We went to a wonderful service at a "good-sized" church on Sunday. Dad writes: We participated in an awesome church service on Sunday. My personal vision for this trip: Thoughtfully, to experience how God is at work in France. The service had 10 young people share articulately of the dependence they had on Christ to live for him, follow his ways, and share his love. This was a 100 person church! Our observation is that God continues to work in the same way as he always has:
"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22
We met with missionaries who continue to work with George Verwer, a Moody Bible Institute graduate (the place where Cherrie and I met), and the founder of Operation Mobilization. There was much commonality with them. We just returned from their home, experiencing fellowship and fun with their grandkids and pool.
We had a hilarious experience at church: a Frenchman was very kindly welcoming us when he found we do not speak French. Through someone who knew English he told us; "I'm a good Frenchman, I don't speak English!"
We are loving the new country, but it's really hard as well. Culture shock is a good way to put it. Everything is different, from dress to language to trying to get your credit card to work so you can get gas or buy train tickets! I think the language is the hardest thing. It's amazing to see how just by speaking English, people are drawn together, from all walks of life. It's hard not to be able to comunicate with someone when you need food fast for health reasons. But in a way, it draws us closer to Him. It makes us depend on Him for our needs, because truly, we don't know what will happen next! And we might not know how to deal with it! It's really humbling. We are so thankful for an awesome leader who is very adventurous!
The food is great, though it's an adventure to shop! We went to the store and bought what we thought was yoghurt, but really looked and tasted like sour cream...so you can buy the "same" products and have things turn out *really* different! :D But, you can't get any better than the bread here! You have to buy it every day or else...but that's another post!
So please pray that through our weaknesses, the Lord will work. Blessings to all of you. We miss you and would love to hear what you're doing!
~Amber
P.S. Dad said to say that comparatively, this makes the Boundary Waters look easy! :D
