Thanksgiving and Praise!

Bonjour mes amis! I am sorry it has been so very long since I have posted anything at all! November has been a crazy month full of so many things to be thankful for - including Thanksgiving itself! For those of you who don't know, Agape in Montpellier hosted a huge Thanksgiving outreach dinner this year, as we have done for the last 7 or so years that we have been in this city. Much of our month was spent planning, preparing, and praying for this event - and it was amazing to see God at work in it! The planning for the food alone was a huge undertaking! Each household had a traditional dish they were responsible for, as well as 3 pumpkin pies for dessert. My roommates and I made 8 giant foil pans of stuffing and ended up with enough pumpkin mixture to make 5 pies instead of 3. At one point on Wednesday the day before, we had to start putting pans of food on chairs and coffee tables in our family room so we had enough table space to eat lunch!

We also had a lot of publicity work to do to help get the word out to students on campus that we might not know personally. On Monday of Thanksgiving week we went onto two of the biggest campuses in Montpellier to do a blanket invite and publicity campaign using...sugar cookies! Amanda and Caro headed up our publicity team, and planned the whole "cookie campaign." We spent the weekend making dough, rolling it out, sprinkling, baking, bagging, and tagging them with beautiful fliers made by an artistic French student friend Simon. We set up a table on campus, and stopped students as they passed to offer them cookies and invite them and their friends to the dinner Thursday night. It was a huge step of faith for many of us to walk up to French students we don't know and try to engage them in conversation, and there were many rejections and people who ignored us. In spite of this, God was so faithful! He gave us a lot of joy and enthusiasm, and we were able to bless a lot of students (we made about 450 cookies!) and also generate more publicity for Agape. We also were blessed by running into some students we knew and having great conversations with them!

After spending Tuesday and Wednesday cutting up baguettes (about 24 in total) into tiny cubes and baking our 5 pumpkin pies, we arrived at the big day! Kate, Joelle, and I (the decorating team) arrived to the church where we were hosting the event mid-morning, and started decorating and setting up the room.

Before we knew it, it was 2:30 and time to head home for a quick "lunch" and a few minutes of rest before heading back to the church loaded down with pies (our other roommates brought the stuffing closer to dinner time). God provided in amazing ways with the tables we needed, and the happy volunteers necessary to help pull it all together. It turned our really beautiful!

All of sudden, it was beginning! Students began arriving, picking seats, and settling in. Before dinner, Robyn got up in front of the group and shared the story of Thanksgiving - the faith of the Pilgrims, and their thankfulness to God and to the Native Americans that provided the food they needed to survive in this new land. It was really well done, and so exciting to share something so culturally American with our French friends. 

We also had two French Agape students get up and share their testimonies of what they were thankful for. Simeon, a first-year university student, shared his journey of how he came to faith in Christ, and how thankful he is to God for saving him and for giving him new direction in his life. Joelle, our fellow intern and dear friend, got up next, and shared how thankful she is to God for the challenges she has faced in the last year (including losing her mother this spring), and how she has felt Him in her life in such a closer and more intimate way as a result. You could hear a pin drop in the room while they were talking! It was so beautiful to see how genuine they were, and to have them both present the message of the Gospel so clearly to a room of 90 or so students (at least 60 of whom were non-Christians).

Next came the food! The students were genuinely excited to try these classic American Thanksgiving dishes (except the pumpkin pie...that got more of a mixed reception!) It was so great to be able to serve them and to share with them! After dinner, we did the "traditional" (it has appeared at all of our Thanksgivings here in Montpellier) turkey hand craft. Students really seemed to get into it! It was a ton of fun to watch them getting creative in designing and constructing their turkeys, but it was even more fun and meaningful to see them truly reflecting on what they were thankful for.

Tracing and cutting out our hand turkeys!

Adam with his beautiful turkey! (Adam came straight from work in order to help us out as a greeter - he is such a blessing and a dear friend! Keep praying that God's truth takes root in his heart!)



All in all, Thanksgiving was a wonderful night! All the preparations went smoothly, and God's hand was definitely on it. In addition, we were able to welcome and feed about 90 students, who were blessed by the food and the stories shared by Simeon, Joelle, and Robyn! Thanks to all you were praying with us - we have so much to be thankful for!

God at work

I am continually amazed and encouraged to see all the different ways God is at work here in Montpellier! To share a few, let me start with:

1. Saturday - Ikea trip #4 (and final...I hope)

Kate and I were going to go in the morning to get a few remaining things from  a bricolage (Home Depot-esque) store to finish up our apartment. On the list were nuts to attach the legs to a table we inherited, the right size screws to hang a shelf we had bought at the previous trip to Ikea, and a few other sundry items. As we were waiting at the tram stop to take the tram out to Brico Depot (what Amy thought was the name of the store) at an unknown stop on the line 3 headed towards Lattes Centre (Amy assured us we would know it when we saw it), Kate pulled out her phone to double check we were on the right tram in the right direction. God was definitely with us, even in this! When Kate looked it up on her phone, she found out it wasn't even open on Saturdays. As a result, we saved at least an hour and a lot of frustration. Since we couldn't go to Brico Depot, we went to Ikea instead to get a few other remaining things (some umbrellas and a shelf for our kitchen). On our way, I had a brain wave and wondered aloud to Kate if perhaps Geant (a giant Wal-Mart-like grocery store) might have a bricolage section. It did, AND we found what we needed AND we got to have Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes for lunch at Ikea. Thanks Lord!

2. Saturday - Cake and Dessert party

Saturday night Megan invited a bunch of people over for desserts (she made banana bread and two kinds of cookies! Yum...) and games. What we failed to realize was that a conflicting girls event at Jeanette's meant that out of all the people we invited, only the guys could come. As a result, we ended up with us 4 American women, a ton of desserts, and 10 guys. We ate, talked, played some really crazy games (Jungle Speed? I'm still not sure...something about a rabbit figurine.....), and had a great time. It was such a blessing to get to know the Christian Agape guys that came a bit better, and such an encouragement to have another opportunity to build relationships with the non-Christian guys as well. At the end of the night, our dear friend Adam (a Muslim student involved with Agape) stayed for a great conversation about forgiveness and we were able to share the Gospel with him. He asked some great questions and seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say. I am so excited to see the ways God continues to work in his heart!

3. Monday - Sharing on campus

On Monday, Megan, Julien, and I went initiating on the science campus - seeking out students interested in spiritual things and asking them about their beliefs. After being rejected twice and being blown off by a student we were supposed to meet for coffee, we wanted to try to have at least one real conversation with a student before leaving. That was when we stumbled across Laila, Yoursah, and Sara - three girls sitting on the steps behind the Polytech building. We discovered through our conversation that the three girls were all Moroccan and Muslim. They were very willing to speak with us, and shared a lot about Islam as they understood it. I feel like I really learned a lot. In the course of the conversation, we asked them how they knew if they were going to Heaven or not. They responded that they didn't - they just did all they could to be good enough and hoped for the best. It was an amazing opportunity to share with them why we have complete certainty because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We were able to have an amazing conversation that was respectful, full of grace, and we were also able to share the Gospel with them - that they could have a real assurance of Heaven! I truly believe this meeting, like all of our meetings on campus, were divinely appointed and directed by God - a God that truly loves these students and deeply desires for them to be saved.

4. Monday - English Club

Monday night, comme d'habitude (as per usual) we met at FitzPatrick's Irish Pub downtown to speak English and build relationships with students from all different kind of backgrounds. Two students that Megan and Julien met on campus last week (Fabeha and Thibauld) were both able to come - and they brought a ton of friends! As a result, we had the largest amount of people at English Club that I have seen so far this year - about 30-40 people! It was a wonderful evening with great conversations - and many people had the chance to speak with different students about spiritual things. What a blessing!

5. Wednesday - Lunch with Lucie

Wednesday afternoon after our morning prayer meeting, Amanda and I were able to have lunch with a third year student in the French equivalent of biomedical engineering at the science campus. Lucie is a summer project contact - someone who met up with students who were here with Cru this summer and had an interest in spiritual things. After many unsuccessful invites, we were finally able to find a time we were both available. I am so glad that God is still pursuing her, and that He keeps bringing her to my mind so I can persevere in contacting her. Amanda and I had a great time eating with her and getting to know her, her English was excellent and we talked a lot both in English and French. We got to hear about her time in the States, the different places she has visited, and about her family as well. It was a lot of fun, and she told us she plans to come to English Club on Monday. I am hopeful that God will keep giving us opportunities to continue our relationship.

These are only a few examples - if I shared every way that I was aware of God working here in this city (and that's just what I'm aware of!), this would become ridiculously long. Thank you for your prayers - keep it up! It makes such a difference for us in our personal lives - in our battles against apathy and spiritual warfare; and it makes such a difference in ministry!

Bisous from Montpellier! A bientot!

Your light will shine in the darkness

This week marked our first week of full-time ministry in France – since we finished our language school courses last week. With our new schedule, we spend an hour each workday morning (Monday, and Wednesday-Friday) together as a team praying. We pray for specific students we have met, for different outreach events coming up, and really for anything God has laid on our hearts. After prayer, we eat lunch (as a team, individually, or with students), and head to campus. There are 13 total campuses in Montpellier – but there are three main campuses that are part of the University of Montpellier where we focus much of our attention. These three are the science campus, the business and administration campus, and the liberal arts campus (also known as Paul Valery). Most of our afternoon is spent initiating spiritual conversations with students on campus, often through tools like the soularium picture survey or the perspective card survey.

Going on campus to talk with students can be extremely encouraging, incredibly heartbreaking, and often just frustrating. Every student and every conversation are different, but there are definitely common themes I would like to share to give you a better picture of ministry here. One very encouraging aspect is that many French students are willing – and some even eager – to discuss the deep, fundamental questions of life. Unlike many American students, controversial discussions and disagreements are not taboo; in fact, they are seen as very normal parts of life. Students are unafraid about sharing their own thoughts and convictions, and are often very interested to hear what we have to say. I have even been invited by many students to share my own convictions and beliefs – and often we have been able to share the Gospel in response to their questions.

Most French students we encounter on campus consider themselves “non-croyants” (non-believers), and put themselves either in the atheist or agnostic category. The majority have grown up in families who are non-religious or at least non-practicing. The most common responses I hear from students when we ask how they arrived at their beliefs are: they were raised that way, they don’t feel like they have ever experienced God in their lives, or they don’t think there is any way to have certainty about God because no one can prove He exists. For many students, evolution and scientific explanations for life make the most sense – they are very naturalistic in their view of the world. As a result, even talking about spiritual things can be somewhat of a foreign concept (no pun intended!). For some students I have talked with, imagining God exists is so far outside their realm of possibility; they have literally never considered a spiritual or Christian worldview or explanation as an option.

This week, I had the opportunity to talk with several students on different campuses, but none as interesting and (for me) as tragic as Jimmy. Darrin (one of our International Campus Staff – or ICS – working in Montpellier) and I went together to the science campus to initiate spiritual conversations with students. We were walking across a green space where different groups of students were assembled, when we saw two students sitting together a short distance away from the others. We approached them, explained who we were, and asked if they had 15 minutes to take a quick survey. Jimmy introduced himself to us and said he could take the time to talk; the girl who was with him introduced herself but quickly excused herself because she had a class starting soon after. Jimmy explained that he is a third-year university student in fundamental mathematics (something like theoretical math in the U.S.). Through posing the questions of the perspective cards, (What do you believe about the nature of God? What do you think is the purpose of life? and What do you believe about human nature?), we discovered that Jimmy has very logical, well thought-our convictions about each. He considers himself an atheist, and when Darrin asked him how he arrived at that belief, he agreed right away that atheism, like any belief, is based on faith. Unlike many French students I have talked with, he recognized the scientific logic that any answer to the question of the nature or existence of God (monotheist, polytheist, deist, atheist, agnostic, etc.) is really a belief because none of them can be proven. When we asked him what he was living for, he responded that as a result of his belief that there is no God, and that we are all here by chance, he could not see that any of us (as individuals) have any real purpose. He thinks it is possible that the universe has a goal or purpose, but that ultimately each human being has nothing to live for. Each of us is here by chance during our short lifetime, and after we’re gone there is no real change – we have no lasting impact. As he shared these things with us, I wasn’t sure how to react. I was completely dumbfounded and taken aback by his answer. Finally I asked him if that didn’t make him sad. He thought about it for a moment, and then shrugged and responded that it sometimes did.

Once again, I was speechless. It was difficult me to process, and I wondered internally how Jimmy was able to get up every morning. Why do anything at all if we are really here for no reason, and can have no lasting impact or purpose? I listened, my heart aching within me for the hopelessness of his worldview and the impact it must have on his daily life. During the course of our conversation (which lasted about 3 hours in total!), we were able to ask many questions that pushed him to go deeper and share with us, and also had the opportunity to share the Gospel with him. While he was not very receptive, he listened very intently and seemed very interested in understanding what we had to say. At the end of the three hours, Darrin realized he had to be somewhere. Before we left, we shared with him about the different events that we host (including English Club) and Darrin asked if he could have his phone number to contact him. Jimmy was happy to share it, and then we left.

Even after praying for Jimmy with Darrin, and praying and reflecting on my tram ride home, I just couldn’t get Jimmy out of my head. He is living a hopeless life because he doesn’t know God…and yet, he is completely unaware of his need for a Savoir. God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope,” is as much for Jimmy – and all French students – as it is for me. The only difference is that I have accepted God’s gift of restored relationship, and thus I am able to live in hope that God will take care of me.

Thank you for your faithfulness in praying! Please continue to pray that Jimmy (and students like him) would have their eyes and hearts opened to their need for Jesus. Pray that God would bring us to the students He has been preparing in advance to receive the Gospel. Pray that I would continue to learn more about God’s heart for the lost, and to be willing to ache and grieve for students who do not yet know Him. Finally, pray that God will continually use us to shine His light into the darkness.

God's provision...

This week we have so much to celebrate! God has been teaching me so much about the richness of His provision for me, and the amazing ways that He answers prayers.

God has continued to provide opportunities to go on campus, to talk with students, and to have great conversations with so many. I have been continually amazed by the ways that He is orchestrating the timing of our days, and by the way His Spirit has guided us to specific people.

On Monday, we had the chance to go to Paul Valery (the liberal arts campus) and have conversations with a few groups of students. Amy and I were able to talk to two friends - Marleine and Samia - for about an hour before they had to go to class. The girls were so relationally open and friendly! We talked through the Soularium picture postcards with them, and after answering, both girls asked us to respond which photo best represented our lives. Amy was shocked - she said that in the whole last year of going on campus, not one other student has asked her to share like that. We also spent some time sharing about our families, what we studied/are studying (both girls were psychology majors), and our favorite films. We left with a list of their top French movie recommendations and Samia's phone number so we can invite them to come watch a movie with us sometime. What a great opportunity to demonstrate God's love for them just by being sincerely interested in their stories, sharing how God has transformed us, and by offering them our friendship!

Soon after this conversation, we found out that the dossier (apartment application paperwork) that we had submitted for our apartment the previous week had been denied. After a whole week of waiting and hoping, suddenly that hope was gone. To be honest, I felt a bit crushed. I hadn't realized how much of my hope had been invested in finally having a place of my own, not living out of my suitcases anymore, and just feeling settled in somewhere. I had begun projecting my happiness into the future (I'll be happy when...) instead of giving thanks for the present moment and being content now. I hadn't even noticed how much the hope of an apartment meant to me until it was taken away suddenly. And yet...God is still so good! After reflecting, talking it over with Amy, and processing with God, I came to realize just how much my misplaced hopes were affecting me. Even more than that, God reminded me that He had a better plan - that He knew exactly what He was doing, and all I had to do was trust Him.

Sure enough, after having a heart-to-heart with God and my team, we found out Tuesday morning that Jeannette's real estate agent, Emmanuel, had another property he was renting that sounded perfect for us. We visited it Tuesday after language classes, and it seemed like a great fit. However, Emmanuel wasn't sure about all 4 of us living there - he said he would have to check with the actual owner to see if it would be possible, and that he would give us a call back. Just a few hours later, he called Jeannette to give her the good news - not only was it possible, but we could sign the lease the next day! As Jeannette said, "Emmanuel...God is with us!" It was so beautiful for me to see such tangible proof of His provision and His plan in the midst of my own doubt and disbelief. As soon as I surrendered my own hopes and plans to Him, He worked in our situation to give us exactly what He knew we needed in His perfect timing.

All that being said, hopefully Tuesday we will have all the paperwork completed and we can meet up with Emmanuel to pick up our keys and start moving in furniture! If all goes according to plan, we should be living there by Thursday or Friday of this week!

In the meantime, it's back to language school (our third week of classes), and spending time on campus in the afternoons initiating spiritual conversations with French students. Hopefully in the next few days I should be adding a new update about language school, the Majestart party last night, and sharing a few stories about different students we have been blessed to interact with. A bientot for now - I'll write again soon!

Thanks to all who are praying - it means so much! Blessings!

The first week...

Re-Bonjour a tous! It's hard to believe, but we have already been here in Montpellier an entire week! But let's back up...

Sunday: Many goodbyes at church and at the airport...the beginning of our journey via airplane

Monday: A train adventure - after randomly running into Megan's (my teammate) French friend Yann at the Charles de Gaulle train station, we discovered that our train (and his) had been delayed by over an hour because of a fire on the tracks earlier that morning...but as a result we had some great conversations. First, with Yann as we all waited for our trains. Then, on our first train, we met a young man named Pierre-Baptiste that Megan befriended who was kind enough to lend us his phone to call Amy (who was meeting us at the Montpellier train station) to let her know we were running late. On our 2nd train, we met an Englishman (or boy? guy?) Aaron who was taking a break between his undergrad and masters to bike across Italy, and returning home via France. While we were all speaking English together, a young French guy named Florian, who was a reggae- and English-enthusiast, came to chat with us. All in all, a long day of travel made much more pleasant by wonderful people - not to mention all the French people who helped us with our bags! If anyone thinks the French are rude, they just need to travel by train with lots of luggage and they will quickly learn the kindness of French strangers! After a long day, we were welcomed and moved into our temporary apartments and the second-year girls fed us some yummy pizzas.

Tuesday: Our first real day in Montpellier! We started with pains au chocolat (chocolate croissants) in the park and some apartment viewings - nothing we were very enthused about. After a picnic lunch with Amy and Caroline (two of the second-years), we went to the Montpellier Transportation station and waited in a long line to get our tram and bus passes. That evening, Janette (one of the permanent staff members in Montpellier who stinted herself 2 and 3 years ago) welcomed us to her apartment for great quiche and fellowship.

Wednesday: We started Wednesday by going to the train station to get our "12-25" (the train card for people in that age group that gives great discounts for tickets). Next, we had crepes for lunch and then went to see our 3rd apartment - which all of us loved! (Unfortunately, due to some incomprehensible - to us - issues, we were not able to get it). That afternoon, we went onto the 3 main campuses we will be working with this year to hang posters for an event called Majestart Party - an exposition of all different kinds of artwork put on by young, French, Christian artists. The goal of the event for them is to showcase the talents God gave them to glorify Him and share their testimonies with non-Christian friends. It was really exciting to start getting acquainted with the campuses, and to take the time to pray over the students who will be there this year. For dinner, we were invited Chez Skur (to the Skur house - a staff family in Montpellier) to meet Robyn and her beautiful children - we had already met Darrin as he is our resident apartment-hunting assistant! Dinner was wonderful, and a great chance to share together about the ways God had brought each of us to France.

Thursday: Thursday after lunch a group of us went back onto two of the campuses to initiate with students in small groups (of 3). Our goal was to have spiritual conversations with at least two groups of students, and to pray for the students and university as a whole. I went to Paul Valery - the liberal arts campus - with Megan and Amy, and we used two different tools Cru has for starting spiritual conversations called Soularium and Perspective Cards. Soularium is a set of 50 beautiful photos that we give to students and ask them to use to answer a few questions. For example, we ask students which photo best represents their life as it is today. Then, we ask which photo represents the way they wish their life was, or the life they want one day in the future. Finally, we ask them which photo they think best depicts God - as they understand Him. It's a really unique way for students to express themselves and to get them talking about how they feel and what they think. The perspective cards are a series of colored cards where each color represents possible answers to one of life's big questions - like: How would you describe your beliefs? (Monotheistic, polytheistic, agnostic, deist, etc.), or Who do you think Jesus was? (A myth, a historical figure, a prophet, etc.) With the first group, we were able to have a brief conversation using the Soularium pictures, and with the second group we talked to we had a fairly long discussion using the perspective cards. The girls in the second group were very involved in the discussion, even asking each other (and us!) questions about what each of us believed about different things. Despite the fact that each of them was very convinced that there are no absolutes - a relativist "to each his own" mentality, they were willing - even eager! - to hear about what we believe about God. As a result, we were able to share with them about God's love for us, His grace, and the way we live our lives in response to all He has done. It was truly an amazing experience, and (I hope!) just the beginning of deep, invested spiritual conversations with students. Thursday night, us "new girls" and Caroline had dinner with an Agape (Cru's name in France) student Adam. It was a lot of fun to get to know him a little, and to share in delicious food and great fellowship together.

Friday: Our first day with the Lord! One day each month, we are required to spend a whole 8-hour work day with God. (My job is the coolest!) We can do whatever we want, provided that it is time truly spent with the Lord, and that we do it individually. It was a great time for me to take a step back, to pray about the things He has in mind for this year, and just to process all of the things that had already happened the first week. Mid-afternoon, our day with God was interrupted (by necessity) for a fourth apartment viewing. The apartment was the perfect size, and actually had 3 bedrooms instead of two...which means we could possible have a guest room or office in the 3rd room. We didn't have the same immediate reaction of instant love as we did with the 3rd apartment we saw, but we all liked it and could see ourselves living there. (Les droits croises - fingers crossed!) As of right now, we have submitted paperwork and are hoping to hear back soon...so keep our apartment in your prayers! After all the apartment excitement, we had dinner with the girls and a few Agape students who were Chez Chester (at Amy, Caroline, and Joelle's apartment) before they left for their weekend retreat. After dinner, they left for their retreat, and us "new girls" went to meet up with Adam again to go check out Les Estivales - the last of a series of festivals that happened each Friday night over the summer. While there, we were able to try some delicious regional wines (tres francais!), check out some different foods, peruse the work of local artisans (everything from hats to jewelry to purses to lamps!), and enjoy live music from the band that was playing. Beyond that, we were also able to sample some delicious Moroccan pastries that Adam's mom (who still lives in Morocco) sent to him, and he was kind enough to share with us. Yum!

Saturday: Our first day "on our own" - with the second-year girls gone to the retreat, we were able to take some time to relax and enjoy the city. We dubbed Saturday our "tourist day" and set about making the most of it. The first thing we did was go to the coiffeur and get Amanda's hair cut. (She cut off all her dreds before coming, but hadn't yet acquired a "style"). It was a lot of fun translating (for me) and trying to describe what she wanted. The woman was so nice and understanding, and her haircut turned out absolutely adorable! After that, we had a leisurely lunch, a tour of the Centre Ville (historic downtown area) via a tiny tourist train that Kate absolutely loved, came back Chez Chester for a light dinner, and watched a hilarious French film called Le Diner des Cons (The Dinner Game).

Sunday: Church! Sunday we went to Pompignon - a local church that Amy and some other Agape students attend - with Joanna. We met Joanna Friday, and learned quickly that she was a wonderful person to have as a friend! A very sweet, friendly girl, she was involved with Agape in the past and spent the last year in North Carolina doing an internship. As a result, she was excited to see us and to have the chance to speak English and fondly remember the States. She was a wonderful guide and hostess, and all of us thoroughly enjoyed the service and the potluck luncheon afterward that we were invited to as well. It was a lot of fun getting to meet some people from the congregation, and getting to know Joanna better as well! After church, we came back, changed, and took a long tram ride (followed by a bus ride) down the beach. It was a real pleasure to get re-acquainted with the Mediterranean, and to be able to enjoy the refreshing water, some relaxation, and the beautiful sun!

Sorry to write so much, but a lot happened! I will definitely keep you au courant (up to date/informed) about happenings here regarding our possible apartment. Also, expect an update soon about language school (our first day was yesterday!) Meilleurs voeux et bisous a tous! Best wishes and kisses to all!

Au revoir America!

Here we are at last...the final day! My bags are packed, my documents are in order, and I got in my "last supper" Wisconsin style (cheese curds from Culvers). I have done a lot of traveling - from Milwaukee to Champaign and back again. I have given (and received!) a lot of excellent hugs, and said many goodbyes. And now, finally, is the moment I have been waiting for and working towards and eagerly expecting since God first put Montpellier on my heart back in December. It's been an incredible journey and I have learned so much about God, myself, and the many wonderful people He has blessed me with...and it has all been leading up to this! In about an 4 hours we will be departing (par avion, as they say) from O'Hare and flying to Paris. By dinnertime on Monday (or lunchtime for those of you stuck in Central Time) we should all be safely arrived to our new city and settling in for an amazing year.

Before I go, I would like to thank a few people once again for all they have done in getting me here. Firstly, a huge THANKS to everyone who has prayed, given, and advocated for me throughout my support-raising process. Another huge thanks to my church family at St. John for all the prayer and support and love you have poured out on me and my family - we are so appreciative! Speaking of family, thanks to all my family (blood-related and otherwise) who have helped me in so many ways to get to this point. Thank you to my parents for always helping and supporting me (even when you weren't super enthused about me leaving); and thanks for being extremely excited for me now! Thank you to all my friends who have celebrated with me, prayed for me, comforted me, and wowed me with their enthusiasm and support. I am truly blessed. Last, and certainly not least, a heartfelt and sincere thanks goes to God for His provision and faithfulness this summer, for not letting me be overwhelmed or discouraged beyond what I could bear, and for constantly reminding me of the many, detailed ways He was working behind the scenes in people's hearts to help make this dream - this calling - a reality for me.

Finally, I want to thank God for the amazing people in my life. Saying goodbyes is never easy, and I have often found myself questioning God's timing and even being angry that there are people I have loved in this "college season" of my life that I might not see again this side of Heaven. I have harbored a bitter and sometimes resentful heart towards God because I feel like He is taking them from me. God, however, never fails in His love for me (thank goodness!) and has been gently, patiently reminding me to give thanks. Instead of looking on goodbyes with sadness for the time we may not have again, He has been teaching me to give thanks for the time we have shared together, for the ways they have blessed and loved me. He has also been kindly reminding me that the people I love are also people that He loves - that I don't need to worry about them or take care of them, because that is His job and He does it much better than I ever could. So my prayer during this season of goodbyes is to thank God for all the people He has blessed me with, to trust Him that He has a good and perfect plan for my life and for their lives, and to release them to His care and protection.

God is so good! Thanks to Him and all of you...I'll post soon from across the pond! A bientot!

Celebrations!

I have so much to celebrate and be thankful for this last week!

Firstly, last weekend (a week ago) I was commissioned at St. John's (my home church) during the Saturday night and Sunday morning services. It was beautifully written and lovingly given - I felt so supported and prayed-for! What a blessing and encouragement for me to have my church at my back answering in unison that they would pray for me during my year in missions.

Secondly, on Monday before leaving for my week-long launch conference (the Global Stint Briefing) I received the final check that put me over the edge - I am now officially 100% supported for the next year! A big thank you to all who have prayed and given, and especially to God for coming through and providing in some truly amazing ways! I am so grateful and amazed by the things He has done this summer through the generosity of His people.

Thirdly, as I mentioned, this past week was the Stint Briefing. What an incredible experience! I spent the week surrounded by amazing young people from all over the United States sent out to all corners of the world - from Australia to India, Japan, East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America, Russia, and Europe. We were all gathered in one place, called by God from totally different campuses and experiences, to go to the nations with one goal and purpose. What a beautiful testimony to the way God works and His heart for reaching the nations!

It was a great week of challenging speakers, practical teaching, corporate worship, and group bonding. I was inspired and challenged by so many of the things I heard at this conference - it is truly an honor for me to serve alongside so many incredible people of faith! I also really enjoyed the chance to get to know my teammates better - both the 1st year girls going with me and the 2nd year girls going back to Montpellier. It was a great time of fellowship and getting to know one another better.

All in all, lots of "God things" to celebrate as I have seen and experienced Him moving in truly unbelievable ways. I am so blessed, honored, and grateful to have the privilege of serving Him this year and sharing Him with the students I will meet! Thanks to all for your support and prayers - and thanks for celebrating every victory along the way with me as well! I can't wait to see what God will do this year!

In the meantime, I'll be doing some last-minute "traveling" to Milwaukee, Champaign-Urbana, etc. to visit, get some hugs, and say goodbye to so many wonderful friends and family before I leave September 2nd! A bientot!

(the whole group at the Global Stint Briefing)

Preparations

Hello all!

I can't believe August is here already! This summer has been an exciting journey - a roller-coaster of highs and lows - as I have been raising support. I have been continually amazed by the ways God has been Sovereign and in control of every detail of my summer - encouraging me in the lows and helping me to give thanks and rejoice in the highs. I am completely overwhelmed by the ways God has provided for me and by the outpouring of support, prayer, and encouragement from so many wonderful people in my life - and from some people I have never met!

I am so excited for the next chapter - the realization of this dream that I've been working for all summer. In only three short weeks, I'll be getting on a plane and heading with my new friends and teammates to Montpellier, France. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to be a part of what God is doing in this corner of His Kingdom and to see Him transform the hearts, minds, and lives of the 70,000 students there.

In the meantime, there are so many preparations to be made! Next week is our launch conference where all the people interning with Cru in our 6 partnership locations internationally will get together for final training, group bonding, and who knows what else! I'm really excited to get together with all of my teammates and get to know the women I'll be working with this next year even better. I can't wait to see what our staff and supervisors have in store for us, and what God has in store for us at this conference!

Soon after that, it will be time to pack, organize, and pick up the last-minute supplies I'll need to get ready to go. It's all happening so quickly - but I know that God will continue to be at work in every detail of the remaining weeks between now and lift-off!

Thanks for all your prayers and support - please continue to pray with me that God brings in the remaining support I need to go to Montpellier! Only $15 of one-time support and $153 of monthly support left to go! Praise God!

More updates coming soon, but abientot for now!