Setting the Scene
Guingamp is a typical French town. Shops are closed at lunchtime, as well as Sundays and Mondays. There are a lot of small independent shops in the town centre. There is a football stadium, well attended when the local team is playing, and a big Roman Catholic church, less well attended. People go about their business, in total ignorance of the gospel.
But Guingamp is not without evangelical witness. There are two evangelical churches in the town. One is a Gypsy church, the other one is the Eglise Protestante Evangelique de Guingamp (EPEG), the one we will be working with.
The closest Evangelical churches are in St Brieuc (22 miles East), Lannion (20 miles North-West), and a work in Belle-Isle-en-Terre (13.5 miles West). Travelling south, the closest work is in Pontivy, 40 miles away. But if you travel towards the heart of Brittany, South West of Guingamp, there is nothing.
Pabu, December 2011
Dear Friends
As the end of the year is approaching quickly, we would like to thank you again for your friendship and prayers over this last year. We wish you a blessed time during this holiday season and look forward to continue in this partnership over the coming year. Here is a quick update on our ministry and family news.
Ministry
- Evangelism on the local markets carries on, at the pace of one morning a week. We now visit the Guingamp Market every other week, and alternate between different locations when we are not in Guingamp. We regularly have interesting conversations. Please pray with us that the Lord will open hearts to make them receptive to the gospel.
- In November and December, we ran an evangelistic course called « Passerelles vers Dieu ». It was well received, and we had about 13 people each evening. Most were christians but several were unbelievers. It was valuable for the Christians who enjoyed talking about the basics of the faith. We hope to run the course again later in the year.
- The youth group started again in October. We have been meeting every 3 weeks for a start but hope to start running the group every other week from January. We have been looking at some principles of Christian growth from the Epistle to the Colossians. I have been using a helpful booklet called « Haltérophilie Chrétienne » by P. Wells, from the seminary in Aix en Provence. The core group is constituted of Joseph and Lydie Hartiel, a young man called Benoit, who has been coming to church with his dad regularly. There is also a girl called Judith who comes from the region of Rostrenen. Last time, we were joined by 3 sisters of Haitian origin who sometimes come to church.
- We have been greatly encouraged to see new faces coming to church. Benoit (see previous point), and his father, Pierre, have been coming most Sundays since October. Benoit is a Christian, and his dad is showing some encouraging signs. The other Emmanuel has been following him up and has had good conversations.
- Another man needs your prayers. His name is José. He has been in touch with the church for many years, but has had mental health problems. He is coming in and out of hospital on a regular basis. He shows a genuine interest in the faith, but it is difficult to discern whether he is already a Christian or not. We believe that the Scriptures can help him for his problems but need wisdom and patience, especially as his doctors do not seem to be sympathetic to the faith. Thank you for your prayers.
- There are various opportunities to preach and lead Bible studies, both in public, and in one to one situations. Pray with us that we would be faithful to the Scriptures and that the Lord would speak powerfully through us.
- A growing number of churches in Brittany are facing difficulties. Many are without a Pastor, and others have an ageing pastor and will soon need a minister. Please pray that God will call some Godly men to lead the various evangelical churches in Brittany.
Family
- Benjamin arrived safely on 20th October. He is a healthy little boy. Both his brothers are very proud to show him around in school. Esther spent four days in hospital to recuperate. She is also doing well.
- Esther’s mum and dad were with us for a month, and it was good to have their company. They stayed in a beautiful cottage, lost in the countryside, a few miles from us.
- Both Jean-Baptiste and Maxime are enjoying school. Jean-Baptiste is learning to read very quickly. He is also enjoying playing football in the club that meets in the fields behind us. Although Emmanuel has no interest in football, he has been trying to get interested, and it is a way to meet some new people. Emmanuel and Jean-Baptiste were recently invited by the club to go and watch one of Guingamp’s games. It was fun and they both enjoyed it. There was no winner, but it was an exciting game.
- Thank you for your prayers. Most of you know that having a baby is demanding and tiring.
Looking ahead
- We are planning to spend the month of July 2012 in the UK. We will be visiting churches and friends. A good number of meetings are already booked, and some others need confirmation. Most churches we have visited have been contacted, but if yours hasn’t, let us know, and we’ll see if we can fit a visit to yours in. We will spend some time in Bala, but if you can accommodate a family of 5 for a night or a few days at this time of the year, that would be a great help.
Thank you for your prayers and financial support. We wish you a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year 2012.
Emmanuel, Esther, Jean-Baptiste, Maxime and Benjamin
