NTM

Please pray for my friend, Madame Granier.  She is 86 years old and still doubting all the truths of who God is.  Though she seems to understand much of God’s word, I am not sure that she trusts in Christ as her personal savior.  Please pray that she will understand and come to a saving faith in Christ. 

I visit Madame Granier at least once a week.  She has no family here and enjoys spending time with students.  This way, she has had Christian missionary language partners every year for the last several years.  She is a great teacher and enjoys reading with me.  We have been reading a children’s Bible and are almost finished with the gospel story.  She assured me that she wants to finish the book before I leave for Christmas.  It is a sad feeling knowing that I will be leaving and will perhaps never see her again.  We have great fun together.  Since I can speak more French, in the last several months our relationship has really grown.  I am reminded that relationships take time and sharing Jesus with people is not something that happens quickly.  She sometimes says that she is too old to change but praise God that it is never too late to draw closer to Him.    Thanks for praying for her. 

Praise God that I had a good discussion with Madame Greniet this week.  She says that she believes a little but wants to be able to touch God.  She doesn’t understand why He allows so many bad and hurtful things in the world and she thinks she is too old to change her beliefs.  Thank you for your continued prayers. 

My friend Ginette has completed her chimo treatments and is more herself.  Please pray that her surgery to remove the tumors will be a success and that she can heal well.  Pray for her spiritual growth and more Christian friends as I will be leaving in December.  Pray that I will be an encouragement to her.

Please pray that I would have more motivation to study, more understanding, and a better memory. 

When I came to language study in France I didn’t expect to see Senegal until I moved there the beginning of 2009.  What a gift from our Lord to be invited by leadership in West Africa to come for a two week visit!  It came at a good time since I was already beginning to allow fears grow in my heart for the future work there.  I thought, "What am I doing?  Can I really be of help there?  I am going alone and I am afraid!  Can I really learn a tribal language too?"  You can pray that I will not allow these sort of fears to imprison me but that I would trust our great God for life now and in the future.  He so lovingly confirmed to me that I am walking in His will and that He is with me in this journey to serve Him in West Africa. 

I was able to meet the Senegalese brothers and sisters that I will be worshiping and serving with during my first year in West Africa.  One of these national families is generously opening their home for me.  I will have much to learn from my host family and I am so thankful to be under their protection and leadership.  It is truly exciting that we are beginning to partner with our Christian family in Senegal to take the gospel to the unreached people groups in the interior of the country. 

I also found that French is absolutely necessary in West Africa.  There are over 30 completely different tribal languages in Senegal and French is the only common language.  I will be speaking French with my Senegalese family and with any national co-workers.  It is also a blessing to be learning French in France since there are less cultural differences to adapt to and fewer languages to hear each day.  In Dakar I heard French, Wolof (a major tribal language), Jola (the tribal language of my future host family) and others. 

I can tell you that the people in Senegal are beautiful inside and out . I pray that together we can take the life-changing truth of God to some of these beautiful people that have no Scripture in their language and who do not know our great God.

Thank you for your prayers and partnership as I finish out my French studies in France through December 2008. I praise God for each of you!

Praise God that I passed my exams!  I did very well and better than I expected to do. 

Thank you for your prayers!!!  I know I can not do this without you and without supernatural help from God.  My memory is terrible but I am somehow progressing!  I am just trying to be faithful daily and trust God with the rest.  I am praying that in the process of learning French God is equipping me in many ways for the future work He wants me to do.  Pray that I would be yielded to His molding me. 

Praise God!  I passed my 2nd trimester French exams!  I not only passed but did better than I was expecting to do.  This is a product of your prayers, God’s work in my life, and the help of many people.  Thank you.  God is teaching me so much through these language studies…I am learning about humility because even though I am an adult, I often feel that I can only express myself on a child’s level.  I am learning about discipline and faithfulness because it is through diligent daily studies that I progress.  And, I am learning about depending on the Lord in all things.  I often feel lonely and find that God can be my most excellent companion.  I start to worry about the future and have to remind myself that our God is completely trustworthy.  I sometimes feel that I can do nothing profitable and can’t communicate anything meaningful but, then I remember that I can do all things through Christ and that He can work miracles through any willing vessel that trusts in Him. 

Thank you for your prayers and support.  I am currently volunteering at a Christian camp near Grenoble France and enjoying all the adorable French children.  Pray that I would be faithful even here to learn more and speak more French.  Praise God for this beautiful place!  I pray that the children grow in knowledge of Him here.  Later I will be making a visit to Senegal!  Praise God that leadership is sending me there for a two week visit before classes start back on Sept 1.  I can’t wait to tell you all about it! 

Please pray for my summer plans. 

I will be working in a Christian camp here for a few weeks.  Pray that I am able to speak and understand lots of French and that I will not speak at all in English!

Praise God for this opportunity. 

Leadership in Senegal is also sending me there for a visit.  Praise the Lord!  Pray that I begin a profitable orientation.  Pray for wisdom for me and leadership as we begin to think about my placement in Senegal.  Pray that I begin to form good relationships with people there…with other missionaries and with the Senegalese people.  It is possible that I will meet my host family, a Christian Senegalese family that I will live with during my first year in Senegal. 

Pray for me this week as I take French exams for the second trimester. 

Friday July 11 through Friday July 18 I will be tested on my ability to write, read, hear and comprehend French.  I will be tested on French Grammar and Biblical vocabulary.  I will have to speak French in various role plays and monologues. 

Pray for diligent studies, for the peace of God, and for a clear mind to recall everything I know.

Praise God for relationships He is providing!

I now have a language partner who has become a good friend.  Pray that I can be a support to her in her battle with cancer.  Pray that I can be an encouragement to her and help her to grow in knowledge of the Lord.

I have a new language partner who is not a believer.  She is 85.  Pray that I would speak words led by the Holy Spirit that she may need to hear and that I can communicate His love to her.

Praise God for two Bible study groups I attend regularly with French believers.  This is a sweet time of fellowship.

Please pray that I would continue to build relationships as directed by the Holy Spirit.

Please pray that God is using me for His glory here in France.  Pray that I am a light for Him daily especially for the unsaved here.  You can pray specifically for one of my language partners, Madame Greniet.  She is 85 and unsaved.  She has some knowledge of the gospel but has clearly stated that this is my religion and not hers.  She is a delightful lady and very funny.  Please pray that she would be convicted made aware of her great need of God by the power of His Holy Spirit. 

Also pray for another friend, Ginette who has cancer.  She is a believer.  Pray that I can be an encouragement to her that that we can encourage one another in our faith.