Mitch & Christine Sorensen

           Dear friends and family, another year has come and gone. It seems time is flying by. A portion of a poem goes, Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. How true it is that we are hard-pressed to comprehend the eternal. And yet, that is everyone’s destiny. Our physical lives will end one day, and we will all go into Eternity. Some to eternal life, some to perish. A sobering thought. Our only hope is in Christ! As the verse says, there is a time to weep, when loved ones die. When our lives seem turned upside down. When it seems nothing is going right. When we try hard but it feels like we’re just spinning our wheels. At those times we need to get God’s perspective and see our lives through the lens of the Bible. Who we are in Christ, or if you’re not a true believer, your need for a Savior. Everybody likes to laugh. The Bible says that laughter is like medicine. It’s interesting that when you weep with somebody or you laugh with somebody, it creates a special bond with that person. I think the verses in Ecclesiastes 3 are speaking of our experiences in life that allow us to empathize with others. Help where we can, weep and laugh when the need arises. Sometimes I have to laugh at how foolish I have been that I was weeping over something that didn’t warrant that kind of emotion. Our main purpose on earth is to Worship God and bring other people to do the same.

We have had a full year with many blessings and times of weeping also. We were able to go to England for a time to help a friend do some repairs on a house which in turn helped with our financial provision. We went to a church there in Bournemouth and met another part of the body of Christ across the channel. Christine met an Iranian man at that church visiting for a few weeks himself and arranged for him to get a Bible

in his own language. We didn’t really do any serious street witnessing while there but we did hand out tracts wherever we could. Like every time we bought something for the house or food or whatever. We used the million dollar tract with Donald and Hillary on it(not to actually pay). Everybody has the right to their own political opinion, but I was amazed at some of the comments people made without really checking the facts. Mainstream media is very powerful and influential, and dare I say it, not always truthful. Anyway, it was a great conversation starter and then we’d move over to the spiritual. We were given a car! Very good condition, older model but with low kilometers. It will allow us to go to different villages to hand out tracts and evangelize and visit family. We also attended the first European Ambassadors Academy. Very good info on many different levels and subjects. Religion, atheism, evolution, logic, philosophy, etc. One week of intense evangelistic training.                The teachers were as excited as we were to teach and for us to learn. They couldn’t believe we wanted more and more, sometimes staying past midnight. At the end of our training we all went out to “put feet on our faith” on the streets in Cannes. Some of us did Open Air Preaching for the first time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oORa-ff_ZzI&list=PLAGs9RqLp2xpUV9DAAUy255Txf6M7z4Ag   Christine is teaching French to some German girls that are involved with a ministry to Muslims. We participated in the Christmas choir again this year. I have not purposely avoided the Promenade where the terrorist attack happened, but recently went back. There are still memorials all around on the walkway from people that have been affected in some way. Evil is always present but we overcome evil with good by the strength of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.                                             Jesus didn’t say this life would be easy, but it is worth it.                                      God bless you as you serve Him,                                                                                     Mitch and Christine                                                                                                     Prayer requests: That we will continue to be directed clearly and powerfully in this ministry. That we would anguish over the city, country, and world that is without hope. That we will have the Love and Compassion that God has for this generation. That our lives and marriage will be a witness to many people. That we will continue to trust and rely on God’s provision in every area of our lives.

 

Hello dear family and friends,

Summer brought back a sweet VBS bilingual kids camp which we finished     despite the tragedy that hit our city (Nice) few minutes after the French national day’s fireworks ended.

The famous Promenade des Anglais, a large sidewalk running close to the beach for miles was packed to the max. A young Muslim man arrived in the dark, at the wheel of a big truck, full speed and zigzagging on that sidewalk with the intention of killing a maximum of people. 85 persons, including children were killed in the matter of few minutes, more than 200 seriously and awfully wounded. This has been a big shock for the local population and the many tourists always present here. And the wave of horror rippled toward every corner of France.

An emergency Canadian team, linked with Samaritan Purse came for 2 weeks to bring emotional and spiritual support and training to many churches of Nice. Mitch was present at the site during the terrorist attack and we need to continue to pray for him even though the Lord spared him miraculously, and for all those who were there, for the many families who lost loved ones and those who will be maimed for life.

The chasm in France between the French Caucasian population and those of Arabic descent is getting bigger. There is some fear mainly among the Caucasian group and lots of anger.

Regarding evangelism in the streets, we have been there at the beginning mainly to listen to people and pray for them. They appreciate though still suspicious of anything that carries the name of God. They are getting very tired of bad news. So we have been giving them papers with 3 verses of the Bible: John 3:16, Matthew 11:28-30 and Jeremiah 29:13 as the majority does not have a relationship with their Creator. All kind of reactions to the verses. I think confusion, lassitude and anger is prevalent. We continue to share about the Truth of who God is and His love for all.

In many villages behind Nice Elisabeth and Christine filled up the mailboxes with Gospel tracts and tried to speak to all they met in the narrow streets. Same reactions there.

Mitch goes regularly with Manuel to share in Cannes. They enjoy very much working together.

Thank you for praying for us to always have a servant heart to our King and to the population of different ethnic groups in France.

Thank you for praying also for more workers in the field.

For us to be more and more a blessing from the Lord to all our brothers and sisters and to each person the Lord place on our path.

For our provision.

For our protection and the protection of our churches.

Also for wisdom and protection of our Paul and Elisabeth and those who work with them in their ministry among Muslims. A ministry in which Christine is involved as a French teacher to 4 young foreign Christian ladies who will be participating for the next year with Muslim children (in a heavily populated Muslim quarter of Nice). The school year started already at the end of August.

Dear friends and family,

Summer is definitively here with its very warm days and a greater affluence of tourists.

We have been enjoying serving here in the south of France the believers and non yet believers attending the church of Calvary Chapel Nice and those attending IBC St Paul de Vence and IBC Nice. Helping wherever we can with practical help, with repairs or maintenance, children ministries, prayers meetings, visits with brothers or sisters to pray and encourage, taking care of children to allow parents to go to a Christian conference, regular translations and of course evangelism in Nice and its surrounding.

Another year of teaching French just ended with my sweet, sweet Germans young ladies and they left taking again a part of my heart away with them.

 

Last week we got involved in serious preparation for one of the big yearly event with IBC church: The bilingual kids camp which lasts a week (starting actually today until Friday). This VBS camp for children 4 to 12 will welcome 50 + children, most of them never went to church, their parents neither, and some come even from Muslim families, and other faiths.

Year after year I am always amazed in front of the creativity and quality of the craftsmanship involved in the whole event. The French families never saw anything like it and they are very impressed. The message of the Gospel will be presented in different ways and we desire for the Lord to be highly glorified and for every child and every parent attending the last afternoon show to be touched for life with the wonderful Gospel.

Sharing with the French population of all different kind of beliefs and ethnic backgrounds is still the highlight of our life here. It is a most amazing and noble call and an incredible privilege to bring the Good News to a nation which never really heard the real Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The churches attendance are small though God has provided excellent solid Bible teachers in both the churches we attend. If people do not come to church in France, then we have to go to them wherever they are.

We can still announce Jesus freely throughout the land of France. But for how long? Russia just passed some laws preventing Christians to share their faith to anyone who is not yet part of their group.

Would you pray on our behalf:

• For wisdom to always be in the center of God’s will and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for the ministry He has entrusted us with
• That we can share more and more effectively to all here about our wonderful Savior
• For the church in France to understand the seriousness of the spiritual situation for all those who never heard about Him, who never repented and placed their faith on the work of the cross? So few Christians are sharing their faith regularly
• For a great move of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all who are attending the VBS camp this week and with the people we share regularly
• For more financial regular supporters
• Extra finances so we can visit our French family here. They are all spread all over the country of France (our last visit was 3 years ago) and so we would have a beautiful blessed time with all. Most of them are unbelievers.
• For spiritual protection

Once again, thank you from the bottom of our heart for all your love, your prayers, your financial provisions and your encouragements of all kinds.May the Lord bless you richly and prompt us all to serve Him better and better as we are getting closer to His presence with each passing day!

 

Dear family and friends,

Spring is finally starting here in the south of France bringing longer days and warmer temperatures. Mitch came back after staying longer in California to help his parents with a few repairs on their house. Much appreciated there, he is now very appreciated here by his wife and by all the dear brothers and sisters in Nice.

We continue to help wherever we can at Calvary Chapel Nice and IBC(International Baptist Church) in St Paul and Nice.

Christine has started to use puppets to tell the Bible story to the 3 to 6years old. Those puppets were also a nice surprise during the last Easter event organized by IBC. Occasionally, Christine teaches women’s Bible study with IBC and is helping with translation from English to French at IBC and French to English at Calvary Chapel. She is also translating a book from Rich Chaffin, “Faithful Service”.

Mitch is very much needed for his talents in fixing things that needs repairs and is an encouragement to those around him.

We are also involved in regular outreaches in the streets of Nice and in the villages around Nice. La Colle sur Loup has been the village chosen where we have visited almost every house! (To be continued). Now we can pray every time we pass next or through the village for all who, at least got a Gospel tract to be touched in depth by the Holy Spirit.

Many brothers and sisters in the States and in France are very encouraged by these outreaches. Christine sends regular reports of what happens during these very special times, about specific people and how we can all pray for them. If you do not receive these updates and you would be interested in receiving them, please let us know.

We are facing some financial surprises from the French government which is called local habitation taxes. There was no warning to this and our initial inquiry was that we are not in the French system and did not need to pay as we pay our regular taxes in the States. Our situation is not described in the categories of the French Tax Department and they consider us as people living in a secondary residence.

Anyway, after the initial shock, came the word of our Lord inviting us to trust Him, one more time. Our prayer is, “Thank you Lord for giving us another opportunity to trust in your provision.”

We know God is the Faithful One and will come through in ways which will truly glorify His Name.

Please do pray that we will do only what He wants us to do regarding this situation and for His provision. That none of that will shake us and prevent us to continue to serve with zeal our God and the people of this land.

Thank you for your interest and your love.

Mitch and Christine

Our prayer requests:

Please pray for our marriage as satan loves to destroy marriage.

Pray for the ministry that God has given to us to do evangelism to the best of our abilities.

Pray that we will be an encouragement and a witness in our lives, our marriage, and our ministry.

Pray that there will be Revival in the church and that evangelism will become a passion to many.

Pray for our provision spiritually and financially.

Dear family and friends, We are very grateful for our furlough spent in California, being reunited again with family members. Mitch’s mom and dad, his children and grandchildren and also aunts, uncles and cousins! We were able to spend the holidays with family and then head north to visit more friends and family. The kindness of everyone during our trip has been so refreshing. We have no words to express the encouragement your love and TLC represents to us! After our time in California, Mitch has remained behind to work on his mom and dads house that is in need of repairs, returning at the end of March while Christine goes back to Nice, and back to the streets and beach boardwalks in the south of France to hand out Gospel tracts. About 9 months ago, we went to scout out another location of Nice. It’s very different from our usual area. More immigrants living there and not too many people in the streets. Lots of families residing in tall buildings. How do we reach all of them? In France it is legal to put tracts in the mailboxes so, hundreds and hundreds of mailboxes filled with the Gospel message! Christine was able to fill up about 1400 with the seed of Life! Though the front doors are locked for security, the Lord allowed at least one person every time to open the main entrance doors. Many of the families that received a tract in their mailbox had an Arabic name and were probably Muslims. With many prayers, God will use these great tracts. There were also many tracts given in Cagnes sur Mer, a town next to Nice. Many mature couples walking on the promenade sidewalk along the Mediterranean sea, despite the cold wind, happy to have a leisure walk in the sun. I would estimate that 95% of these couples, 55 and older, took the Gospel tracts. One Muslim man stopped and we had a very pleasant talk about the Gospel. Another little group of believers (a mother and her two teen daughters) were so surprised to see me sharing the Gospel freely in the streets. Beside this, there were no other dialogues. I was kind of disappointed until the Lord reminded me that 270 of the 300 tracts were taken by the kind of people who usually refuse to take anything! Before I had gone out that day, I really wanted to have divine appointments. And the Lord gave it to me! All of the older French couples took the flyers! Would you join us in prayer for these people, and all of the people who receive and read the tracts. As we often ask, we need prayers for these lost souls that God desires to save. Let us all pray for God’s love to enter into all these homes and people. As we continue on our journey in France, we ask our precious Lord to give us all a fresh vision of our service to Him and His Kingdom! “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure. Psalm 16:8 Thank you for all you do for God’s Kingdom!                                                                                                                                                                               Mitch and Christine

Prayer requests:

For our sensitivity to hear and know God’s will and then to be obedient.

For all tracts that we hand out to be anointed and touch the hearts of the people.

That we will be an encouragement to the body of Christ.

That our lives and our marriage will be a witness.

For our confidence in God’s provision in every area.

For Mitch to reach the French language level needed for spiritual discussions.

Dear family and friends,

As I’m sure you have already heard, there was a great tragedy here in France last Friday. We are about the same distance from San Francisco to San Diego, as we are to Paris, so, don’t worry. Many people were killed and our hearts and prayers go out to those families that lost loved ones. Our prayers also go out to a nation that has a difficult future ahead of it. There are many emotions going on here, as in the States I’m sure. Anger, sadness, vengeance, frustration, hopelessness…. But, what would Jesus have us do? How would Jesus have us react? The times that we are living in should not have caught us by surprise. The Bible is full of passages speaking of increasing evil in the last days. Here, as in the States, we have an immigration problem. I heard an Egyptian Calvary Chapel pastor from Long Beach CA comment on this issue. He was saying that, God is bringing these people to our doors. People coming from countries that we could probably never visit. We might not like how they got here, the evil things that have been done, or even the strain it puts on the economy, but what is our purpose here on earth? To Worship God, and bring other people to the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ. John 3:30 says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Part of our Sanctification process is to know the Bible well enough so that we can share the Gospel in a clear concise way. Simply, effectively, and non offensively. Like http://www.wayofthemaster.com/ And do all things in Love. So, in all of this, what should we do? Pray, Pray, Pray!

As the seasons come and go, we keep busy in beautiful France serving the Lord, and His people in different ways. Giving a hand to a family, encouraging others, continuing in our different ways of teaching and learning, working on translation and subtitles of the movie “Audacity” from The Way of the Master. https://youtu.be/tbPu2rtmDbY

Week end conferences and retreats with Calvary or with IBC, enjoying so much the fellowship with the brothers and sisters here. Slowly but surely we are reaching some goals like the last part of our Bible School program. More preparations and opportunities of teaching others, from kindergarten to adults, are opening.

Christine just participated in a conference for women in Paris (before the violence) with other women from IBC where she taught one session about personal testimony and evangelism. A wonderful experience among Haitian sisters! Mitch has been asked to teach on Sunday for IBC in St. Paul de Vence and in Nice. We both are so thankful to be able to grow and participate in the discipleship training for ourselves and also to others. We are also maturing in our relationships, not only as husband and wife but with all the precious people God is placing on our path and with our Heavenly Father. Christmas is around the corner and we will be singing again in the choir along with 15 other Texans on a short term mission, who will come to reinforce our international group here in Nice. We will have the opportunity to sing in one of the largest Catholic churches in Nice on the 4th of December. Pray that we will fill up the 900 pews with local people as we will present the Gospel during this event. Tracts are on the way and we will be back on the streets again. There are many things to praise God for, but we realize more and more that this is a spiritual battle and there are casualties. We need to keep our guards up constantly. The enemy doesn’t sleep. Pray for our protection. We are looking forward to seeing most of you in California and enjoying both family and friends there. To finish we want to tell of our immense gratitude to our Lord who has sustained us during these almost 4 years we have been here in France. We also want to express our gratitude to all of you who have been encouraging us in one form or another. May you be richly blessed for all you do to make His wonderful Name be known! May we fervently pray for one another and encourage each other in the different calls God has given us so we can serve Him and others with all excellency! God bless you as you serve Him,

Mitch and Christine

Please pray for:

Our time in California, that it will be productive

That our time there will be a blessing to many people

Continued provision for the ministry

For our marriage and health

For Mitch to get a level of French to preach the Gospel

 

Dear friends and family,  As a Christian, for any length of time, we still sometimes ask the questions that we asked before we were believers. Who am I, What’s the meaning of Life, and Where am I going? To the not yet saved, these can be daunting questions, with a myriad of supposed answers and with equal amounts of confusion. The trouble is, before Christ, the things that we’d cling to, trust in, and believe, never seemed quite right. There was always that nagging sense that there was something else, something more. Like a dream you just can’t quite remember. Fortunately, in the Light of Scripture, we can know the Truth, know what is real, know what to believe. God tells us right in the beginning that we are created in His image. No self-esteem problem there. The difficulty as believers is that we do need to be reminded of this basic but very important truth. When we look at our lives through the lens of God’s perspective, we get it right. The Bible tells us that we do have a purpose, and that purpose is to Worship God, and bring other people to do the same. If you have taken that step of Repenting, and Trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then the next step is Sanctification. It’s a big word that means what we do in this life. To be Sanctified, is to be set apart for God’s use. To be daily cleansed by His Word. To become intimate with our Creator. To know His will and be obedient to it. Jesus didn’t die to give us a better life. He died to save us from God’s wrath. The Never Ending Story is for every single person born, past, present, and future. We all have an eternal spirit. We all have an eternal destiny. Where we spend eternity is determined by the choices we make in this life, and there are only two choices. You will never find a perfect Christian, just as you will never find a perfect church. But the One who is Perfect, calls us individually, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18. As I get older and start seeing more and more of my friends passing away, I am reminded that this life is just a smoke and a vapor. None if us is promised another hour. At the end of my life, or when Jesus comes back, it will be the beginning of the book. This life is a preamble to the real story, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”         1 Corinthians 13:12. We have had a busy summer with Kids camp, outreaches, serving in the church, and by the Grace of God, living a life pleasing to Him. We are not “specially called” to ministry just because we’re in another country. We are all called to service. Your part is to find out what your calling is and be faithful to it. You find out what God’s will is for your life by finding God, in His Word. God bless you as you serve Him. Mitch and Christine                                    Our prayer requests:                                                                                                         Pray for France.                                                                                                                         Pray for the people we come in contact with in divine appointments.                 Pray for all the tracts that we hand out.                                                                      Pray that we may be a witness in our lives and our marriage.                               Pray for our financial support.

Dear friends and family,

During the time of our last update, we have had some interesting challenges. Let me preface the following that, in all of our walk with God, He is Faithful. Our Hope is in Him. Our Provision is in Him.

Early on in my Christian walk when I was just starting to read the Bible, I read where Jesus said Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 18:3. So I prayed to have that childlike Faith. One area it shows up in is my dependence on God to supply all of my needs. Phil. 4:19. Of course I complain and worry sometimes, but I know it will be done, even if there’s some difficulties in the process.

Previously we had posted that we needed to find a new apartment. Seems like a simple task and basically it is. A bit of culture shock, things aren’t always what they seem, even in France. I guess that goes for almost anywhere though.

Long story short, we left our first flat April 15, knowing we would be staying with a friend for ten days while waiting for our new place to become vacant. We assumed things were going as planned. But you know how that goes. We were waiting for word from the bank that things were on schedule. The active word being wait. A friend told us that we needed to go down to the bank the next day, without an appointment, and find out what’s going on. God’s timing is perfect. If we had waited just a few hours longer, we would not be in this beautiful apartment today. It’s a fine line it seems between waiting patiently or moving quickly.

So here we are. Larger, cheaper, very light and airy, nice views. Right across from the sea, (it’s also right across from the airport, and they refuse to let us walk across the runway, so it’s a ten minute walk to the plage). Another plus is that the Promenade is right across the street so tract distribution gets a bit of head start.

We’ve had to do some upgrades though, as this apt. had very little compared to the last one. Building closets and shelves and a desk to work at, but we were provided with a new frigo, (refrigerator) clothes washer, and some kitchen cabinets.

We had friends from CA. visiting us for a week, which almost didn’t happen because of communication breakdown.  Our flat is now visitor friendly.

There was a group from CC Montreal that came to Nice to do outreach while the other part of that group went to Paris. We had a great time handing out tracts and witnessing to people in Nice and Cannes.

The Cannes Film Festival was going on at that time so there were literally thousands of people in the streets. There were eight of us that went out in different directions and we all had stories to tell of people that were open to receive tracts and hear the Gospel.

The festival is for two weeks, and one day, when we had planned to hand out tracts, it happened that there were some extra tickets to go to the Festival. What a surprise and treat! Good thing I had my formal shorts on. Actually, we really did have to have formal wear. I was loaned a tux, and Christine an evening gown. Who da thunk? We had a great time, but also very sad seeing the value the world puts on money and celebrity.

About evangelism, a lot of people think that somebody won’t come to Jesus unless they’re down and out, having life problems, health problems, addictions and so on. As a true believer, we know EVERYONE needs the Saviour, regardless of status or seemingly lack of problems. We know, and they know, that everyone has told a lie, everyone has stolen, regardless of value, everyone has broken the 10 Commandments, in thought, word, or deed. The Bible says, For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:10. We are all guilty but for the Grace of God.

Christine and I have both been taking a class which  is equivalent to a   seminary class. Very rich.  Christine is leading a study for some women.

We had our twenty year anniversary and celebrated at an all you can eat Asian restaurant. I’m still waddling!

 

Life is good, and challenging, (sometimes translated as, I don’t like this anymore. Why did I come here? When are things, or you, going to change for the better?) just like your life. Where we live and do ministry is beautiful, just like where you live and do ministry. God’s creation is amazingly beautiful no matter where you are in the world and, if you are a true believer, you are in ministry. Find out what your calling and gift is and serve the Lord with gladness. God bless you as you serve Him!

Mitch and Christine

Prayer requests:

For our neighbors, our neighborhood, our city, this nation.

That we would get to know our neighbors and be able to share the Gospel.

That this home will be used for God’s glory and will be a peaceful retreat.

For our marriage and our health.

That we would have many divine appointments.

That Mitch would learn French at the philosophical/religious level.

 

 

Dear family and friends,                                                                                                                                          Another beautiful Winter season has come and passed. We hope it was very blessed for all of you and that you were able to have warm reunions with your loved ones. The Christmas season for us meant a time reaching out in the busy streets of two cities on the French Riviera, Nice and Cannes.

With two other couples, the six of us spread out in the streets of Cannes on the 24th and 25th of December. Crowds flowed on the main streets, in and out of shops, all around the area, next to the harbor, along the famous Croisette, and of course at the annual market called “Village de Noël”, where many vendors offer tons of ideas for gifts. We distributed “Christmas cards” that our friend Manuel made for the occasion, which had a French internet link on one side, and English on the other. It lead to a smart Christmas presentation of the Gospel in English with French subtitles. Mitch and I also distributed many of those cards in Nice. In total, between the two busy cities, close to 8000 of these little cards were given to people.

Manuel was having an average of 400 hits a day on his site dikayo.com. This site is to present the Gospel and to equip the saints on how to share the Gospel and to use apologetics. Now, this site is adding an Apologetic page where Christine is adding regularly  material that she is translating from sources such as  alwaysbeready.com an excellent site from Charlie Campbell! Please feel free to visit Manuel’s site dikayo.com which is expanding day by day. It is very exciting to be able to offer such a tool to the Christians here and to unbelievers. The site is printed at the bottom of every tract we distribute.

We have had another delivery of 10,000 tracts, this time they are pre-folded, (manually folding 10k tracts takes a loooong time!) and we can’t wait to get in the streets again. The Lord has been blessing us after many prayers lifted to Him to increase our team. Now, between those who pray, and those who come along and learn how to share, our little group went up to 200. Most of them are far from us (like in the States) and are more than happy to participate by praying. This is how it happened: Manuel organized a Facebook Group for reaching out to Cannes and Nice: “Atteindre Cannes et Nice” Many people do not live close by, many have different schedules, many want to learn to evangelize, some have been involved in evangelism, some for many years. Now, we are linked. When one prayerfully decides to share the Gospel somewhere, he, she invites the others to join the effort or pray. Later we can share special stories. Nobody is alone anymore. We give regular reports to each other and photos if possible and it encourages, inspires, and make us work together. This is the best thing that has been happening to us so far. GOD is SO faithful! We are still organizing as we just started not too long ago. We have already seen beautiful results. Some do not have Facebook access: Christine will be the link between the Facebook crowd and those of the team who can be contacted only by email or texts. Mitch is planning a basic training class of evangelism for the team in Nice. We plan to have regular meals together so we can share, pray and know each other even better. This brings us to another subject: We are still looking for an apartment as ours has been sold. We pray it will be comfortable, central enough, and large enough to receive the team at our place and for other hospitality opportunities. Mitch has been teaching again at IBC Nice, this time on a Sunday, about Evangelism. He did an awesome job!

At the beginning of Feb., Mitch attended a group of Calvary pastors, assistant pastors, and leaders, at a European conference in Austria. Very encouraging. Our next semester of Bible School with IBC will start again soon. A rich curriculum for both the men’s group and the women’s group. Christine is also teaching again her advanced French class for the 3 young German women who work with a ministry among Muslims. Christine finds a great pleasure in doing simultaneous translation for the English sermon at IBC or for different material for the dikayo.com site. Many small prayer meetings have happened with different brothers and sisters. We want to thank you for your support, your love, your interest and your many, many prayers! We want to let you know that your prayers are really carrying us.

Jesus didn’t promise a rose garden where everything is pretty, smells good, with no problems. He did promise trials and persecution for our growth and maturity and also that He would be with us in the midst of those trials. But, along with that is, abundant life.

Jesus asked Peter if he would leave also after a hard saying of Jesus. Peter said “Where else can we go? You have the words of Eternal Life.” John 6:66-69. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18. If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31.                                                                                                                                      

Here are some specific prayer requests:                                                                                                                          Pray for our spiritual protection.                                                                                                                                    For this group “Atteindre Cannes et Nice” that God will lead us in His plans.                                                      For power of the Holy Spirit on each person involved in the group.                                                                     For multitudes to hear and receive the Gospel on the French Riviera.                                                                For Calvary of Nice and IBC of Nice to be thriving more and more.                                                                     For God to open the right apartment for us.                                                                                                                For our provision.                                                                                                                                                            God bless you as you serve Him.                                                                                                                               Mitch and Christine