The Possibilities are Endless!
Recently, I read this ad: "Summer in Rennes 2013: A Multiple-Choice Summer. The hardest thing to do will be to choose!" That is exactly how I would describe my first six weeks in Rennes! To me, this city is a playground of possibilities. Since my arrival, I have watched a documentary about immigrants and identity at Les Champs Libres. Reggae, Breton, Pop, Jazz, and Christian music have engaged my ears during “Le Festival de Musique.” I was there with my new friends: passionate God-lovers I met three weeks ago during a prophetic conference. During our "Free Hugs" campaign, We hugged a clown, a Buddhist monk, and a Muslim woman in the middle of downtown Rennes. Laurent with the sprained wrist also experienced some “Free Healing” as our paths crossed by Rue Jean Mace one day (read more under "35." Even my phone provider is “Free.” I cannot say the same for the red scarf, red purse, and red nail polish I spent my birthday money on during the national sales-event called “Les Soldes.” (The cashier also let me know that they were selling red earrings.) This is just a sample of what I did in the city my first month.
With "les Rennaises" (and two "Chinoises"): Manqi, Alice, me, Manqi's friend, Luciana, Claire, and Emilie. We had spent the night praying for one another at the "Worship Rooms a la Rennes." Afterwards, we went to "boire un coup." Other activities I did with one or several? Dinner and a movie chez Emilie, pizza after church, long walks in le Thabor, worship outside the Gare...I am blessed.
This is just a sampling of what I did in the city. Le soir chez les Jacob, there was always something to do as well...
Here Comes the Fun! (Thanks Manqi and Beth!)
June was a month for rest and for fun. For example, I made sure to get home from "Le Festival de Musique" by 10:30 in order to make it to "Les Derniers Chuck." Manqi, Beth, and I snuggled under blankets, shared sweet n' salty popcorn, and drank mugs of Beth's English tea as Chuck and Sarah shared their final kiss. (The result of this caused much debate among us later on. Did Sarah get her memory back or not?) Then, the day before Manqi left for her mission trip, we shared a pancake breakfast in the garden (of course, with another cup of English team.) The two of them then spent the evening baking a double-chocolate cake for my birthday. Which is when my hair caught on fire.
Wait--did you say catch on fire? Yes, I did. Thanks to Beth, only a few strands were completely burned. The others sank into the icing. I thoughtfully uploaded the video with you in mind. You're welcome.
Wait--did you say catch on fire? Yes, I did. Thanks to Beth, only a few strands were completely burned. The others sank into the icing. I thoughtfully uploaded the video with you in mind. You're welcome.
Needless to say, the cake, barbecue, and glass of Rose were delicious.
Afterwards, I said "Let's take a photo outside." Loic's translation: "Let's play outside!" This was the result:
Afterwards, I said "Let's take a photo outside." Loic's translation: "Let's play outside!" This was the result:
Oh, the perks of living with a full-time childcare assistant!
Apparently, this was not enough fun. After everyone but Nell had left, and Janick and I had danced "cheek-to-cheek" in the living room, I walked into Manqi's appartment to see this:
Apparently, this was not enough fun. After everyone but Nell had left, and Janick and I had danced "cheek-to-cheek" in the living room, I walked into Manqi's appartment to see this:
Which then turned into this:
All I can say about my big day is this: Ain't no Party like a Holy Ghost Party cause a Holy Ghost Party don't stop! This summer has sometimes felt like one big party with God. He is continuing to teach me how to hear His voice, become closer to Him, and change on the inside!
35
The desert and the parched land will be glad;
The wilderness will rejoice and blossom...
They will see the glory of the Lord,
The splendor of our God.
Strengthen the feeble hands,
Steady the knees that give way;
Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame will leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
Before coming to Rennes, I took ownership of this passage! I had realized that 35 is the number of the department of Ille-et-Villaine. And Rennes? It is right. Smack. In the middle. Even a magazine published by the department claimed that it was "A New Era for the Territory." Changes is coming! So, because God had promised healing and joy to invade the city, I decided to go out on the streets.
Within a few weeks, I had posted this testimony on facebook:
Yesterday I approached a stranger on the street and asked to pray for his wrist. His name? Laurent. He agreed. I asked Jesus to come. Laurent tested his wrist out. He looked at me in surprise and said, "The pain has partially left!" If THAT surprised me, I I don't know how Jesus thought I was ready for this: that night I watched the second half of the film The Island. Towards the end, Merrick says this:"The possibilities are endless here. In two years' time, I will be able to cure children's leukemia. How many people on Earth can say that, Mr. Laurent?"
"I guess just you and God." replies Albert Laurent.God is big in us. What are you waiting for?"
Then there was Eddy. Eddy had been standing all alone with his broken leg at Republique and those things you use to support your leg (yes, I am really forgetting my English here.) Eddy thought it was "tres gentil" that I offered to pray. According to him, not a lot of people would stop to do that. That's probably true, now that I think about it. I was just glad he said yes.
After praying for his broken leg, I asked if I could pray for him. Just to "bless him" (sneaky way of prophesying.)
He agreed. Straight away, I started getting prophetic words and images. He gave me an odd look.
"How do you know all of this about me?"
This is when I was able to tell him about God, and how God loves to speak to us. Unfortunately, the moment was kinda ruined after I took a break from the prayer. He started validating his Protestant-Catholic-Muslim beliefs. Then he asked for my number. Dang. The chance to invite Jesus to invade his heart had been ruined. But I realize now that God still touched him and is proud of me for stepping out.
Today, I had another encounter a bit more subtle: I sat down next to a man sitting on the curb near Michele's house. The first thing he said was, "Not a lot of people do that in France!"
"I know. It's because I am a bit strange. I am, after all, American." (As Nell explained, I have a right to approach and compliment people because I am a foreigner. This takes a lot of pressure off.)
We began simply talking about my time in France. He was curious and asked me what chocked me the most about France, what I thought about certain habits, etc. (I find that many French people want to know what foreigners think about their culture!) His wife, who he had been waiting for, hopped out of a car and came to join us a few minutes later--not after they had shared a kiss and we had shared les bises. Within a few minutes, they wished me a warm "bonne soiree" before I continued down the street to the Metro Henri Freville.
I had never offered to pray. All I had done was ask if I could sit down next to a stranger. Already, that was a risk to me! But That had changed everything one November day at Lycee Jean Mace when I had asked to sit down next to a 15-year-old redhead eating alone. Within three minutes of talking to this man, the atmosphere was filled with joy. His spirit was open to mine. Then, on the way "home," I asked the woman near me some simply questions about what she was doing in Rennes. She loved talking! At the beginning of the summer, I think I was expecting big healings. Now, I am learning just to love people by striking up conversations. The simplest thing brings JOY in the city!
This corresponds with something I have been praying for since South Africa. There was a large banner at Spirit Word that read "2013: The Year of the Overflow." Since then, I have been praying that I will be filled up the measure of the fulness of God so that His love will just flow out (see Ephesians 3:17-19.) By the second week, I would be walking around town, or making my bed, or eating lunch, and just feel his love pouring out of me!
One day while I was eating the latest vegetarian dish that Janick had prepared (probably a brique,) she said that people would simply stop and smile at her. She knew that she changed the atmosphere. I decided to try this challenge, One day, I asked God to show me how I could affect the atmosphere around me by simply “being” instead of “doing." He answered. One day, I was sitting in silence with Alice. Suddenly, she grasped my hand and asked if I would pray for her. “I just sense the Holy Spirit all over you. There is this rest that is upon you. God just flows out of you."
God had responded within one day. He is faithful. Another day I felt God's presence just flowing out of me as I shared about God's goodness and my beliefs for an hour straight and then prophesied over a friend.
The wilderness will rejoice and blossom...
They will see the glory of the Lord,
The splendor of our God.
Strengthen the feeble hands,
Steady the knees that give way;
Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame will leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
Before coming to Rennes, I took ownership of this passage! I had realized that 35 is the number of the department of Ille-et-Villaine. And Rennes? It is right. Smack. In the middle. Even a magazine published by the department claimed that it was "A New Era for the Territory." Changes is coming! So, because God had promised healing and joy to invade the city, I decided to go out on the streets.
Within a few weeks, I had posted this testimony on facebook:
Yesterday I approached a stranger on the street and asked to pray for his wrist. His name? Laurent. He agreed. I asked Jesus to come. Laurent tested his wrist out. He looked at me in surprise and said, "The pain has partially left!" If THAT surprised me, I I don't know how Jesus thought I was ready for this: that night I watched the second half of the film The Island. Towards the end, Merrick says this:"The possibilities are endless here. In two years' time, I will be able to cure children's leukemia. How many people on Earth can say that, Mr. Laurent?"
"I guess just you and God." replies Albert Laurent.God is big in us. What are you waiting for?"
Then there was Eddy. Eddy had been standing all alone with his broken leg at Republique and those things you use to support your leg (yes, I am really forgetting my English here.) Eddy thought it was "tres gentil" that I offered to pray. According to him, not a lot of people would stop to do that. That's probably true, now that I think about it. I was just glad he said yes.
After praying for his broken leg, I asked if I could pray for him. Just to "bless him" (sneaky way of prophesying.)
He agreed. Straight away, I started getting prophetic words and images. He gave me an odd look.
"How do you know all of this about me?"
This is when I was able to tell him about God, and how God loves to speak to us. Unfortunately, the moment was kinda ruined after I took a break from the prayer. He started validating his Protestant-Catholic-Muslim beliefs. Then he asked for my number. Dang. The chance to invite Jesus to invade his heart had been ruined. But I realize now that God still touched him and is proud of me for stepping out.
Today, I had another encounter a bit more subtle: I sat down next to a man sitting on the curb near Michele's house. The first thing he said was, "Not a lot of people do that in France!"
"I know. It's because I am a bit strange. I am, after all, American." (As Nell explained, I have a right to approach and compliment people because I am a foreigner. This takes a lot of pressure off.)
We began simply talking about my time in France. He was curious and asked me what chocked me the most about France, what I thought about certain habits, etc. (I find that many French people want to know what foreigners think about their culture!) His wife, who he had been waiting for, hopped out of a car and came to join us a few minutes later--not after they had shared a kiss and we had shared les bises. Within a few minutes, they wished me a warm "bonne soiree" before I continued down the street to the Metro Henri Freville.
I had never offered to pray. All I had done was ask if I could sit down next to a stranger. Already, that was a risk to me! But That had changed everything one November day at Lycee Jean Mace when I had asked to sit down next to a 15-year-old redhead eating alone. Within three minutes of talking to this man, the atmosphere was filled with joy. His spirit was open to mine. Then, on the way "home," I asked the woman near me some simply questions about what she was doing in Rennes. She loved talking! At the beginning of the summer, I think I was expecting big healings. Now, I am learning just to love people by striking up conversations. The simplest thing brings JOY in the city!
This corresponds with something I have been praying for since South Africa. There was a large banner at Spirit Word that read "2013: The Year of the Overflow." Since then, I have been praying that I will be filled up the measure of the fulness of God so that His love will just flow out (see Ephesians 3:17-19.) By the second week, I would be walking around town, or making my bed, or eating lunch, and just feel his love pouring out of me!
One day while I was eating the latest vegetarian dish that Janick had prepared (probably a brique,) she said that people would simply stop and smile at her. She knew that she changed the atmosphere. I decided to try this challenge, One day, I asked God to show me how I could affect the atmosphere around me by simply “being” instead of “doing." He answered. One day, I was sitting in silence with Alice. Suddenly, she grasped my hand and asked if I would pray for her. “I just sense the Holy Spirit all over you. There is this rest that is upon you. God just flows out of you."
God had responded within one day. He is faithful. Another day I felt God's presence just flowing out of me as I shared about God's goodness and my beliefs for an hour straight and then prophesied over a friend.
Quality Time...will Tell!
During one of my first Saturdays in Rennes, my host family treated me to a creperie. I barely had time to eat because I was talking so much about my time in Redding and in South Africa. They wanted to know everything. Once back "home," we sat down in the study and looked through my photos of this past year. I believe that I gave a running commentary on every one. Afterwards, Guy and I discussed the beliefs of Charismatic Catholics over a cup of herbal tea before I gave him a prophetic image I was getting on the way back to les Jacob's house. He was so encouraged. I was proud. A year ago, I would not have been able to do that because of fear!
Picture this: Now it's July. Caroline has invited me to spend a couple of weeks "chez moi." For the first
time in a month, the sun is beating down on us. Claire, my host sister, is sprawled out on a lawn chair in the park--er, garden-- in a bikini and in shorts while reading Les Tribulations d'une Cassiere under her large brown sunglasses. Caroline and I are reading our own books on other lawn chairs scattered about the garden. One chapter of John G. Lake later, we decide to savor our bowls of mango sorbet and chocolate ice cream, all while popping some freshly-picked strawberries and raspberries into our mouths. No words are necessary. And yet, This is one of my favorite summer memories with my host
family. Quality time must be my latest love language, because this is happening everywhere I go.
Besides my host family, I have also stayed with les Jacob and les Schubert. I notice that I will bring my computer into a room where everyone else is watching TV. Just to be with them. If the family is
watching a film after dinner, I go and join them. I do not like bitter taste of dark French coffee. But I can't refuse one when it means more time to talk with Michele after lunch. Today I arrived at her house at 11:45. I left at 5:15. After my chat with the man on the curb and a quick visit to Pimkie to exchange a ring, I took the bus back to Chevaigne.
"You must have had a busy day doing all your shopping!" Margarete said.
"No...wow, did I really just spend five hours with Michele? It doesn't feel like
it took that long!"
Proof that I love Rennes. I love the people that I do know. I love the people that I don't know. It's a completely different feeling from when I am in Redding.
When I was little, my family would visit America every two years to reconnect with people, talk about Morocco, be refreshed, and raised funds. I know I am still young...but at times, it feels like Bethel is my base at the moment but tha "home" is France. What does this mean? My American friends tease me about being French. But sometimes I wonder...Why did I feel so clearly I was meant to return this summer? According to friends and family, here are some ideas:
"France is going to be a big part of your calling. God sent you there for a year to learn the language so that you would be ready for what's next. This summer will be a big step for what is next."
"To really strengthen relationships. From now on, it won't be necessary to come back as frequently."
"So you will get to know the culture better. Maybe God is preparing you to come back and study!"
I recently heard a speaker say that his denomination makes missionaries spend two years learning the language and culture of a country before they are let loose to do ministry (plant churches.) If God is
truly giving me this land...this city...then he must be preparing me. I thought that after a year of taking French Society and Culture, and then experiencing it for myself, I basically understood French culture. I thought that after having lived with three other teenagers, I knew ever "expression argot" and "gros mot" in the book.
Wrong. A year ago, I didn't know that the ambiguities of American dating is super strange to French students. Or that on Sundays, you are not allowed to make any noise outside. Or that children learn
that there are only five continents and that North and South America are considered the same one. (I know..what?) I have three pages of new vocabulary and slang on my iPad and many more words in my head. (C'est un truc de fou!) My wardrobe is becoming more and more French. I bought three scarves in one day (on sale or "soldes", of course.) If that doesn't say something, I don't know what does. In 2011, people were impressed because I was almost fluent in French. Now, people tell me that I am not very far off from being billingual!
What does this mean "pour la suite?" Is Rennes a playground? A landing ground? I am not sure. I sometimes think of coming here to study in a few years and sowing into what G. I know that next year, I will be more intentional about praying for the different churches and people in Rennes, keeping contact with my French friends, and being more involved with the Francophone world in Redding. There is one more month until I leave Rennes to go back to the US. Pray for something BIG to happen: inside my heart and outside in the city. Thanks for reading!
Picture this: Now it's July. Caroline has invited me to spend a couple of weeks "chez moi." For the first
time in a month, the sun is beating down on us. Claire, my host sister, is sprawled out on a lawn chair in the park--er, garden-- in a bikini and in shorts while reading Les Tribulations d'une Cassiere under her large brown sunglasses. Caroline and I are reading our own books on other lawn chairs scattered about the garden. One chapter of John G. Lake later, we decide to savor our bowls of mango sorbet and chocolate ice cream, all while popping some freshly-picked strawberries and raspberries into our mouths. No words are necessary. And yet, This is one of my favorite summer memories with my host
family. Quality time must be my latest love language, because this is happening everywhere I go.
Besides my host family, I have also stayed with les Jacob and les Schubert. I notice that I will bring my computer into a room where everyone else is watching TV. Just to be with them. If the family is
watching a film after dinner, I go and join them. I do not like bitter taste of dark French coffee. But I can't refuse one when it means more time to talk with Michele after lunch. Today I arrived at her house at 11:45. I left at 5:15. After my chat with the man on the curb and a quick visit to Pimkie to exchange a ring, I took the bus back to Chevaigne.
"You must have had a busy day doing all your shopping!" Margarete said.
"No...wow, did I really just spend five hours with Michele? It doesn't feel like
it took that long!"
Proof that I love Rennes. I love the people that I do know. I love the people that I don't know. It's a completely different feeling from when I am in Redding.
When I was little, my family would visit America every two years to reconnect with people, talk about Morocco, be refreshed, and raised funds. I know I am still young...but at times, it feels like Bethel is my base at the moment but tha "home" is France. What does this mean? My American friends tease me about being French. But sometimes I wonder...Why did I feel so clearly I was meant to return this summer? According to friends and family, here are some ideas:
"France is going to be a big part of your calling. God sent you there for a year to learn the language so that you would be ready for what's next. This summer will be a big step for what is next."
"To really strengthen relationships. From now on, it won't be necessary to come back as frequently."
"So you will get to know the culture better. Maybe God is preparing you to come back and study!"
I recently heard a speaker say that his denomination makes missionaries spend two years learning the language and culture of a country before they are let loose to do ministry (plant churches.) If God is
truly giving me this land...this city...then he must be preparing me. I thought that after a year of taking French Society and Culture, and then experiencing it for myself, I basically understood French culture. I thought that after having lived with three other teenagers, I knew ever "expression argot" and "gros mot" in the book.
Wrong. A year ago, I didn't know that the ambiguities of American dating is super strange to French students. Or that on Sundays, you are not allowed to make any noise outside. Or that children learn
that there are only five continents and that North and South America are considered the same one. (I know..what?) I have three pages of new vocabulary and slang on my iPad and many more words in my head. (C'est un truc de fou!) My wardrobe is becoming more and more French. I bought three scarves in one day (on sale or "soldes", of course.) If that doesn't say something, I don't know what does. In 2011, people were impressed because I was almost fluent in French. Now, people tell me that I am not very far off from being billingual!
What does this mean "pour la suite?" Is Rennes a playground? A landing ground? I am not sure. I sometimes think of coming here to study in a few years and sowing into what G. I know that next year, I will be more intentional about praying for the different churches and people in Rennes, keeping contact with my French friends, and being more involved with the Francophone world in Redding. There is one more month until I leave Rennes to go back to the US. Pray for something BIG to happen: inside my heart and outside in the city. Thanks for reading!