'Faithful One' encouragement from Audrey
"MANY , O LORD MY GOD ARE THE WONDERS YOU HAVE DONE. THE THINGS YOU PLANNED FOR US NO ONE CAN RECOUNT TO YOU. WERE I TO SPEAK AND TELL OF THEM, THEY WOULD BE TOO MANY TO DECLARE" PSALM 40V5.
Dear Friends,
The above verse sums up all that I feel having returned recently from a two week visit to Istres in the south of France
It was a joy to be amongst so many church friends there. As you know they were awaiting the completion of a new church building. In the eighteen months since my last visit, the plot of land given by the local authority is now transformed into a lovely and worthy place of worship for our Lord.
The eight metre high cross forming part of the structure and lighting up at nightfall is a message in itself to all who pass by reminding them of God's great plan to redeem mankind from the bondage of sin by the sacrifice of His dear Son. Yet now He lives, as witnessed in the transformation which has taken place in the lives of those present and their joy as they attended the service of consecration on October 15th.
Although the waiting time was long, yet when God's time arrived everything happened very quickly. - the provision of the land, the approval of the architect's plans, the finance which had gradually accumulated over the years and given a boost by many prayer partners, and most wonderfully, the arrival of a christian brother and his family who had just retired but whose life's work had been to oversee the erection of buildings in many parts of the world. He kindly offered his help - what perfect timing!
Martha and I thought back to God's faitfulness in fulfilling a promise made to us some 20 years ago, that He would build a sanctuary in this place. Then there were only a handful of believers gathering on a Sunday morning but they grew in numbers and were handicapped by lack of space and the absence of a clear identity and freedom to arrange church activities when they thought best..
At a previous official inauguration ceremony, the mayor and councillors attended plus representatives from the catholic and other evangelical communities in the area, also the clerics from the local mosque next door came to pay their respects. All seemed impressed by the event and several encouraging news articles were written to inform the local population. I would like to thank many of you, my friends, who have been partners in prayer and have given generously.
Please continue in prayer that many more "living stones" will be part of the spiritual edifice in this place to join the Body of Christ. It was a joy to meet several who have come to faith in Christ since my last visit and also several backsliders have returned to the Good Shepherd.
Dear Friends,
The above verse sums up all that I feel having returned recently from a two week visit to Istres in the south of France
It was a joy to be amongst so many church friends there. As you know they were awaiting the completion of a new church building. In the eighteen months since my last visit, the plot of land given by the local authority is now transformed into a lovely and worthy place of worship for our Lord.
The eight metre high cross forming part of the structure and lighting up at nightfall is a message in itself to all who pass by reminding them of God's great plan to redeem mankind from the bondage of sin by the sacrifice of His dear Son. Yet now He lives, as witnessed in the transformation which has taken place in the lives of those present and their joy as they attended the service of consecration on October 15th.
Although the waiting time was long, yet when God's time arrived everything happened very quickly. - the provision of the land, the approval of the architect's plans, the finance which had gradually accumulated over the years and given a boost by many prayer partners, and most wonderfully, the arrival of a christian brother and his family who had just retired but whose life's work had been to oversee the erection of buildings in many parts of the world. He kindly offered his help - what perfect timing!
Martha and I thought back to God's faitfulness in fulfilling a promise made to us some 20 years ago, that He would build a sanctuary in this place. Then there were only a handful of believers gathering on a Sunday morning but they grew in numbers and were handicapped by lack of space and the absence of a clear identity and freedom to arrange church activities when they thought best..
At a previous official inauguration ceremony, the mayor and councillors attended plus representatives from the catholic and other evangelical communities in the area, also the clerics from the local mosque next door came to pay their respects. All seemed impressed by the event and several encouraging news articles were written to inform the local population. I would like to thank many of you, my friends, who have been partners in prayer and have given generously.
Please continue in prayer that many more "living stones" will be part of the spiritual edifice in this place to join the Body of Christ. It was a joy to meet several who have come to faith in Christ since my last visit and also several backsliders have returned to the Good Shepherd.
Please pray for the church and the people of Istres.
posted by dave b at 5:21 PM
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