Church Family Time

Sunday afternoon we did something a little different for our Bible classes. Two of our teachers were gone ministering in another church, so we kept the whole church family together. Bob has been urging everyone to get more "acquainted" with his Bible. So we had a "Sword Drill" and then learned the French song that has ALL the books of the Bible in it. A couple of young ladies who had learned the song as children helped out and then the kids chimed in. We divided the room in two and everyone participated in the Bible sword drill. We also spent some time singing some of the choruses that are in our hymnbook. It was a very enjoyable time for all-- and we hope that it sparked some interest in everyone to memorize the books of the Bible!

Ladies' Bible Study and Breakfast

This morning was our monthly ladies' meeting. The student girls were in charge of the breakfast this time. They came early to use my kitchen. I was amazed as they made "American" pancakes. They had never done it before and they didn't have a recipe, but the pancakes came out perfect. (After 40 years and literally thousands of pancakes, I still look at my recipe!)

We were down in number because of school vacation, but the seven of us who were there really enjoyed the fellowship and then the Bible study. Audrey taught us a great lesson on "the Women in Samson's Life." It was interesting, educational and challenging.

Bixby Bulletin-- Winter 2009

Dear Co-laborers,

Thank God for financial crises. They are so good for us. They help to show our true colors and values. As a small missionary church across the waters from you, our travels through Colossians during the last several months, have underscored the completeness of our lives, if they are found in the Lord Jesus Christ. With Christ we have absolutely everything we need; without Him we are totally destitute – we have nothing. The international economic crunch only makes that light shine all the more brighter. Those whose eyes are fixed on Him, with eternity’s values in view, do not lose their joy as they seek the ways and means to make up the material difference. God has never yet been baffled by finances, and He will be up to this one too.

Having said that, I must also add that up to this point we have not noticed a huge difference, although like everyone else we have tried to tighten our belts, and be extra prudent and discretionary in our handling of the financial support that you and others have entrusted us with. Once again we thank you for your faithfulness in these matters. Some of you probably have to sacrifice more than we in order to insure that our support continues, and we are deeply humbled and grateful. May we be worthy of every cent, and stretch every cent even farther than we have in gratitude to you and our Lord.

Last Saturday we had a very encouraging meeting with 12 selected faithful members of our Pessac Baptist Church. I say selected because we do not have an official member list yet, so I invited 12 mature adult faithful Christians to prayerfully seek together the Lord’s direction as to immediate and longer term direction for our assembly. The enthusiasm, humility, and Christian love expressed was so encouraging and stimulating, that even though we met for 2 ½ hours, all wanted to schedule another meeting very soon (within the month) to tie some of the loose ends together, and to get some things rolling – for instance, we may be a tiny church, still pastored by a missionary, but we need to support a missionary ourselves.

Our Annual Repas Agape went over very well. There were right at 40 university students present, at least half of whom were lost and unchurched. They heard an excellent message by fellow missionary Mark Nelsen. Mark pastors in La Rochelle about two hours north of us.

One of our young people who had gone far from the Lord and left the church years ago, was born again just before Christmas and is excited about being baptized soon. Hopefully sometime in the next two months we should have three people ready to follow the Lord in baptism.

And so the work goes on. We hear from students from time to time who have gone on in their studies elsewhere, or who are installed in their careers, and who are faithfully walking with the Lord and serving in local churches where they are, and that is always so encouraging.

We are still working on our itinerary for our time in the states. We look forward to seeing many of you soon.

Yours in His wonderful service,

Bob and Bonnie Bixby

Contact information:

Email: rbixbysr@aol.com

Blog : www. bixbys.blogspot.com

Teen Meeting

Last Wednesday, two of the families in the church organized a get-together for the teens of our church and the downtown church. It was a great success. They played games, Bob shared the Word with them, and they ate crepes! What was the most encouraging to us was that the initiative for the meeting was completely theirs. There are so few Christian teens that it was good to see them enjoying each other. On Sundays, David and Audrey Ascher teach their class.

Repas Agape 2009

Last night we had our annual "Repas Agape." We were very pleased with the effort the students made to invite friends. We served 39, had 5 teens serving, and 3 ladies in the kitchen. Mark Nelsen, missionary pastor in La Rochelle, was the speaker. About 14 years ago, Mark and his wife were here while they studied French. Everyone enjoyed the evening immensely and we are praying that some come back tomorrow.

Special "Sunday School" Day

Yesterday we had a special day for all the Sunday School classes. We were very pleased to observe first hand just how effective the Sunday School training has been especially with the children. They really shone in their presentation of the life of Moses. We were gratefully surprised at their depth of understanding of Biblical truths about the wilderness wanderings.
For more pictures, go here!

New Year's Eve

Almost every year, we have a time of fun and fellowship with the downtown church on New Year's Eve. It is always here because our location is better for the late hours! We start with games, then supper and then a time of testimonies, exhortation and prayer. Several years ago, one of our students (Laetitia) told us about a tradition that they have in her church in Alsace. Since that time, at exactly midnight, we all go outside and sing "A Toi La Gloire"--or Thine Be the Glory. It is a wonderful way to start the new year. It is also our prayer for 2009-- that all we do and say will be for His Glory!