He provided for their class when neither Cherith or I were able to teach.

- the young couple that the Lord is bringing to Bordeaux that will be able to help us with the work in Merignac.

- a number of good visits recently, some with church family, and some with neighborhood contacts.

- the health the Lord is giving to our family after several of us battling colds and flues which are going through our area.

Pray for:

- the Lord’s help during this time of replacing Pastor Christian during his absence.  Pray for each one who will be teaching, preaching and leading singing and that the good attendance will continue.

- the opportunity to have T and his girlfriend N for lunch Thursday and for the time of Bible study that we will have with them. N is Mormon but has come to church several times and is interested in spiritual things.

- the couple from Reims as they make this move to Bordeaux, for the Lord’s provision of work.

- us as we prepare to begin an evangelistic Bible study in our home.

- the Lord to help us to find a house to purchase exactly where He wants us to live and minister from.

- the rehearsals in these final weeks for the Easter Cantata/Drama “The Centurion” for the choir and for the actors, including Adrianna and Jonathan.  Pray for the invitations that are given out to the three performances in each of our three churches.

- peace and stability to return to the CAR as rebels continue to wreak havoc and control large portions of the country.  Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ that are caught between factions, many who have lost nearly all they own.