The End is Near....

It's the end of October... I only have about a month and a half left here in France. It's bizarre! I can't believe that it's almost time for me to go home. The new interns arrived last week, and it's been such a joy having Kate and Cassie here! It's given a bit of a fresh perspective, and a new light on life here. It has become so normal living here, so seeing it through their eyes has been quite refreshing!

I leave for Ireland on Wednesday to learn more about church planting. I'm so excited to be able to experience this, and learn more from the people I'll be working with. I'll be writing a special post next month after I get back to let you know how it all went, and share what I learned!

This month has been a bit of a whirlwind. Since Jenny, our dear friend from Florida, had to go back to the States for a bit, I've been heading up children't ministry, working under Cece. It's been so great! I really love doing lesson planning, and working with the kids. I feel like I've really found something that my heart really enjoys, and I think it's because it's so similar to what the Lord has called me to do with my life. I feel so blessed, and so privileged to work with these children, and I have so much love for each of them. Grayling and Sandra have also arrived (yay!!!) If I haven't mentioned them before here's a little background: They were missionaries in France for twenty-five years, then went back to the States for a while, and Grayling was working on Bethany campus. I was able to meet him and Sandra there, and they've been support raising to come back here. Praise the Lord, they're here! It's so nice to have them here with us, and to be able to hear their perspectives on things here, and hear their hearts for the people here. They are truly a blessing to have around!

Now a little bit of reflection on my time here. I have changed since living here. I've begun to really think about when first arriving and how I am now, and while at the core of myself I am still me, I have been changed by my time here. I have experienced life in such a different way, met some of the most interesting and wonderful people, and had my eyes opened to a totally different culture. My faith has been challenged and tested, the Lord has walked with me through all of it. I have learned more about life, love, sadness, and joy. I have made friends that I will keep for the rest of my life, and met strangers that have changed my view on life in one single moment. My heart is all at once saddened and elated at the prospect of going home. There is no way to really describe this on a deep level to someone who has not experienced this for themselves, but I can try. I love this place, and I love the people here, the ones I've met, and the ones that I've just talked to in passing. I pray that I've been as much of an impact on them as they have been on me.

So here we are. On the edge of a new season. It's scary, but exciting all at the same time. I pray that I will be able too see you all, my supporters, my friends, who have stuck with me through this whole process. I am excited to share, in more detail all of my experience here. I am blessed by your support, by your prayers, by your love. You have been as much part of this as I have. So thank you, and I hope to see you all soon!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

With Autumn Comes Changes....

Well, it's the end of September.... Wait, what? It's the end of September already? Tomorrow's October? What?!? The time has just FLOWN by! I can't believe it's already almost October! Soon I'll be boarding a plane to head back to the States, and that's just too crazy to think about.... So here's some reflections on this month.

The beginning of this month was my birthday (yay 24!) which was celebrated alongside Christine, who's birthday was the day after mine, along with some very dear and lovely friends! A big thanks to Claire and Sarah who organized everything, it was such a wonderful time spent with those dear to our hearts! (As a side note, you should also check out the blog that I wrote on my birthday about the persecuted church in Iraq in case you missed it.)

As the month has progressed I have been able to take on some more responsibilities within the church, Evolution 13. I am so excited for what God is doing! We have started having weekly church services, and I, along with Jenny (An amazing woman who has come to work with us here in France!) have been placed over the young children's ministry. Jenny has already taught me so much, and I'm so excited to be able to work alongside her, and be used by God in this area! Along with that I'm helping to start up a weekly prayer small group, something I'm just as excited about! The Lord has really put prayer on my heart, and it is definitely something that I truly feel is important at all times, but especially in this time of breaking ground here in Marseille, especially in Cours Julien. The Lord is really wanting to move in mighty ways here, and I know that prayer and worship is a huge part of that.

Mom and I in Cours Julien After Church

This past week was a bit busy for me as well because, mom came to visit! It was so great having her here, where she was able to see what I'm doing, and see the city and the people that I love so much! I'm so glad I was able to share this with her, and of course to just have my mommy here! I missed her lots! We were able to explore a bit, and I was a bit of a tour guide for a day, which was fun, but it also put a lot into perspective for me as well. I was able to see how, in subtle ways, I've changed, and adapted to the culture. It was a very interesting and wonderful experience!

And now, just a little bit that's on my heart to share. This past month has been a time where the Lord has just been reminding me about love. He's been growing my heart so much, and urging me to love beyond myself. By that I mean, loving even when it seems impossible. I'm a pretty loving person in general, but in my humanity there are limits, and the Lord has been pushing past those limits, showing me how crucial love it is, and how important it is for me to let His love take me beyond my own capacity to love. So in learning this I also want to urge you to open your hearts to His love. I ask you to press in, to ask Him to reveal His love to you, and in doing so give you a greater capacity to love others. It's not always easy to love others, it's easy to get angry, to mock, to ignore others, but it is our call to love. I think that in this day and age it can be so incredibly easy to be selfish, everything in our society, literally EVERYTHING, is pushing us towards isolation and selfishness. But this is completely opposite of what God intended for humanity, and especially for Christians. We need to be loving each other, helping each other, and not out of selfish gain either, but out of a love born from knowing Him who loved first. I struggle, I'm not perfect, I can be extremely selfish, but I am learning, and I am growing, and I urge you to do the same. Push through the struggle, let it be something that grows you, not something that pushes you back or holds you down. Ask God for help, He will bring you through these struggles, because without Him it just won't happen.

Now for my closing: It's been a quick, and challenging month for me, full of changes and excitement! Here are some things that I'm looking forward to in the next few weeks: Grayling and Sandra arrive! (If I have not mentioned them before, they are a couple who served in France for about 25 years, went back the States for a few years, and are now coming back to serve here in Marseille. They are amazing people, and have been such an encouragement to me throughout my time at Bethany, and I'm very excited for them to be here!) The new interns are coming! My time here is ending, but their's is just beginning, so please be keeping them in your prayers as well! And finally, the end of this month I'll be heading to Ireland on a survey trip. Basically I'll be helping out with a church plant in Belfast for a week, to see what church planting looks like from an English speaking perspective. i'm super excited about this trip and to see what God does during my time there! So that's it! Keep an eye out for next month's blog, please keep me and our intern and Evolution 13 team in your prayers, and remember I am also praying for all of you! Feel free to send any prayer requests to me through facebook or e-mail!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

La Reverie, at Musee des Beaux-Arts here in Marseille. She's my favorite piece of art there, probably because I'm a bit of a daydreamer myself....

The Power of Prayer

Salut Tout le Monde!

I apologize for not having written in a while, things have been a bit hectic lately! So this month I really wanted to touch on a subject that's very important to me, and I think that it's very important for all missionaries: Prayer. It is really important that not only are we cultivating a strong, healthy prayer life, but also that our supporters are also supporting us with prayer. This is something that I've been thinking a lot about lately because I have definitely have been experiencing some difficulties lately, and I thought it would be a good idea to discuss prayer specifically this month.

I know, some of you may not believe in these things, or may have differing theological views on what I'm going to be saying here, but I'm going to say it anyway. We may differ on some views, but we are all part of the body of Christ, so bear with me. I believe that in being here in France, as a missionary, trying to share Jesus, and love others as He has called me to I am in the middle of a battleground. While Jesus is the light, that shines through me, there is a darkness that we are fighting here. The powers and principalities of this world that Paul talks about in Ephesians 6 are at war with what we are trying to do here. That being said, they are none to happy with us being here, and are going to try attacking us in any way they can. This is one of the reasons it is important for me to be spending time with Jesus, reading God's word, and cultivating a deep relationship with Him, so I can fight back the enemy. But there is another aspect to this. This is where you come in, and why I'm sharing on this subject with you, I need my family and friends to be coming alongside me in prayer. There is power in numbers, we know this in a physical battle, and the same goes in a spiritual battle as well. Sure, I can fight my enemies alone, or even with just the people on my team here, but how much stronger are we when we're fighting together, from all over the world? Much, much stronger.

Now here is thing: this past month has been one of the hardest yet. I've felt attacked spiritually, and it's been extremely hard to get back on my feet. I've been doing my best to fight, and ask others to fight alongside me, but now I'm asking you. Please, please, commit to praying for me. Commit to praying for our team. commit to praying for what God is doing in Marseille. I have seen so much progression here, people getting baptized, and starting a new, deep relationship with the Lord, people in leadership classes, learning all they can about sharing their faith with others in an effective, loving way with those around them. People have been healed, freed, and I've been able to deepen my relationships with people, even helping to disciple others. God is moving in a big way here, and the darkness that is here, does not like it. At all. So the darkness has been pushing back, and I have been feeling it. So once again, I ask, please continue to pray, to intercede for us. You are our family on the other side of the world, you are standing with us against the darkness in this place. You are just as vital and important to this team as I am. I love you all very much, and appreciate all your support so far. Thank you, and remember, you are part of my team, I love and appreciate you more than you know!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

The Start of a Movement: Part 2....

Hello All!

I'm sorry it's been so long! I've been quite busy since returning from my break. I wanted to continue updating you as well as share what's been going on these past few weeks!

So I left off telling a bit about the conference in Ales. It was truly a lovely time in a small town about two hours north of Marseille. We were able to attend this conference, a gathering of believers all throughout France, met to discuss the miraculous and the power of the Holy Spirit. It was a time of inspiration for me, to see so many believers gathered together to celebrate the power of God. The Lord spoke very deeply to my heart during this time, telling me so many incredible things. I know that the Lord is really moving in this country, and there is a revival coming that will bring the healing power and love of Christ to a nation so desperate for a God they don't know they need. i am so excited to be a part of this time to come. France is being talked about all over the Christian world. Seeing so many who are sold out for Him in such a big way at this conference was truly amazing. Worship was so beautiful, the presence of the Holy Spirit was felt, and it was incredibly refreshing for me.

Shortly after the conference we headed out for our two week break. First we headed to London, and we were able to visit our friends from the London team. It was so fun to be able to take a break, relax, and just be! We went sightseeing quite a bit, and were able to experience the beauty and history that London had to offer us. We also sampled some British cuisine during our stay. It was delicious! in the middle of our time there we went up to York to visit our friend, Annie. She works at the YWAM base in York, so we were able to stay there with her, which was such a blessing! Our time in York was very relaxing, a time to just pause, and breathe. I really enjoyed our time there, and while we were there we had an interesting conversation, and while we were sharing with some people about what we're doing in France, one woman shared with us: France had recently come up at a conference she had been at. That the Lord would start a revival in Europe right here, in France. It blessed my heart to hear yet another conformation in the coming revival here. The Lord is doing something big here, and even though we can't see all of it in the natural right now, I believe the Lord is working in a big way in the supernatural here in France. Please continue to join me in praying for the softening of hearts, the breaking of strongholds, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit here in France.

After our stay in York we returned to London for a few days before heading off to Paris. We did quite a bit of sightseeing there as well. Upon returning to France I felt more confident in my language abilities. It was very encouraging for me to realize this. I was really excited to actually be aware of the progress I have made, since I had begun to really wonder if I had been making progress.

Since returning to Marseille I feel as though I've been quite busy! Since Sarah was here by herself, she began to really build relationships with the people we have mostly been acquaintances with, so I've been able to hang out with them more as well. This has really helped with my progress in language, as well as deepening the connections I have here. I've also been growing closer with one of the local girls here. She has really become a dear friend to me, and I am so thankful every day for her friendship. I love her very much, and really enjoy spending time hanging out with her, sharing with her, and talking about the Lord with her.

So that is pretty much where I'm at now! We are heading on a retreat tomorrow with our Global Internship Leaders, Paul and Amy. I'm excited to spend this time away, just getting to debrief, and really reflect on life here. Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement! I really appreciate all you do! Please continue joining me in prayer for this nation. Your prayers for our team, and for the people of the nation of France are truly appreciated!

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!