Is This Home?

Hi Everyone!

Sorry it's been a while... I've been going, going, going since I've been back! But now I've found a little bit of time to write, so I'll fill you all in on what life's been like back here in the States!

First though, I want to say thank you. Through all of your prayers, support, encouragement, and love I made it through internship! It would not have been possible without you, please know that in your heart of hearts, I am truly thankful for all that you have done to help me get to France! Lives were touched, friendships were made, and I have been forever changed. So thank you, from the very depths of my heart, thank you for answering the call to be part of my team.

Well, it's been a little over a month since I've been back. And it's surreal. After a lot of running around during break (New York, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, and finally Minnesota to return for my senior semester) I've been able to actually sit down and begin processing. It has not been easy. For a while there I couldn't even talk about France because I just wanted to cry. I missed it. I still do. I built a life there, made friends, learned a language, loved, laughed, cried, lived. And now, I'm back here, in a place that was once familiar, but seems so foreign to me now. The food tastes funny, everyone speaks English, and I'm supposed to just pick back up where I left off? No. This is a time for readjustment, this is a time to reflect back, close one chapter, and move forward with the next.

This is one thing I'm so thankful for here at Bethany, during senior semester, everyone on staff is so gentle with you! They know, they understand, and they don't push you too much. I love it! I feel like I have a safe place, with plenty of people to talk to, who understand what I'm going through. I can be open, honest, and just vent if I have to. This is very much needed during reentry, it is a fragile time in a person's life, and it is important to treat them with the respect and understanding they need.

As I reflect back to my time in France I can see all of the amazing, awesome things God did. He gave me a friendship that I will always cherish, He gave me a family in Marseille, He gave me direction, and a love that I will never lose. During my time in France my heart for Europeans has grown exponentially. I am in love with Europe. Not just because of the beautiful scenery, the languages, the accents, but because God has such a deep, deep love for the people there, and He has shared this love with me. I know that He has such wonderful plans for the people there. I also know the darkness, the hopeless oppression that the live under, and I desperately just want to love the people there. I want to be used by God to shine the light of His love in these dark places. It makes me sad to see how so many people in the church remain ignorant of the need there. It genuinely hurts my heart. I know now though, God has not forgotten them, He has not abandoned them, and He continues to send people like me to them, to remind them of, to show them Jesus. I am so excited for my future, and all of the wonderful things God has in store for me and Europe!

So that's just a little glimpse into my life back in the States. I miss France, I'm glad to be back though, and I'm excited for this summer when I can share with you all in person! Sending you lots of love from the frozen tundra (aka Minnesota)!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

My Year in a Blog....

This is the end of one journey. Words cannot describe how I feel, a blend of emotions, sentiments, thoughts, and dreams pour out of me. My life has been forever changed by the time I've spent this last year. I've fallen in love with this place, I've met people whom I will love long after I've left. I have poured out and received so much. I have grown beyond measure, and I have learned who I am. A chapter of my life is coming to a close, and while it is sad, and it is hard, it is also exciting to think about all that is to come.

Marseille is a special and beautiful place. It is an ancient city, full of so many different kinds of people it would be impossible to count. There is art, architecture, history, science, and just plain beauty. This city has been my home for the past year, and while I sometimes struggled to embrace that, it has embraced me. I have met people that have encouraged and loved me when I needed it most. I have a family here, I made a home here. While many in Europe might think badly of this place, I think most highly of it, and I feel honored to have lived here even for a short time.

Most importantly I have received so much from the Lord in this year. He has grown me in so many ways. He has shown me so much of Himself, including how He loves me, and how He loves others. I have learned to see as He does, to listen to His voice, and the be unafraid to follow His instruction. He has given me strength to carry on when I didn't think I could. His love has given me hope and a purpose. He has guided me, and led me, and by His grace I have been able to follow. It is only in and through Him that I have not only been able to remain here, but to grow and flourish here. My heart has been completely captivated by Him, and I want nothing more than to continue serving Him, loving Him, and following Him for the rest of my life.

So in this holiday season, in this closing chapter, I need to say thank you. Thank you for your support and prayers. Thank you for every encouraging, kind word you have shared. Thank you for your love. Also take this time to be encouraged. The Lord can use any and every season to grow us, and often times we don't realize how much we've grown until we reach the end of it. Take difficult times to fall into His arms, to draw closer, and in the end you will see that you have grown exponentially. It's the hardest times that we grow the most. His desire is to know, and be known to us. Seek His face, draw closer.

Blessings, Love, and a Merry Christmas,

Chrissy

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year...

Hello all!

Well, it's December 1st. I'm leaving for the States in exactly two weeks.... I can't believe it! Really, I can't, it hasn't hit me that I'm leaving France so soon. I keep saying it, wondering if it will hit me. But it doesn't. I'm excited to see many of you soon! But I'm also sad to leave behind those that I have grown to love and cherish so dearly...

The month of November has been an interesting one. I spent the first part of this month in Belfast (See last blog post), and it seems as though it's been one event after another since then. Claire's family came to visit, I was glad to be able to see them before they left since they arrived while I was gone. Last week I was able to reconnect with one of my dearest friends here. We hadn't seen each other for so long because of busy schedules, but we were finally able to make time for each other and catch up with each other. This week was Thanksgiving, and what a lovely Thanksgiving it was! I was able to cook the turkey, which to be honest, I loved! It was a fun job! Everyone involved, the new interns, our team, and Sarah and Cece all pitched in, and everything that everyone made was completely delicious! It was a little taste of home for all of us I think. It was a time of thankfulness, and sharing our lives together. I was also able to meet, and connect with a young woman who is new to Evolution 13. I am so excited that I'm able to make this connection, even if it is right before I leave. We both had seen each other a few times, but didn't really know each other. Then one Sunday at church, during and intense and beautiful time of worship, we ended up praying for each other. The Lord used that moment in such a big way, we both had words for each other, and in a way, it brought a deep connection between us. I'm excited to be hanging out with her this evening!

Now, it's December 1st. Two more weeks, then I'll be heading back to life in America. But I will not be the same. I have been changed by my time here, in so many ways. The Lord has grown and changed me, making me more like the woman He has called me to be. I have been touched by each person I have had the privilege to know here. I have come to know a little bit about other cultures, not just French, but German, South African, Gabonese, North African, just to name a few. Many of these people in my life here have become family, they are relationships that I cherish, and pray will continue even after I leave. I cannot describe how I've changed, and I do not know how deeply leaving here will affect me, but I do know that I am not the same person you knew when I left. My eyes and my heart have been opened. I cannot wait to share, in person, with you, all that I've learned. Be blessed!

Blessings and Love,

Chrissy

Belfast....

The Titanic Museum

So, I've promised you all a special blog post about my time in Belfast. So here it is! I'm so excited to share about my time there, and all of the amazing experiences I had!

So to start, let me explain. One of the really amazing opportunities I have being on internship with Bethany is to do a "survey" or "vision" trip. Essentially it's a trip to check out a ministry or place that you could see yourself doing or being long term. So, I went to Belfast, to check out a church plant that Every Nation had started there. Man, was it a blessed time!

It's a very new church plant, with just Johann and Andrea Vizagie are the Pastors and leaders of the church plant. They have baby girls, who were also such blessings to me! The other leaders of the church plant are Lenny and Caly Konschewitz. I was so blessed by these two couples during my time in Belfast! I was able to go to staff meetings, learn a little bit about establishing Every Nation Belfast as a church plant, I went out with Caly one day on a hunt for ministry opportunities with youth centers in the area. I had an amazing night, Halloween night, going out with an organization in Belfast called Night Light. Essentially helping people who are anywhere from homeless to drunk off their heads. We were able to be the hands and feet of Jesus, handing out coffee, tea, or soup, sharing good conversations, and sometimes just being an ear to listen. I absolutely loved being out there, helping and loving on those that need it the most. Another day we went out to Queens University, and did God tests. Essentially, just taking a survey of the students, finding out what they thought about the existence of God. This led to some great conversations, and amazing connections! It was such a wonderful experience, being able to work with this team, and hear their hearts, and their vision for what it looks like to impact the community.

Now, there is something to mention about Northern Ireland. It's a beautiful place with some of the most kind and welcoming people. But it is a place that has also been rife with conflict. I was able to do some research, to learn more about the history of Belfast as well as demographics, to help the team a bit. While much of the violence of the past has subsided, there is still an underlying hostility within the community there. Much of this conflict derives from politics and religion. Catholics and Protestants are at odds. There are even "peace walls" blocking off Catholic neighborhoods from
Protestant neighborhoods. Part of the goal that the Belfast team has is to bring unity to the community. To bring peace to what seems like an endless conflict.

A Peace Wall inscribed
"Open your heart to change,
but don't let go of your values." -The Dali Lama

Belfast Castle

I was so blessed by Johann, Andrea, Lenny,

Albert Memorial Clock
Tower

and Caly during my time in Belfast. They prophesied over me, spoke words of life, encouragement. I felt so valued, accepted, loved. I knew that these were the right people to bring unity and healing to this place. I cannot explain how incredibly blessed I was by these wonderful, amazing people. I am so thankful for all of them, and continue to pray that the Lord will use them in mighty ways in the years to come!

All in all, my trip to Belfast was an incredible one. I cannot believe how blessed I am to have gone on this trip, met these people, and been used by God during my time there. I pray that the Lord will continue to restore and bring healing to the land. I hope that someday, I will be able to return.

Belfast Castle Gardens

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