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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

            Thank you for remembering us in prayer and for your generous financial assistance.  Please know that your partnership is a great help to us and a blessing from God. 

            Our family is doing well by God’s grace.  This week marked the beginning of another homeschooling year, with both of our children in grade 11, which means there are only two years left before they graduate.  This week marked another special event in our home as our daughter turned 16 years old.  She then proceeded to successfully pass her written driver’s test for her learner’s permit, which means I am going to have to start taking her for driving sessions.  Needless to say, it has been an exciting week at home.

            It has been an exciting week at church, too.  Ever since the church was first planted in the Spring of 2015, we have gathered at the same location (the Richibucto River) year after year in order to celebrate the grace and mercy of God in the hearts and lives of those who have professed their faith in Christ publicly by entering the waters of baptism.  This past Sunday we returned to that special place once again to rejoice with two believers who were baptized, identifying themselves with His death and resurrection as their only hope for salvation and eternal life.  These are times of great joy and encouragement for our church family, as they demonstrate God’s faithfulness in our midst. 

            My sermon text before the Baptisms was from John 4:27-42, when the Samaritan woman at the well ran into town after her encounter with Christ, and invited the people, saying, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” (John 4:29) As a result of her simple testimony, many came to know Christ and experience Him for themselves, being convinced that He is the Savior of the world.  Her example serves as a reminder that God can take even our smallest and feeblest efforts to point others to Christ and use them to accomplish great things that result in many changed lives. 

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            Following the baptisms, we returned to the church for a time of food and fellowship – our first church potluck in over a year since COVID-19 resulted in restrictions and shutdowns in our area.  It was a wonderful day of worship, celebration, and fellowship that provided a sense of ‘normalcy’ in these strange and uncertain days.

            This week also marked the beginning of a 2nd season of our new youth ministry at the church (called ‘Truth Seekers’) that was first launched earlier this year in the Spring.  This exciting new ministry is being led by one of our church members who have a lot of experience working with youth.  It is exciting to see this ministry develop and grow, as we desire for the kids and youth of our church family to be firmly rooted in Christ and shaped by His Word.  It is also our hope that God will use it to bring souls to saving faith in Jesus Christ.  Among the two baptism candidates, this past Sunday was a young teenage boy who has been regularly attending worship services on Sunday mornings as well as Truth Seekers youth meetings on Wednesday evenings for quite some time.  We rejoice in his profession of faith and in this step of obedience in his commitment to following Christ. 

            As always, we appreciate your prayers for our family and our ministry.  Thank you for remembering us before the Lord.