31 October

The last 2 1/2 weeks since I last wrote have brought new adventures. I have observed a few different classes, had rehearsals with two different music groups, prayed at the gates of the city, taken a quick trip to Paris to see school friends, been on a hike and walks, and have just generally settled in and gotten to know people better.

I have found from observing classes that French young people are not unlike American young people. That's not to say that there is no difference, but at the core we are all human. We want and need to be loved and respected. We receive better if the giver of information also listens, really listens. We respond well to people who are enthusiastic and passionate.

There is a group of young people that I am working with who are beginning to lead worship from time to time at Eglise Josué. They range in age from around 15 to 21. They are packed with talent and very motivated. Best of all, they have great hearts and are fun to be with. They call me their coach. Where's my whistle... Just kidding! They already know how to play and sing, so we are working to function as a team and I'm just helping to give some structure and stretch them when I can. It's great fun.

My visit with friends in Paris was great. It was so good to see people and to deepen some key relationships. I also got to see some new places in Paris. It was nice to come 'home' to the country though. For me, Paris is a great place to visit but I guess I'm just a country girl at heart.

After talking to a friend at Les Cèdres, the language school I attended last year, I realized even more the importance of what they are doing in equipping the saints to reach the francophone world. I also was reminded of the spiritual warfare that goes on there. It is a light surrounded by darkness. Those of you that are praying with me and for me please remember Les Cèdres in your prayers. Specifically pray for God to protect the school from the enemy's attacks that affect the administration, the teachers, and the students. It is an important call that they are all answering and it is being strongly contested. The French speaking world is in desperate need of the good news of Jesus and our Father's love.

There is much dreaming and scheming going on here. I will give more detail as things develop. I feel I could really be a part of the vision here in Guebwiller. My heart and skill set complement what is needed. Will you pray with me that God will make it clear where I am to go or stay next and how to accomplish that? I still need strategy on finding a job and even more so on getting a visa so I don't have to keep leaving the country frequently.

Thanks to you all for keeping up with me. I will give a list of prayer requests below. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave a comment here or send me and email!

summary of prayer requests:
~*my time in Guebwiller to be effective
-including organizing and preparing music groups
-interceding for the church and school here
~*improving my French skills
~*strategies for finding a job and getting a visa*~
~*financial support
-monthly giving was down this month


**Pictures at the top:
Anne Pierre-Elien, my guide on our hike and a powerful intercessor, in general, a real fireball. I challenge anybody to keep up with her. :)
Anne's family and the Bussiere family live on the floor below me. They have all been very warm and welcoming. Thanks for making me feel at home. Last night I got to have crepes with both families. It was loud and lively and a lot of people packed in a small kitchen. I loved EVERY minute of it.

The chateau from the vineyards on the hill. It's the brown building with pointed eaves at bottom center. The place the pic was taken is a good place to go and pray over the valley.

14 October

Greetings from Guebwiller, France.
It is so good to be back in France. I have many good things to report. I am sure I'm going to forget something, but at least this will help give you and idea of what has been happening and what will be happening. I will start with the more practical and then share my heart towards the end. (You might want to get a cup of tea or coffee for this one. :)

My first four days were spent with the Leigh family until my room became available at the chateau. I am grateful for their hospitality and time with them. I was able to take walks in the vineyards and enjoy the beauty. If you are a facebook friend check out my photos of the area and the chateau where I am living. I was told by another lady who lives in the chateau that I am now a châtelaine (lady of the manor). so fun...

Monday started with two chapel services at the Christian school that is located here at the chateau. There was a guest speaker from Honduras. He brought an inspiring message and many of the students from the youngest who are preschool age to the oldest who are about 15. He spoke in Spanish and Manuela, one of the leaders here, translated. Whew! After the whole day passed in French, the first one for me in a long time, my mind was spinning. The first day was frustrating. I began to understand what was being said fairly quickly but I felt helpless to speak.

Tuesday was better for getting things out of my mouth. I had lunch with a French family Monday and then with another French family on Tuesday. Being surrounded by the language is helping it to come back. I know I am still making a lot of mistakes but at least I'm talking!

The leaders here are keen to get me involved with intercession, which was the first thing I did on Thursday morning. The church leaders came together to welcome me and pray for me. It was a great time. They encouraged me in prayer and I felt loved and welcomed. Then I stayed to pray with the intercession team during their weekly meeting. God is really on the move here and many things are being started. There is a real need to cover this and the people here in prayer. I plan on taking many walks to explore and pray over the area too. There is also daily prayer before school for the school and the students. They really have a heart not just to educate kids but give them a chance to live a healthy life full of God.

Just a quick clarification: There is the church Eglise Josué and there is the school Ecole Daniel. Many leaders of the church are also leaders or teachers in the school. However, the church does not run the school and many of the teachers are not a part of the church. The school is a French Christian school, the largest one in France, and it is not very big. It is a very important work for the future generations of France.

With the school I hope to be involved with music. There are a couple young groups who are interested in leading worship during the Monday chapel services. The leaders have asked if I could help train them in music and playing as a group. There is also talk of other lessons or maybe a small choir. Things are still developing. I would also like to observe some classes to improve my French and to see how the French classroom operates.

I can already see that there are many things to be done and I am here for only 9 weeks total, the first one is already gone. I want to be effective and help in supporting in prayer what is happening and teaching and training where I can. Also during this time I will be sending out resumes and looking for a job teaching English so I can get a visa to work and live in France. These are all things that you could definitely pray for me and with me about.

summary of prayer requests:
~my time in Guebwiller to be effective
-including organizing and preparing music groups
-interceding for the church and school here
-looking for a job
~improving my French skills
~interceding for friends and family in other places
-the more I pray into this place, God puts others on my heart
I need to learn to balance this or learn what God is teaching me through this.
~financial support
-monthly giving was down this month and it's a bit tight right now

Now I want to share some of my heart.
I am a relational person. I am motivated most by knowing people, not projects. With just a few weeks here I've wondered how that would work. In May, God connected me with several people at the France en Feu conference and then a visit to Guebwiller. I knew I had found my French family. It is so odd to feel you instantly have a family but you don't really know them. It's a Spirit thing. That connection was quickly reaffirmed. I feel loved and accepted here. I am a part of what is happening. I haven't had much time with students here but I can already feel a tug in my heart towards them. I think God will do what He does and allow us to get to know one another quickly and work together well, not that that there won't be challenges.

I feel a closer connection to God or maybe greater freedom of access to Him than ever before. While praying in a classroom before school yesterday I was drawn to a particular desk and spent some time praying there. After the time, I asked one of the teachers, who is also one of the intercessors, who sat there. I shared what God had given me and she said it fit that student's situation. God is so cool.

I am at peace and ready to run at the same time. I am grateful for the time of preparation God has brought me through. The struggles, difficulties, and plain old hard work are paying off. I am again reminded of the scripture in Hebrews 12: No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. We all face the challenges of life. How will we respond to them? I want to be trained by them so I don't have to repeat them!

I pray you are finding God in your present situation, whether it be in the valley, on the mountain top, or on the way up. May God's richness fill you today and give you all you need and more.

**Pics at the top are of my new home.
the château
the view from my room

3 October

I'm finished!!! One more step closer to...

The month TEFL course was a lot to do in a short time, but overall a positive experience. I did well on my tests and have a feeling of accomplishment. I am now certified to teach English as a foreign language! God has been gracious to me over this month.

Another positive aspect has been getting to stay with my friends Ruth and Ralph. Their home once again has been a refuge. I have seen them a few times in the last year, but it has been a treat to get a block of time to deepen a good friendship.

I move on to Guebwiller, France on Wednesday the 7th of October. I am really looking forward to seeing friends there and getting plugged in with what God is doing there. It will be so good to be back in France. However, I know my French is rusty and it will take a little time to get it back. Then the goal is to improve for years to come. I will let you know what I am involved in after I am plugged in and know exactly what to report.

I am ready for another stage of this adventure. It has been over a year of preparation and I feel I am close to being able to be a part of what God is doing in France, however that will look.

I read this quote on the side of a church in London. I like it. It offers a bit of a challenge. Maybe it will mean something to you.

"All may have, if they dare try, a glorious life or grave."