November 3, 2006

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As I begin writing, Judy is giving French lessons to Rosana, our Brazilian neighbor. This is a double blessing. First, that Judy knows French sufficiently well to give lessons. Secondly, because about half of their lesson consists of reading from the Gospels in French, and discussing what they have read. Rosana studies the Bible in French with Judy twice a week and her whole family comes to a weekly Bible study which we have in Portuguese. She also mentioned this week that Cristina, a friend of hers who teaches literature at the University is going to return to Bible study. Cristina is a lady about our age that has shown quite an interest in spiritual matters.

We hope that this finds you well and giving thanks to the Lord during this Thanksgiving season. We pray that the Lord will bless the Thanksgiving Conference hosted by the fine folks of New Hope Baptist Church in Dearborn Heights. Last year we were able to be at this conference for the first time in many years. It was a real blessing to us. Our health is good and we thank God for the blessings and opportunities that He gives us to serve Him each day.

Three weeks ago I preached a funeral in a Catholic Cathedral. That was a first for me. The priest introduced me at the beginning by saying that the man who had died became a Christian in his forties and was baptized in the Baptist church and therefore the service would be a Baptist service led by a Baptist pastor. He had suggested to me that he make such an introduction at the beginning to explain to his parishioners why it would be a Baptist service and not a mass. I suspect that he wanted to prepare the people for the shock.

The man who had died was ninety and had been in a nursing home for some time. When he died, his step daughter, who comes to our Bible study in the city of Mazere, called to ask if I would be willing to have the service even though it would be in a Catholic “church”. The man’s wife has two brothers who are priests, which is why the service was held in the Catholic Cathedral. She was quite insistent that there be no crucifixes (cross with dead “Christ”) and that the resurrection be emphasized. I preached from John 11:20-27. There were four priests and some nuns present. Quite a number of folks heard the gospel, many, perhaps, for the first time in their lives. I was glad to have the opportunity to preach the gospel to so many people. Incidentally, this man was led to the Lord and baptized by a Baptist missionary from America many years ago.

The believers who come to the other Bible studies are having opportunities to share what they believe with friends and co-workers. We are also encouraged by the fact that the grade school age children in Sunday school are showing greater interest in spiritual matters. One boy who is six was sharing with the family of his cousins during a family trip recently. The parents are atheist but were impressed with his courageous proclamations about Creation and the Flood.

Please continue to pray for us. We continue to sow the good seed with the expectation that the Holy Spirit will use it to bring to life those who need Christ.

We thank God for your interest in the spread of the Gospel in France. Remember us in your prayers as we seek to reach those who need Christ here.

Serving Christ in France,

John and Judy