Dear friends,

Last weekend when I arrived at the pastor’s home in Lee’s Summit, MO, his wife said, “I remember you, Kristi! I was your camp counselor when you were in junior high. You were so homesick that you spent several nights in the nurses’ station because you couldn’t bear for everyone to see you crying!” Sure enough, that was me. Truly it is only by the grace of God that I grew up to embark on this missionary journey!

En route: French, “on the road”
I am in the midst of a busy spring schedule of meetings. Last month I flew to Massachusetts for an excellent missions conference in Burlington (close to the historic villages of Lexington and Concord). The Lord also provided the opportunity to visit my sending church and give them a personal deputation update. Since then I have been in the greater KC area, and I will continue to visit churches here until Memorial Day.

Sain et sauve: Fr., “safe and sound”
Thank you for your prayers for my safety as I travel each week. Usually I take my safety for granted, but several times this month I had vivid reminders of God’s grace in protecting me and my family. My dad was in a minor motorcycle accident on his way home from work (without any major injuries, thankfully), and three weeks later a man was killed on a motorcycle right outside our subdivision. My brother has been safe during his Army Basic Training while working with guns and grenades. Last night, Pastor Glover invited me to park the VW Bug in his garage, and an hour later we got marble-sized hail. God’s timing is perfect!

Incroyable: Fr., “unbelievable”
You never know who you will run into when you travel. In New Hampshire’s Manchester airport, I was in the same security line as TV news anchor Dan Rather. I had to giggle when he walked past me in his socks. After he put his shoes back on, I gathered up my courage and shook his hand, wishing him a safe trip. J On another flight, I sat next to a friendly Christian gentleman who was delighted at my plans to serve the Lord in France. At the end of our conversation, he told me very sincerely that he believed God was preparing me to be the pastor of a mega-church. With equal sincerity, I told him I believed God has other plans for me! J

Toujours réjouissante : Fr., “always rejoicing”
Recently I found myself bogged down in the grime of details and decisions. My support level has risen to 56%, but sometimes the finish line still feels far away. The Lord encouraged me with Habbakuk 3: 17-19. No matter what happens, I must choose to rejoice in the God of my salvation. He will enable me to overcome all obstacles, like a sure-footed deer on the mountaintops.

Please pray for me, that
1) I would trust the Lord to provide meetings for this summer and fall.
2) I would arrive in France by January 2008.
3) He would give me more opportunities to share the Gospel as I travel.
4) He would give wisdom in choosing a language school.

For His glory,

Kristi Colas

Attached photos:
- picture from MA missions conference with fellow missionaries Dr. Jack Mitchell and Todd & Kathy Beaman; we had just been given those cool shades!
- my friend Amy Callahan & I at the Minuteman statue in Lexington, MA