Growing Pains...

Group Photo at the retreat!

Hello all! I hope you have all been blessed in this first month of the new year! Just an update on how January has been for me, and What things are going to look like as I head into a bit of a transitional phase.

The beginning of this month was spent on a retreat in a small town a bit north of Marseille with Evolution 13 staff and ministry workers. It was a wonderful time of direction and planning for all of us, and to just do life together. I really enjoyed the time of prayer, worship, and encouragement that we had with each other. It has definitely made me excited about starting ministry!

Poker night on the retreat (just chips, no money of course!)
Ladies against Gents. Notice, the Ladies won. ;)

Which brings me to the title of this week's blog. It's hard just waiting to start ministry. Of course waiting is necessary as I am still learning and trying to grasp the language. It's funny because before I left, waiting and patience was what the Lord was teaching me, and of course I'm not through learning that lesson yet (not that I ever will be necessarily!)! Now I am learning to wait in jumping into ministry. There's so much I want to do, so many I want to encourage, but I can't.... because my language skills just aren't there yet. And for those of you who haven't tried learning a language in another culture let me paint you a little picture: You are an intelligent adult, who is fully capable of forming sentences, thoughts, and having conversations. Now, you are treated like a child, who can't speak, who can't communicate, and have to ask everyone to slow down when they talk to you because you just can't keep up. It's very frustrating. But in that frustration, there is so much learning! It's amazing to me how much God is teaching me through all of this! In my time here I can feel as I continue learning the language, I am also growing closer to Him. This is probably because I am continuously running to Him through my frustrations and difficulties here. But don't get me wrong! I have my moments where I choose to just let frustration turn to anger, throw up my hands, and desperately want to scream. I'm human after all, I'm not perfect! But I know that God has had so much grace for me in this time. I see it when I can understand so much more in French than I could when I got here, or when I actually try to speak in French, and I can do it! It's all a matter of pushing past the barriers, praying for peace (cause it is NERVE WRACKING to try to talk to people in their native language when it isn't your native language!) and grace, and just DOING it! It is a challenge, it isn't like poof! now you speak another language. It's work, and it's hard, but it is incredibly rewarding, especially when in the end, it brings glory to God!

So here is my challenge to you: how is God asking you to step out of your comfort zone? What has He asked you to do that seems completely terrifying to you, so much so that it's crippling? I challenge you to ask Him for peace, for grace, and then DO IT! I know it's hard, and it's scary, and sometimes it's very painful, but guess what? You will grow so much! In the Lord, no matter what age we are, we are always growing in Him. Our walk with Him is not promised to be easy, but count it all joy, because your faith in Him will grow exponentially! Remember in the end it's all about love. Love Him, and through that you will be able to love others, which includes doing the hard stuff! There's a reason they're called growing pains, but oh man, the end result is something so beautiful!

So in conclusion: Take a leap of faith! It might be tough, painful even, but in the end, the reward far outweighs any temporary discomfort. Please continue keeping our team in prayer, and remember that you are loved! God has a lot in store, for me, and for you. Always remember that.

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

2014....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all! I apologize for not having written in a while... Things have been pretty crazy around here! Language school is going pretty well, I definitely have a higher comprehension of the language than before. We have been on break during the holidays and will be resuming classes on the 6th.

This past month has been a lot of work followed by a lot of rest and celebration. We've been working hard on language study as well as our other classes, studying the culture and the Bible. We've also been attending Evolution 13 on Wednesday nights, and connecting with the students as well. It's been fun being able to hang out with our new friends, and get to know more about the culture and the city we live in.

Our Christmas celebration began on the 23rd when we went to Matt and Christy's to eat lunch with them, their parents, the kids, CC, and Ania. It was a fun filled time with good food, and talent show, and Just Dance! Christmas Eve CC came over to spend the next few days with us. We ate a delicious dinner cooked by Ania and Linda, spent time talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. Christmas day we ate lunch at the home of a Dutch couple that had invited us over. It was a lot of fun! Then we came home, relaxed and had a movie marathon. It was truly a lovely, simple, comfortable holiday.

For New Years Christine and I went with CC to the Vieux-Port to watch an amazing firework show! It was truly an amazing sight to see! Afterwards we went to visit with some of CC's friends, where we ate, laughed and had excellent conversation. I really enjoyed getting to speak with them, and getting to know them a little bit. Their apartment has a lovely view of the harbor, and we celebrated at midnight with a toast and well wishes.

I am excited at all of the prospects this new year will bring. The rest of this week we will be going on a small planning retreat. There we will better figure out what role we will have within Evolution 13 and the ministries that we will have open to us. I am excited for what God has for us, and my heart is full with his promises. I cannot wait to share where this journey will be taking me this year with you all!

Bonne Année!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

New Year's at the Vieux-Port!

Parlant and Other Difficult Things....

Well, it's been about two weeks that we've been here! I'm beginning to get out of my "mission trip" haze and realize that, I'm not going home for a while.... It's a strange feeling, especially when I've been going on mission trips for the past three years, most of which last two weeks. It's about now we'd be heading home, but obviously, that isn't happening. So I'm working on settling in, getting used to life here, and understanding my surroundings. Needless to say it's not always easy.

We started language classes last week! It's been a fun and challenging experience so far... The word parler (to speak) being one of those challenges as well. It's a difficult word to say, and in many ways my frustration with trying to say it (properly in French, where pronunciation is key!) is embodied by the word itself: to speak. I cannot speak here! Not French anyway. And for those of you who have not been in this sort of situation, trying to learn a foreign language whilst in said foreign country, let me tell you, it is INCREDIBLY frustrating! Simple things become nearly impossible because, well, you can't say what you want to say, and you can't understand the other person when they are trying to talk to you.... You feel like a child again, constantly looking around for help (even when everyone you're with is in the same boat...), and feel quite helpless at times because help cannot be found. But in all of this I am also realizing how reliant I need to be on the Lord. Sure, I can learn a language, but if I am trusting the Lord to help me do it, I will be that much more proficient at it.

The longer we are here, the more I can see my own struggles. It's a daily battle not to take things personally, or start picking at myself for offhanded comments others make. It's interesting how when we are put in situations such as this, and things we barely struggled with before become magnified. I know the Lord is bringing these things into the light so that they can be worked through, with Him. I'm a sensitive person, but man has it been amplified this past week! The Lord is definitely working on this area of my life with me. It's not easy, these things never are, but it's so worth it!

We are continuing in ministry here with Matt and Christy, working with them at Evolution 13, a meeting held every Wednesday night for college age adults. It's been great being able to spend time with local Christians our age, worship with them, and see where their hearts are. I am excited to continue working with Matt and Christy as we continue doing outreaches, and have more ministry opportunities with them! Seeing how things are growing and changing here in Marseille is making me really excited for what the Lord has in store!

Thank you for all your prayers and support! The Lord is doing amazing things here, and I am excited to continue sharing them with you!!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

It's Time to Begin....

Our little team: Me, Claire, Linda, and Christine

Well, after all that we've been through, it pleases me to say: I made it! I'm here in Marseille! PRAISE JESUS!!!!!! I have been here a week now, and what a week! Where do I even start? I suppose the beginning would be a good place....

At Notre Dame de la Garde: Linda, Me, Christine, Claire, Elodie, and Ania

Well, this time last week, maybe a bit earlier than this, I boarded a plane with Claire and Linda to fly from Minneapolis to D.C. where we would meet Christine. It was one of the scariest, and most wonderful moments of my life. I knew that stepping onto that plane there would be no going back. I knew that once I got in the air I was saying good-bye to the familiar, to the comfortable, to my old self, and saying hello to uncomfortable, confused, and a brand new person. So I took a deep breath, prayed a quick prayer, and took that step.

Our little group touring the city!

And as the plane was landing in Marseille tears filled my eyes. Because as we flew low over the beautiful landscape, I remembered a promise whispered many months ago, a promise made by a God who never fails to keep the promises He makes: "You will return, this place will one day be your home." and now this promise, that seemed almost impossible when it had been spoken, was being fulfilled. And so, I stepped off the plane, and entered the city that would be my home.

It's been a wonderful week since then. I've done things like learning more about the public transportation system here, get a metro pass, done a bit of sightseeing, met new friends from all over the world, gone out exploring with just my teammates, bought bread (in French! Which indeed felt like an accomplishment since I have not started language learning classes yet!), gone grocery shopping, and many, many other exciting experiences! I have enjoyed my time here thus far, and I have definitely seen evidence of the Lord moving here in this place. Last night we were able to go out and do ministry with Matt, our missionary contact here who we will be doing much of our ministry with. We went to a high traffic area and did worship, prayer, free hugs, and just had conversations with passersby. I watched in utter joy as our French contacts went out and fearlessly spoke with people who stopped to see who we were. They asked questions, listened, and shared their testimonies with people who were interested to hear. I felt so much joy singing at the top of my lungs in the street about the goodness of my God, knowing that even though people may not understand me, I was able to worship and intercede for those that were having wonderful, meaningful conversations with others. It was a beautiful experience for me, and a great way to kick off my ministry experience here in Marseille. 

Christine and I at Palais de Longchamp!

So, to all of you at home, THANK YOU! Your prayers and continued support have been a blessing to me, and gotten me here! God is moving here, and I am excited to keep you all updated on what goes on. My heart is full of new promises from the Lord, which makes me even more excited about what is happening in Marseille! Please continue to keep my team and me in your prayers, as I'm sure that if God is moving, satan will be doing all he can to block what the Lord is doing, but as we know, our God is GREATER than any obstacle the enemy can use. So stay tuned for upcoming news about my adventures here, I'm looking forward to having you along for this adventure!

                                                     Blessings and Love,

The lovely Palais de Longchamp

Chrissy

                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                       Claire and I on the very windy day we toured the city!

On the escalator down to the Metro! 

It's Time to Begin...

Hello all! So this is going to be a mostly informative blog. Things have been pretty crazy around here because we're getting ready to leave! I've been trying to spend time with friends before I go which has been fun, yet sad. So here is all the information! I am at 100% for my funding! Praise God! My plane ticket was bought, and I leave on November 8th at 12:30 PM for Marseille. Claire, Christine and I are the three young ladies that will be going, which we are all excited about! We have started our Bible study class, studying the book of Philippians, which has been SO great! The Lord has definitely been using what we're learning in class to teach me lessons that are applicable outside of class.

Please continue to pray for us in these last few days in the states. We are all going to have a hard time with good-byes, packing, and getting last minute things together. I am excited to share with all of you about Marseille, and what life is looking like when we get there! It still doesn't quite seem real yet, but in some ways it does feel very real.

Thank you all for all of your support in getting me here! I could not have gotten this far without your prayers and financial support! I thank God for all of you, and please remember that I would always love to hear from you, and pray for you all specifically if you wanted to share prayer requests with me, please feel free! I love you all very dearly, and once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all of your support! Stay tuned, because my next post will be written from France!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy