Praise and Prayer July 31, 2018

We returned home Saturday evening from a whirlwind trip to northern France that began on Wednesday.  God gave many blessings, including His protection over nearly 1000 miles of driving, sometimes on roads jammed with vacationers from France, Great Britain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Holland.  One of the purposes for the trip was to renew Adrianna’s US passport which expires this September.  This will be her fourth passport, and the last one that Mom and Dad have to apply for, as the kind lady at the Embassy reminded us.  While it gives us a twinge of sadness to see the years with our children evaporating before us, we are so thankful for God’s working in Adrianna’s life and for the growth in her love for the Lord and her desire to serve Him and others.  The Embassy appointment went like clockwork and we were on our way just 10 minutes after the appointed time! 

Another purpose for this trip was to visit a number of people, most already saved but some who have yet to see their need for the Lord.  We had a precious visit with our former teammates from Reims, Mike and Elva Farrell and their daughter Emily near Rouen.  In Paris we stayed with Mr. and Mrs. R. and were delighted with the good fellowship in the Lord.  Our hearts were encouraged to see every room in their apartment decorated with Scripture verses!  Our day in Paris included visits with a brother in Christ who had been a student in Reims during our time there and with family friends that serve as missionaries in the greater Paris area. 

On our return home we stopped for a visit with A., another one of Jonathan’s former language study classmates from 22 years ago when he was first studying French in Nancy, France.  Our last contact with A. and her family in person had been 15 years ago when Adrianna was only 4 months old.  Within the last year and a half, we had reconnected through Facebook, but hadn’t yet been able to connect face to face.  We are grateful to renew this friendship and pray that God will use it to bring this family to Himself.  Spiritually, A. is a practicing Catholic who is evidently lacking a saving relationship with Christ.

A. with Cherith and our newborns in 2003

Praise for

• ·      God’s blessing and protection of the four young ladies on the FOF team this year and for their safe return home.
• ·      God’s help for Cherith and for the good turnout for the ladies meeting and Bible study.

• ·      the visitors that we have had in church these past few weeks, at least one in response to a flyer in her mailbox.
• ·      God’s blessing and protection of Adrianna on her two-week trip to Spain for immersion in the Spanish language.  Praise for all of the opportunities the Lord gave her to serve Him, including being asked to share her testimony in church on Sunday morning.

• ·      the arrival of home-school materials for Adrianna and Caleb for the new year, for which a donor generously covered the cost for international shipping.
• ·      a good trip to Paris with many good opportunities to connect with people.

Pastor Goumba with Jonathan (Bambari, CAR 2004) 

Pray for

• ·      our future contact with A. and her family and that God will draw them to Himself. 
• ·      God’s help as we prepare church documents and apply to the local government for recognition.  Pray for God’s leading and provision of a building. Pray for visitors to come and to keep coming.
• ·      preparation and planning for fall church and outreach ministries.  Pray for wisdom in planning for our English outreach to children and beginning a weekly English outreach to adults. Pray that we will be able to build bridges to help us reach the people of Saint Medard with the Gospel.
• ·      Jonathan as he prepares to teach again at the Bible Institute in Algrange in October.
• ·      our two homeschoolers (and their Mother!) as they go back to school on August 20.
• ·      both Cherith and Caleb who are both being treated for asthma to be able to get more relief to their coughing/wheezing.

Mrs. Goumba and Sephora with Cherith and Adrianna (Bambari 2004)

• ·      God’s comfort for Pastor and Mrs. Pierre Goumba in Bambari, CAR who lost two children (including Sephora) in a road accident this month.  Their burden was already great with the responsibility of the Bambari center church, the Bambari Bible school and the great number of refugees that have camped on the mission station.

Praise and Prayer June 29, 2018

I am challenged by Peter’s great faith in our Lord as he cried out to Jesus who was walking on the turbulent sea “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” (Matthew 14:28).  No fear of the storm at that moment, only complete trust in the One who had the power to save him from sinking beneath the waves.  We may not enjoy going through the storm, but we can trust the Master of the storm who calls us to bring us through!

These are crucial times and the battle for the souls of men is one of the most important enterprises that God has given us.  We continue to seek God’s help and blessing as we reach out to the Saint Medard community.  It is His work, not ours. He is building His Church and we are privileged to have a small part in His great work.  THANK YOU for praying, both for us and for the lost souls of Saint Medard and the surrounding area.  Praise the Lord for what He has done, both seen and unseen.

Praise for

• the baptism of Mr. and Mrs. R. on June 17 in Paris, and for the clear testimonies that they shared of God’s saving work of grace in their lives!
• God’s protection and blessing of the four young ladies on the Focus on France missions internship program this summer.  Praise for each of the ministries that they have taken part in across France and for the help and encouragement they have been.

• the good attendance for the American picnic and for all of the help from the FOF team.  Praise for many good opportunities to present the Gospel this year.

• contacts made for the English conversation outreach for adults, and for those who took part in our trial run in June with our FOF team here to help.
• all of the new church flyers and Gospels of Luke that have been distributed in Saint Medard this month.  With the help of the FOF team we have now completed the second mailbox campaign of Saint Medard en Jalles!

• the completion of another school year for the children, including two homeschooled.

Pray for

• Cherith as she leads and speaks for a Ladies Meeting on July 7.
• wisdom and enabling for building on the English conversation outreach to adults that we began in June.  Pray that we will be able to build bridges to help us reach the people of Saint Medard with the Gospel.  
• positive responses to the distribution of flyers and the Gospels of Luke and that God will help us to persevere as we begin to canvass one of the neighbouring communities.
• the Lord to give guidance and help in preparing church documents and in our teaching and preaching ministries.  Pray that God’s Word will impact lives.
• stability and security to return in the CAR, particularly to our former hometown of Bambari where Christians are suffering greatly.
• Adrianna as she flies to Spain July 2 for two weeks of language immersion with a Christian family from the church near Madrid that we visited in February.  

Praise and Prayer May 29, 2018

What a privilege it is to be a child of the King and in the service of the King!  Thank you for joining us at the Throne of Grace to intercede for lost souls in France, particularly in the area where God has placed us. 

This month, we produced a new church flyer to continue to distribute to the people in this area.  The new flyer features the testimony of Mr. and Mrs. R. who came to Christ from an atheist background through the ministry of our church and the impact of God’s Word.  Besides continuing to use the flyer in our own town, we would like to also target other small towns near Saint Medard, especially those west of here in a large area void of evangelical churches.  Please pray for our small church to grow spiritually and in number and be able to better reach people in this area.

Praise for:

- the good finish to the English club outreach this month, with a special program for the parents.  The kids did a great job with their skit, verse and songs, and Sylvia brought out her “friend” for a special appearance.  The Gospel was clearly presented.  There was a good turnout of family members.  Praise the Lord for good attendance throughout the year and for all of the spiritual truths that we were able to teach to these children.

- the safe arrival of the four participants in the Focus on France program (FOF) this month, and for the various opportunities that God has already given to these four college students here to serve the Lord and experience missions in France.

- God’s help and the input of our church family in preparing a new church flyer. 

- blessing us with 17 years of marriage since we said “I do” on May 26, 2001.

Pray for

- preparations and invitations given out for four special English conversation sessions during the month of June for intermediate to advanced English speakers.  Pray that God will enable us to build bridges to reach the people of Saint Medard.

- good contacts with families on June 9 when we have our American picnic with games for the families involved in the English club this year.  Pray that hearts would be receptive to the Gospel message that has been shared and taught this year.

- the new church flyer to be read and to incite interest in spiritual things as it is shared.

- God’s help as we work with our teammates through the preparation and revision of some of our ministry policies, including new policies in order to comply with the new government regulations regarding personal information

- stability and security to return in the CAR, particularly to the town of Bambari where Christians are suffering greatly and where we used to live.

- the kids as they near the end of the school year, that Mom and kids will persevere to the end!

Prayer and Praise April 30, 2018

Thank you for your prayers for our family and for the ministry of the Gospel here in Saint-Medard.  We are grateful to the Lord for His wise and loving care, for the encouragement He gives as we face various challenges.  We have been encouraged by news from the R family who will be visiting from Paris this month.  One of their unsaved friends from Reims has attended church services with them and is interested in learning more about the Gospel.  Both Mr. and Mrs. R will be baptized June 17 in Paris, Lord willing.  

Mr. and Mrs. R.

Friends in the CAR continue to face challenges with the instability and insecurity, but God is helping the church in Bambari to replace the roof of the church building my grandfather built in the 1950’s.  We rejoice in the privilege we have as believers today to be involved in the preaching of the Gospel “in all the world for a witness unto all nations” (Matthew 24:14).

Re-roofing the Center One Baptist Church in Bambari, CAR

Praise for:

- the completion of the work on our house and for being able to host guests and our English outreach club once again.

- several individuals that have been attending our services faithfully, including a couple originally from Laos.

- God’s many blessings in our BMM France team’s annual Bible conference April 9-12, for His protection for travel, for spiritual refreshment and for His guidance in our business meetings.

BMM France Team with special speaker, Fred Whitman from Italy

- the excellent opportunities we have had to share the Gospel through the English club and for the keen interest seen in several of the children.  One of the kids we have been praying for has especially shown great improvement in behavior and listening.

English club outreach

- one year of regular contact with a friend in the Middle East over skype and for great opportunities to explain the Gospel recently in response to his questions about the Easter holiday.

Pray for

- God to open a door for our church to be able to move to a new building with more room and visibility. We have had several leads recently, but each time the door has closed.

- God to continue His work in the hearts of the people we are ministering to.  Pray for some who are struggling spiritually.

- a strong finish to a good year of English club outreach, including some end of year activities reaching out to the families of the children. 

- the Lord’s guidance in preparing a new church flyer that God could use to cause the people in this area to want to know Him.

Adrianna and Josiah helping distribute church flyers

- the participants in the FOF (Focus on France) program this summer that will be arriving May 21.  There are four college students that will be taking part in a missions internship this summer.  Pray for our teammates and for us as we plan and host.

- the reroofing of the Center One Baptist church in Bambari, CAR despite the ongoing unrest.

- continued improvement in health for Cherith and the kids.

Praise and Prayer March 27, 2018

Greetings from the temporary construction site that our house has become this week.  We are currently in a bit of disarray as the damaged flooring tile in our entry, hallway and dining room/living room is taken up and replaced with wood-like parquet.  Lord willing, by the end of this week we will have the new floor down and will be able to move back into these areas and recommence some of our hosting ministries that have been on hold.  We praise the Lord for His provision for this expense through special gifts and the love and generosity of our church family at Wealthy Park Baptist Church.

Beside our ministry responsibilities, while waiting on the new flooring we have managed to squeeze in some house projects that we can do ourselves, including wall repair, painting in the living/dining room, hallways and stairwell, and painting trim on doorways throughout the house, a project that Cherith has patiently waited for since we moved in five years ago.

We are grateful for God’s answers to prayer over the past couple months.  The Africa and Europe Enrichment Conference was a blessing to us and to BMM missionary families from across Europe and several countries in Africa.  We are especially thankful for safety travelling over 1500 miles, many of them through snow on our way to the conference.

Another special blessing was getting to speak in the Sunday School hour to a Spanish church on the brink of calling their first national pastor.  

Our hearts have been encouraged this past month as we have learned of two churches that have increased support to our ministry and one church has taken us on for support bringing our support level to 91%.  This is especially helpful as the dollar/euro exchange rate has been causing a 20% loss of income each month!

Praise for:

- the hard work of our small team to give out more than 3,000 flyers inviting the people of Saint Medard to two showings of the film “God’s not Dead”.  Praise that nearly 20 people responded to the invitations, the best response we have had for a film to this date!

- more visitors that have come to church including one lady who has been back several times and one young couple who came first to the film on March 3.

- successful surgery for Adrianna on February 15 removing four impacted wisdom teeth.  Praise for the peace and courage God gave Adrianna and for good healing after some initial infection.

- God working in the hearts of the children coming to English club, for the questions the kids are asking and for good opportunities to share the Gospel.  Praise for continued good attendance, though we have had to hold club across town at the Christys’ house due to our broken floor (most of the families are from this neighborhood).

- a helpful 24-hour conference for foreign missionaries serving in France that Jonathan was able to travel to in eastern France.  This annual conference deals with various administrative and cultural issues that we face and the theme this year was on partnerships and resolving issues and tensions that may develop.

- the good conference in Malaga and for God’s protection.

- God’s provision for the flooring repair in our house.

- increases and additions to our committed financial support.

Pray for

- God to open a door for our church to be able to move to a new building with more room and visibility.  Our small space has been nearly maxed out several times. 

- God’s work in the hearts of our people, including those with spiritual struggles and those who have just begun attending recently. Pray for visitors to return and that Caleb’s friend would want to come back.

- opportunities to share the Gospel: skype contact with friend in Middle East, workers putting in our new floor, English outreach.

- our special Easter breakfast and service for Easter as we celebrate the importance of Christ’s resurrection.  Pray for God to bring visitors with open hearts!

- improved health for Cherith and the kids.

- our upcoming meetings and Bible conference with our BMM France team on April 9-12.

Greetings from Saint Medard en Jalles.  God has blessed us with many faithful prayer warriors through the years, some of whom have partnered with us in other ways as well. We rejoice to share with you some of the ways that God has been working this month.  There have also been some challenges that we continue to face, and we share some of them with you here so that you can be praying for some specifics. 

One of the matters we have asked prayer for in the past is for God’s continued working in the lives of the family that came to Christ last year, as they grow spiritually.  We were thrilled Sunday when we received a message they sent us from Paris in which the parents eagerly expressed their decision to follow the Lord in believers’ baptism.  They had already spoken to the pastor of the local church there.  They mentioned the opportunity they will have to give a testimony “before the whole church” to thank the Lord for having guided them without their knowing it toward Him through the church of Saint Medard.  The message closed with a prayer that the Lord would bring other families to the truth.  Our hearts were so encouraged and we wanted to let you know how God is answering prayer in their behalf.

This Sunday after our morning service, we will be leaving for Malaga, Spain and the Africa and Europe Enrichment Conference that our mission has planned.  Held every three years, this will be the fifth such conference though the first one to include Africa.  It will be the third time for our family to attend.  We look forward to the fellowship with other missionaries, some we haven’t seen in many years, including our former teammates in CAR, the Jewells and the Dannenbergs.  There will be special services and sessions designed for refreshment and renewal in ministry for the adults and the children will be ministered to by a full team coming from a church in Michigan.

Praise for:

- the good news from the R family and for the work God is doing in their lives.

- all of the visitors that have attended our services in January, including several that have returned.  One of them, a friend of Caleb that has been invited many times, came last Sunday for the first time.  On two occasions, we had to set up extra chairs!

- the steady attendance at the English club outreach for the first half of the year, and for better listening and behavior from the “active” kids since we divided into two groups.

- more than one hundred 2018 Scripture calendars that have been given out, including more than fifty at the St Medard market last Saturday to those who were interested.

- the mutual encouragement and blessing provided by the pastors’ fellowship from the four Bordeaux sister churches that meets once a month.

Pray for

- a new building for our church.  The space we have now was nearly maxed out twice this month.

- the unsaved visitors to continue coming to church and for wisdom and guidance in the Sunday school ministry with the new dynamic.

- an evangelistic film outreach planned for March 3.  Pray that we will have sufficient manpower to get out several thousand invitations. Pray for lost souls to turn to Christ, including our Muslim friend in the Middle East.

- continued improvement in our health, especially for Cherith who is slowly regaining strength.  Also please pray for Adrianna who will be having oral surgery to remove four impacted wisdom teeth on February 15.

- safety travelling the 750 miles by car to the conference in Spain this next week, and for its impact on our whole family.

- God’s direction and provision as we seek to replace the tile flooring in our dining room/living room.  A large area popped loose from the cement and has been deteriorating since the first of January.

Praise and Prayer December 30, 2017

God has brought us to the end of another year and we are again amazed at His mercies, new every morning.  With His promises to guide and care for us we need not fear what is waiting for us.  Since He is already waiting for us there, there are no surprises waiting, no unknowns.

We are so thankful for the special opportunities this Christmas season to share with those around us.  The Christmas program for our English club went very well and the children did a great job with their lines and acting as they portrayed the story of the birth of Christ.  The parents and one grandparent that came were delighted and very appreciative.  Each family received a nice children’s book from the Bible bookstore in Bordeaux as well as a Scripture calendar.  The kids were already devouring the books before they left for home!  

Also, our neighbors all happily received the goodie plates and Scripture calendars that we delivered to them before Christmas. More have expressed gratitude for the calendars this year that previous years!  

Keep praying for my friend A from the Middle East.  God has given me some great opportunities to share the Gospel in more detail with him.  His family is facing some pretty complicated things regarding work and residency.  Please pray that God will use various means to bring this family to faith in Christ.

 

Praise for:

- good opportunities for community outreach this Christmas and for the good reception of Scripture calendars this year.

- visitors that have come to church, including one couple that has returned.

- the improvement in our health over these past few weeks. 

- the special opportunity to celebrate Christmas with our colleagues here in Bordeaux on December 26, and for the opportunity to join a sister church in Bordeaux for their New Year’s Eve service Sunday night.  Jonathan has been asked to lead the singing. 

- each church and individual who the Lord has led to partner with us in this ministry, and for the increases and new support that brings our support level to 91%.

Pray for

- God’s work in hearts through the English outreach and contacts with family members.

- God to work in several of our neighbors’ lives.

- our family to shine God’s light brightly in the New Year.

- complete healing for each of us after the sickness that we have been fighting.

- our Christian brothers and sisters in the CAR as they face great unrest, especially in the areas where we grew up and ministered.

- God to continue to put together our team of ministry partners and that our support level will soon be up to 100%.