The past few days have been SO great! On Friday, Kate, Kelley, and I met 2 girls on campus who were English majors! We talked for over an hour and exchanged contact info with the intention of meeting again. We plannd on texting them soon to set up a time, but one of them - Melissa - texted us first! Please be praying for our next meeting in a few days.
On Saturday, we all made the half hour bus trip to the Mediterranean. I've never seen the ocean, and this was absolutely gorgeous! We swam, laid around, played frisbee, etc. It was a great day off, though I'm pretty sunburnt.
Today (Sunday) we went to a French church. Though I didn't understand most of the message, I recognized the melodies of most of the songs and was able to sing along.
Please be praying for this upcoming week - that we'll meet a lot of students and have great conversations. Praise God for the ones we've already had!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
It's Finally Here!!
After months of anticipation, I've finally arrived in Montpellier! I have so much to tell but so little time.
We've toured the city - I've never been to a more beautiful place in my life. I can't wait to go back to some of the places we saw this afternoon.
One highlight thus far was getting to meet some of the French students involved in Agape - their CRU. They came with the STINTers to meet us last night. They are all so nice and funny. We played games and told stories - my kind of night! I got to talk to one guy for quite awhile, and later got to participate in the French greeting/goodbye among friends - 3 small kisses on alternating cheeks - because of this. It was a blessing to know I've already made a friend here.
We've been to campus once and had a few good conversations. We'll be going back tomorrow (and most days from now on) so I'd really appreciate prayers! Also, here are a few more things to keep in your prayers:
- That God will put a lot of students in our paths early on to give us plenty of time with them.
- That we will be bold, united, well-rested, and stay close to God.
I was reading Acts 5:1-11 today - the story of Ananias and Sapphira keeping some of the profit from selling a field for themselves but giving most of it to the disciples. I pray this is not my story. I pray that I give everything to God this summer and keep nothing for myself.
Until next time!
We've toured the city - I've never been to a more beautiful place in my life. I can't wait to go back to some of the places we saw this afternoon.
One highlight thus far was getting to meet some of the French students involved in Agape - their CRU. They came with the STINTers to meet us last night. They are all so nice and funny. We played games and told stories - my kind of night! I got to talk to one guy for quite awhile, and later got to participate in the French greeting/goodbye among friends - 3 small kisses on alternating cheeks - because of this. It was a blessing to know I've already made a friend here.
We've been to campus once and had a few good conversations. We'll be going back tomorrow (and most days from now on) so I'd really appreciate prayers! Also, here are a few more things to keep in your prayers:
- That God will put a lot of students in our paths early on to give us plenty of time with them.
- That we will be bold, united, well-rested, and stay close to God.
I was reading Acts 5:1-11 today - the story of Ananias and Sapphira keeping some of the profit from selling a field for themselves but giving most of it to the disciples. I pray this is not my story. I pray that I give everything to God this summer and keep nothing for myself.
Until next time!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
En Route to Minneapolis
It's Saturday night, and I'm sitting in a hotel room in Menomonie, WI. My aunt, Donna, met Dad, Kristina, Dennis, Wyatt, and I in Effingham for breakfast. We said our goodbyes (numerous ones, actually), and Donna and I hit the road. It was a fun 9 hour drive or so - lots of laughs and good talks.
Tomorrow, I'll be meeting with the France team again in Minneapolis. After meetings, briefings, etc., we'll head off to France on Tuesday! I'm really excited, but as the time to leave approaches, I'm getting more nervous. Thankfully, I've had some good talks with a friend who's been on project in Montpellier before. He's been great about answering questions that I have.
6 weeks seems like a long time, but I know it will fly by. Please pray that I take advantage of every moment there. That I rely on God to guide me and give me strength. I won't be able to do this on my own.
Please pray for safe flights for us (and for everyone going over seas on projects in the next few days). I'll let you know when I'm in France!
Tomorrow, I'll be meeting with the France team again in Minneapolis. After meetings, briefings, etc., we'll head off to France on Tuesday! I'm really excited, but as the time to leave approaches, I'm getting more nervous. Thankfully, I've had some good talks with a friend who's been on project in Montpellier before. He's been great about answering questions that I have.
6 weeks seems like a long time, but I know it will fly by. Please pray that I take advantage of every moment there. That I rely on God to guide me and give me strength. I won't be able to do this on my own.
Please pray for safe flights for us (and for everyone going over seas on projects in the next few days). I'll let you know when I'm in France!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
A Week Away from Departure
Finals are over, and I'm taking a week off to spend at home with my family. This week, however, will also be full of rest, prayer, and preparation- I'll be back in Minneapolis May 23rd and leave for France two days later.
God has blessed me with even more support in the past month, and I've been able to pass some of it along to a few friends who are following Christ to missions this summer. They've blessed me so much in my life, so I was really thankful that I was allowed to do that in return.
As for preparations, I don't actually have many physical things to do. The goal is one bag of checked luggage (with a small carry-on or two), though I'd like it to be relatively small to make travel in France easier. I need a hair-cut and need to buy a few things here and there.
Spiritual preparations, however, will be much more extensive. In general, people in France are very post-Christan. They seem Christianity as a religion that they've "evolved" past. They no longer have a need to God. Their knowledge and intellectualism doesn't call for that. They also look at Christians through the lens of the history - the Crusades, in particular. As I prepare to go there, both of these tings are on my mind. While no amount of apologetics will ever 'convert' someone, they definitely break down 'walls' that people have because of science. I'm trying to prepare for conversations that are inevitable about God vs. science.
I'm also praying for humility and vulnerability. I tend to lean on my own strength, but I'd love to be able to rely entirely on the Holy Spirit - not just in France, but all the time. Please pray for that for me :)
- Also, I'd appreciate it if you'd pray for my team and I as we travel to France. Pray for safety and patience - it's quite a long flight.
- Be praying for my other friends going elsewhere (Australia; Miami; Milwaukee; the Middle East; Ocean City, New Jersey; East Asia; North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina). Many of them are still raising money and leave soon, as well.
- Please pray for the French students we will be meeting and talking to - that they'll be open and eager to talk about God.
Hmmmm. I'm nervous, but I'm SO excited to see what God will be doing. Until next time :)
God has blessed me with even more support in the past month, and I've been able to pass some of it along to a few friends who are following Christ to missions this summer. They've blessed me so much in my life, so I was really thankful that I was allowed to do that in return.
As for preparations, I don't actually have many physical things to do. The goal is one bag of checked luggage (with a small carry-on or two), though I'd like it to be relatively small to make travel in France easier. I need a hair-cut and need to buy a few things here and there.
Spiritual preparations, however, will be much more extensive. In general, people in France are very post-Christan. They seem Christianity as a religion that they've "evolved" past. They no longer have a need to God. Their knowledge and intellectualism doesn't call for that. They also look at Christians through the lens of the history - the Crusades, in particular. As I prepare to go there, both of these tings are on my mind. While no amount of apologetics will ever 'convert' someone, they definitely break down 'walls' that people have because of science. I'm trying to prepare for conversations that are inevitable about God vs. science.
I'm also praying for humility and vulnerability. I tend to lean on my own strength, but I'd love to be able to rely entirely on the Holy Spirit - not just in France, but all the time. Please pray for that for me :)
- Also, I'd appreciate it if you'd pray for my team and I as we travel to France. Pray for safety and patience - it's quite a long flight.
- Be praying for my other friends going elsewhere (Australia; Miami; Milwaukee; the Middle East; Ocean City, New Jersey; East Asia; North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina). Many of them are still raising money and leave soon, as well.
- Please pray for the French students we will be meeting and talking to - that they'll be open and eager to talk about God.
Hmmmm. I'm nervous, but I'm SO excited to see what God will be doing. Until next time :)
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