Praise and Prayer Update

August 2003

We are thankful for the many prayers that are constantly being lifted up for us. Their power is clear to us as we experience the Lord's faithful presence and working in and through us each day. We have recently had Divine encounters with others here who have a heart for sharing the Gospel with the people here in France (among both the Hearing and the Deaf). So many have not had an opportunity to accept Christ personally as their Lord and Savior. Even while we are still learning French we have been able to partner with Jonathan and Laura Clark and Bruno and Ariane Serva in offering an Alpha Course in our home leading to our next door neighbour accepting Christ. She has also asked that we continue to meet together in our homes. We begin Sept. 21.

Please pray as we transition into House Church. Pray that we will seek, find and follow only the Lord's will in helping begin a church planting movement as is modeled in the New Testament. Thatis, with each Christian living out their faith before their family members, friends, neighbours, co-workers and all they encounter. Pray with us as we understand the Lord to be showing us that we are to help begin churches that meet together in members' homes for worship, prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Others are to be invited and the groups will then multiply into other homes with several of these groups getting together for larger celebration services as often as they choose to. Each Christian is to be encouraged and discipled to be actively involved in the life of the church using the spiritual gift(s) they received when they accepted Christ. Pray for the Holy Spirit to make it clear as leaders emerge who are gifted in the different areas of life and ministry. These will lead in those areas and disciple others who have the same gifts who will likewise lead and disciple others as the churches multiply.

Pray for the worship, fellowship and vision-sharing encounter on September 20 which will bring together a number of people of different nationalities and denominational backgrounds living in this area who are all sensing some leading toward this type of church. Pray for the Lord to use this time to clarify His will and vision for each participant as to their future ministry direction as well as His will in regard to any ongoing relationships between participants and the churches they may begin.

Pray also as we seek the Lord's will regarding possible English As a Second Language classes, another Alpha Course, and Marriage/Family Enrichment seminars or courses and other possible opportunities. And please pray as we continue to study the French language. The French people, our neighbours and most all we meet, are so very friendly, helpful and accepting. We truly want to speak their language and understand their culture well and be better able to show our appreciation to them, especially through the Good News of Jesus Christ, The Lord.

Love in Christ,

Don and Billie

Dear Friends and Family,

We covet your prayers as we grieve the passing of my dear brother,

Royal Dixon, in Titusville, Florida this morning. He had been hospitalized

after his last chemotherapy treatment with a low white blood cell count and

then pneumonia set in. We praise the Lord for his assurance of salvation

which Royal clearly expressed confidence in during visits and conversations

with me. I will be flying on Wednesday through Orlando, Florida and

returning from Orlando Sunday late afternoon. I will lead the funeral

service as we remember and celebrate Royal's life together, either Thursday

or Friday. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

Please pray for Royal's dear wife, Peggy, and their adult children,

Mike, Debbie, Sandy, Tony and Linda, and their spouses and children, as

well as all the rest of us during this season of grieving our temporary

separation from Royal.

Please pray as well for family members traveling to Florida and for

Billie, other missionaries here as they take on extra responsibilities

regarding the House Church Encounter Saturday and the arrival of our

volunteer team from Virginia early Sunday morning, during my absence.

Love in Christ,

Don and Billie