Praise and Prayer for July 30, 2010

Last week, we were finally able to get the little strip of ground behind our apartment looking like a flower garden again. We have the only back door in our big building, and are therefore the only apartment with a strip of actual ground (the upper floor apartments all have balconies). So our strip of earth is a luxury for us, but also a bit of a responsibility since the common driveway and foot entry to the building all pass beside our personal back entry. We really do want to honor the Lord with the appearance of our back entry, and are glad to get caught up on its care! There were a few miscellaneous maintenance jobs to do yesterday (not too complicated for me!), including replacing a wall electrical receptacle, a door handle, an insulation strip around the front door, and the filter on our bathroom sink. Not too complicated, but necessitating a little time and the right parts. When we took our car to the garage for it’s annual checkup Wednesday, they found a few things that needed to be addressed, including replacing tires and a belt that they did not have in stock. While we waited, we visited a few sights in the area including the impressive Chateau Thierry American Monument, the medieval ruins of the castle behind City Hall, and the home of the fable writer/poet, La Fontaine (The Tortoise and the Hare). We ended up leaving the car at the garage, and are expecting to pick it up before the weekend.

One of our Central African friends who has not been coming to church was in an accident last week Friday, in which his right leg was badly broken below the knee. I found out about it Tuesday and went with Emmanuel to visit C. after our weekly meeting to pray and discuss the church and her needs. I went back to see him yesterday afternoon and found him a little more encouraged than on Tuesday. He is dealing with a lot in life and really needs to yield himself to the Lord. I was happy that he gladly accepted the French version of Max Lucado’s booklet “He Did This Just for You” and he assured me that he would have plenty of time to read it while he awaits release to go home. We’ve had more contact with our neighbor, M., who we hope to see in church this Sunday.


Praise for:
- the way the Lord blessed Adrianna’s Birthday party, for good participation and cooperation from the kids, and good contacts with parents and grandparents. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, especially the Birthday girl, whom we thank the Lord for!
- an excellent soiree with the meeting and dinner at our house for the church council and their spouses.
- Catherine Daily being well enough to travel with her whole family from Germany to the States for Home ministry on July 26.


Pray for:
- C.’s long recovery ahead, and for a tender heart toward spiritual matters.
- our neighbor M. to be in church this Sunday, and that the Lord will work in her heart.
- Jonathan’s Mom and Aunt Mary Lee (Teachout) as they travel to Ely Lake (in PA) this week for a three week visit.
- our Sunday School summer ministry, and for us as we are the team teachers this Sunday.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for July 19, 2010

We have much to be thankful for this week! The closing service for our Sango outreach on July 4 was blessed with good attendance (20), good fellowship and good food, spiritual and physical! It was great to see one man come to service for the first time and one who hadn’t come at all this year. The Lord helped Jonathan with his preaching in three services. We had four young singles from church over for homemade pizza and a movie on July 9. The movie they chose was Flywheel and there were some good discussions about our walk with the Lord before the evening ended around midnight. : ) After church Sunday, one of the church families invited us for supper last night. We enjoyed visiting for several hours as our kids played together with their kids.

This past week, the Lord made it possible for us to make a trip to southern Bavaria, Germany to meet our friends, the Don Waite family, who had a longer drive than we from their home in Slovakia where they are serving the Lord. We enjoyed hiking up a mountain to a church pilgrimage site, touring a couple castles, and eating delicious German food. The highlight however was just being together with dear friends and sharing and receiving encouragement in the Lord regarding our ministries. We learned more about their great need for help. The kids enjoyed being together too, especially Adrianna and Vivian Waite who were pretty inseparable during waking hours! An added blessing was being able to spend Tuesday evening with fellow BMM family, the Todd Dailys, who are scheduled to leave for furlough/home ministry next Monday.

NEEDED: We are still 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:
- those who came to the closing Sango service who we had not seen in a long time.
- the Lord’s help as Jonathan has preached.
- time with several of our church people.
- a refreshing and encouraging time with the Waites in Germany.
- the safe birth of Joshua Broeckert to Cherith’s brother Hans and Thuy.

Pray for:
- our contacts with friends and parents on Friday as we have Adrianna’s 7th Birthday Party.
- good progress with correspondence and projects this week.
- our preparation for having the members of the church counsel along with spouses for dinner this Saturday evening.
- Catherine, the 12 year old daughter of Todd and Dawn Daily, who is recovering from surgery and appendicitis, and for wisdom for the family as they prepare to leave.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

Praise and Prayer for July 1, 2010

The weather here in Reims turned HOT this week. We are thankful that our apartment has stayed below 80F (91F outside) and that the humidity hasn’t been high. The movie “Flywheel” was very well received Sunday night, though there were only 16 present. The spirit was good and I believe we were all challenged to examine our lives and make sure we are living for the Lord. This Sunday night we are having our “cloture” or closing service. It will be held at one of the member’s homes and I will be bringing the challenge. We are very thankful for the good progress that has been made this week on important paperwork, including much time working with our mailing list and expense reports. The Summer Sunday school program will be beginning this weekend – and we are finally ready for it. The schedule for July and August includes 17 volunteers willing and available for the selected dates! Praise the Lord for faithful helpers! We told the children in opening exercises last Sunday that while school was letting out this week and they would have vacation from school, there would still be Sunday school throughout the summer and we hoped they would be there regularly.

Yes, today is the final day of school here in France for the kids. Jonathan accompanied Adrianna’s class Monday on the last field trip of the year: the Library. Adrianna and Caleb both made special thank you cards to give to their teachers (and the teacher’s assistant in Caleb’s class) along with a jar of homemade strawberry jam (which Caleb also helped pick the strawberries for!). It is hard to say goodbye to teachers, parents and children knowing there will be little contact or opportunities to witness now until school reconvenes in September. We are looking forward to seeing several children and their parents at least once during the vacation as Adrianna has invited several friends to a special Birthday party on July 23.

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:
- contacts made this school year.
- the good reception of the film “Flywheel” Sunday evening at the Sango service.
-good progress made on important paperwork this week.
- church members who are willing to serve in the Summer Sunday School program.
- the safe arrival of Anita in Australia, Arnaud in Canada and Lin and her daughter in China.
- a safe move for Jonathan’s Mom and for good help from family and church family.

Pray for:
- a good turnout Sunday evening--the closing service for the Sango outreach.
- Jonathan as he prepares messages and Bible studies.
- good attendance in this summer’s Sunday School program.
- strength for Jonathan’s Mom for unpacking and getting settled in a new place.
- guidance as to our future ministry.

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.