In
putting together a new website (www.e-shofar.com
) I realise that it’s high time I write another newsletter.
As always I don’t think there’s much to say until I
refer to where we were when we wrote our last letter… then I
realise there’s too much to say to put on two sides of A4,
which is my goal…. Should I write smaller??!! Anyway, here
goes…
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House of Refuge
There have been several major changes
of circumstances in the past few months. At our last time of writing a
newsletter we were looking for a “house of refuge”
to buy, and we had several criteria which believe were of the Lord.
Properties meeting these criteria were rare especially in the precise
region in which we were looking. And then one day we found a house
– an old farmhouse in need of considerable refurbishment, and
it was part owned by a Christian. We wrote to many of you about it
believing that God would miraculously provide the finances as he has
done many times before for things, although not quite on this
scale… but then with God, all things are
possible… A miracle happened, but not the one which we were
expecting – we received NOTHING towards the house. (Soon
after we faced extraordinary financial pressures about which we wrote
to many of you… and the LORD provided through many of you.
Thanks to you and God.)
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So what about the house? We found ourselves, once again, doing much
soul-searching. Had we missed God’s leading? Were we in
disobedience? Was the enemy blocking the flow of monies?
We are now persuaded that circumstances changed and the Lord is now
going to proceed with us differently. These changes came about by
various decisions that were taken, not necessarily by us… as
I say frequently, every choice we make has consequences not only on us
but on those around us as well, and some consequences can be
far-reaching. So, for the moment, this project is on hold.. and we are
seeking new direction, the vision for houses of refuge remains however.
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Monies over Christmas
As I have just mentioned we have been
fighting many battles, many of which centre on finances. I was talking
with a fellow Christian today to whom I had mentioned our financial
situation a few days earlier. He was quite insistent that people should
be supporting the work that we do – he has seen it first-hand
and has benefited from our ministry. …”and if we
want to see this work continue then we should be willing to support it
financially…”. I did not like to point out that he
didn’t support us financially!
Unfortunately this is the situation which we face – many
people support us verbally extolling the virtue of our ministry
“..in this very difficult spiritual climate”; very
few actually support us financially. For that reason Mike has had to
sign on as unemployed and seriously consider taking full-time
employment. This would significantly reduce the amount of time we could
spend meeting with people, studying the Bible, counselling and
teaching. It seems that just when we start seeing a result from our
work with new doors opening, new opportunities for the gospel, we are
going to be prevented from continuing. This we see as a work of the
enemy. However, to combat this we need to see more people partner with
us financially, not merely verbally. Sometimes there is a
responsibility to act. If the lord is prompting you to be a part with
us in the ministry please contact us. (More details can be found on our
new-look website)
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Church – Grignon
This is the part that is difficult to
write… We worked with this group of believers for just over
three years and it was with great sadness that we have had to pull out
from this group. We do not, for obvious reasons, want to discuss these
reasons in an open newsletter, suffice to say that we took position on
some doctrinal issues which in our view were leading the church into
error. Our argument was not entertained or even discussed, it was
immediately rejected by the leader in question. This made continuing to
work with this leader impossible for us so we withdrew from the church.
We still maintain good open relationships with many of the members.
This does, however, free us up to concentrate fully on the new
church-plant in the Maurienne.
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Church – Maurienne
The group in the Maurienne has faced
a very testing time not the least because of differences in
denominational background. Others have also experienced family problems
which have weighed heavily upon then. It is so obvious that
we are already experiencing significant resistance from the enemy
– not surprising given that he has held sway over this part
of France for so long. We were hoping to work with another
missionary couple in this venture but due to denominational constraints
they have felt led to pursue work elsewhere. This leaves us as the main
organisational and driving force behind this venture, something which
we were not bargaining on – and something that we have not
done before. Please pray for continued protection for the group, us
especially, and for the Lord’s guidance and wisdom as we seek
to knit this group together into an active part of the body of Christ.
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We have meetings now in a hall in the centre of St Jean once a month
and weekly prayer meetings. We are looking to start a Bible study for
everyone involved in the group to build relationships and give a forum
for discussion of denominational differences promoting understanding of
each other and the biblical standpoint on these issues.
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Newlook website
As I’ve mentioned it,
I’ll just say a couple of words about it…
It’s new and we hope to make it a forum for discussion for
spiritual questions especially those related to our work, so
we’d love to get your comments online. Again for this to
work, we need your input! www.e-shofar.com/.
Donna’s got a blog as well…
www.e-shofar.com/donna/
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Travels
and Events
Christmas saw us in our apartment in
Albertville with an Australian missionary friend visiting (She works in
Senegal). Christmas lunch was shared with others of the church who
would otherwise have been alone. A good time was had by all.
Shortly after, in January, we (Donna and Mike) had a brief trip to
England to attend Mike’s Mum’s wedding…
a very nice service it was as well. We also caught up with friends and
family in and around Colchester.
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Luke
and Jonathan
The boys were in school so they
couldn’t come but they’re old enough to look after
themselves for a few days… Jonathan is not at home during
the week anyway, he is a boarder… and Luke when he
isn’t at school (Lycée) he is likely to be working
at MacDonalds. Luke is in his last year at Lycée and is
presently sitting his mock exams.. it’s difficult sometimes
to gauge how they are going!! and to top it all Luke is starting
driving lessons (at least he’s preparing for the written
test, he’s not behind the wheel yet!)
Meanwhile Jonathan is already telling me he’s only got a few
weeks left before he finishes his first year at Lycée. He is
still as passionate as ever for rugby – despite breaking a
front tooth in a match a few weeks back. The next two Saturdays are
scheduled at the dentist.
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More banners
As a distraction from our regular
work with people Donna has really taken to banner making.
She’s just got an order for two more – in English
this time… If you’d like to see some of those
she’s done there’s a webpage for this as well!
www.e-shofar.com/banners/ . This site is still in the making, but you
get the idea….
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Calendar :
FGBMFI meeting 17 March 2007
Aix-les-Bains – lead worship
Intimacy seminar 20-21 April 2007 Geneva – lead
worship
YWAM InTouch Camps
28 July – 4 August 2007, Vallorbe, Switzerland –
lead worship, leadership team
11 – 18 August 2007, Le Gault la Fôret, –
lead worship, leadership team
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And we
know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew
he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he
might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined,
he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified,
he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God
is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:28-30
Yours in his
service,
God Bless,
Love ‘N’ Stuff,
Mike and Donna
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General
Information
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To receive our
newsletters (or stop receiving them) by e-mail please e-mail to
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE and mention "subscribe/unsubscribe" in the
subject title.
For more
information about our work in France email to: mike.donna@e-shofar.com
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To view preceding
newsletter click
here
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Financial
Support
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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 http://www.stewardship.org.uk/
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Finally
donations can be made via PAYPAL to Shofar. Refer to link on our web page
www.e-shofar.com/
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©
Copyright 2007, Mike and Donna Spencer. All Rights Reserved.
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