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| It’s been several months since we last wrote a newsletter, so apologies if you think we’d forgotten you or that you had been dropped from our mailing list. | ||||||||||
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It’s been in these last few months that we’ve begun to see and understand our role here in France and understand more fully the battle we’re in. Up to now I’ve thought of missionaries being ‘on the front line’, but that is not the case. The local church, as a body together is on the front line… the missionary is behind enemy lines and in such a position can take several roles – spying out the land, working with the ‘underground’, the ‘resistance’, or determining (and ‘lighting up’ targets for air strikes (or prayer strikes!)). Refer to the document "France under occupation" | |||||||||
| Hence for the most part, we find ourselves ‘working with the resistance’. Helping build up the small, beleaguered assembly of believers in this land. | ||||||||||
| Having effectively sidelined the church from everyday life substituting a godly moral code for a code based upon human rights and liberties the devil then turned his attention to the destruction of the traditional nuclear family. In destroying this unit of society (by pulling it apart through divorce, by devaluing marriage, by calling a homosexual couple a family, and by reconstituting families from divorced parties) and the stability it gives the enemy works with the tools of loneliness and fear to bring depression and suicidal tendencies. |  |
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| This is the society in which we live. We live under these same pressures… to quote the apostle Paul, "Hard pressed on every side, but not crushed" but only by the grace of God. | ||||||||||
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Why are we saying this? To get your sympathy? –No! This is the task to which God has called us. But we need your prayers… France needs your prayers. France is seen as the gateway to Europe, is this the direction in which we want to see all of Europe go? The enemy may have his plans for this country, but then so does God. |  |
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| Over the past few months it almost seemed that we were just hanging in there… but then, as spies or resistance workers, sometimes that is what you have to do. Before any major offensive the spies go in, the special forces go behind enemy lines – this is true from the time of Moses to the present day conflicts in Iraq… | ||||||||||
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… and you know how the "special forces" people are always portrayed as rebels and misfits in films, well, the same goes for missionaries… you’ve got to be a bit weird to do the job and maybe that’s part of why they have problems fitting in again in the "church back home" if and when they return???? | |||||||||
| So, whilst that was maybe a little insight into our spiritual role here lets fill you in on what has been going on over the last months, because we still do things even when ‘lying low’. | ||||||||||
| Many of you know that summer didn’t really happen for us here in the Savoie, the weather was very disappointing especially as we had made the choice not to go back to England but to enjoy the French sun and heat. The boys were off school but our work continued as normal. In fact it increased due to other people taking holidays and things. We were needed to lead and preach and look after houses and people. We were hoping to have a few days away camping but that never materialised either. |  |
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| Summer is
a great time for holidays but as always every year it means we have to
say good bye to people who have become an integral part of our lives as
they learn French at the local Christian language centre. This year it
was difficult to say good bye to one friend in particular who not only
became a friend to Mike and I but to the boys too. But we know that God
is in control and will look after her in the country she has gone to.
Donna was given a car which was a real
blessing what with Luke starting and finishing school at odd times in a
neighbouring town and Jonathan needing a taxi service to take him to rugby
practices. Whilst Mike is around though we loan the car to students at
the language centre who do not have transport… and so it happened that
in the first two months of owning the car we saw it for less than ten days
– it not only went around town but to St Etienne, Paris and Italy!
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This year Mike’s teaching started early and for that we were glad as he doesn’t get paid during the holidays and we weren’t even sure if he would have a job offered to him. But God was faithful and things went through smoothly. He was offered a job in the local town of Moûtiers about thirty minutes from where we live but he has settled in and is very happy with the schools in which he teaches. | |||||||||
| Mike made his annual trip to the Champagne region to pick grapes in September and renewed old acquaintances and was again able to share some of his faith with those there. This was his eighth year and he is now becoming part of the tradition! Maybe Donna will do it as well next year? |  |
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| The Masterlife courses are both on hold for the moment due to holidays, vendanges and subsequent illnesses of one or more members of the groups. We are praying to be able to restart in the New Year. Please pray with us. | ||||||||||
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Donna restarted guitar lessons. She had four ‘students’, two of whom have now left having finished language school, the remaining two ladies are members of our church. | 
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| Maybe the greatest battle has been faced by Donna, still on the path out of depression – especially given the spiritual climate in which we live. She still has some "down" days which can lead to tough times but they are becoming less frequent. On top of that she had to face the sudden unexpected death of her father at the beginning of November. She had to fly to England for the funeral (on her own) and for those of you who know Donna well that is not something easy for her to face in itself. To cap it all her plane was cancelled at the last minute, this was after everyone had boarded, due to an oil leak in one of the engines and she had to organise another flight on the spur of the moment, which took her to another airport in England. Suffice to say she coped admirably although it was a very difficult time. | ||||||||||
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Our input in the worship times and bilingual services at the language centre continues although much of that responsibility (the Friday morning worship) was taken on by a student the last few months. He has now left so we shall see if there is anyone else who will take on this responsibility. | |||||||||
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We have had the pleasure of visitors from England once again and will again at Christmas. It’s good to share our lives with others. |
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| The boys are doing well at "collège" and "lycée". They are both counting the days until the holidays. Luke will be going off to Germany for the day at the end of the week with most of his class, to go to a Christmas market in Friboug. Jonathan is really involved in his rugby with training twice a week in addition to matches on Saturdays. He plays for Ugine/Albertville and is fairly certain that he’ll be playing for Savoie when they start their matches as well. | ||||||||||
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If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. Philippians 1:19-28 |
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Yours in his
service,
Mike and Donna |
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NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE and mention subscribe/unsubscribe in the subject title. |
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To view preceding newsletter click here |
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| Mike and Donna
are members of Orchard Baptist Church Colchester. They work as independent
missionaries having to raise their own support. Gifts and donations can
be made direct to Mike and Donna, can be routed via Orchard Baptist church.
Alternatively, for tax payers in UK financial support can be given through
"Stewardship" , charity No.234714 which enables us to reclaim some tax
increasing your giving to us by 25% at no extra cost to yourselves. Please
ask for details or see the website www.stewardship.org.uk
Finally donations can be made via PAYPAL to Shofar. Refer to link on our web page www.e-shofar.com |
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