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SEPTEMBER 2012
Women learning and serving together

Mark & Marti Mylin

Christiane told me last Sunday that she is setting aside Thursday afternoons for the Womens Bible study group this school year. She wanted to come last year, but had already promised to watch her grand-daughter on Thursdays. Last year, we regularly had seven or eight women at our bi-weekly meetings. Most of them will probably continue. Weve done a few outings together: a picnic and walk along the canal in May, dinner and an evening walking around town the night of the yearly national Music Festival in June. I love watching friendships grow between women who hardly knew each other a year ago. Last Fall, after a church service, I saw Jackie and Anina talking happily in the aisle on their way out. They had previously met at the home of one of Jackies neighbors, but didnt realize they attended the same church until they both came to the Bible study group. One of my goals for the group is to be outward looking, rather than focused on me, myself and I. The women were enthusiastic when I suggested we organize the first church meal of the school year for September 16. We came up with a theme, a menu and a plan to prepare and serve the meal. Even Claudie, who cant be there for the meal itself, said she would help with grocery shopping beforehand. Please ask God to make His Word effective in each of our lives as we read and discuss it together this school year. We will continue our study of the Gospel of Luke. Pray that God would be glorified and his church strengthened as these women grow in Christ and serve together.

A busy August for Mark

This summer Mark filled in for the pastor Rarijason, on vacation, for three weeks. Usually, at Montauban, Mark preaches once a month. In August, he preached three weeks in a row in French. And in between, he led a chapel service at the Protestant Retirement Home and a funeral service for the brother of church members in addition to making some visits to shut-ins and meeting with church council members. It was hard work, but his concentration and study proved equal to the task, as well as his proficiency in French.

Neighborhood Bible Study Groups

Bible study groups start up again soon. Mark has tried recruiting others to take over these groups, but the idea of the pastor does all the teaching and leading dies hard. Weve noticed in the past that when a new idea is proposed, the first answer is often no. Then a year or two later, the same idea is suggested by someone else and is taken up with enthusiasm. We hope that the two men Mark wants to lead will grow into the idea and begin to take more responsibility for the teaching and care of these neighborhood Bible study groups. It is difficult to start new groups while still being responsible for the already established groups. Pray that God would awaken the desire in Alain and Grard to serve these neighborhood groups. Pray for Gods Holy Spirit to strengthen and mature those who attend worship services and Bible study groups.

In Christ, Marti Mylin

Serving with Greater Europe Mission, 18950 Base Camp Road, Monument CO 80132 1800-436-4488