June/July 2010 Update: Just out of curiosity…

Have you ever seen…
Someone eat a Reese’s peanut butter cup with a fork and knife? At our last young adult’s get-together at church I saw D. doing that. It was his first Reese’s so he didn’t know how to eat it! D. is one of several young people in the church who have been growing like weeds. It has been encouraging to see a new core group form after several faithful ones have moved away.

The reddish glow of church steeples as a city burns below? My neighbor Jacques told me last week of his childhood memories from World War II here in Rouen. The Lord has blessed me recently with all sorts of invitations for dinner and for coffee with people in my neighborhood. I love getting to know people who live right around the corner because the regular interaction leads to openings to share Christ.

Have you ever heard…
Someone request a Christmas carol at a Mother’s Day service? My neighbor Mrs. M. did last Sunday and said later that she didn’t know the song but she liked the looks of it because it mentioned angels. She is really a character! It has been exciting to see her attend Bible studies and Sunday worship. We are looking forward to the day when she trusts Christ.

The phone ring late at night, with someone on the other end telling you, “You must stop talking to my sister about the Bible”? Y.’s sister J. insisted that I leave her sister alone. Thankfully, she was willing to allow Y. to choose for herself whether she will continue discipleship with me or not. Y. has resolved to find her direction from God’s Word. We are praying that she will truly seek God’s face and resolve to become a true disciple of Jesus though it would mean conflict in her family.

A grandmother share, “My family members told me that they had no hope, and somehow God gave me the courage to tell them that I used to feel the same way until I met Jesus.” P’s testimony is one of many that we delight to hear when the church family is together. I am continually blessed by the boldness of the young believers in this ministry (some of which are over 60!). Every Sunday and every prayer meeting is special.

A new believer ask, “Here’s what I am planning on telling my friend: God sent Jesus into the world to save us from our sins. Do you think that’s clear enough?” S. was saved a few months ago and Pastor Fox has had the joy of discipling him. A major drawback is that he lives in Dieppe, a city which lacks a solid church. Please pray for God to send more laborers!

Have you ever had the opportunity to…
Teach a two-day course in French on sacred composition and arranging? Neither have I – but I get the opportunity to try June 25-27 in southern France! I’m so excited! That’s one of several opportunities God is giving me this month to travel to different churches and teach and learn. He is incredibly good!

Spend three months showing your mission field to one of your siblings? I get to do that too – my sister Kelli is here for the summer! We are going to have a blast together. She will have many opportunities to use her musical training, artistic abilities, and cheery disposition in the ministry here.

Have you ever been heartsick because of sin and the damage it does in hearts and lives? That happens to me too. May the Lord strengthen us by His grace to stick by the stuff. Thank you for your prayers to that end.

With gratefulness,
Kristi Colas