Andrew and Marcia Berry

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Prayer Letter/Ministry Update

November 2009
Open Doors – Sunday, 20 September, our church had its annual event when we invite our neighbors and friends to see what we are all about. We had some visitors, but the majority of people were new families that have found their way to us as they begin to settle in Toulouse for the next 1-3 years. Pray for these new friends as they settle, adjust and find their place in our midst.
Baptism – Sunday, 27 September, we had an amazing Sunday morning of testimony and baptism involving a Dutch mother and her two university age daughters. Pray for these women as they seek God's direction for their lives and for the impact of their testimonies on people who were in our service that morning.
Church Retreat – 2-4 October was the TIC retreat. There were approx. 70 people who attended. What a wonderful time of fellowship, prayer, fun and teaching on gifts, church development and our next steps. Please pray for the ongoing results from this time together.
English Conversation Class – Andrew has begun these classes again. Our neighbour has sent along his two daughters this year! We have slowly been building a bridge to them. In France this can take a very long time! Please pray for our neighbours as we reach out to them in different ways.
Christianity Explored – this 10-week course was begun last week. There were 10 at the first meeting. This course is an excellent introduction to Christianity, using the book of Mark. (www.christianityexplored.org) We are currently working with one of our members who does translation to get this course translated into French. Pray for those attending the course and its translation into French.

Andrew’s green card - Thank you so much to those of you who have prayed and given financially toward Andrew’s trip to the US. His green card has been stamped for another 2 years and we are praising God for His provision.

Important News - We have been spending the last 9 – 12 months seeking God for a deeper work in the lives of TIC and in our hearts, personally. It has also been on our hearts to develop the leadership of this church for the direction that He would have us go in the future. We have seen glimpses of His hand in bringing Tim & Rachel Meier to join us, as you have joined us in prayer over the past 3 years. We have begun to see French and American interns trained for work in France or abroad. We have seen many people over the past 5 years return to their home countries walking closer to Christ. We have seen 30 people come to a personal relationship with Christ and follow Him in baptism. So, it is with great shock that we have been told by the Strategic Field Review (SFR) committee that our task is to come to an end and to return home by 15 January. We have received at least 3 different reasons, but don’t feel it necessary to elaborate. After the shock wore off, we began to sense that God is in the midst of doing something much deeper in the lives of TIC and us. The TIC leadership has stepped up and is calling the body to prayer. This is causing people who have been slightly involved to begin asking what their part is and are sensing some ownership to the body. God is truly at work, but we are also sensing much attack during this time. Please pray for God’s protection on TIC and our family during this very vulnerable time.

What options are before the church? There are 2 possibilities that have been suggested by C&MA IM (International Missions) as the church moves ahead:

1) They can ask the mission for another missionary to pastor the church, however, this would not happen until next year.
2) They can step out in faith financially and hire their own pastor and be independent of the C&MA mission but part of the AECM (C&MA) in France. This option is the biblical step in church planting and a part of what the church has been aiming for.

Pray for the TIC elders & council as they seek to gather all the information to present to the church body for a vote at the beginning of December.

Pray for us, as we seek God’s will for the future whether it is to remain in France, return to the US or move on to some other ministry.

Our children are greatly affected by this news and are of great concern to us. They, both, have hearts for France. We would appreciate your prayers for them during these days, as well.
Tim – is committed to continuing his education at Le Mirail in Toulouse. He has begun his second year and has a third year, as well.
Katie – is in Chicago at Moody Bible Institute and is feeling very far away during this emotional time.

Home address: 15, avenue de la Republique, 31700 Cornebarrieu, France
Email : Marcia : marciaaberry@yahoo.com: Andrew : britican7007@yahoo.com

Prayer Requests/Answers to Prayer

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France

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