I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, because
He has dealt bountifully with me.
Psa 13.5-6

Dear friends,

I write to repeat in my own words what David expressed in his psalm. The Lord has dealt bountifully with me recently, and there is much cause to rejoice and to sing.

The first and most exceptional of His recent blessings that I gladly and heartily announce is my engagement to Rebecca Sirmons. The daughter of American missionaries, born and raised in France, she arrived at the Bible institute to begin her studies along with me. For 2 ½ years, God did his work separately on each of our hearts, convinced us of his will, and then brought us together to talk things over. The rest fell quickly into place, and shortly after, we were engaged. The whole story testifies to the worth of heeding such as verses as Psalm 27:14: Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! The marriage will most likely take place here in the fall, followed by a reception in California. Meanwhile, all this can be in your prayers.

Another huge blessing (somewhat related) was the visit of my mother. She spent a week here in Paris, and we benefited from lots of wisdom, love, advice, gifts, and updates on family, friends, church, etc. Since leaving home, it is true that I quite miss my family, but without leaving, such joyous and rich reunions would not be possible, and I have come to consider the distance that separates us as one of God’s bountiful blessings in his dealing with us, according to Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”

We also witnessed God’s bountiful dealings in Aix-en-Provence (southeast France, just north of Marseille.) The young, house church there is growing; they are presently moving into a dedicated building. They are still without pastor, and so were overjoyed to have us for a week to run things: Bible studies, worship services, music, visits, discipleship, etc. We did our best to follow Barnabas’ example, “who when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.” (Acts 11.23)

The following list of God’s latest bounties will have to go without commentary:

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, by Martyn Lloyd-Jones; large numbers of visitors at church (both saved and unsaved); a solid week now of sunny days; the hymn, “I am His, and He is Mine” by George Robinson; a late-night knock on the door presenting a mother and her two daughters, curious about the sign above our door (Baptist Bible Institute) and searching for spiritual guidance and Biblical truth; our high-speed printing machine working again after a major break-down; reactions of people learning about our engagement (here and there); the faithful generosity and hospitality of Christians towards me; Scripture memory; etc.

Thus, we will continue trusting in God’s lovingkindness. He does not cease to give us cause to rejoice; first and foremost in our salvation through His Son, but along with Him, God promises to freely give us all things!

Affectionately, your servant,

Samuel