Dauner News Update, May 2009
I am writing from the waiting room of the court of appeals where we are involved in another hearing over the custody of Alexandre Dudar. Many have asked about him and his older brother Constantin whom we took into our home in January, 2008.
Both are doing well. Constantin is taking the final exams to obtain his high school diploma. He is enrolled in our CEM program for next year and plans to continue his university studies afterwards in Marseille. Alexandre has made constant progress in his school work and is near the top of his class; he will enter middle school next fall.
A few highlights of the month
In May, our son Justin and I flew to Los Angeles for the Pepperdine Bible Lectures. It was the first time either of us had attended such a gathering (huge, over 5000 people) outside of Europe. Both of us presented classes and spoke at the World Radio dinner. On the last day my alma mater surprised me with a certificate of distinguished Christian service for my forty years of ministry in France.
The lectureship was a real blessing for Justin and me, and we owe a debt of gratitude to Maurice Hall (with the Sierra Madre church) and to Jerry Rushford (with Pepperdine) for making it possible for us to attend. We made numerous new Christian friends, and it was a special privilege to spend time with my former Bible professor at Pepperdine, Carl Mitchell.
Our presence in North America allowed us to spend three days with my Dad, who just turned 93, in Topeka, Kansas, and to have a great but short visit with the Central church in that city.
My time since our return has largely been dedicated to two tasks: (1) getting ready for the musical play performed by our young people on May 30; (3) preparing an audio-visual class for the teens at Harmony Bible Camp.
The musical play, entitled More Than Conqueror, recounts the life of the Apostle Paul. The story was more complex than previous productions and involved as actors a record 40 teens and children. Once again our young people did wonders, aided by the direction of Katie Young, the scenario of Philippe and the lyrics of Prisca. The crowd of visitors—about 140— filled our chapel and overflowed out onto the sidewalk.
The teen class for Bible camp furnished the occasion for me to undertake a major project that has been in the back of my mind for several years: give a much-needed revision and update of my basic teaching series The Purpose of God. This new version will take the form of a series of Keynote presentations (like PowerPoint only more elegant).
Upcoming events for your prayers
1. The work week at Bonnefoi Retreat Center, June 22-27, with 33 volunteers from the Pitman Church of Christ in New Jersey.
2. CEM Summer Session, June 28-July 5.
3. Harmony Bible Camp, July 13-27.
When you get weary serving God and resisting the world—its hostility or temptations—, you may want to reflect on this contrast made in Revelation 14:
“There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image.”
“Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.”
NO REST !? May God keep us all from such a fate.
Max and Prisca Dauner