Hello Endeavor! I have officially been States side for 3 weeks and am finally getting around to writing the last update of my time in France! My last two weeks with the Baughmans were as full as ever, but we truly saw God move and work. To wrap up my English class with the kids I did a lesson covering what our Thanksgiving holiday is, how it originated, what foods we typically eat, and what some of my family traditions are. It was a little tricky because I had to get special permission from the superintendent (Annie, our contact from the beginning) to talk about God in the lesson, but after jumping through some hoops, I was given the green light to go ahead. (This was unusual because talking about God—or anything to do with any religion—is strictly illegal in France.) Halfway through teaching the lesson, two very official men walked into the classroom, asked that I pause my lesson, and began talking with Annie. Annie then turned to me and introduced the first man as the mayor of the village as well as the chair of the board of education. The second man was the mayor of the neighboring village, where some of my students also come from. Thinking that these men had gotten word of my lesson and were here to censor it, I immediately started praying that Jesus would give us favor with these very influential men and that they would allow us to continue. However, after talking with Annie in French for what seemed like a very long time, Annie turned to me, and said these men had received reports of the English class from several parents, and had come to personally thank us on behalf of the two villages for teaching their children! It was amazing to see Jesus bring to fruition the very goal of this English class—to build the Baughman’s reputation with the village thereby giving an avenue for deeper relationships and an opportunity for the gospel! Less than week later, we had an opportunity to share the gospel with one of the teachers from the English class through hosting an English tea (a tea at which only English was spoken; we didn’t drink English tea…sorry Tamara ☺). At this tea I shared my family’s Christmas traditions and how the gospel makes Christmas especially meaningful to me. Together we sang O Holy Night and read the Christmas story. It was amazing to see a woman, Celine, a woman we’d only know but through the English class, listen intrigued by the fact Christmas held deep meaning for me beyond simply spending time with my family. She stayed for over 3 hours and didn’t want to leave! Since being home she has kept in touch with me several times, and I am hopeful that Jesus will draw her into a relationship with Himself very soon. These are just two examples of how we saw God work in the last two weeks, but there truly was something new each day that we saw Him do— whether it was seeing Libbie progress in her homeschooling, having great conversations with the Baughman girls about their own relationships with the Lord, or even just witnessing Steve and Jennifer gradually become more and more encouraged and think about where to direct their family next. These last three months of ministry felt more difficult than any other ministry I have every participated in, but I have never felt Jesus’ presence so closely or seen His love so at work in my life than in these past three months. Thank you so much for supporting me, praying for me, sending me packages, mail, messages—encouraging me. I am deeply enriched by it. I look forward to finally worshiping with you all in person on the 11th (THANK YOU JESUS!!!) and hope you have a happy new year! Thank you so much again. P.S. The pictures are 1. The Thanksgiving English class, 2. the Baughmans right before I left, 3. a book report Libbie did (she gave her book report dressed up in character--ridiculously cute), 4. a very impactful youth rally I and the kids attended, 5. spontaneously worshiping in English with a family from church--the first time in 3 months I worshiped in English--very meaningful and special, and finally 6. a day trip to Paris with Frank Ocampo for fun!
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:47:11 +0000
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