Easter memorial

"It was now about the sixth hour and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. ... But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things." Gospel of Luke, chapter 23 vv 44-46, 49.

Tonight (Friday) we have a combined service with the Reformed Church and the Catholic Church to remember how Christ gave his life for us. May all your memorial services be profoundly moving and inspire you to honour God in all you do.

What goes down must go up ....

If only I could be so joyful as this person as I'm riding along!

So how is my training going, you ask ?

I've now done more than 400 kms counting the exercise bike. But I'm supposed to do 1000 km before being really ready for the Ardéchoise. "Sigh!"  8 weeks to go so that makes 77 km per week to do !

Last week I decided to pedal to Annonay to attend a conference on Loss and Mourning. I arranged to stay overnight with Christian friends and to return "en vélo" the next day. It's 45 km one way.

Well ! whatever did I get myself into ??? I had bike bags to contain a change of clothes and some pick-me-ups. Pascal volunteered to be back-up team. I had 4 hours to get there, knowing that others before me with less weight and no bags had managed to do it in 2 1/2 hours.  Here are some of my reflections ...

- what goes down must go up! Never get too relieved when you have some downhill to do because you know you are going to have to go back up on the return trip!

- but make the most of the downhill to catch your breath, move your arms and shoulders, drink and stand up on the pedals to relieve a sore bottom!

- hold your tummy in when the cars and other bike riders go past!

- watch out for nettles when you make toilet stops.

- don't eat too much before leaving.

- don't expect to have time or energy or the balance to admire the country side as you pedal.

- how do you sit up straight on a bike, take your hands off the handle bars and ride along???

- God, it's now that you are supposed to get behind me and push ! 

- God, if you really want to encourage me, you'll give me angels' wings right now!

- God, do you know of a way to lose 10 kg in a short time without risk !???

A tip for missionaries in cross-cultural situations : you know you have fully adapted to your host country when you talk to yourself in your second language and not in your mother tongue during the most painful moments of climbing up those hills !! :)

To cut a long story short : I did 21 km of up hill and reached the highest point of the trip way over the time schedule, shaking and tired (did I mention I had a head wind as well ??). I phoned Pascal to come and transport me the next 10 km or so because I wasn't going to make it in time and he turned up 5 minutes later! He'd anticipated the need and had been stalking me in the car !

He let me off 7 km before my goal and I got to my host's house, a shower, a rest and a conference. A big night's sleep before heading back the next day. Same problem with added fatigue - got the the highest point, called Pascal, rendez-vous made and I launched into a 10 km downhill stretch - I DESERVED THAT 10 KM DOWNHILL STRETCH!!!! and Pascal was waiting with coffee at the start of the next climb.

I managed to do 70 km in 2 days and when I saw the climbs I had had to do I did feel some pride in my achievement, but I really don't think I'll make the 80 km ride for the Ardéchoise. I've just spent 5 days recovering!!!

Anyway, I'm going to keep training. I'm actually starting to enjoy riding. And I want to achieve something major for my 50th birthday. One of the fruits of the Spirit is PERSEVERANCE ! It's the same word in French! Paul was talking about persevering in the faith, but I think it can apply to my goal because it's a spiritual lesson for me. Think of all the images I can use when describing our spiritual walk !

Here is a cartoon by a famous Belgian personality Guy Deluck :

The Cat says "If I really had to ride at my own rhythm .... I wouldn't move at all !"

If we Christians weren't challenged to progress in our faith through teaching, life experiences and even through suffering, we would never advance. Thank God for the Holy Spirit who accompanies us through it all - our teacher, guide, comforter, encourager, prompter. We are called to continue the race, to advance in maturity, to serve the Kingdom's purposes. We must persevere. We have to rely on God to do it. We know we will get there in the end. Praise the Lord !!

Secularism

France is having identity problems again - these questions arise around election times. Religious expression has always been very difficult in a public setting, although religious freedom is a reality. 

With 5 - 10% of the French population (according to whose figures you use) being considered Muslim and with varying degrees of "practising", the French are confronted with the idea of identity. What is French ? Who are the French ? Sometimes I think the real question behind the commentaries about migrants and people who are French-born but of different origine is : to whom does this country belong ? A very pertinent question because you can be born here, but you don't necessarily have the right to be here in some people's eyes. If this country physically belongs to you, then you have the right (normally) to decide what happens to the land and in this land. That is what is called DEMOCRACY.  But many French are very possessive of their land and cultural inheritance and find it hard to share the responsibility of decision-making.

I'm still coming to an understanding of the mentality of people living here in our country area of Ardèche. I mix with people who have been here and whose families own land for generations and for centuries. They are very independant-minded and self-sufficient. I get the feeling that they were pretty much left to themselves for centuries (albeit under the control of local lords and ladies and often the Catholic Church), but in this last century, with the advent of modernisation, they can no longer stay 'hidden' in the hills. The outside world has caught up with them. People here are very slow to change, because they really need to be convinced of the benefit of the change and because their rhythm of life is so in tune with the seasons. 

I will probably never ask for French citizenship because of this idea of belonging to the land and the land belonging to my family. Pascal's family hasn't owned any land or property for a couple of generations. Do I feel more connected with Australian land ? Yes, even though I have no chance of owning any. But my family has been physically connected with the land since my great-great-grandfather John emigrated to Australia in 1850s. 

I won't enter into a discussion about Aboriginal Land Rights - I'm not up to date with any of it.

Sometimes I wonder where we should retire to ? Pascal would be willing to move to Australia, but doesn't it usually depend on where your children end up ???

It just brings home to me ('scuse the pun!) how much we Christians should have more of an eternal perspective on things. We are just pilgrims on this Earth for the time allotted to us. I often feel the lack of real roots in a country (although I do feel a link with Scotland through my Findlay family history) and I often admire the deep sense of belonging many Europeans have about their home land. I console myself with the image of a place being prepared for me in my Father's House. Yet in the here and now, my identity is rooted in that of Christ my Lord and Saviour. That's where I belong. That's where I am best.

In limbo

Three of my appointments with women were cancelled this week and I suddenly find myself in limbo. I get psyched up for each encounter, I prepare the material, I organise my family life and then anticipate the moment when we launch into the Word of God and get fed ! I love it when we explore what the Scriptures show of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. And I love it when we find some relevance to our lives today. Some of the most precious moments are when we pray together.

We often use the telephone for these meetings, but last Tuesday I took the bike to ride to Catherine's 18 km away. It's part of my "getting fit for the Ardèchoise" campaign. Nearly killed me ! Plus my chain was slipping. Catherine walked out to meet me (thank God for mobile phones, too!) and wheeled the bike to her house. She offered me a shower and a good meal. I recovered and we were able to talk about witnessing to our neighbours and had a great time of prayer outside on the grass in the sun. Spring is blossoming all around us at the moment.

Then back on the bike in fear and trembling, but it was like I had wings and made it back up the hills. Then there was a long down hill ride to Lamastre. Pascal was sending me encouraging SMS s but I didn't want to stop pedaling to read them!!

And here I am in limbo again - so I've caught up on my birthday e-cards, my address lists and now my blog. I am procrastinating a little because I really should get on to our newsletter. Oh well - next time someone cancels ....

ALPHA

The Alpha Course is going strong here in France. It is such an encouragement after years of trying different approaches to evangelism and witnessing in a strongly Catholic-culture country which is also militantly secular.

Yet, did you know that Alpha France was started by and is powered by the Catholic Revival movement ?

Thank God, He knew the best way to bring people back to Him. The Protestants wouldn't have had nearly the same impact and their efforts would have stayed marginal. However, right from the start of Alpha in France, more than half of the groups being created were in Protestant and Evangelical churches.

Alpha has now adapted the Marriage Course and the Youth Course to French context.  Apparently there were around 600 Alpha Courses operating during the year.

It's reviving the Catholic parishes and providing a much needed boost to many churches.

Recently there have been a number of calls to improve on the Christian concept of leadership (servant leadership) and to work on training and mentoring. Alpha France has started courses on that aspect also - a vital aspect of any church life and one that has been neglected in general in French churches.

Pascal and I have the desire to work on a Church council member information and training session to use within our Union (and our region). We lack the time to develop it, but Pascal has already worked on it for one of his churches. We have the blessing of our Regional Group, but we need time .... May God lead us in this also.

PRAY FOR FRANCE !!

JUST A REMINDER THAT THE "PRAY FOR FRANCE" CAMPAIGN HAS STARTED.


CHECK OUT www.prayforfrance.org

Hi, darling. How was your weekend ?

This is Pascal ! We are having morning coffee together with a croissant (note how we are nearly eating off the table ! That's very french!!) He's been helping out at his other church in the Lyon area and I picked him up from the station. We don't have that much sharing time together with all our comings and goings, but we try to have coffee once a week if we can to catch up uninterrupted (ie no children!), to coordinate our diaries and to discuss family.

Are we preparing others to replace us ?

Another long day - but I decided I would try and sort through all the emails that have banked up. I have quite a bit of reading material that comes through from SIM offices - International, Australian and French. Came across this link to a talk by Gbile Akanni, who is from Nigeria. If you can get past his strong accent, it's worthwhile listening - skip over the first 5 minutes or so and settle back for an hour. 

http://no8-wire.blogspot.com/2010/05/making-disciples.html
Nigel Webb
Director
SIM NZ
nz.director@gmail.com

Hear how God expects us to raise up others in the next generation to continue the work He set us to do. One word for it is DISCIPLING; another is MENTORING or ACCOMPANYING. In fact, Gbile Akanni says that Evangelising and discipling are part of the same order given by Jesus in The Great Commission ! He refers to Joshua 1: 1-4 and chapters 11 - 13.

It struck a deep chord with me. I try to put it into practice in my own situation - that's why I worked so hard to have missionary status and then recognition for my work in the local church by our Church Union. In our French context, these things seemed to be very important in order to have credibility. And it has worked ! Praise the Lord !

Gbile Akanni ends his talk by reminding us that people need to see us first, need to share our lives first, in order to see Jesus. I think we have forgotten that aspect of our commitment to follow Jesus. It's not easy to open up and share ourselves with others. But it is vital if they are to catch on to who Jesus is.  Think about how many Christians influenced your life, helping you to meet Jesus, to commit to Him and to follow His path ?? What are you doing to replace yourself in the work God has called you to ?

Local elections

Last week and next Sunday half of France is voting in local elections ; not Town Hall municipal elections, but "les cantonales" - local regional ones. As a European, I can vote in Municipal elections and in the European ones, but not the Cantonales or National ones. (Just a reminder that I have British and Australian nationalities).

I must admit I'm glad not to have to choose and vote - call me indecisive or slack ! But it brings home to me each election time how much we don't know about what goes on behind the scenes, how much our understanding of things can be clouded by our perspective and our preconceived notions. And who to believe these days ?

I actually know 3 of the different candidates : 3 women with whom I have spent time. One was on the High School Council with me, is in the Greens Party and practises Reiki. Another is the mother of my daughter's friend at school and on the Socialist ticket. The third does folk dancing with us, attends and teaches Sunday School at the Reformed Church (French equivalent of Uniting Church in many ways) and is standing with the United Left group which is predominantly Communist ! The outgoing candidate is standing for re-election, is on the political right, wins the majority of votes because he is a local whose parents worked for the Resistance during the war, and happens to be gay. None of the other candidates have any really defined projects, but there has been a distinct lack of debate of ideas since in the previous election the vote was such a majority that there was no real opposition. So what do you base your choice on ? Words, words, words ...Appearances ? Impression of the person's lifestyle and social class ? Past record ? Manner of treating people ? Which values do you admire in someone if religion is not allowed to be discussed or used ? How would you choose ??

In talking to others around town I hear contradictory opinions and feedback.

It is SO important to keep perspective and to pray for discernment. I know we all have to make choices and be responsibly involved, but sometimes, when I'm just a bit tired, I would really like Jesus to return and to take over control.

Beware of false friends ....

Talking about language traps, actually!

In the previous blog I mentioned the French word for 'church service' is 'un culte' which English-speakers could confuse with a cult or sect.

Here's another tricky one : In English we use preservatives to keep foodstuffs longer. In French the same word means "a condom"! They use the word "conservateur" for conserving the food!

Learning to live in another culture takes a long time, patience, openness, a willingness to change and adapt, yet the capacity to be at ease with one's own identity. First, be sure you know who you are in Christ! You need to be able to laugh at yourself, ask questions, put up with feeling isolated, discernment, the ability to observe and to keep quiet.

Togetherness

I'm going back 2 months - never seem to have time to write all the things that come to mind.

In France in January there are 2 official occasions for Christians of various communities to get together for prayer and worship. We call them "célébrations" in French in order to avoid confusion between a protestant service (called "un culte" : be careful of what we teachers call 'false friends' in words that are the same in the 2 languages, but which have different meanings ! I'll give you another example in another posting !) and the Catholic mass.

The first is called "la Semaine de prière pour l'Unité chrétienne" (The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity) and is held from 18th to 25th January each year. Apparently, it was started in Lyon (France!) in 1933 by a Catholic Abbot Paul Couturier. It is now an International event held in January for the Northern Hemisphere and at Pentecost for the Southern Hemisphere.

So in little ol' Lamastre, we had a celebration with the Catholic and Reformed Churches based on a theme written by the churches of Jerusalem. The local priest here has been to Israel several times and will take a group from here on a pilgrimage next month. He used his own photos to show all the different churches in Jerusalem. Then ended the slide show with this beautiful image and text.

JUST AS THIS OLD OLIVE TREE IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANIE, THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF JERUSALEM, MOTHER OF ALL THE CHURCHES IN THE WORLD, HAS PRODUCED NUMEROUS BRANCHES. HOWEVER, ITS ROOTS PLUNGE DOWN INTO THE ONLY WORTHY NOURISHING SOIL, THAT OF THE LOVE OF GOD.

The second week takes place from 9th to 16th January and is organised by the French Evangelical Alliance. It was created in 1847. This year we didn't do anything mainly because the Evangelical Alliance has been absorbed into a new group called The National Council of French Evangelicals. Our Union of churches has not yet voted on whether to join this federation or not. This will be done in June at our Synod.

Our second big event was the World Day of Prayer, 4th March. Our mixed group of women from the 3 main churches of Lamastre shared their enthusiasm and gifts to organise a children's and youth afternoon on Wednesday, then a Round Table discussion on the text from Mark 6: 30-44 with the 3 clergy on Friday morning, followed by a Chilian meal at lunch time. There were 38 people at the more traditional celebration Friday afternoon and a wonderful turnout of 120 people, including 40 children, for the evening celebration which was mainly led by the young people. My role was to organise and delegate for the evening celebration and to coordinate the celebration. It was a lot of work, but so exciting to see so many people worshipping together, so many people mobilised to participate, and seeing the younger generations learn how to worship together.

 Preparing the World Day of Prayer

The children hearing about Chili,
and the World Day of Prayer

This is a wood-burning oven outside the Manse of the Reformed church. Geneviève lit it and baked 15 loaves of bread to distribute during the celebration in the evening. A symbolic moment which reinforced the teaching of Jesus' miracle in multiplying the 5 loaves and 2 fishes in order to feed the crowd.

Some of the women taking part
in the afternoon celebration

The children distributing the bread in
12 baskets representing what remained
after Jesus provided food for the crowd.

Gasland - drilling for natural gas

Ardèche is a beautiful area of France and, although evidence of man's ability to "tame" the land is seen all over, it is a relatively natural area. Local regional politics have decreed National Parks and environmental protection laws. Many people choose to live in this area because it is closer to Nature.

Apparently, foragers have found natural gas shoal in large areas here and are heading towards exploiting these reserves as the price of the petrol barrel continues to rise and as the world is faced with the end of the supply in 40 years.

A growing environmental protection movement is sending out information through web links and emails in order to inform the public of the dangers and the need for strict and HONEST dealings. I leave you this documentary made in USA about the same natural gas wells. It's a series of 7 fifteen minute blocks on Daily Motion. 

What should our stand be as Christians and how militant should we become ? 

When I look at my busy timetable, I wonder where my priorities should be. Bible studies, evangelism, personal counselling ..... all good stuff and helping people grow closer to their Maker and their Saviour. But I'm very concerned about our way of taking advantage of what our Creator God has provided for our well-being.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xg7g0q_danger-gaz-de-schiste-1-7-doc-choc_webcam

Tout va bien

All is well, just very busy.

Had 2 friends of two of my children with us for 5 days and everyone was gainfully employed!! Probably too much screen time, but they got out into the fresh air and sunshine (at last some sun - it's been a long, grey winter!).

The JMP went really well - full of uncertainties, as events often are when a multitude of people are involved in the organisation. However, that's one of the things that makes this World Day of Prayer so interesting - an oecumenical combined effort : each person serving our Lord with his/her gifts and aware of each one's role. Thank you LORD for such a blessing in this corner of France.

Now we are off to see friends in the Alps for 3 days and then another 2 days holiday, before attacking a super busy weekend and preparing for the return to school 14th March.

Blessings to you all.

Help, I'm drowning!! But it's all for a good cause!

Too many things going on ; too many threads to unravel ; too many things to organise.

You are now reading the blog of the new Vice-President of the Femmes 2000 South-East group and we have an event to plan in October at Avignonfor around 150 women, and another big event planned for June 2012 at Montélimar for 500-700 women.

The World Day of Prayer is beginning March and we have a team organising a range of activities for that. A Catholic lady and I rewrote the celebration to allow the children and teens to participate and in order to prepare their contribution we are holding an afternoon of activities on the preceding Wednesday. It's an exciting time to be working as 3 churches. The aim for the last 2 years has been to reach younger age groups in order to assure the continuity of the event. We are thrilled to see the traditional denominational barriers melting away as we get to know each other and respect the other person's way of serving God.

Look out for the World Day of Prayer near you. Friday 4th March. Celebration written by the women from Chili.

God's Spirit is visibly working and we are really encouraged at the moment. George Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilisation, wrote these words in 1972, and it sums up wonderfully what Pascal and I hope to lead our churches towards:

"There are many ways to witness, and though some ways may be better than others, the teaching of Scripture is that we primarily witness through life and through word. Far more than a crusade, a special project, or outreach program, true witnessing is a spontaneous outflowing of the indwelling Christ.

Let's stop clutching our weaknesses, shyness, lack of training, fear, or any other excuse and start believing the God of the impossible who specializes in using weak vessels. There is not a single Christian who cannot become an effective, revolutionary witness for Jesus Christ if he really wants to." pp. 95, 96 Hunger for Reality.

He urges us to take 6 steps to Revolution (ch 8): a revolution in our prayer life; in our Bible study (by actually putting into practice what we read!); a revolution in discipline (not a popular word today!); a revolution of love; of honesty (many Christians are used to self-deception, wearing masks, acting in their own strength); a revolution of witness.

There's nothing new under the sun. But isn't a shame that for each generation we have to repeat the same message!

However, encouraging signs are appearing. Several people remarked recently how much of the teaching in our different groups, and in our church services is on the same theme and reinforcing their understanding. They are putting into practice what they have understood. 

Prayers are being answered and situations improving. People are growing spiritually and sharing what they have learned. People are praying more together. Some have started praying aloud. Family life is more peaceful and people are making better choices. The Gospel is being shared and non-Christians and Christians alike are being challenged to see things differently. Their understanding of God and Jesus is opening up and real grace is discovered.

And yet with all this positive side, more shadowy, evil things are being revealed. Corruption, power-mongering, wrong sexual practices, disdainfulness, incest, suicide, drug-taking, alcohol abuse, isolation and insulation, are all things we have been confronted with in the last 2 weeks, as well as waking up in the middle of the night sensing a malevolent presence.

It's got me riled and we are going to stand up to this. Fighting spirit is fired up!

We know God. We are one in Christ. We are filled with the Holy Spirit. No excuses - we must bring light into this darkness.

Speaking of races ...

It's a bit crazy, but I've decided to ride in a bike race which has 30 odd routes around our region of Ardèche. The race is called the Ardèchoise and is held in mid-June. There have been up to 15,000 participants over 3 days and all the villages on the routes get decked out in colours, decorations, themes, costumes ...

Why am I doing this ? Because I'm turning 50 this June and I need to have a challenge. I figured that a physical challenge would improve my long term health, set me up for the next 10 years, and in the short term help me to work better and to de-stress. (See previous posting!)

Unfortunately for me the shortest circuit that will be available this year is 80 km long and in Ardèche it's not flat!!! However, friends from our church are regular participants in this event and have assured me of their support. They said they would ride with me - but they will have to drop their standards to stay with me! I'm already feeling very inadequate and embarassed but if I want to achieve my goal (of finishing!!!) I have to swallow all pride, drum up extra self-discipline, and get training. "No pain, no gain" as my ballet teachers used to say. Pastor Charles Lazaro, who baptised me in Hamilton, used to say it also, probably talking on spiritual growth at the time.

My dear husband found a second-hand home fitness bike for my Christmas present.

Luc trying out my training equipment

 I have been working up my speed and number of kms per hour, trying for around 4 times/week.

 I cannot do this alone, inspite of it being a personal effort. I need your support and prayers; I need constant encouragement and the company of friends; I need a long-term training programme to be ready in time; I need personal discipline and perseverance; I need the right basic equipment - a suitable bike and comfortable clothing (it's really hard on one's backside!!)

So what better image could I find for "running the good race and finishing in order to win the prize that God has prepared for each of us." This is what Pascal and I have been called to do in our Christian service context. Not only have we benefitted from others' ministries, we are aware of how we can accompany and encourage others to develop their spiritual muscles.

It's all about perseverance, and self-discipline, and courage, and conviction, and understanding the value of this race, and the joy of participating, of finishing,

The sun is shining ...

finally! We have had a lot of grey and fog and no snow since November. I had hoped it would help me get motivated, but I'm still waiting for the adrenalin buzz !!!

How are you all ?

I'm supposed to be finishing the text for the young people's version of the World Day of Prayer (Chili, this year), organising the afternoon activities programme in preparation for the Day ; translating my prayer points into French; ordering some books; reading minutes from our committee meetings in readiness for our AGM on Wednesday; contacting another lady who needs spiritual encouragement ...

Am listening to the sound track of the Chilian ladies singing for the WDP.

Need a coffee ...

Floor needs a vacuum; phoned my son who wanted to come home for the day from his High School since he has no more classes for the day - suggested he go and find out about driving lessons so we can get started on him learning to drive with us ...We can't afford the time to go and get him then take him back to school tomorrow. (He boards during the week).

There is a teachers' strike on Thursday - so have at least one child home then.

Still have to sort out my Christmas decorations to put them away properly - but have left our cards and letters up on the wall because I think of you.

In short, I have a number of things to attend to and no real will to get them done. Yet I know I will be stressed and hard-pressed very shortly if I don't get going !! The fruits of the Spirit I have always struggled most with are self-discipline and patience!

I had a number of studies and articles to prepare in the last 2 weeks; a fair bit of driving; a couple of counselling sessions with people; and I received the good news that our Church Union has recognised my ministry through the local church and in the general French scene. I now am an Associated Christian worker with them. Sometimes after working towards something that really motivates you, you have a slump when you reach your goal. So it's not surprising I feel tired...

Reminds me of : "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy  set before him endured the cross ..." The Bible - book of Hebrews chapter 12 verses 1 and 2

There, I feel better already having written to you and being reminded to fix my eyes on Jesus.

A French prayer to see us through 2011

Seigneur,

tu m'offres cette année nouvelle

comme un vitrail à rassembler

avec les trois cent soixante-cinq

morceaux de toutes les couleurs

qui représentent les jours de ma vie.

J'y mettrai le rouge de mon amour

et de mon enthousiasme,

le mauve de mes peines et de mes deuils.

Le vert de mes espoirs et le rose de mes rêves,

le bleu ou le gris de mes engagements ou de mes luttes,

le jaune et l'or de mes moissons....

Je réserverai le blanc pour les jours ordinaires..

et le noir pour ceux où tu me sembleras absent !

Je cimenterai tout par la prière de ma foi

et par ma confiance sereine en toi.

Seigneur, je te demande simplement

d'illuminer de l'intérieur ce vitrail de ma vie,

par la lumière de ta présence

et par le feu de ton Esprit de Vie.

Ainsi, par la transparence,

ceux que je rencontrerai cette année,

y découvriront peut-être

le visage de ton fils bien-aimé

JESUS-CHRIST, NOTRE SEIGNEUR.

Amen.

(G.Lecleir
trouvé dans : Expressions de la foi de l'Église universelle,édité par le DEFAP)

Confidently stepping out into 2011

IN STEP (used without the permission of the author, but I don't think she'd mind !)
One step at a time
not peering ahead
thinking: "How will I cope with it?
Where will I tread?"

Not looking behind me
unless it's to learn
from things that have happened
then from them to turn.

One step at a time
Only then will I know
His joy and assurance
as with Him I go.

And facing the coming days
peace can be mine
in simple dependence -
one step at a time.

Elspeth Slater 1991
SIM missionary until 2008
Book of poems called "In the Potter's Hands" (contact SIM for info.) 

 

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

AUSTRALIANS ALL LET US REJOICE, FOR WE ARE YOUNG AND FREE .....

As you can see, we ate pavlova and sang the National Anthem, with the help of a lovely book filled with Australian paintings. Luc knows it well having watched so much sport!

I guess you are wondering if Australia is still the lucky country with all the natural disasters happening. But it is a wide brown land of floods and sweeping plains. Even if modern life seems so complicated and living together not so easy, Australians have a friendly, cooperative spirit, a generous spirit and a courageous perseverance. We miss being there. We miss you.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY - make the most of your lucky country.

Christmas greetings

We do wish you all a very Merry Christmas. May this be a time where you realise how much the Christ has fulfilled all that was needed in order to reconcile us with our Father God and to open the way for us to be fully what God intended us to be.

 It's not usual for Evangelical churches to hold a service on Christmas Day. Churches here are so small and the members join their often non-Christian families for the Christmas Eve meal. So it's not worth it to organise a service. It's always seemed very strange to me brought up as I was on Christmas Day services followed by drinks and presents while waiting for the final touches to the turkey dinner.
Thank God, the French Reformed Church has kept it's tradition of Christmas Day service. Pascal and I attended it here in Lamastre. We were nearly the youngest there!
The Catholic Church holds a midnight mass, usually at around 9 pm! And families eat their Christmas Eve festive meal around it. The priest told us that in fact Catholics are usually supposed to have Holy Communion while fasting, so don't eat before the service. After Mass, they go home to feast and to open presents.
Anyway, I got my Christmas morning service and was very thankful for it. JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON: and amongst all the preparation and the excitement of having family to share Christmas with us, it was a very necessary part of my day.