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 :)