June 2025
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” (1Co. 4:5)
Dear Friends,
Our son Isaiah recently came across this quote from C.H. Spurgeon –
What must we say of ourselves when God gives us power in prayer, matchless power,
full of blessedness to ourselves
and unnumbered mercies to others,
and that power is left to lie dormant and still,
though it would be blessed to countless myriads? Look up, Christian, look up and weep!
So we urge you, as we speak to our own selves, to look up, weep, and pray. In his first sermon at Kelso, Scotland, in 1837, Horatius Bonar told the congregation, “The first thing I ask of you is your prayers. Not your customary, your general, your formal prayers. Keep these idle compliments, – these regular, it may be, but too often unmeaning pieces of courtesy, to yourselves. These I ask not. If these are all you have to give, I shall be poor indeed. What I ask is your unwearied, your believing, wrestling prayers. Nothing else will do, for ‘this kind cometh out by nothing but by prayer and fasting’.” (p166, A Scottish Christian Heritage by Iain H. Murray)
We thank the Lord for a recent three-hour men’s prayer vigil with several from the mission work here; the men also plan to start meeting monthly for fellowship and prayer; and for weekly Bible studies with Rubén and Víctor which have been going well.
As our older children who are in the US (most for about 2 months) expressed it, “The Durand nest has suddenly grown impressively small. Beside mom and dad Durand, Navarre and Faith are absolutely lonesome. That is, provided you don’t count Emilio and Sarah coming five days a week, Isaac coming when he wants to, Mr. Rubén’s Bible study on Thursday, the class with Víctor and whoever else shows up on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Taekwondo twice a week, and a full house on Sunday.” They forgot to mention that Rebeca, who is nine years old, also comes for several hours now on Wednesday afternoons! And we still have an occasional special event with guests over for an evening, or some other special activity.
On a sad note, Juan and Susan (who lived the last three years in the little house out front) have moved away and while we are happy for them, that they have a bigger house and a more comfortable situation, we miss them and their children.
On a brighter note, once we get enough of the little house fixed up soon (paint and a few other repairs) and ready to go, we hope to be using it for Paul’s study (he has been in our multi-purpose (laundry) room for over ten years now!) and for classes, worship and other meetings. Also, we just celebrated Moses’ first birthday with the Medina family, even though they have only had him about five months, due to his adoption.
Please keep in your prayers:
- Paul, for strength, wisdom and grace for the work of the Lord and the glory of Christ.
- Cheryl, for strength, wisdom and grace to glorify and honor the Lord in His service each day.
- Josiah, blessings in Kenya and in his missionary application to the IBPFM. He recently experienced his first trip outside of Nairobi during which he had opportunities for speaking to 500 High School students, also in a SS class and at a conference, and briefly at a funeral service.
- For our other children as they travel within the U.S. and return to Chile July 29th & 31st.
- Grace Mission, for the peace and unity of the believers.
- Victor and Connie, for regular attendance on the Lord’s Day with God’s blessings.
- Denise and her children, who came last Lord’s Day to the afternoon class; pray for her salvation.
- Julio, godly growth and learning as he studies with Geneva Reformed Seminary.
- Elías, as he studies with The Master’s Seminary, and for the Medina family.
- Rubén, Jenny, Emilio & Sarah–salvation for each and desire to worship the Lord.
- For upcoming visits in our home with several Taekwondo students and their families.
- For Rosita and Alonso (his salvation). and their extended family.
- For an outpouring of Christ’s Spirit.
In conclusion, we say with Horatius and Andrew Bonar, “Imperfection stamped upon everything I ever undertook; omission running through my life. My place is under the shadow of the Righteous One” (p. 207, A Scottish Christian Heritage by Iain H. Murray).
Serving Christ our Lord and Saviour,
Paul and Cheryl Durand, Faith and John-Baptiste