As I type, I'm listening to music from Passion with my MP3 player. Our friend Brent, who next week returns to the U.S. after an year-long internship at our church, helped me figure out how to "rip" CDs on our computer and then transfer these to my MP3 player. I bought it in last November, but never had the time or energy to figure out how it worked. I hope that it allows us to travel much lighter on future trips, without the load of CDs that we often bring. Brent used to work at Best Buy, my favorite store for electronics & computers and is about 20 years younger than me. Our whole family appreciates him and we will be sad to see him go.
This morning I got a phone call from Michael, whom I had met several years ago, but got reconnected with at Passion Paris on June 3. Since then, he's been telephoning occasionally for prayer for different events where he is speaking or preaching. He called today for prayer about a sermon on Nicodemus in John 3 that he will give this Sunday. He and his wife are expecting their first child at the end of this year. It's good to get to encourage him through prayers when he calls.
This morning Fui & Vadim came over to spend time with my wife and kids. I mentioned to her at lunch that I received a short-term application from so-and-so from Australia. She recognized the name and asked where she was from. When I said Sydney, she said that she thought that she was in one of her French classes that she taught there last year. When I showed her a photo from Facebook, she recognized her. What an amazing small world it is sometimes.
I'm grateful for the friends along the journey that God brings our way. When it gets down to it, ministry is about people. I'm thankful for Brent, Michael, Fui, Vadim, and others who marked my day.
mercredi 16 juillet 2008
lundi 14 juillet 2008
Bastille Day 2008
I'm watching on TV a live evening concert taking place on les Champs de Mars by the Eiffel Tower. 500,000 people are present. While it would be fun to be there, we probably have a better view on TV. The sun is still up, as it doesn't set until around 10:00 p.m. in July, which is one of the great things about Paris in springtime & summer. This reminds me some of last year's Central Park NY concert we went to with Peter Kenote.
This morning we watched on TV the annual Bastille Day parade. While I've been in France 15 years, we've been in the U.S. 3 of last 4 Bastille Days. I think I may have watched just one other Bastille Day parade during all these years.
Sometimes I take for granted being in Paris. I think that I'll be around here forever, so I'll wait until next year. But it's probably good to not have this attitude, but rather to don't put off until summer (or this fall) what we can do this this summer.
I consider it really a gift from God to get to live this dream of living, ministering, and raising a family in Paris. I expect that someday, if I'm ever gone from here, I'll look back and think that this was one of the best seasons of my life. Sure, the dollar exchange is terrible and we have to live frugally. But it's amazing to get to live in such a beautiful & diverse city.
I'm blessed to have 3 different countries that I now love. These are the U.S., France, and the Philippines. The singer just said, "Quelle joie de vivre en France." ("what a joy to live in France). This is true.
We're starting to think about another Home Ministry Assignment (HMA) starting summer 2009. However, this may be longer than the summer. Perhaps this is why I'm feeling more nostalgic about living in Paris today.
Ten years ago, in 1998, we tried to catch the fireworks in Paris on Bastille Day. For some reason, they canceled them, without ever explaining why. (Well, not every part of French live is wonderful). We were getting ready to leave France 2 days later for studies at Wheaton. We planned on coming back to Paris in a year, but it ended up being 2 years later.
It will be interesting to see how the next couple of years play out. It's good to have this summer to step back a little bit and reflect. We really didn't have that privilege during the last coupel of summers in the U.S. I'm enjoying a slow reading through the Gospel of Mark in French during the last few days.
I was struck by the story in Mark 9 when a man says, "Je crois. Mais aide-moi, car je manque de foi." ("I believe. But help me, for I am lackingin faith."). I think that this verse is appropriate for the French people, as well as for many in this post-modern age.
This morning we watched on TV the annual Bastille Day parade. While I've been in France 15 years, we've been in the U.S. 3 of last 4 Bastille Days. I think I may have watched just one other Bastille Day parade during all these years.
Sometimes I take for granted being in Paris. I think that I'll be around here forever, so I'll wait until next year. But it's probably good to not have this attitude, but rather to don't put off until summer (or this fall) what we can do this this summer.
I consider it really a gift from God to get to live this dream of living, ministering, and raising a family in Paris. I expect that someday, if I'm ever gone from here, I'll look back and think that this was one of the best seasons of my life. Sure, the dollar exchange is terrible and we have to live frugally. But it's amazing to get to live in such a beautiful & diverse city.
I'm blessed to have 3 different countries that I now love. These are the U.S., France, and the Philippines. The singer just said, "Quelle joie de vivre en France." ("what a joy to live in France). This is true.
We're starting to think about another Home Ministry Assignment (HMA) starting summer 2009. However, this may be longer than the summer. Perhaps this is why I'm feeling more nostalgic about living in Paris today.
Ten years ago, in 1998, we tried to catch the fireworks in Paris on Bastille Day. For some reason, they canceled them, without ever explaining why. (Well, not every part of French live is wonderful). We were getting ready to leave France 2 days later for studies at Wheaton. We planned on coming back to Paris in a year, but it ended up being 2 years later.
It will be interesting to see how the next couple of years play out. It's good to have this summer to step back a little bit and reflect. We really didn't have that privilege during the last coupel of summers in the U.S. I'm enjoying a slow reading through the Gospel of Mark in French during the last few days.
I was struck by the story in Mark 9 when a man says, "Je crois. Mais aide-moi, car je manque de foi." ("I believe. But help me, for I am lackingin faith."). I think that this verse is appropriate for the French people, as well as for many in this post-modern age.
samedi 12 juillet 2008
10 year anniversary of France's World Cup Victory
10 years ago today, the French mens' soccer team amazed the world by winning at home the World Cup championship. That evening was also our last service at St. Michael's Anglican Church of Paris, where I served on the staff for a year (1997-98) during our first year of marriage. The church had a big screen TV in a room where many of us watched the match. During half time, the church presented us with a farewell gift. After the match, which France won 3-0, Nicole and I went to les Champs-Elysées (not far from the church) where we celebrated with hundreds of thousands of others. We barely made our train back to the suburbs, where we stayed our last few nights with Antony & Sheila Brown. We were around for Bastille Day, then flew back to the U.S. on July 16, 2008.
That whole World Cup experience has been one of my favorite memories in 15+ years in France. France's team wasn't one of the favorites, but they pulled together. The team was a mixture of African, North African, Corsican, Armenian, and white French. They blended well together as a team.
A lot has happened in my family's life during the past 10 years. We spent 2 years in Wheaton, Illinois (1998-2000) doing studies, then have been back in Paris in the same apartment & neighborhood for the past 8 years. We've added 3 children, soon to be 4. We've been involved at the same church in Paris, while doing different ministries inside and outside of it.
As for France's soccer team, it has had its ups and downs. Right after we returned to France in 2000, France won the European Cup. We went to the Champs-Elysees after the semifinals and finals. In the finals, Sylvain Wiltord scored just before time ran out to tie Italy, then David Trezeguet won it with a sudden death overtime goal. In the 2002 World Cup, France didn't score a goal in 3 matches and was eliminated. In the 2004 European Cup, I can't even remember how France did. In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, France surprisingly reached the finals again. Sadly, Zinedine Zidane lost his cool just before the end of the regulation time, headbutted an Italian player, and got a red card. This ended up coloring the rest of the match and France lost in a shootout to Italy. In last month's European Cup, France was eliminated after its first 3 matches without a victory.
I continue to say "Go Blue" for the Michigan Wolverines football team, but now also say the French equivalent "Allez les Bleus" for the French soccer team. I just can't stay away from rooting for the blue teams.
That whole World Cup experience has been one of my favorite memories in 15+ years in France. France's team wasn't one of the favorites, but they pulled together. The team was a mixture of African, North African, Corsican, Armenian, and white French. They blended well together as a team.
A lot has happened in my family's life during the past 10 years. We spent 2 years in Wheaton, Illinois (1998-2000) doing studies, then have been back in Paris in the same apartment & neighborhood for the past 8 years. We've added 3 children, soon to be 4. We've been involved at the same church in Paris, while doing different ministries inside and outside of it.
As for France's soccer team, it has had its ups and downs. Right after we returned to France in 2000, France won the European Cup. We went to the Champs-Elysees after the semifinals and finals. In the finals, Sylvain Wiltord scored just before time ran out to tie Italy, then David Trezeguet won it with a sudden death overtime goal. In the 2002 World Cup, France didn't score a goal in 3 matches and was eliminated. In the 2004 European Cup, I can't even remember how France did. In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, France surprisingly reached the finals again. Sadly, Zinedine Zidane lost his cool just before the end of the regulation time, headbutted an Italian player, and got a red card. This ended up coloring the rest of the match and France lost in a shootout to Italy. In last month's European Cup, France was eliminated after its first 3 matches without a victory.
I continue to say "Go Blue" for the Michigan Wolverines football team, but now also say the French equivalent "Allez les Bleus" for the French soccer team. I just can't stay away from rooting for the blue teams.
mercredi 9 juillet 2008
Friends in Paris
This has ended up being a week with many get togethers with friends.
On Monday, our son's friend & classmate Essam came over in the afternoon to play.
On Tuesday, I attended my friend David's birthday party/commissioning for Australia.
Today, my wife's friend Fui & her son Vadim came over to play in the afternoon. We had supper with Trisha tonight.
Tomorrow we see Charles in the afternoon, then I have a concert at le Pavé d'Orsay in the evening.
Friday, our older daughter's classmate Intan comes over in the morning.
We're thankful that we're in connection with more & more people in our neighborhood & in our city. We hope to connect with many of them this summer, while our schedules are calmer than usual.
On Monday, our son's friend & classmate Essam came over in the afternoon to play.
On Tuesday, I attended my friend David's birthday party/commissioning for Australia.
Today, my wife's friend Fui & her son Vadim came over to play in the afternoon. We had supper with Trisha tonight.
Tomorrow we see Charles in the afternoon, then I have a concert at le Pavé d'Orsay in the evening.
Friday, our older daughter's classmate Intan comes over in the morning.
We're thankful that we're in connection with more & more people in our neighborhood & in our city. We hope to connect with many of them this summer, while our schedules are calmer than usual.
mardi 8 juillet 2008
David...Australia bound
Tonight I was privileged to attend the 27th birthday party of David. I've known David since he attended some Mission Radicale rallies & conferences 2001-2005. I've enjoyed his joyful presence, as well as his skill at video filming & production. He's also been very welcoming of different groups of Americans who have attended Mission Radicale, as well as Passion Paris of June 3.
David is trying to raise funds to do a leadership course at Hillsong Church of Sydney, Australia. He already did a Discipleship Training School (DTS) of YWAM in Australia. I think he'll do well there and look forward to seeing what God has for him in the future.
It was rewarding for me to see the fruit in his life and realize that I've played a part of it through involvement at Mission Radicale. There was also a 23 year old young man named Michael whom I worked with at MR in the past. I met his 23 year old Canadian wife Kate tonight.
These are the kinds of people in the next generation below mine in whom I have so much hope for the future. They are like my spiritual nieces & nephews. I want to see them succeed & want to encourage them to launch out in faith.
David is trying to raise funds to do a leadership course at Hillsong Church of Sydney, Australia. He already did a Discipleship Training School (DTS) of YWAM in Australia. I think he'll do well there and look forward to seeing what God has for him in the future.
It was rewarding for me to see the fruit in his life and realize that I've played a part of it through involvement at Mission Radicale. There was also a 23 year old young man named Michael whom I worked with at MR in the past. I met his 23 year old Canadian wife Kate tonight.
These are the kinds of people in the next generation below mine in whom I have so much hope for the future. They are like my spiritual nieces & nephews. I want to see them succeed & want to encourage them to launch out in faith.
dimanche 6 juillet 2008
Summer is now here
Last Thursday my older 2 kids had their last day of school for 2007-8 school year. They will start up again on September 2.
On Friday we had one of our son's classmates over for lunch and the afternoon. She left for Tunisia for the rest of the summer today. She and my son interact like a boyfriend and girlfriend, without all the mushiness, so it's cute watching them together. It felt a little strange starting to think about what kind of husbands or wives would probably be good for my kids with their individual personalities and quirks. Our son probably needs someone who is tough enough to handle his ups and downs, as well as someone who can do physical activities with him like roller skating and whatever else he picks up. I can understand why parents pray for their kids to find the right life partner.
One of our goals this summer is to try to get together with some of our friends in the Paris area whom we haven't seen in awhile. I can already see us getting frustrated by the end of the summer about everyone whom we didn't see, rather than being thankful for the people that we got to see. But with a pregnant wife and 3 young kids, we can only do so much.
We started getting baby clothes organized yesterday for the arrival of #4. Even though this isn't scheduled for November, we need to be ready earlier, just in case.
I think I hear one of the kids fussing, so I need to close for now.
On Friday we had one of our son's classmates over for lunch and the afternoon. She left for Tunisia for the rest of the summer today. She and my son interact like a boyfriend and girlfriend, without all the mushiness, so it's cute watching them together. It felt a little strange starting to think about what kind of husbands or wives would probably be good for my kids with their individual personalities and quirks. Our son probably needs someone who is tough enough to handle his ups and downs, as well as someone who can do physical activities with him like roller skating and whatever else he picks up. I can understand why parents pray for their kids to find the right life partner.
One of our goals this summer is to try to get together with some of our friends in the Paris area whom we haven't seen in awhile. I can already see us getting frustrated by the end of the summer about everyone whom we didn't see, rather than being thankful for the people that we got to see. But with a pregnant wife and 3 young kids, we can only do so much.
We started getting baby clothes organized yesterday for the arrival of #4. Even though this isn't scheduled for November, we need to be ready earlier, just in case.
I think I hear one of the kids fussing, so I need to close for now.
jeudi 3 juillet 2008
How Quickly They Grow Up
Yesterday my 6 year old son and I went to visit the neighborhood grade school that he is likely to start attending in September. We went with one of his classmates named Thea and her dad.
My mind flashed back to 3 years ago, when we first met Thea & her mom at the orientation for the school that my son and Thea are having their last day in today. My son and Thea looked so little back then.
I recall the first day 3 years ago when we brought him back for the afternoon. We weren't sure how he would do taking a collective nap with all the other kids. But he ended up doing really well.
I'm surprised about the sadness I feel about his finishing up this section of life. He feels sad about leaving his class and school, although yesterday's school visit helped him see the next section of his life. It's amazing how quickly the past 6 years have raced by.
For me, raising kids has been a great step in faith building. As my kids get older, I feel so much less in control of them and of my life as well than I did before. They already have their different preferences, personalities, opinions, ideas, etc.
Yesterday my dad turned 75. It struck me that he was my age (46) when I started at university in 1979. He started the father thing at a much younger age than when I did. 75 used to seem so old to me that I can't believe my dad is that age now. I think he was honored and pleased by many different notes of appreciation that he received yesterday from friends from different sections of his life.
Recently I woke up in a panic about how my kids would turn out, especially being raised in such a secular environment. God comforted me with the thought that He would provide all the resources that they would need, including faith resources. The mother of one of our recent interns wrote that nothing pleased her more than knowing that her adult children were following God. I think that I could say the same thing, although this is still a work in process with my kids.
Some days, it really feels like we're going 2 steps forward and 1 step back with our kids. For this reason, it's important to be able to step away from the canvas from time to time and get some overall perspective. One of the Sunday school workers at our church recently commented on how much progress our son has made. So did a school psychiatrist who has observed him during the last 20 months.
We learned on Monday that our next child, due in November, is a girl. More estrogen & pink to add to the family. Like our son, she is very active inside the womb. It will be exciting to see how she fits into our family constellation.
My mind flashed back to 3 years ago, when we first met Thea & her mom at the orientation for the school that my son and Thea are having their last day in today. My son and Thea looked so little back then.
I recall the first day 3 years ago when we brought him back for the afternoon. We weren't sure how he would do taking a collective nap with all the other kids. But he ended up doing really well.
I'm surprised about the sadness I feel about his finishing up this section of life. He feels sad about leaving his class and school, although yesterday's school visit helped him see the next section of his life. It's amazing how quickly the past 6 years have raced by.
For me, raising kids has been a great step in faith building. As my kids get older, I feel so much less in control of them and of my life as well than I did before. They already have their different preferences, personalities, opinions, ideas, etc.
Yesterday my dad turned 75. It struck me that he was my age (46) when I started at university in 1979. He started the father thing at a much younger age than when I did. 75 used to seem so old to me that I can't believe my dad is that age now. I think he was honored and pleased by many different notes of appreciation that he received yesterday from friends from different sections of his life.
Recently I woke up in a panic about how my kids would turn out, especially being raised in such a secular environment. God comforted me with the thought that He would provide all the resources that they would need, including faith resources. The mother of one of our recent interns wrote that nothing pleased her more than knowing that her adult children were following God. I think that I could say the same thing, although this is still a work in process with my kids.
Some days, it really feels like we're going 2 steps forward and 1 step back with our kids. For this reason, it's important to be able to step away from the canvas from time to time and get some overall perspective. One of the Sunday school workers at our church recently commented on how much progress our son has made. So did a school psychiatrist who has observed him during the last 20 months.
We learned on Monday that our next child, due in November, is a girl. More estrogen & pink to add to the family. Like our son, she is very active inside the womb. It will be exciting to see how she fits into our family constellation.
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