26 April

So much has happened this month. I will do my best to remember all the highlights.

I have enjoyed teaching English. Beckie returns this week and will take her classes back. It has been interesting to communicate in English with the students after I've worked so hard to be able to communicate in French. It was a little odd at first but a lot of fun. I also got to work with Olivia Leigh, the daughter of American missionaries here. She is completely bilingual. We explored American literature in reading 'To Kill A Mockingbird,' one of my favorite books. We have also looked at just a little poetry and I've had the pleasure of getting some good writing assignments out of her. She is talented. Keep an eye out for her stories in the future.

One of the highlights of the year was 'Deploie tes ailes' (spread your wings), the youth seminar we had over a the weekend of the 9-11th of April. During the treasure hunt over 20 people were prayed for within an hour, one man received Jesus as savior, one woman was the treasure of two different teams, one man was found and God had given us his name. The kids were pumped at the joy of hearing and obeying God and then seeing what happened. The youth were prophesied over during the weekend and all had the opportunity to prophesy over others. It was amazing. Four of the older youth ended up praying and prophesying over the team of adults for 3 hours straight! It was like rapid fire prophesy in team. I've never seen anything quite like it. They were red hot and right on! The most amazing thing from the weekend was the lives that were transformed, TRANSFORMED. I could see the difference the second day in a couple of young ladies. I see them at school and church now and they are still new creations, delivered, healed and released! PRAISE GOD, our loving Father!! Thank you to all of you who prayed for us during that seminar. The power and presence of God came and changed us all!

Did you hear about the volcano in Iceland and the ash cloud that disrupted air travel in Europe? Well, I haven't made it to England yet for a visit. That should happen next week. I am looking forward to seeing my friends and getting some rest. Things are getting back to normal as far as travel goes, however, I'm sure it will be a while before the back-log and financial difficulties are overcome in Europe.

My friend Katie Berry came for a visit for a few days. We had perfect spring weather and took advantage of it. She also came to my English classes as an added point of interest in English conversation.

The music groups are coming right along and I have more students asking for lessons. It is always rewarding to see progress and enthusiasm in the students.

Pierre-Daniel Martin, a French prophet, came and did a seminar last week with the school and church. He had encouraging words for the spiritual future of France. France has a strong prophetic call as a nation. I am excited to see what God is about to do in this nation and in Europe. He also had many clear and encouraging words for the people here. I had never met him and he said to me that he saw that I had closed a door and made a turn in my life and that it was right, which was confirmation for me. He is a man full of grace, love and humility. It is a joy to see ministers of Christ who care for the body like that.

I am happy to report that my dad was able to sell our family home quickly and at a price that was more than he had asked for it! God is so faithful! This is just another blessing for my family and more proof for me that my place is in France.

I want to end this blog with praise. God has added to me good friends, given me the opportunity to teach and work with young people, given me a beautiful place to live, given me a church were I can worship, grow and serve, and He continually loves on me. I am a blessed woman.

Thanks to all of you who are a part of my life. Knowing you makes my life richer.


**The pic at the top is from the making of the short film that I talked about in my last blog. It is finished and I look forward to seeing it.

April 2

I have good news to report. It's taken me a week to get to this...but we're not really surprised are we.

I want to start by reporting the good news from a friend. The lady who leads our intercession group, Huguette, has suffered for years with pain in her back and hip. She has walked with a cane for a long time and many times has been stuck at home because of the pain and danger of falling. She is in Mexico with 10 others from Eglise Josué doing the Master Builders training. We had news from her 2 days ago that God had started working in her hip and she was walking without the cane!!!!! PRAISE GOD!! I can't express the joy I feel knowing this wonderful lady is being healed.

Last Saturday night I shared my testimony at church in French. It was the first time I had shared my testimony in French to an all French crowd. Thanks so much to those of you who prayed. The Holy Spirit helped me and it went well. It wasn't a struggle at all. I shared about how God delivered me from depression and afterward asked for people to come forward for prayer if they needed deliverance from something. Many responded and we had a long time of ministry that followed.

That same church service was packed with the presence of God. My part was at the end and we had already seen God move powerfully. The worship time was anointed and many responded to drawing closer to God. Then the youth shared about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, followed by praying for the youth to receive the baptism. There were many youth who came forward and I hear they were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues!! What a night! We started at 7 and we were leaving there at 11:15! I love it when God shows up!

The school is making a short film for a festival here in Guebwiller and I've been asked to help with the music or soundtrack for the project. I asked one of my youth band leaders who writes songs to compose a song for it. Mattias got right to it and created a great rock type song. We spent Wednesday afternoon and David and Emilie continued on Thursday evening recording it. David Leigh is putting his knowledge and creativity to bringing it all together. I'm excited to hear the finished project and see how it works with the film. I also gave some more classically styled music composed by Stephan Haffner, one of the men in our church, to the man who is doing the film. It's great to be surrounded by such talent. Basically, I've just asked my resources to donate their time and talent and I'm watching it unfold. It's great that the music can also be a part of the school. Thanks to all who have given of themselves to put music to this project!

We have Easter break for 2 weeks now. The English classes I have been teaching are going really well. I enjoy the time with the students and being in the classroom. We had a prayer time with the oldest class yesterday because it was my last day with them. It was a rich time and at the end they prayed for me. I am blessed, what amazing young people. Their hearts are true and their testimonies are powerful!

prayer requests :
~College Daniel and Eglise Josué are still in need of God's provision!! Please keep praying that the blockages will be removed and God's generosity will flow.
~The safe return of our team from Mexico next week.
~There are no new developments with the visa. I do know my next step will be talking to the nearby prefecture. Please continue to pray I know God's perfect timing to talk to the right person at the right time and that the visa will come miraculously.

I am full of hope and joy!! Thanks for your continued prayers, support and love.

**The pic at the top is of me working with my youngest music group the 5eme (7th grade). We have a pianist, 2 flutes, a violin, a recorder and several singers.