FAMILY NEWS
Emilie is now about 9 weeks along in her third pregnancy. Most days she’s feeling sick but nevertheless excited about the ultrasound appointment coming up. We’re hoping for a girl- but we’re keeping our expectations in perspective that God is shaping this little one according to His own wisdom. Isn’t it amazing just how intimately involved God is in our lives- we pray to our Father in heaven, and yet He is the very one shaping the life in the womb- what a mystery! Other than pregnancy, Emilie is a faithful mom and wife who devotes each and everyday to serving the Lord by serving our family! Anthony, Dante’ and Zeal gave her the ‘Mother of the Year 2009′ award this past Mother’s Day. She’s been the undisputed, undefeated champion since 2006 and is predicted to have next year’s award in the bag as well.
Dante’ is three now and his speech is becoming more and more refined. He’s asking lots of questions: “What’s that?” Which is always followed by… “What’s it do?” Along with the development of his mind and understanding of the world around him, he’s also learning why he doesn’t always obey mommy and daddy. We’ve been talking about the sinful nature with Dante’, explaining that he’s always obeying somebody- either he’s obeying mommy and daddy or he’s obeying his sinful nature. At first, we thought this type of talk might be out of his league, but when we ask him, he lets us know whom he’s obeying. Dante’ and daddy will often bring home flowers for mommy. So now, instinctively, whenever he passes by a pretty flower, the first thing that comes to his mind is his mommy.
Zeal is one passionate kid- and rightfully named as such! He’s walking and speaking his own language (which we call ‘Zealian’). He’s very independent, playing often by himself and perfectly content doing so. However, we’re trying to teach him to play with his brother. He enjoys watching his brother do his lessons in the mornings and is always ready for a movie. And he has his own unique contribution to our family- laughter. Zeal does something everyday to make all of us laugh. His favorite things to do are: eating, reading (looking at books actually), and running outside (we think he loves being under the sun).
Anthony is blessed! I thank God for His wonderful gifts to me- Em and the boys. Each day I awake, I appreciate more the diligence I see in my wife, who is always at it, and never quits until the stars appear. I find joy in being able to come home to my family each day after a busy schedule. In terms of what I’m doing, most of my days involve: outdoor ministry/evangelism, studying the Word, reading up on African culture, or studying French. I’m thankful for Em who never lets me forget that although God has blessed me to work for Him outside the home, I am equally responsible to make disciples of the two little hearts under our roof.
MINISTRY NEWS
Em will be suspending her babysitting job in June so that we can both apply ourselves fully in learning French using the RosettaStone. Between now and August, our desire is to see the Lord raise up the remaining 54% of our ministry support. We plan to share with friends, family and churches about what the Lord is doing in West Africa and how we plan to serve Him there.
From August to December, our plan is to finish an additional semester of church planting training before heading to France in 2010 for further French studies and ministry. Pray for us in this area- Emilie is due to deliver the end of December, and we’re still trying to forge a plan for our time in France. We trust the Lord to have these matters in His hands (Proverbs 16:9).
Pray for Manjit. Manjit is a Sikh man who the Lord is teaching through me for about three weeks now. Manjit wants to learn about the Bible and has many questions that his religion cannot answer. But just yesterday, when the Lord’s own words came to him that: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but through me”, Manjit realized that he would have to walk away from trusting in his Sikh gurus and the Sikh scriptures. He strongly opposed to this as I expected! He wants to keep studying, but at this point he is not ready to trust in Christ alone. Pray that as we study, the Holy Spirit would do several things: destroy the strongholds holding Manjit, reveal the truth to him through the Word of God, and that the Father would draw Manjit to Christ “as he hears and learns of the Father” (John 6:45).
Pray also for our neighbor who is reading The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus. This book ties together the major themes of the Bible chronologically from Creation to Christ. Linda believes in God, but doubts the existence of Christ. She also believes that she can get to heaven by being a good person- but she admitted, if God judges her by the ten commandments, she’s “doomed” (I had to edit her statement to make it writable). Pray that as she reads the book, God would make it clear to her that Christ is real, and that faith in His work is the only hope available for her to escape God’s condemnation.
Anthony and Emilie Marzett Just another weblog 