A new link

Presenting a new link that is being more and more developped. Redcliffe College in Gloucester, UK, started up a Mission Course and Master's Degree in European Mission Studies. It's a great resource for us, although we are not church-planting, but we keep an eye on what's happening in order to encourage our parishioners to think past our own situation. We think it's hard even to get them interested in what's happening in our own Church Union! We also want to develop our ministries in the wider perspective of what's happening in France and Europe. It's particularly interesting for me to track this work as a member of the Women's Association Femmes 2000.

Anyway - you can see how things are evolving in Europe. Eastern Europe is booming. Western Europe can give the impression of being pretty dead spiritually, but since God always keeps a faithful remnant to witness about Him, there are things happening. It's all 'drop-in-the-ocean' stuff, but the Kingdom of God continues to grow. Inexorably, slowly, permanently. In our Ladies' Bible Study group a few years ago, we did a series on the Paraboles. It was very encouraging because even though we were challenged ourselves to be faithful witnesses to God's Kingdom, we also understood how surely His Kingdom is growing.

In any case, you will realize how much work we Christians have to build up our churches and to reach out to others.

I just finished reading Brother Andrew's account of his ministry to the Iron Curtain countries in the sixties. It's a classic, "God's Smuggler", one of the books I inherited from Claire F when she went back to UK. But how fresh and relevant it still seems! Great lessons in real faith, trusting God, listening to and waiting upon God. And just obeying. Pascal mentioned another book today in his sermon : "What would Jesus Do ?" If only we could take the plunge and just get on with it, we'd see such a change. Keep praying !!!

Time flies

It's now July. School's out and many French have started their holidays. Lamastre has filled with people and the Tuesday market is crowded. We hope it's a good season so people here can keep things going economically.

We've already had my cousins to visit. And Ruth, our SIM Australian missionary friend has had 10 days holiday here. Our special friends, the Fidlers, left yesterday and we now inherit their house, which will become the pastor's manse. Friday my brother James arrives with his wife, Debbie, and 2 children, Hudson and Amelia.

Marc finished school first and started work picking cherries. It's a 5 am wake up call to start work at 6 am until 12 noon. He was joined by Luc at the beginning of this week. Luc has now finished his 4 week's work experience in a Fiat garage, had a rugby weekend where he got very sunburned and is now trying to catch up on his brother's number of buckets of cherries, while keeping tabs on the Tour de France every afternoon !

And our young Claire has now completed her Primary school education and is a young lady. I promised her months ago that she could get her ears pierced when she finished her school year. It's done.

I MAY NOT WRITE VERY OFTEN OVER THIS HOLIDAY PERIOD. WE HAVE VISITS AND SOME HOLIDAY TIME. WE ARE BOTH VERY TIRED AND NEED CATCH UP TIME. WE ALSO HAVE TO REDECORATE THE HOUSE AND MOVE IN OVER AUGUST.

Take care all of you. Keep in touch.