Marc Mailloux's Blog

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season…”  II Timothy 4:2

Dear friends, 

           S. Florida is in need of the gospel as much as any place. One meets a wide sociological variety of people in this “sixth borough of New York”.  Most Americans think of our region as being primarily Hispanic.  While that might be essentially true of Miami-Dade county, we live in Broward county where the sociological composition is even more diverse.  Think of our region as “New York with palm trees” and you get the idea.  It was a Pakistani-Moslem cab driver who drove us home from the airport recently. My “pétanque” buddies are mostly French and Quebecois, as are the listeners of our daily radio broadcasts. In January I conducted a bi-lingual wedding service for the son of a famous French chef and his American bride where 75% of those in attendance were French.   Our regular gas-station attendant is Egyptian; our convenience store clerk Indian, local postal workers Vietnamese.  In addition there are ½ million Haitians, Jamaicans, and other West Indians in S. Florida, a real melting pot.        

          Recently, I’ve re-discovered an old principle I had applied for years in France but which I’d somewhat neglected since we came to the over-evangelized U.S.  It has to do with the fact that the fact that the Lord often answers promptly requests for encounters with someone with whom to share at least a word of faith, (if not a detailed gospel presentation).  If you don’t believe me, then try it yourself.  But be forewarned:  you’ll find Him leading you to folks ready for the Word at times when you’re not feeling particularly spiritual yourself—perhaps after a disagreement with your spouse. I suppose He does that to remind us that the power of the gospel to touch lives is not dependant on our sanctification, or lack thereof.  If you wait until you think you’re holy enough to be useful for the Kingdom, you’ll probably wait forever.  Carpe diem!  And redeem the time.        

       Not long ago, while standing in line at my favorite café (owned and operated by a French couple) I overheard a middle-aged French woman customer lamenting to Mme. Durand (the owner) about the recent death of her mother. It was clear that this bereaved daughter desperately needed a Word of hope.  Consequently, when she sat down with her cappuccino on the terrace at a table next to mine, it was a natural, albeit delicate opportunity to offer her a copy of “l’évangile selon Jean” I carry with me.  I told her that I’d overheard her conversation with Mme. Durand and was sure she’d find comfort in the words of Jesus who claims to be “la résurrection et la vie” (John 11:14).  She gratefully accepted the gospel, and told me that she possessed a Bible at home which she had never read, but was now ready to examine.             

      An occasional contact is Eva, a twenty-five year old Polish waitress from Gdansk working at the Italian café on the beach where I cycle for my Saturday morning expresso when we’re in town.  A nominal Catholic, she’s been asking herself spiritual questions since her Israeli boyfriend chided her about celebrating Christmas.  Eva gladly accepted a Polish New Testament we brought her.          Regular opportunities to share the faith are generated through the natural curiosity over my prized recumbent bicycle, a most appreciated gift from a local pastor.  I explain to the numerous folk intrigued by its somewhat unusual form that it’s called a “recumbent,” as in to the old theological notion of recumbence, signifying “resting” in the Lord for one’s salvation.  This last bit of information I gleaned from a sermon from our late Pastor Kennedy who surely didn’t imagine that theological tidbit would be used that way.   Even if I don’t get further than that, the Seed is sown and the curious are left with something to ruminate.        

           Our work load increased a bit in January.  In addition to our daily radio meditations (accessible via www.radiofloride.com) we started a new series of courses (Apologetics) at the “Institut Biblique et Théologique de la Floride” (IBTF).  We cherish your prayers for this fledgling institution founded and headed by Rev. Jean Petit with woefully little help from the surrounding Haitian community of believers.  There are thousands of Haitian Christians in S. Florida spread out in dozens (hundreds?) of churches; but no Bible schools or seminaries save for the tiny IBTF. Consequently, level of theological instruction leaves much to be desired.  The Haitian brethren are grateful for any help we can give them.       

        As for the ministry in the islands:   “Never overestimate what you can accomplish in one year, or underestimate what you can do in twenty years.”  So spoke the wisdom of an older brother about church planting.  Surely, this applies to teaching too where results are often slow in coming as one does not always see immediate results from his prayers or efforts, though we are delighted to observe real changes in the lives of some of those we’ve been privileged to mentor over the years.   A recent remark from Jean-Marie, one of our students in Martinique was particularly encouraging: “I am so grateful for these courses…  They have transformed my understanding of the Scriptures.”   Alleluia!  We’ve a graduation ceremony scheduled in Martinique on March 15.   We thank those of you who make our ministry possible.                                                                                                                                            Blessings,                                                                                                                                        Marc+ Aline 

Praise:

1- Positive response to the apologetic film “The Perfect Stranger”  seen by many of our French friends.       

 2- Encouraging visits to supporting churches in Tupelo, and Oxford, Ms. on Super Bowl SundayFeb.3  

 3- For a French translation of John Piper’s excellent book “The Passion of Christ” , most useful for       the   radio ministry.

Prayer: 1-The spiritual welfare of our older son Calix, still in Marseille, and without a job.             

  2-Wisdom for the use of our resources (perhaps to start another teaching program in French Guyana?)  

  3- For Kahina, a dear 27 year old sister in N. Africa, terribly  isolated from any Christians. She would like to correspond (in French or English)  with some American believers.  Kahinabelguebli@yahoo.fr