Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. (Psalm 68:19)

One aspect of the ministry that I have always enjoyed is the variety — two weeks are rarely the same! It’s even rare for two consecutive Sunday services to be the same. Every week presents very different witnessing opportunities, various discipleship studies, and a fairly large array of other types of meetings and outreaches. Here are a few examples…

PASTORAL TRAINING: The Paris Bible Institute had its graduation ceremony in June. One male and one female student received their well-deserved diplomas. I was particularly impressed by the young man who presented his thesis on the philosophy of ministry of the apostle Paul. It was an outstanding study and presentation. Certificates were also given to the members of the Apollos ministry team, a group of five young people who devoted this past year to travel throughout France and to minister in over 20 churches. This is a new ministry and was a great blessing to both the participants and the host churches. Four young people are already signed up for next year. It would be a great opportunity (at minimal cost!) for any serious and service-minded young person in the States who has at least a little knowledge of French and more than a little interest in missions. Any interested parties should feel free to contact us.

MUSIC MINISTRY: Another exciting ministry opportunity has come about thanks in large part to the hard work of our missionary colleague Kristi Colas. She has been the accompanist for a newly-formed, inter-church, male choral group, the « Ambassadors of Joy ». In our 22 years of living in France, this is a first (at least for me). What a blessing to sing theologically-rich, conservative hymns with a group of godly pastors and laymen. Our group has sung on two different occasions, and there are plans to continue this ministry.

SPORTS: God has provided a most unusual opportunity for outreach (and exercise Through the Lord’s providence I came across a group of French young people (in their 20’s and 30’s) playing flag football. Of course, this is an exceptional sight in a country where soccer reigns supreme. It so happens that they were a player short that day, and so I asked if they would allow me to fill the gap. Since that first encounter, we have gotten together on four or five occasions to play football. From an athletic viewpoint this has been a most enjoyable experience. What is still more striking is the way that they have accepted me into their group. They are all quite close friends or coworkers, and yet they have made me feel a part of the group since day one. Since we moved to Normandy 16 years ago, this is the first time that a non-Christian group has so warmly and spontaneously received me. From a human viewpoint this has been a most encouraging experience. But to top things off, several in the group have shown genuine interest in better understanding my faith. Several have come out to church or have gladly accepted Bibles or Christian literature. From a spiritual viewpoint this has been a most exciting experience. However, the organiser of these football matches, a very likeable young man in great physical condition, was recently hospitalized for blood poisoning and was in VERY serious condition. His name is Jean-Philippe. Please pray for his recovery and for his salvation and for the others in this group.

BIBLE CONFERENCE: This past week we were privileged to attend a three-day Bible Conference on the other side of France. Not only did we enjoy discovering a new area of France, but we were also blessed by some very challenging messages concerning the spiritual situation and challenges in Europe. Since the conference took place over a weekend, the church of Rouen had to carry on without us. We praise God for the faithful men who directed the service and who preached. This is always a good sign for the health of a church.

ALYSSA’S MISSIONS TRIP: We were pleased to pick up our daughter Alyssa at the airport after her one-month missions trip to Senegal organized by Northland Baptist Bible College. It was an eye-opening experience in a country that is 98% Muslim and very unsanitary. Here is what she wrote about her experience: « When I first arrived in Senegal it seemed like I had arrived in a different world. It is so easy in the United States to get excited about going to another country and to say that I would be willing to go anywhere God sent me. When I arrived in Senegal, however, I do not think I could have said that I would be willing to go back to Senegal permanently. The Wolof people in Senegal are a very closed people. They are not necessarily a lovable people group either. The boys are often very forward and perverted, and many of the people we came in contact with only befriended or spoke to us in order to receive money. And yet through the challenges, God showed Himself so faithful and manifested His greatness and goodness time and time again. He gave our team so many opportunities to clearly share the Gospel with people who were very open and some who were even searching for the truth. One night after a cookout at the beach, I went for a walk down the beach and promised God that wherever He wants me to go, I will go…. » Praise God for the work He is doing in Alyssa’s life. (See picture below.)

SOON-TO-BE-EMPTY-NESTERS: We are also very proud of Charity who just passed her final exams in the French school system. She graduated with honors. She has witnessed to several of her friends and given them Bibles. The picture below (not posed) was taken in the school hallway! Charity is planning to attend Clearwater Christian College in the Fall. This means that for the first time in 26 years, Lori and I will have no children at home with us.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES: In closing, we ask your prayers for several upcoming events. Our church is organizing two sacred concerts that will be presented on July 11 and 13. One concert will present our coworker Kristi and her sister Kelli; the other will present a ladies’ trio from Crown College in Tennessee. We already know of a number of visitors who are planning to come. Then, our church will have its summer VBS program the last week of July. And in August, God has allowed for our family to fly back to the States for a two-week visit. We will be taking Charity to college, visiting our parents whose health remains very fragile, and spending some time with Wesley who is facing a very serious situation. We greatly appreciate your prayers for all these matters.

In Calvary’s love ~ Kim & Lori Fox

I trust that you are enjoying July and all that it represents. Trust that is continuing to bless you all in your labors for Him. Attached is our most recent prayer letter.

We would like to ask those who pray for us daily to drop us an email letting us know so we can place you on that list and make sure you get more detailed information which will help you to pray more intelligently for the work here in Argentina.

Once again thank you for the privilege serving our wonderful Savior on your behalf here in Argentina. Thank you also for not only co-laboring with us in prayer but financially as well.

Joe Owens

Missionary to Argentina

What a privilege to serve the Lord, wherever we find ourselves. Thank you so much for partnering with us to reach Mozambicans and Brazilians (for a few brief weeks).

By His grace,

Joel and Joanie Troester

April 2010 Prayer Letter

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”  (Psalm 126:5-6) We have had our share of seasons of weeping lately (figuratively and literally).  But God also gives us seasons of rejoicing, which encourage us to keep pressing on.  In fact, the text above is given as a promise — “they that sow in tears SHALL REAP in joy… and shall DOUBTLESS come again with rejoicing…”  God’s promise is a powerful encouragement to persevere even in the midst of weeping.

SEASONS OF WEEPING

When we first came to France in 1988, our desire (and conviction) was to work as part of a missionary team.  Over the years that desire has never waned, and God has allowed us to work with a number of quality missionaries, the latest being our current coworker Kristi Colas.
Several years ago God appeared to be leading two families to come work with us.  About a year ago we learned that one of those families was no longer planning to come to Rouen as originally intended.  That was a real blow, as we were counting on their help to pursue a new work on the other side of the city (the right bank).  However, another missionary family, the Carr’s, for whom we have often asked prayer, was still on deputation and was also planning to come to Rouen.  Well, we have recently learned that they have decided to no longer pursue deputation and are instead planning to pursue a ministry in the States.  This was another big setback for us and for our plans to begin a new work.

As if the redirection of these two families was not disappointing enough, another key element to the future of this ministry and the beginning of a new work on the right bank is a young man in our church in whom we have invested much and who has been a potential pastor for the church here.  However, several weeks ago Ricardo asked to see me and proceeded to inform me that he is rethinking several areas of doctrine (Pretrib Rapture and certain sign gifts) and no longer sees himself in a leadership position here.  Obviously, this, too, was a MAJOR disappointment.  However, Ricardo is not totally clear on his understanding of these issues and continues to study them out.  So, do pray for him that God would grant understanding, likemindedness, and clear direction in his life.

In addition, several men in our church have fallen away from the Lord in quick succession.  Here is a quotation from one of them that really summarizes the struggles that many French believers have to deal with in an acute fashion because of the added hostility toward God that exists in this country:  “My head hurts from thinking so much about all of these things.  You must constantly examine yourself, constantly fight against yourself, constantly pay attention to the direction that you’re taking.  Isn’t that asking too much?”  This is the same young man whose father said to him not long ago, “I would rather see you acting like a delinquent with your old friends than going to church and reading the Bible!”  One of the other men who has left the church has succombed to pressure from his family.  He told me that it was too difficult to come to church all alone, to see other men at church with their wives and families, and then to go home to his own wife and children and feel like a stranger.  Of course, seeing men who once stood beside you fall away like this, especially in rapid succession, can be very discouraging, both to the church and to ourselves.

And then, to add insult to injury, the Catholic family of yet another young man who has fallen away from the church is talking about a lawsuit against us, which is unfounded, but could end up being an added burden and a distraction from the ministry.  So, we have indeed had our share of weeping.

SEASONS OF REJOICING

However, in the midst of these trials God has given us seasons of rejoicing as well.  God put on my heart to write an evangelistic Easter play, which was entitled “The memoires of a transformed murderer”.  It’s the story of the apostle Paul and his conversion.
The members of our church did a great job in bringing it together and in playing the various roles.  They were also very zealous as they invited friends and family.  The Lord blessed us with a tremendous turnout for the two presentations — about 100 visitors attended, many of whom have little or no knowledge of the Scriptures.  To put this in perspective, our church only has about 30 (official) members.  Several visitors showed immediate signs of conviction — one man was in tears; one lady (Kristi’s landlord) came up to Lori and asked to get together in order to better understand the message of salvation; and one university student responded to the invitation and prayed to be saved.
Please pray as we follow up with these contacts.

In addition, our coworker Kristi Colas did a great job organizing two Easter clubs for children (in two different neighborhoods of our city), and over 20 children attended, about half of them as visitors.
The Gospel was clearly presented to these children and to their parents.  These events were so much more the blessing in light of the disappointments that we have had these past years with children’s ministries.  Unsaved parents are more and more wary about allowing their children to attend a non-Catholic church event.

Also, over the last couple of months we have been greatly encouraged as several people (all college students) have either joined the church or been baptized.  These decisions are truly times of rejoicing.  And two weeks ago we held our annual church retreat which is always a blessing and a time for Christians to draw closer together.

Finally, we also rejoice in the work that God is accomplishing in the lives of our children.  Michael and Sarah have such a wonderful testimony.  Sarah works in a crisis pregnancy, and Michael, who is currently deployed, has organized a Bible study on his ship with several other Marines and is seeking to win them to Christ or to encourage them in their faith.  Blake (Clearwater) and Alyssa
(Northland) continue to grow in the Lord and are an encouragement and a blessing to us.  Alyssa was supposed to go to Morocco in early summer with a mission team from Northland.  However, because of recent expulsions of missionaries in that country, the team is now planning to go to Senegal.  Please pray for this important but difficult ministry in a mostly Muslim country.  Charity is still at home and is busily preparing for the final exam of her senior year of the French school system.  She is planning to go to Clearwater in the Fall.

Thank you all for faithfully interceding for our children, and especially for Wesley who is in special need of prayer right now.

So, we thank God for His faithfulness.  He allows the various trials that we must face, and He also grants seasons of refreshing, even in the midst of trials.  May He help us to persevere in times of weeping, because the times of rejoicing WILL come.  To Him be the glory!

Thank you so much for all that you do for us.
Your partners in the Gospel ministry,
Kim & Lori Fox

Joe and Gail Owens

A celebration of Aunt Anne’s “Life in Christ” was held at the Kulik-Bachman Funeral Home on Hamilton Steet in Allentown Saturday evening (April 17, 2010) at 7:30 PM. There were also calling hours Sunday evening from 7 to 8:30 and a Funeral service Monday morning at 11 AM at the Kulik-Bachman Funeral Home.

Bachman-Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home
1629 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18102
(610) 432-4128

Obituary from The Morning Call