Driving in a Car . . . part 2
Sunday, 6:30 am – the shower doors are quiet this morning, thankfully. I creep around getting ready so that my roommates can keep sleeping. It occurs to me that its Easter Sunday, and I’m struck by past memories of Easters at home (picture in the front of the fireplace), Easter in my home church (all the great hymns), Easters in Jerusalem (shivering through the sunrise service at the Garden Tomb) and I think about how truly blessed I’ve been to have such rich experiences. This year will be another memory, because for the first time in my life, instead of an Easter dress, I’m wearing cargo pants and a tee-shirt I usually work out in.
8:00 am – In addition to coffee bowls, we eat bread for breakfast. Our choices are wheat bread slices, which would be very healthy, or brioche slices, which is sweet bread sort of like the dough in danishes. It’s yummy. While we’re eating, the pastor’s 28 year old daughter asks me about the AG missionary system, specifically regarding our financial support. It’s so different here in France. As I explain, she asks about Speed-the-Light, because she’s heard about the program and she’s astounded that teenagers can give upwards of 2 million dollars a year to buy missionary cars. I take a few minutes to talk up the generosity of the American teens who work so hard to raise that money. It’s such a blessing for us, and I’m thankful every time I drive my car.
2:00 pm – We’re standing outside waiting for lunch. We’ve had our three hours of morning service, which ended with a powerful alter call. I’m staggered by the response of these young people who feel called to evangelism. Lunch today is a French dish called “Raclette” which is melted cheese over baked potatoes. On the side, ham and salami are served, as well as salad. There are machines that melt the cheese in individual trays (sort of the same concept as fondue pots with individual skewers). This is why lunch has taken so long to set up. One machine for every six people with two hundred people here, means that there are electric cords everywhere (even to other buildings). While we wait, the kitchen workers are baking the potatoes and most of the young men are playing an impromptu soccer game. Finally we’re called into the lunchroom to enjoy our fantastic, if heavy, lunch. Afterwards, I take advantage of our small break to call home from the shower room, the only room that’s empty and quiet.
7:30 pm – By this time, I’ve just finished the last of my sessions, and I’m on top of the world. I had to combine/shorten some things since lunch took so long. But I’ve done my best and they’ve thanked me profusely and applauded for about five minutes straight. So many young people have approached me to say that they’ve been touched by what I’ve said. I keep emphasizing how thankful I am for this chance that God provided. I love this kind of ministry!
9:30 pm – We’ve just finished dinner and are headed into our final service for the day. I had a fun meal listening to a young street guy tell me about his ten day to New York City with some French friends, none of whom spoke English. He had some pretty funny “American” experiences.
12:00 am – I’m headed back to the dorms to sleep. I’m punchy with exhaustion, as are most of the others. Here’s the proof: during the service, a thirteen year old boy in front of us fell asleep. Suddenly he lurched forward, almost falling on the floor, and showing our row about six inches of his tighty-whiteys. He was probably having one of those “falling dreams.” Anyway, it struck us so funny that we giggled through the rest of the service.
6:00 am – Noise in the bathrooms wakes me. Apparently this being the last day of camp has given everyone a final, desperate burst of energy, because the girls are making jokes while lined up at sinks and showers. I don’t make jokes at 6:00 am in ANY language. To liven up our camp experience, all the bathrooms are out of toilet paper but one, so we are fifty girls truly “suffering for Jesus” now.
9:00 am – After our hour of prayer (and dozing), we’re at breakfast where we get croissants and pains au chocolat, which is sort of like a croissant with chocolate inside. This is a treat I rarely allow myself. The French I’m eating with are teasing me about how the Americans love their morning coffee, after all Janet says she doesn’t even greet her husband until she’s had a hit of coffee. But hey, at least we don’t drink ours out of cereal bowls! As we eat, Janet starts telling some stories about her and her husband’s life in South Africa, when Mandela came into power and the entire government transitioned. She talks hesitantly and occasionally asks for certain words, but she makes herself understood. It takes her about 20 minutes to describe their ministry there, but I’m so proud of her for trying to get it all out. I know how frustrating it is to go that slowly. The two people listening are very patient with her, nodding along in encouragement because they are proud of her efforts in their language as well.
12:00 pm – We get out of service after only two hours. I guess even the pastor is tired. Lunch is roast beef, tender and tasty. A chef from the church has been in charge of the food this weekend, and I’m never eaten better at a camp/retreat. A young man asks if he can eat lunch with me; this is the only the second time in three years that has happened, so it’s a real shame that I’m supposed to eat with the pastor. After lunch though, as we’re packing the car, the young man approaches me about his mother who is the women’s ministry leader for her church, wondering if I’m willing to be a speaker for them at some point. And just like that, I’ve got a second speaking engagement out of this weekend.
7:00 pm – Other than a small traffic jamb, we make decent time back to Lyon. Grady, Janet, and I are exhausted and Easter Monday is a national holiday. We figure a Muslim restaurant will be open, though, so we get delicious chicken shwarma for dinner, before heading back to their house to catch up with emails (and blogs!)
8:00 am – In addition to coffee bowls, we eat bread for breakfast. Our choices are wheat bread slices, which would be very healthy, or brioche slices, which is sweet bread sort of like the dough in danishes. It’s yummy. While we’re eating, the pastor’s 28 year old daughter asks me about the AG missionary system, specifically regarding our financial support. It’s so different here in France. As I explain, she asks about Speed-the-Light, because she’s heard about the program and she’s astounded that teenagers can give upwards of 2 million dollars a year to buy missionary cars. I take a few minutes to talk up the generosity of the American teens who work so hard to raise that money. It’s such a blessing for us, and I’m thankful every time I drive my car.
2:00 pm – We’re standing outside waiting for lunch. We’ve had our three hours of morning service, which ended with a powerful alter call. I’m staggered by the response of these young people who feel called to evangelism. Lunch today is a French dish called “Raclette” which is melted cheese over baked potatoes. On the side, ham and salami are served, as well as salad. There are machines that melt the cheese in individual trays (sort of the same concept as fondue pots with individual skewers). This is why lunch has taken so long to set up. One machine for every six people with two hundred people here, means that there are electric cords everywhere (even to other buildings). While we wait, the kitchen workers are baking the potatoes and most of the young men are playing an impromptu soccer game. Finally we’re called into the lunchroom to enjoy our fantastic, if heavy, lunch. Afterwards, I take advantage of our small break to call home from the shower room, the only room that’s empty and quiet.
7:30 pm – By this time, I’ve just finished the last of my sessions, and I’m on top of the world. I had to combine/shorten some things since lunch took so long. But I’ve done my best and they’ve thanked me profusely and applauded for about five minutes straight. So many young people have approached me to say that they’ve been touched by what I’ve said. I keep emphasizing how thankful I am for this chance that God provided. I love this kind of ministry!
9:30 pm – We’ve just finished dinner and are headed into our final service for the day. I had a fun meal listening to a young street guy tell me about his ten day to New York City with some French friends, none of whom spoke English. He had some pretty funny “American” experiences.
12:00 am – I’m headed back to the dorms to sleep. I’m punchy with exhaustion, as are most of the others. Here’s the proof: during the service, a thirteen year old boy in front of us fell asleep. Suddenly he lurched forward, almost falling on the floor, and showing our row about six inches of his tighty-whiteys. He was probably having one of those “falling dreams.” Anyway, it struck us so funny that we giggled through the rest of the service.
6:00 am – Noise in the bathrooms wakes me. Apparently this being the last day of camp has given everyone a final, desperate burst of energy, because the girls are making jokes while lined up at sinks and showers. I don’t make jokes at 6:00 am in ANY language. To liven up our camp experience, all the bathrooms are out of toilet paper but one, so we are fifty girls truly “suffering for Jesus” now.
9:00 am – After our hour of prayer (and dozing), we’re at breakfast where we get croissants and pains au chocolat, which is sort of like a croissant with chocolate inside. This is a treat I rarely allow myself. The French I’m eating with are teasing me about how the Americans love their morning coffee, after all Janet says she doesn’t even greet her husband until she’s had a hit of coffee. But hey, at least we don’t drink ours out of cereal bowls! As we eat, Janet starts telling some stories about her and her husband’s life in South Africa, when Mandela came into power and the entire government transitioned. She talks hesitantly and occasionally asks for certain words, but she makes herself understood. It takes her about 20 minutes to describe their ministry there, but I’m so proud of her for trying to get it all out. I know how frustrating it is to go that slowly. The two people listening are very patient with her, nodding along in encouragement because they are proud of her efforts in their language as well.
12:00 pm – We get out of service after only two hours. I guess even the pastor is tired. Lunch is roast beef, tender and tasty. A chef from the church has been in charge of the food this weekend, and I’m never eaten better at a camp/retreat. A young man asks if he can eat lunch with me; this is the only the second time in three years that has happened, so it’s a real shame that I’m supposed to eat with the pastor. After lunch though, as we’re packing the car, the young man approaches me about his mother who is the women’s ministry leader for her church, wondering if I’m willing to be a speaker for them at some point. And just like that, I’ve got a second speaking engagement out of this weekend.
7:00 pm – Other than a small traffic jamb, we make decent time back to Lyon. Grady, Janet, and I are exhausted and Easter Monday is a national holiday. We figure a Muslim restaurant will be open, though, so we get delicious chicken shwarma for dinner, before heading back to their house to catch up with emails (and blogs!)