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A
Shot in the Arm
 In 1853, the French
surgeon Charles Gabriel Pravaz invented a revolutionary
medical instrument: the hypodermic needle. It was first
used two years later by a Scottish doctor, Alexander
Wood, to inject a patient with morphine. Since that
time, the hypodermic needle has become one of the most
widely-used medical instruments. The ability to quickly
and precisely administer vaccinations, medications, and
pain-killers has brought untold benefit to humanity.
In the 1920’s, the American novelist Sinclair Lewis
coined the phrase “shot-in-the-arm” in reference to the
hypodermic needle and the restorative effects of an
injected drug, such as penicillin. This saying has since
passed into every-day conversation, and is used to
describe those things that encourage, invigorate, and
give us strength to go on.
As we reach the mid-point of our missionary term, a
“shot-in-the-arm” is precisely what we’re looking for.
As our field responsibilities increase, so does our need
for prayer and financial support.
We have assumed the pastoral oversight of our local
assembly in Châtellerault, as well as of a home
fellowship meeting near Le Mans. Both of these cities
are over an hour’s drive from our home in Tours. With
teaching in the Bible School and supporting various
national projects, we often need to travel to our
Headquarters in Melun, a two and a half hour drive from
our home. All this travel naturally represents increased
expenses.
These increased expenses are occurring at a time when
the American Dollar has reached an all-time low against
the European currency. The dollar has steadily declined
in value over the past couple of years, dropping more
than 40% since 2001. As our ministry is funded entirely
in American Dollars, the decline in the dollar
represents an equal decline in our support base.
This all adds up to a very difficult situation for us,
as our responsibilities increase and our funding
decreases. We’re asking for your help in three areas in
order to give us that much-needed “shot-in-the-arm”:
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Prayer:
We certainly covet your prayers as we branch into
new areas of ministry, and labor in a difficult
harvest field. Pray that the Lord will give us
wisdom and grace, that He will supply our needs
and provide laborers for the harvest. |
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Partners:
If you are not currently a Partner in Missions,
please consider joining in monthly support of our
ministry. If you are already a Partner, please
consider increasing your monthly pledge amount.
These can both be done by using our on-line
Enrollment Form. |
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Projects:
We are seeking to raise Travel Funds to assist
with the expenses associated with visiting and
ministering in our various works in France.
You can make a one-time contribution toward this
effort by using our on-line
Special Project Pledge Form. |
Thank you
for your support of our ministry in France.
Without your
partnership, we cannot be here.
Yours
for France,
The Schoberts
Steve,
Kristin,
Steven II,
& Rachel
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www.theschoberts.org
