Reformed Episcopal Church Board of Foreign Missions




	Ministry Report, April 2007 Bill & Diane Jerdan	The Jerdans' Profile Additional Ministry Reports
	This week we ask you to pray especially for the French presidential elections. France has a two-round voting system. This Sunday electors will decide among 12 candidates – 8 men and 4 women. Then, the two who get the highest percentage of votes this week will be on the ballot for the deciding vote on May 6. The campaign has inspired a lot of interest this year. There are several new candidates who are running and the most recent polls show a close race between the top four. The French president is elected for a five-year term, and there is no limit on how many times he or she can run. Thank you for praying for our Lenten and Holy Week activities. The exposition on slavery and Gospel music was excellent. However, very few people came by to see it. One woman told us very frankly that most people wouldn’t think of coming because it was held in a church building! The concerts were very good, with moderate attendance. We enjoyed edifying Palm Sunday and Easter services where the Good News of salvation and resurrection were clearly announced. We did note that attendance at both services was down from last year. We also ask you to pray for two special speaking opportunities that Diane has this month. This Saturday, April 21, she is the featured speaker at an inter-church women’s gathering in a city an hour north of our area.She will give a presentation explaining the dangers of New Age thinking. Then, on Sunday, April 29, she is leading the discussion at the final session of the school year for the local group of pastors’ wives in Montpellier. There will be a meal for all the pastoral couples, along with a discussion on the subject, “Is the pastor’s home a dangerous place to raise children?” You can be praying as we begin preparations for our 4^th consecutive Gospel Music Seminar to be held from June 29 to July 1. Since the pastor who leads it is now a colleague in a neighboring town, we have more opportunities to use this outreach tool to help build up both of our communities. Yes, you’ve heard the news correctly: the dollar has lost over 12% of its value just since January. As I write, it costs $1.36 to buy 1 euro – that is near its all-time low that was reached late in 2004. Concretely, that means that a 40-euro tank of gas really costs us around $55.00, or that we actually pay 73 cents for a 0.54-euro postage stamp. There isn’t anything we can do to change the situation, but you can pray that we will have wisdom in choosing how to use our resources and in planning. Thank you to each one who contributes to maintaining our mission support level. return to top	*April Prayer Requests* French Presidential Elections Diane's speaking opportunities, April 21 and April 29 Gospel Music Seminar, June 29-July 1 Financial needs, due to the devaluation of the dollar To receive a copy of the Jerdans' monthly report by email, send them a message at jerdanbill@aol.com