France Saturday...What's New?

My son, Micah, was so kind to share strep throat with me this weekend, and so I missed France Friday yesterday.  I wanted to share with you a few quick updates and opportunities, ways you can pray specifically:

• What is the CNEF and how can you pray for the work in France right now?  "The National Council of French Evangelicals (le CNEF for short) was officially established in its present form in June 2010. It includes as its members the vast majority of Evangelical denominations and missions in the country, including France VIE" (The France branch of World Team) Learn more HERE.

•   Brandon and I, along with our FAITH team, are sharing a meal with teachers and other representatives of each Bible Study class in our home church, Bartlett Hills Baptist tomorrow after the second service.  We are sharing updates on our progress and how every class can partner with us in different ways in the coming months as we strive to close the gap in our monthly support.

• We are praying that God will get us to the field this fall.  We know we have been here before, setting goals, praying for God's timing, but longing to get there as soon as possible.  We are preparing to be here, but praying to be in France.  Thank you for continuing to
  pray for us.

      One of the things we have enjoyed about being here a bit longer is the opportunity Brandon has had to be a part of a talented worship team at our church.  This is a clip from last week's service that my sister recorded on her phone. 

*Song not ours: 

David Leonard | Leslie Jordan | Paul Mabury | Stuart Garrard
© 2012 Integrity's Alleluia! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI))
Integrity's Praise! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI))
Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)
Stugio Music Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)
West Main Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)

L'Amour

"Back in the day, France had a curious custom called the “loterie d’amour” where single men and women would gather in houses facing each other. After yelling at each other they would pair off, however if the man didn’t like his Valentine, he would desert her. At night, the deserted women would make a bonfire together and burn pictures and curse the men who deserted them. This has since been banned in France." (taken from this site)  

On this day where we celebrate love, romantic love, brotherly love, passionate love; I am reminded of Agape love, the love that only God can have for us, the only way we are able to truly love anyone else.  No matter what happens today, what gifts are given, what expectations are met (or not)...no matter what, God loves me, he loved me enough to send His son to die on the cross for my sins, something I can honestly say as a parent would be quite an impossible sacrifice.  

God loves the French people.  He wants them to know of His love.  They are looking for it...in all the wrong places, but they are searching.  Would you consider partnering with us monthly to see the French come to know of Christ's love?  HERE, you can find out more about how you can be part of the kingdom building in France right where you are.  Some are called to go, some are called to give, some are called to pray.  We are ALL called to LOVE: love our enemies, love our family and friends, love our church, love those we may never meet.  We can make a difference by sharing God's love with the world!

Pass the Baton

At the beginning of our journey to the mission field, we attended RACE: Reciprocal Assessment and Candidate Evaluation, a requirement by World Team before you begin partnership development (support raising).  At the conclusion of our time there, they gave us a baton much like this one.  On the baton it reads, "It is not enough to run the race.  You must also pass the baton." Brandon often talks about our call in these terms.  We have been given the baton and called to take it to France and share the Gospel.  We had the privilege of sharing a little bit about France and our call to missions with Karis's kindergarten class today.  Even those young 5 and 6 year olds could understand what it means to pass the baton, to share Jesus with their friends and others they meet.  We can learn a lot from these young ones who are not afraid, too busy, or complacent to make a difference in their world.  So how about you? Are you still holding the baton or have you found ways to pass it on to others? How does God want to use you? 

RACE is a week-long assessment process designed to help you proceed prayerfully, boldly and purposefully on the course God has marked out for you. - See more at: http://us.worldteam.org/content/RACE/293/RACE:%20Reciprocal%20Assessment%20&%20Candidate%20Evaluation#sthash.nh4aRl98.dpuf

Reciprocal Assessment & Candidate Evaluation

Reciprocal Assessment & Candidate Evaluation

Reciprocal Assessment & Candidate Evaluation