Our News

The month started with the baptism of two girls in our youth group. It was such an exciting occasion and wonderful to hear of how God has brought them to know him through their very different, but equally wonderful, testimonies. The girls are from the same family, one of whom is a foster child and told us of how God had changed her life around from her troubled childhood. The church was full, so praise God for this opportunity for evangelism.

Festivities continued a week later as the church held the annual church fête (Kermesse). The day was a great reminder of how community should look, full of happiness and people serving one another. Thank God for many families who came, including our neighbours, and please join us in praying for them. Ben led some break dancing accompanied by a talented rapper in our youth group. Needless to say it was a lot of fun!

Following this we headed down to the “Curry” Caravan just north of Montpellier for a few days holiday. 

Praise God for a refreshing break.

Upon our return it was time for yet another celebration. This year being the 500th anniversary of Calvin, we headed to his birth town, Noyon, for a gathering of French Reformed Churches in the region. It was a great day with talks, a theatrical performance, museum tours, a clown and finishing up with a service in the Cathedral for everyone who was there. Praise God for the encouragement that this day was to over 1200 Protestants in our region.

Last but not least we’ve been busy this month with planning for the youth service, which was held on Sunday. It was great to be able to see every youth member participate in one-way or another, whether it be reading, praying, singing, playing or even preaching! Joachim (the eldest in the group, who will help lead the group upon our return) preached for his first time on Psalm 23, you can find his sermon on the church website at www.erfmantes.org should you be interested (and fluent in French) :o)

Only two and a half weeks ‘til we’re home now. We’re very much looking forward to seeing you all.

Once again thank you for your prayers. God bless, Us xxx

First thing’s first. We’d like to say a huge thank you for your prayers. God really does answer them and this month has been a huge testimony to his faithfulness. 

God has firstly answered our prayers about our neighbours. Ever since we arrived they have been so welcoming to us and we’ve been able to build up a friendship with the family remarkably quickly. So a few weeks before Easter we had the opportunity to invite them to the Easter service. To our delight they came and we were amazed at their response. They were singing and clapping, listening intently, but most of all joyous to be there. We were convicted of our sin in judging people, right from the outset we’d never conceived that they would set foot in a church. After the service they were delighted and said how much they’d enjoyed it and hoped to come back again. Hopefully their nine-year-old daughter Charlene will start coming to Sunday school as from Sunday. Please keep praying!

Another way our prayers have been answered is in Manu (left), a friend from a nearby church. We’ve been praying, even since before our arrival, that the newly established youth group would not then fizzle out when we return to the UK, but rather that it would grow and flourish. Manu has decided to come and work for the church as from September and one of his primary areas of ministry will be that of the youth group. Please pray for him as he tries to raise money and support.

Last but not least is the youth trip to England. The trip had been on the cards for a few months and God graciously provided all that was needed in order for it to go ahead. Ben, Manu and I took ten teenagers to spend three days in London followed by a further three days in Oxford, where we were welcomed by families from St Aldates church. It was incredible to see how each individual was challenged, rebuked, encouraged and changed. Please pray for the follow-up from the trip- a HUGE task, but a very exciting one! Needless to say they all fell in love with our beautiful country and even bought Marmite to take home :o)

With Love and Thanks, Us xxx

It’s been a lovely month, filled with lovely things. We started off with a super holiday in the Alps with some of Ben’s family and a close friend, Charlotte. It was super to have rest and the chalet was just perfect. Ben went out snowboarding; meanwhile Rachel was tanning in the sun whilst eating chocolate waffles and drinking mulled wine. We were both in our element (even if snow-sinking crutches led to slight frustrations of not being out on the slopes). Since then the crutches have been jettisoned and the foot is healing well. Praise God!

In the middle of the weeklong holiday Ben flew back to the UK for an interview for a GTP placement (an on the job teacher training course). The good news is he’s been invited to teach physics at a Christian secondary school in Gateshead (Emmanuel College), just five minutes away from our house in Bensham. Please be praying for Ben as he prepares for this new challenge.

Last week saw the start of “Elle et Lui”, the marriage course at our church here. It is running for the second time and there two couples from nearby parishes who have come to participate hoping that they can then start courses up at their respective churches. We too are doing the course (after all it’s never a bad thing to lay good foundations, plus we eat really yummy tiramisu). Please be praying for relationships to be changed through the course and God to be glorified.

Last week a new project started, a three-week course of talks on “Money, sex and power”. These are tricky topics for church members here so please pray for gentleness in discussion groups.

The youth group is going from strength to strength which is great. Our main priority now is equipping people to take over when we leave. Progress is being made in this area but it continues to be a bit slow. This Saturday we’re tackling the issue of sex, so as you can imagine we’re expecting a ton of questions. Please pray for us as we endeavour to point young people to Christ.

Wishing you all the best, thanks once again for your thoughts and prayers,

Much love, Us xxx

We’ve been busy beavers with activities ranging from youth outings to spring-cleaning.

With half term already upon us the children’s work has taken a pause, but planning is still ploughing on with lessons on the parable of the lost sheep, Bartimaeus and Zacheus fast approaching.

The youth group has had a month of mayhem too, (albeit organised mayhem). Starting with a trip to a church in Versailles where we joined other youth in the region for an evening of prayer and praise, with a short talk on Calvin (this year being the 500th anniversary of his birth). We then had a youth group meeting where Ben did his first French youth talk. Praise God for the speedy improvement in Ben’s French. The study was about science and Christianity, a huge issue for the young people in this country. Please do be praying for them as they think through this issue. A fantastic evening was had, culminating in games of spaghetti towers, sticky faces and chubby bunnies (which we modified to “chèvre chaud”)! 

Please continue to be praying for a youth trip we are organising to the UK in April. Praise God for the progress made so far and for the 10 youth already signed up.

This month a new home group has been launched as a result of the Alpha course from last term. We’ve joined the group too. Please do be praying for the members of this group as we build relationships and are challenged in our walk with Christ.

Rachel’s physio is going well, though at times can be quite painful. Please pray for her to be remembering God’s purposes even on frustrating days. Today was one such day, as the church saw a spring clean (Crutches and soapy floors - not a good idea). Thank God for the servant hearts of all those who participated.

Last but not least please be praying for the future ministry of both the church and us. Please pray for the coming months as we equip others to continue the youth group. In the next fortnight Ben has two interviews for teaching courses in England. Please pray that in this busy time he would find time to prepare and plan for these.

Wishing you all a fantastic February! 

Much love, Us xxx