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| I LOVE SUMMER IN FRANCE. They do it right man. How so? hmm... you'll just have to come see for yourself! ;)
Alright so it's always so hard to summarize a month's worth of stories, events, and lessons the Lord has been teaching me that I feel led to share with you all!
I realize my updates are often long, so rather than apologize or make them shorter, I'll just say that I so I appreciate those who take a few minutes to read – but especially to pray!
First of all, our big events in June…
On the 14th we held our first soccer tournament! A total of 10 teams participated and the day went rather smoothly, even with a few storms. We hope to do this again next year and pray that some of the same teams will come back and we can share more with them!
The 21st was a big day for our music ministry.
We held a concert in a retirement home in which we've had several good contacts and opportunities to share the gospel. Later than day we set up a borrowed sound system (we're planning on buying our own soon!) downtown for the annual Fête de la Musique (Music Festival), a Nation-wide event. What an awesome opportunity as we shared songs that proclaimed God's truth in front of so many people! We projected the words to our songs on a screen in hopes to communicate the maximum possible. There were a few Bibles given out, and many good conversations among the spectators and members of our church.
A few days later we had a debriefing meeting to talk about these and possible future music ministries that we can have. It was so encouraging to see everyone excited to pursue new avenues and take advantage of one of the most powerful tools in ministry in France – Music. (Who wants to join us June 21st 2009?!)
Those are just a few highlights! I personally was very encouraged this month to have a few opportunities to share the gospel! That might sound odd. You say, "But you're a missionary! Don't you share it every day?" Well, I'm sure I could share it more than I do. Just like you, I have the same struggles or fears that sometimes hold me back when I should be bolder. At the same time, you have to realize that spiritual things are rather taboo in France. Most of the time when you start sharing, the person changes the subject or out right says they're not interested and would appreciate if we didn't talk about it. But as always, God is bigger than cultural boundaries!
Pray that God would continue to soften hearts to His truth here in France!!!
Also on a personal note, I feel like God has been teaching me so much this month! And most of these lessons have been rather painful ones! (thereby showing that I'm slow and stubborn and forgetful!)
I've always been rather transparent, so I'll just say – there have been times where I was ready to throw it in and think about moving back to Ohio! Maybe not that dramatically, but ideas have certainly crossed my little mind. I've had to go through a whole process of evaluating the reasons I came in the first place, the work I do, the need, and of course above all else, God's desires for my life. I so want to pursue His dreams, and not spend my efforts seeking my own! I pray my dreams will become His. Anyway, it's hard to sum up, but I am convicted that God has led me here for such a time as this. I need to be faithful and fruitful, and not just function. My joy can only come from Him – not location or people. Plus, I can't help but look around me in France and see the utter lack of believers! I still have a hard time going back to churches in the States and seeing scores of professing Christians all bottled up in one place. I may not be the most effective missionary in the world, and I will always have my struggles and dry times, but if my focus remains on Him and His glory, being filled with His spirit, and living in obedience to His Word, then He can and will do mighty things through me! As He can and will through you – no matter where you are placed! Voila 
One more important note…. For those of you who haven't heard, there's big news in the life of my brother Joel and his wife Mary (who live in Beijing). They're pregnant with their first! Also, the government FINALLY issued Mary a visa and she will for the first time be able to visit the US with Joel this July! Since our whole family hasn't been together since forever or at least since Joel and Mary met in 06, my parents are flying me home July 21-31 so we can all be together in the same time zone!!! Same city even! Haha  So since it wasn't that long ago that I took my vacation and got to be home a bit, I need to make part of this trip for work! Which brings me to another prayer request - finances are low, as are for most. God has always provided and I don't doubt that He will continue, but I need to make an effort to get into another church and present the ministry while home for those few days. FYI – we pay nearly 8 1/2 bucks a gallon here! 
So! I hope to see some of you while spending time with my bro and sister-in-law! Let me know if and when I can see you!!!
Alright, I gotta run. Having dinner tonight with the women in our church to plan the following year's Bible studies. There are a few unsaved ladies coming! We're praying they'll continue to join us for the studies!
Love you all – thinking of your love, prayers, and support is often what keeps me going. I beg of you to pray for France! ~Amy
welcome to July! ... how 'bout a bit o french?!
Alors je crois que ça fait mille ans que je ne vous ai pas écrit en français ! Donc, un petit récompense pour ceux qui savent lire en français – ou au moins qui essayent ! J'aimerais bien parler de l'été en France et pourquoi je l'aime tellement !  (Mille excuses aux français qui reçoivent ce mail, et surtout ma prof (salut !) car je sais mon niveau à l'écrite n'est pas toujours terrible ! ni à l'orale ! hihi)
Bref… déjà il faut dire que je suis de l'été. Je préfère qu'il fasse chaud. Donc dés qu'il y ait un peu de soleil, ou beaucoup d'ailleurs, je suis super contente. Et de plus, il fait jour hyper tard ! Jusqu'à 23h30 au milieu de l'été ! C'est dingue.
Je trouve que les français soient bien sportifs et ils en profitent en été. Ils aiment beaucoup d'être dehors. Par exemple (pour ne pas trop trainer sur le sujet) ce dimanche je suis allée au jard. C'est un super joli parc/jardin, près du centre ville, où on joue au foot ou à la pétanque, on se promène, on fait des pique-niques, on pêche (pas pèche !), etc. Ce dimanche-là il y avait la fête du jard. Oh la vache il y avait du monde ! J'ai vu pas mal des contacts, ce qui est toujours bien. Il y avait plein trucs à faire – et tout gratuit ! J'ai fait du canoë. Il y avait un grand trampoline, des jeux pour les enfants, un parcours de VTT (vélo), tir à l'arc, des groups de musique et de danse qui faisaient des démonstrations, etc. etc. etc. ! Chapeau à ma 'tite Châlons !
Sinon en été on fait non-stop des barbecues. Mais il faut dire qu'ils ne sont pas tout à fait pareil que chez nous… uhh aux US c'est-à-dire. Ou avec des amis on part en vélo jusqu'à un joli endroit au bord de la Marne, on emmène un 'tit gouter et on se baigne ! Fin bref, je peux continuer, mais il faut me coucher. C'est tout simplement que j'aime bien le temps qu'on puisse passer dehors ! En plus c'est des super occasions dans le ministère !
Voila, un peu de la langue la plus belle du monde. Ça fait du bien d'écrire. Je n'en fais pas assez ! Gros bisous à tous ! Même si on n'en fait pas aux US !  | | |
| Imageryits powerful! and I think we should take more advantage of it as believers. I mean just look at Christ, he was always using stories to make a point. Yesterday I went with some of our young adults to a high ropes course. It was amazing! Best one I've ever seen/done. TONS of different challenges, some more physical, others psychological. It does one good to really test your limits. I unfortunately had a little accident and had to be rescued. But no worries! It was still fun! Towards the end on a zip line, we had to actually turn and pull ourselves up the line the rest of the way to the next platform. I got close and then slipped and started sliding back the other way. I then pulled myself up to where I was to push off and try again... somewhere in the process I must have turned and grabbed the line instead of the pulley... and I burned some skin off my hands. Joy! Makes typing fun. And washing my hair. Ouch! Anyway, it occurred to me that this was my first time to do stuff like this at a "secular" place. I kept waiting for the talk about the importance of working together and encouraging one another and finding all sorts of spiritual applications in the challenges. But it was up to us to do as such. Which is fine! I was just reminded though of the times when I've done this with "team building/spiritual growth goals". It is a nice image though. We're all strapped in to a harness and are at all times attached with a life line. You struggle through these obstacles, sometimes get injured, slip and fall, but ultimately that carabiner will catch you. You can take a minute, pull yourself together, and try again. Obviously the life line is our security in Christ. We'll still have struggles and screw ups - but He will always catch us.
There was also great reassurance in having the person that just went through an obstacle talk you through it. They did it, they made it, naturally you trust their advice. Oh the importance of the body of Christ. We could go on... but you get the idea. I'd just encourage you to use your little noggins as often as possible to look at life, creation, experiences, and think about how we can use the images all around us to help us better understand spiritual truth. Let's encourage, correct, and teach one another as God grants us these little moments of enlightenment. | | |
| gee that hurtsIt was surprising to say the least. I certainly never expected to cry so much. Don't I love living in France? Hasn't God's leading been so clear? Have not His promises and His provision provided enough confirmation? Surely they have. For He is so good. Then why does it hurt so much? I was home for about 4 weeks. My Ohio home that is. I needed to see my family and visit supporters. Your typical "furlough". Though apparently we don't use that word anymore. It's like "deputation". "Pre-field ministry" just sounds better. So what I wasn't expecting was to get the flu. TWICE. Thereby having to cancel many meetings and visits. There were many tears as I shivered with a fever and my mom called dear friends that were in town for just the weekend to see me, to tell them I couldn't come. It's been over a year... and when will I see them again? I s'pose this is a part of life. Anyone's really, but its certainly inevitable for missionaries. "Ok Lord so I get to spend more time at home with my parents. This is good. Lots of rest. TV in English. Time with you. But I just feel sadder as each day goes by and I get closer to that plane that will once again take me far away from all things familiar!" This was often my mantra. "Lord you have a purpose and plan... so let it be done." I did have a great time with those I was able to see. I soaked up every moment with family - esp my adorable nephews. Was able to speak at PPC, in a few adult sunday school classes, and in classes at Xenia and Dayton Christian. So all is not lost! But why was it nearly impossible to pack? Why did I nearly lose it going through security and at takeoff? Or how about when I got back and was alone in my apartment. This place that at other times I've longed to return to as my home. Why in my emotions did I go as far as question my being in France?! Well, I don't know. I certainly have a list of ideas and reasons, but I think overall, this is just part of the process of becoming one of those strange and unique multi-cultural people. God has lovingly and faithful been healing my heart and teaching me of my need for Him and only Him as well. Really, I don't need my family. Or my apartment. All I need is Him. Only He can comfort my heart, be present in my solitude, remain my constant. In sharing with the French believers here of how coming back this time has been difficult and how God has been teaching me and growing my through it, He has brought peace and comfort as only He can. I believe that as I seek Him He will keep me in His will. For now, and perhaps always, that is in France. Oh Lord may I seek you more every day. Be all that I need and desire. Use my life as you see fit. However far from "home" that may be. After all, its You who is preparing my true home. | | |
| Christmas Concert Dec 9th!its been a long time... shouldn't of left you. Hey there to the 5 or so remaining faithful who maintain/read xangas! I enjoy reading my subscriptions... its easier now that there's usually only 3-6 posts to read! So I feel quite connected and updated on those lives. The others... well they can just stick with their lazier, but admittedly more adictive facebook.  Please pray for this sunday the 9th!!! We have a group coming to do a Christmas concert. We've rented a community center of sorts so that we could invite the whole community, plus they're more likely to come to a concert rather than a program in a church. But the concert will definitely be evangelistic. (little do they know! muah, ha, ha!) no but really, its been on my heart to pray that God motivates people to come out for it, and that they have a chance to hear the truth!!! We've put fliers all over town and invited everyone we know.
May God do something big this Sunday in Châlons!!! | | |
| déroutantC'est trop bizarre. franchement. trop bizarre. il faut que... que... chai pas! bennnnnnn il faut que je me couche. c'est tout. pour l'instant....... 
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