Dear Epaphras,
Well, the weekly updates have fallen prey to a more realistic bi-monthly rhythm. Steve has been traveling most of the month of October and is currently in Atlanta for International Leadership Meetings.
The first 10 ten days of October found Steve in Coronado, CA sorting through his mom’s belongings, downsizing, storing and readying her house for rent. Fixing up a 70 year old house in France might be akin to spring cleaning (because houses average about three times that in age) but in Coronado it meant replacing locks, drains, stucco, paint, floors and old pipes. What we thought would take three weeks has turned into nine! But, the end is in sight and Steve’s mom is happy in her retirement home and happily unaware of all that has transpired at her home. Mom’s retirement home is on the other side of her town. It was a place she used to minister as an outreach of their church. She is now a resident with five other friends from her church.
Sara, Annie and Julia held down the “fort” and local ministry in Steve’s absence. The children’s French worship CD continues to spread throughout French speaking Europe. Sara is now teaching kids in our local church each Sunday to worship Jesus in a more contemporary way. It’s not easy instigating change in France where the past is held onto with an ironclad grip. That’s one reason this children’s CD, with its contemporary rock style, is so miraculous!
Sara has been reaching out to our neighbor Chrystal who will be undergoing a second bone marrow transplant for leukemia. Pray for her, Dominique and their 3 girls who are such good neighbors yet don’t worship our risen Lord. Pray God would open a door for the Gospel to come into their hearts.
The girls are presently on fall break. Nana Herzog. who was visiting from Minnesota for 2 weeks, treated the family to 4 nights in a French castle – Chateau Sentout ! It was very close to Europe’s biggest sand dune (Dune de Pyla) which Julia has been learning about in school. It was a good time to get away as a family from regular life and ministry and reconnect in-between Steve’s travels.
Lastly, we are grateful for Andrew Teeuwen joining Steve’s team and the formation of the Balkans South Area (Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Greece). Andrew and Alecia Teeuwen (pictured with their family) are a Dutch/American family and have been with PIONEERS since the early 90s. They are passionate about seeing a movement to Christ among refugee populations of the southern Balkans. They are particularly passionate about reaching Albanian refugees. Please keep them in prayer as they transition into this new role officially beginning on January 1st.
Prayer Requests:
- That God would be glorified during the International Leadership Team meetings which begin today in Atlanta. That he would give us as leaders His heart for serving the teams in our various regions
- Pray for Julia and Annie, that the Lord would continue drawing them into a living relationship with himself. Even though they attend a Catholic school, they bathe daily in a secular/agnostic sea of rationalism and unbelief in a living Jesus.
- Pray for the Teeuwens as they ease into their new area leadership role. Pray that God would raise up new teams to work among the diaspora populations of Greece, Bulgaria, Kosovo and Macedonia. Pray specifically for the huge opportunity to reach Syrian refugees, currently pouring into Greece in mass.
- Pray for our neighbor Chrystal who starts a bone marrow transplant on November 7th. Pray the bone marrow transplant would be a success. Pray too that she would turn to Jesus.
- Lastly, pray for our family. That we would stay close to the Lord and each other in the midst of a busy travel season.
It’s a joy to serve the Lord with you !
Steve, Sara, Annie & Julia
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