Across France
Sometimes we get bogged down. We get so focused on what we're doing - what we're responsible for, who we're trying to connect with, how we're going to share the Gospel - that we forget that God is doing something greater than what we can see in Aix-les-Bains.
Jordan and I chose to move to France knowing that the GEM France team was strong. Not only are there 46 adults serving all over France with GEM, but our field leaders have a team-mindset, which we appreciate. Once a month, the GEM France team gathers for a Day of Prayer, usually in the Paris area; we only have the privilege of attending a few times a year due to the distance (a 3+ hour train ride), but each time we go we leave feeling encouraged.
This week was no exception.
"We're leading a discovery Bible study," started one man. "Well, actually," he corrected himself, "It's more of a discipleship group because now everyone in the group is a Christian."
"For several months I've been praying for the people who live in the building across the street from me. I've been burdened for them, but that neighborhood is just so far out of my comfort zone that I didn't know what to do," a woman shared. "Then, last week at our church meeting, I met a new woman. Do you know where she lives? She lives in the building across the street. And later in the week," she continued, "I took the food stamps from my Ivorian housemate to pick up the groceries - across the street - and got into the most encouraging conversations with people.... who also live in the building across the street."
"Two of the churches in our area are out of space, so we decided to start a Bible study," a couple explained excitedly. "We started the Bible study in our neighborhood, and in April we had 50 people at one of our meetings. We're going to start a new church."
This summer a couple hosted a short-term team from the US to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) and share the Gospel. They had 90 students attend!
A church north of Paris started a choir. Eventually, other churches wanted to participate with them and it became a multi-church choir. It has now evolved into a community choir where they sing "holy songs" and are able to share the Gospel with non-believers who simply want to sing.
Praise God for the ways He's moving across France!
Jordan and I chose to move to France knowing that the GEM France team was strong. Not only are there 46 adults serving all over France with GEM, but our field leaders have a team-mindset, which we appreciate. Once a month, the GEM France team gathers for a Day of Prayer, usually in the Paris area; we only have the privilege of attending a few times a year due to the distance (a 3+ hour train ride), but each time we go we leave feeling encouraged.
This week was no exception.
"We're leading a discovery Bible study," started one man. "Well, actually," he corrected himself, "It's more of a discipleship group because now everyone in the group is a Christian."
"For several months I've been praying for the people who live in the building across the street from me. I've been burdened for them, but that neighborhood is just so far out of my comfort zone that I didn't know what to do," a woman shared. "Then, last week at our church meeting, I met a new woman. Do you know where she lives? She lives in the building across the street. And later in the week," she continued, "I took the food stamps from my Ivorian housemate to pick up the groceries - across the street - and got into the most encouraging conversations with people.... who also live in the building across the street."
"Two of the churches in our area are out of space, so we decided to start a Bible study," a couple explained excitedly. "We started the Bible study in our neighborhood, and in April we had 50 people at one of our meetings. We're going to start a new church."
This summer a couple hosted a short-term team from the US to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) and share the Gospel. They had 90 students attend!
A church north of Paris started a choir. Eventually, other churches wanted to participate with them and it became a multi-church choir. It has now evolved into a community choir where they sing "holy songs" and are able to share the Gospel with non-believers who simply want to sing.
Praise God for the ways He's moving across France!
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