November 1, 2008

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May this find you enjoying the Lord's blessings. By the time you read this, Thanksgiving will probably be past. We hope that the Thanksgiving Conference will be a blessing to all who attend and that all of us will be filled with gratitude and ready to give freely what we have received freely.

During the past month we have seen the Lord at work and we are thrilled. At the beginning of the month we attended a housewarming party in the home of Amelia. She was the first person to have trusted the Lord (that we know of) in the beginning of our ministry here. They had just completed an addition to their house and invited many friends, neighbors and extended family to celebrate. At this gathering we were able to have many meaningful conversations about the Lord. We are always grateful for these opportunities. They are similar to the banquet hosted by Matthew.

Sometimes things that seem to be discouragements are actually reasons to rejoice. Many of the people to whom we have ministered here no longer live here. This may appear to be counterproductive, but appearances can be deceiving. The church at Jerusalem did not like the appearance of the gospel being preached to the Greeks at Antioch (see Acts 11:20-26), but it was an essential part of God's purpose to save people from every tribe and nation.

God has called us to make disciples of all nations. Disciples are not just receivers, they are givers. We are now having Bible studies in Porto, Portugal and Seville, Spain via internet. This is a result of people who were here moving away. I was very encouraged today in the Bible study with Ana Paula, the young lady who lives in Portugal. This lady was saved and baptized here in July just before moving to Porto with her husband. He is not a believer. She was telling me that she is going to start having a Bible study with four ladies who are her neighbors. They are two young ladies, their mother and their aunt. As she shared with them what God has done in her life, they became very interested. So, she suggested that they start studying the Bible together. My heart is thrilled to see the thirst for God's Word that God has given Ana Paula and the passion that she has for sharing it with others. This is the way the Gospel of Jesus Christ works!

It now appears that God is going to move one of our most promising couples to Germany for three years. This man was the first person to get baptized here. Rather than be discouraged by this, we know that God is in it. God sows the "sons of the kingdom" wherever He wants to produce fruit.

So, thanks for your continued support. Only God knows how far and wide it will produce fruit. Meanwhile, remember that God has placed you where you are to bear fruit!

May God produce fruit in and through all of us.

Your siblings in France,
John and Judy