Last week Scott took five young people down to Marseille, France for a week of "Christians on Mission". This is a program set up by the church there in Marseille to encourage young people to learn more and be practical in their Christianity. There are lessons in the morning and in the afternoon and evening there are opportunities to serve, reach out, share and live what we have heard about.
Scott, Stephan, Sean went with Isha and Kyana Verheijen and Valéri Ubachs in Ruud Verheijen's car (a Fiat Multipla seats 6 and has room for baggage) down to Marseille. Or at least, that was the plan. The car broke down about 90 minutes from Marseilles - in the left-most lane of the highway in the middle of traffic. (Wanda Martin and Dino Maisano are already going "Aahh!") But the car really didn't have too big a problem (it was taken back to Belgium and has already been fixed) and that meant that we began a great adventure without the worry of a foreign car in a big city.
And it was definitely an adventure! We finally got to Marseille and into bed around 3 a.m. But it was a great beginning for a week of learning how to be flexible, how to share and how to keep each other focused on what really matters! Lessons were often in French (translated into English), it was almost always hot, we did a lot of walking, a lot of singing and a lot of helping - and it was all great! Amazing what a right attitude will do for your days.
In the meantime we have made it back home and everyone is sad that it went by so quickly. We all made new friends, stretched our view of what is possible in our lives, and grew in faith. We are looking forward to what God is doing with us each and every new day!
It was a blessing to be with you for the week! Your willingness to serve, friendliness and positive attitudes were a great encouragement to those around you.
ReplyDeleteI browsed through your photos! Looks like it was a great time! They immmediately reminded me of my Navy tour in the Med, in '92, when the Archerfish pulled into Toulon (just east along the coast). That's the time I took the TGV to Paris and met with you all for the day and a night.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you all returned safe. You never did mention exactly what was wrong with the van. Was there something in the road you hit?
The van had a simple problem - the clutch wire had sprung. I was pretty sure this was the problem.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, the AAA simply sent the car back to Belgium to be fixed, wher it cost a total of 85 euro. IN France they had told the AAA that it would cost 2000 euro!
This way, I didn't have to worry about the car all week and got a pretty good rental for the return trip. Things worked out well (which is what I expect when they are in God's hands =) )
What an excellent statement!
ReplyDelete" Amazing what a right attitude will do for your days. "
Sounds like your group got a head start on the lessons of the week. I appreciate your positive role model for Christ.