Praise and Prayer for June 25, 2010

Do you ever get discouraged looking at your to-do list at the end of the week compared with what it looked like at the beginning of the week? That’s something we struggle with, especially when the list is long (like right now!). Unexpected interruptions to the week plan, tasks taking longer than planned, difficulties contacting people, meeting the needs of our own children, etc. We are reminded that although we may plan our course (and seem to revel in being in control) it is the Lord who directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). With God’s intervention and by His grace we can see the “interruptions” and would-be “wastes of time” turned into means of giving God glory. Whether or not everything on the to-do list is finished by the end of the day or week is really neither here nor there. I should be more concerned about whether or not I allowed God to use me for His glory throughout my day or my week. When I get my focus back where it should be, on what’s truly important, my day-to-day frustrations get fewer and less significant!

Yes, our to-do list is still long with what we see as important jobs still awaiting attention. However, the Lord has filled our week and we have seen His hand at work. On Sunday, the children took part in a special presentation in honor of fathers. We have had several good contacts with neighbors and school parents, including through Birthday celebrations that Adrianna has been invited to attend and Jonathan’s accompanying Caleb’s school on the field trip to Paris on Monday (both time consuming ventures!). E-flyers have been sent out and contact has been made with a number of Central Africans regarding a special outreach this Sunday evening where we will be showing the movie “Flywheel”. The summer Sunday School program is taking shape, although it is on hold while we continue to await confirmation from a number of people who we have asked to take part.

NEEDED: We are looking for an English song/chorus book to use with an English outreach. If you or your church has from 15 to 20 songbooks that are no longer needed, and you would like to see them put to good use, please contact us for further details.

Praise for:
- the reception we received Wednesday as we requested renewed one-year residency cards.
- opportunities for contact with friends and neighbors, including children’s Birthday parties and school field trips.
- those who have been contacted about the special film outreach Sunday evening.
- church members who are willing to serve in the Summer Sunday School program.
- Josiah’s first two teeth finally popping through this week after a bit of suffering and interrupted nights!

Pray for:
- a good turnout Sunday evening for a special Sango service film night.
- our Australian friend Anita as she travels home this weekend and for our family (especially the children) as we say goodbye to another friend.
- opportunity to work on important paperwork and reports.
- Jonathan’s Mom as she moves today into a new apartment nearby with special facilities for seniors and without stairs.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for June 20, 2010

Thank you for your encouraging comments, and for your prayers for us this week. We are excited to see what the Lord is doing here in Reims. While attendance isn’t where we would like it to be, it isn’t unusual to see it drop at this time of year both due to heavy exam schedules and the beginning of vacation for many of the students. We are also saying goodbye to a few people that have been a faithful part of the church, as they move this summer to China, Australia and the French West Indies. Some will be moving to Paris this summer for jobs over the vacation. Nevertheless, we are confident that the Lord will continue the work He is doing here. As attendance in Sunday School (and church) can be rather sporadic at times, we encouraged the children to be there for at least 10 out of the last 13 Sundays. This Sunday we will be rewarding 7 children for their faithful attendance and having the children sing a song in honor of the fathers present!

On Saturday, the church counsel met to go over church business. It was good to see the spirit of unity the Lord gave to the leaders as various matters were discussed. The Sango service will be meeting three more times before breaking for the summer. We are planning a couple events for the end of the year. There were some good contacts with people in the neighborhood this week. Please continue to pray for further opportunities and fruit.

Praise for:
- our fathers and what they have meant to us and how they have impacted our lives for Christ.
- the Lord’s help for Jonathan as he gave the Bible study last Tuesday and for those who attended.
- a productive meeting with the church counsel this past Saturday.
- the 7 children who have had faithful S.S. attendance this past quarter.
- contacts made with people in the neighborhood.
- the safe return of John and Paula Dannenberg to the CAR.

Pray for:
- good attendance this Sunday in both French and Sango services.
- those who will be leaving our church and for the church’s summer ministry.
- our appointment on Wednesday to renew our residency cards.
- Jonathan as he accompanies Caleb’s class on Monday to Paris for an all-day field trip.
- Carol McGowan, fellow BMM missionary to Haiti, who fell and injured her wrists, left knee and back. She along with her husband, Dr. Brinson, worked formerly in the Central African Republic.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for June 11, 2010

Never give up! We were reminded yesterday that the Lord’s hand is far reaching, especially when we think there is no hope! We have asked prayer several times for important documents that were sent to us from the US that seemed to be lost in the mail. Yesterday, exactly four months to the day after they were mailed, these documents were delivered to our apartment. Included among them were official copies of Jonathan and Cherith’s birth certificates. When it seemed all hope was lost that these documents would ever show up the Lord reminds us “Nothing is impossible with God!” Thank you so much for praying.

We are adjusting to life without Jessica AND our teammates, the Farrells. Yes, we miss each one. Last Wednesday, we had one of the children from our church here with us while his Mom had some medical tests. Last Friday, Caleb’s pre-school held their annual School festival. We saw a number of people connected with the school including children, parents and teachers. Caleb proudly took part in his class presentation. We left there early in order to get Adrianna over to her end of the year Ice Skating show in which she took part with her group. The Fischers and Anita, our Australian friend, joined us to help cheer on Adrianna and her friends. The night was late for all of us, especially our four year old and 7 month old, as we didn’t get home until after 12 midnight. Jonathan preached Sunday morning and led the song service for our Sango service in the evening. There were a number of people out with travelling and other reasons, so we were a small group, especially in the evening.

Praise for:
- the safe arrival of our important documents after four months in the mail system.
- the Lord’s help for Jonathan Sunday morning and for the Lord’s working in lives.
- Heidi Sisson’s safe arrival home in IN for home ministry.
- the good results of C’s medical tests last week.
- the return of Charlie and Gai Jewell to the CAR.

Pray for:
- good attendance this Sunday in both French and Sango services and for Jonathan as he gives the Bible study next Tuesday evening.
- Jonathan’s Mom’s knee to recover from her last fall, and for her as she moves this month to an apartment nearby with better facilities for seniors.
- the church counsel as they meet this Saturday evening, and for guidance in planning.
- John and Paula Dannenberg as they travel back to the CAR this next week.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for June 1, 2010

These days have been extremely full, but we want to get a short update out. Thank you so much for your prayers this past week. We are thankful for the Lord’s protection and help for Jessica’s return trip. Despite flight delays (due to plane repairs and a storm in Newark), she finally arrived home safely 23 hours after she walked out our door. We enjoyed an encouraging visit with Heidi Sisson over the weekend, as she made a special stop on her way back to the USA from Bangui, CAR. She left Monday afternoon and we are all missing our guests. The Lord has really helped the children adjust thus far.

On Saturday we drove up to Algrange for the graduation ceremonies at the Bible Institute where 8 young people received their diplomas. It was an encouragement to hear the testimonies and hear the message. It was also a sad time as the school said goodbye to Roger and Jean Reisacher who will be moving to the USA this month, leaving shoes difficult to fill. There is also a great need for new students at the Institute.

Praise for:
- Jessica’s safe arrival home and for Heidi’s encouraging visit.
- the opportunity to meet and visit with two Central African ladies at Adrianna’s ice skating lesson last Wednesday. They were interested in our Sango service.
- the 8 graduates in this year’s graduating class from the Algrange Bible Institute.
- Pastor Goumba Pierre, the Central African director of the Bambari Bible School and pastor of the Center 1 Baptist Church of Bambari, completing the Master’s program at the Grace Brethren Seminary in Bangui, CAR.
- a good service Sunday morning with special attention to mothers and participation by the children, as it was French Mother’s Day. The special praise service the young adults planned went well a week ago Sunday, and there were a number of visitors who heard the Gospel clearly in message and song.

Pray for:
- Heidi Sisson as she travels to the States Tuesday.
- opportunities to witness and for prepared hearts.
- Jonathan’s Mom’s healing from another fall on Friday.
- the 8 new graduates from the Bible Institute and for God’s continued guidance in their lives and ministries.
- Jonathan as he prepares and preaches in the French Sunday morning service.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for May 22, 2010

Last week Saturday there were ten men, including church leaders, who met together for the Church Music workshop. The teachable spirit and the interest shown were an encouragement to Jonathan and Emmanuel. Sunday morning reflected some of the principles taught which the leader incorporated into a Christ-centered service.

Monday evening we received a call from Sylvie telling us that Emmanuel was quite sick and would need Jonathan to take the Tuesday evening Bible study. Praise the Lord for His help for Jonathan in preparing for the study. Emmanuel is now doing much better and is anticipating preaching tomorrow morning. Thursday evening we had tea with one of our families who recently moved. Friday was spent with a woman from our church who is suffering from bone cancer and going through a difficult time. She was such a blessing to us and to our children despite her pain, and we trust that we were an encouragement to her as well.

This week will be a bit traumatic for our family, as Jessica will be leaving on the 27th to return to Pennsylvania after three months with us. She has been such a huge help and encouragement to both our family and our ministry. It will be an adjustment for all of us, especially for the children, to no longer have Aunt Jessica as part of our family. We will certainly miss her and the huge asset that she has been to our ministry and to our family.

Praise for:
- a good Church Music Workshop last Saturday.
- healing for Emmanuel and for the opportunity Jonathan had to share the Bible Study on Tuesday evening.
- the opportunities the Lord is giving us to witness to some of our neighbors.
- Jessica and the time she has given to serve and become a part of our family.
- a nice visit with a family who has recently moved in our church.
- the gift of the Holy Spirit. Sunday the 23rd is Pentecost, a national holiday here in France.

Pray for:
- Jessica as the Lord continues to use her during these last days with us, and for His continued leading in her life.
- opportunities to witness and for prepared hearts.
- a sister in our church who is suffering and in need of encouragement and strength.
- Heidi Sisson, a CAR missionary with GBIM, who will be stopping by to spend next weekend with us on her way back to the USA.
- this final week of classes at the Bible Institute and for each of the students that will be graduating next Saturday.
- Emmanuel’s complete recovery and for this coming Sunday’s ministries, including the Young Adults who will be leading a special evening service with participation from sister area churches.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for May 15, 2010

Today Jonathan is teaching an all-day Church Music workshop to a number of men including church leaders. Thank you for praying for him as he prepared for this workshop and worked to put together a PowerPoint presentation and notes, working both with his iMac and slightly outdated IBM laptop computers! We are praying for a good reception to what is taught and that these men will come away with tools to use in their preparation of Worship services.

God has been using Jessica Leslie in so many ways during her time here with us. On Tuesday night while Jonathan and I were at prayer meeting, Caleb asked Jessica to pray with him as he asked Jesus to open his heart and wash away his naughty things. We were thrilled the next day to hear him explain to us what Jesus had done for him both in words and in a picture he drew. Another way the Lord has used Jessica has been to encourage the young adults in our church. Last Saturday she attended their Bible study, and on Thursday she had afternoon tea with three other girls. Most of the young people have some knowledge of English, and enjoy the occasions to use it. Jessica is picking up some French as well. It is such a joy to see the love of God and the connection we have in Christ break down barriers such as different languages and cultures. How we praise God for how He is using Jessica.

Yesterday we took the day for an outing to take Jessica and an Australian student here for a semester to visit a French Castle, something we’ve been wanting to do before Jessica leaves us in a couple of weeks. We visited Pierrefonds, an impressive medieval castle as well as Compiegne, a palace used by French monarchs from Louis XV to Napoleon III and furnished with period furnishings depicting the royal splendor. It was a long and tiring day, but the Lord gave us protection and lots of fun together as a family. Palaces can be pretty impressive, and after what we saw, it’s pretty amazing to think that none of it comes close to what the Lord has in store for those who love Him!

Praise for:
- an encouraging time together last Sunday with a family from church.
- the opportunities Jessica has had to encourage the young people in our church.
- the opportunities Jonathan had on Tuesday to talk about the Lord to a neighbor and another student’s mother.
- an excellent Dr.’s report for Caleb. The doctor could not detect any wheezing for the first time in three years! It has been over two months now since his last asthma attack.

Pray for:
- good reception of the Church Music workshop with church leaders today and that principles and practices will be applied.
- Jessica as the Lord continues to use her during these last days with us, and for His continued leading in her life.
- continued growth in our Sango ministry outreach.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for May 8, 2010

The big project this week has been re-doing the wallpaper in the hallway. It has needed doing since we moved in three years ago but we have never had the time to get it done. With Jessica here with us for only a precious few more weeks, we are taking advantage of the window in our schedule and her presence to get it done this week. Here we are at the end of the week, tired, sore and nearly at the end of the project! One of our couples from church that is also part of the Sango Outreach moved to a new apartment in town this week and we were able to help by watching their three-year-old son for the day. Caleb especially enjoyed the time with his friend.

Jonathan had an encouraging conversation with one of our neighbors this week. M. asked for information about our church and expressed interest in coming to one of our services. We look forward to seeing her there and pray she will come to know our Savior.

This Sunday Jonathan and I will both teach Sunday School. Sunday noon, Jessica and our family will be the dinner guests of one of the families from the church. Pray we will be an encouragement to this family. In the evening, we will have the Sango service and trust we will see some of the new contacts.

Praise for:
- the opportunity this week and the physical strength to get the hallway re-papered.
- a good six month check up for Josiah.
- good contact with our neighbor this week and for her interest in visiting our church.

Pray for:
- Jonathan as he prepares for the Church Music workshop with church leaders on May 15.
- opportunities to witness in our community and as Jonathan accompanies Adrianna’s class this Tuesday on a field trip to the Reims Planetarium.
- guidance as to our future ministry.
- M. to visit our church and that the Lord will open her heart to receive the Good News!