November 23

This blog is going to be an attempt at giving a little perspective on the French people. Please keep in mind that these blogs are simply that, blogs, made up almost entirely of my opinions. However, I will add a few historical facts to give what I say a little backing.

The French Revolution began in 1789. The monarchy had bankrupted the country, in part by funding the Americans in our revolution. The people were starving. And "the philosophes of the Enlightenment had provoked hope for the improvement of people's lot and provided the philosophical template for a new political order."* The result was a bloody and violent revolution. The guillotine was invented and anyone who had an enemy with any kind of influence lost their head along with their family.

Protestant Chritians had been severely persecuted and massacred. The idea of separation of church and state was born in France. I think this was the removal of God from society. Not that there are not always believers and lovers of God in France, just that as a society I think this was a major turning point.

Something maybe more familiar to all of us are the two World Wars. Just think, these wars were fought on French soil. They were pounded again and again on their home soil. Two generations of men were lost. Americans can't understand this, not on a gut level. So, if a stereotype of the French is that they are cynical, one can begin to understand why. If I don't see a lot of hope, one can begin to understand why. If the French think we are too happy and not based in reality, one can begin to understand why. We need to be ever thankful for the hopeful culture we have. Don't misunderstand me, we have plenty of problems, but as a nation we can usually have hope for a better day. We even have a holiday for giving thanks!

++Pray that God will bring hope, healing, peace, joy, and true freedom to France. Pray that God will raise up laborers for working the soil and bringing in the harvest. Pray that God will visit France with the power of His Spirit.++

*quoted from "Instant European History" by Robert P. Libbon


just for fun:

Please understand that I don't associate the following with what I've said above.

Elizabeth and I visited the catacombs under Paris. There are the bones of around 6 million Parisians from several centuries decoratively arranged there. One must descend 20 meters below Paris and then wind your way through the catacombs. Being the nerds and generally odd people we are, we loved ever minute of it. I'm going to add a couple of pics from the catacombs with this blog. Enjoy...

November 17

This blog is in honor of my friends Greg and Day Burns who took a very active role in educating their friends for the election. Day, you said you were interested to know what the election looked like in France. So here is an Arkansas girl's take on the French view of the U.S. election.

Obama is a rock star! He is a savior to right all that is wrong in all the world. (according to the French) There was a spirit of celebration when Obama was elected. The French are passionate about what is happening with our politics. If people assumed I was English I didn't correct them because I didn't want to talk about the election. They always wanted to know who I voted for. And then would cheer Obama. I'm talking about random people you meet in the shops. I asked one guy if he could actually vote. He wouldn't drop it. People here are sick of Bush, the war, and the struggling economy. The European economy is suffering as well as in the States.

I told my teacher that Americans think the world revolves around them. I always thought that was an arrogant assumption. But she pointed out that we are a strong power in the world and what we do effects everyone. An English lady studying here put it this way, "We have to keep an eye on what Bush (the US) is doing." In other words we can't let you screw things up too much. (my interpretation)

So, there it is in a nutshell folks. My observation of the US presidential election in France. It's been eyeopening for me.

November 11

Armistice Day, Veteran's Day... We remember and are thankful to those who have given everything for the freedom and peace we now enjoy.

In the past weeks I have been struck by the costs involved with what I am doing. I knew it would sink in, and it has. It's difficult to be away from friends and family when they go through life's joys and difficulties. Community is nice, but so are a cozy couch and a bath. Being in France but realizing you'll never be French. Knowing God is big enough to reach these people and feeling way to insignificant to think I can do anything to help.

Fear not! I'm not discouraged, at the end of my rope, or ready to give up. I'm just sobered a bit. There are months of language learning ahead. I know I'm supposed to be here and God can use even me mightily. But I still have no idea what that will look like practically after school.

In the meantime, I study and love and try to be a help to the beautiful people He has put here with me. I seek God and marvel at His generosity, goodness, kindness, and grace. Our God is faithful. I want to be like Him.

November 3

So another 2 weeks between updates... Couldn't be helped. I was on holiday...Here's what happened.

Hannah and I spent the weekend of October 24th with the Leighs. We had a great time. David showed us around the area. It's very beautiful in Alsace and the Fall colors just enhanced the experience. We were able to tour the French Christian School and attend the Sunday service of their church. God is really at work in Alsace. I was struck by the presence of God in the prayer time before the Sunday service. Then we had an extended time of prophetic worship during the service. It was very powerful.

Somehow I got out of Alsace without a Leigh family pic! But here is a pic of David and Hannah in a WWI battle trench.)

Thanks again David and Angela for your hospitality. They are great people!

Then we moved on to Switzerland to visit my friend Simone and her family. Naomi, Simone's daughter, was 2 yesterday! Bonne anniversaire, Naomi! It was so good to see Simone. God started our friendship 10 years ago in England and it is still a blessing today. It rained most of the time we were there but it's still beautiful. And the last night we were there it snowed! I was like a little kid out in the street playing in the snow in the dark. It was also a great opportunity to practice speaking French with Simone's parents. It was a time of peace and rest and amazing Swiss food! Thanks Simone. You and your family are always so generous.

Swiss pics are: Simone and Naomi; Simone's parents, Ursula and Willie, Naomi, Hannah and me.)
**As always there are a lot of pics on my Facebook page. Check them out! Lots of scenery.**

We had a bit of an adventure getting out of Switzerland because we booked our train tickets online with a French company and the tickets wouldn't print. So we thought, we'll just do it at the station.... Well, Swiss stations can't print from the French system. So after trying all we knew to do, we just got on the train and prayed. Shortly after the trip began, the porter came by to take our tickets. We handed him the printout from the internet showing our reservation and did our best to explain. He was not happy. All he wanted was tickets, this meant nothing to him. We stayed calm and polite and when Hannah finally said ok how do we buy more tickets, he said to check at the main station! Then the next porter, because they changed during the trip, was completely cool with it and didn't mind. And we didn't see anyone on the last leg of our journey into France. God gave us favor that day. We thought at one point we would have to pay twice for our tickets back to France.

I had been longing for the country after being in the city for two months. This was the perfect break. So imagine my surprise as I thought to myself as the train pulled back into Paris, "I'm so glad to be back. Wait, did I really just think that?" I guess this is home for now. God is good to keep that settled in my heart.

Classes start again this Thursday. Then it will be December 19th before Christmas break. For those of you who may not have heard, I will not be home for Christmas. That had been my original plan. Now I am planning on finishing the school year at Les Cédres at the end of June. So I will return for two weeks in February for Christie and Andy's wedding. (What a great thing to come home for!!) But I can't really do 2 trips so close together. So I should be stateside for about two weeks starting around February 14th. Then I think I will be around for a while this summer after school is out working on getting a visa to return. This is what I know now. Everything is subject to change! So just stay tuned in folks....