La fin de ma lutte toute petite

This is going to sound cryptic, or get the idle speculating, but tant pis!

To any who prayed regarding the Christmas Day post, je vous remercie. During cathedral morning prayer, one line of The Lord's Prayer hit very hard:
"Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."

And I went back to my months of conversations with my long gone-to-glory friend Matthew, and remembered the following passage:
Matthieu 18, 21-35.

God is so good!
To answer the prayer the willing spirit was praying even while the weak body kicked/screamed/threw tantrums/generally resisted.
________________

La fin de cette année

The close of this year has been rather calm to date. Well, apart from the back pain sustained since the weekend's cleaning activity. And the spiritual battle inferred above.

And now I have time to make some notes on the following..

..(TEN Reasons For) Why I Am Still A Christian

1. God has held me in the palm of His hand - something I've really noticed this year.

2. God has been a strength & refuge; an ever-present help in trouble.
[PSA. 46:1]

3. God has shown me such great mercy, new every morning, though I really deserve nothing good.

4. God has kept the big promises (e.g. upholding me with His righteous hand) as well as the small ones (e.g. supplying all I need acc. to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus).
[ISA. 41:10 & PHIL. 4:19]

5. God has a sure future for me in Christ, who is my life, & with whom I will appear in glory when He Himself appears.
[COL. 3:3ff]

6. God is at work in me for my eternal good.
[ROM. 8:28 & PHIL. 2:13]

7. God is a Father better than any other.

8. God loves not only me, but all the lost around me in this world that I feel so geographically incapable of helping; & He wants them to be saved even more than I do!
[1 TIM. 2:4 & JOHN 3:16]

9. God is just & fair, & the One who will judge everyone by the Man He has appointed - so I can wait for Him.
[ACTS 17:31]

10. God will be there (God will be there), God is everywhere (guitar, neow neow neow neow neow, neow neow, NEOW!!)**
________________

If I don't post again tomorrow, Happy New Year!

L/T.


{**SOURCE: Colin Buchanan, "God is everywhere", from album 10, 9, 8 God is great}

Joyeux Noël!

Aux chers amis en Europe:
Quel dommage qu'il ne soit pas possible pour vous d'être ici en Australie cette mois! Il n'y a point de neige en ce moment
- oui, un peu de feu, dans le sud -
et selon les prévisions, il y aura des inondations dans le nord de ma région, mais PAS du tout près de Sydney où j'habite!

Joyeux Noël! Je pense de chacun de vous, mes amis assez froids, et je continue de prier pour vous!


Anglophone readers may start reading from This Point Forward!
I hope that you have had as restful & joyful a Christmas as it is possible to have. Thanks for getting behind me & supporting me this year, in your own ways.

As I write the rain falls steadily outside. It is after 10PM (22h) here in Sydney, and another Christmas is nearly over.


Matthieu et ma lutte
As you may have picked up, I've been spending time with apostle, writer & former publican Matthew. Since exhausting my study of the talentas parable in ch. 25, I've read to the end of ch. 28, then doubled back to the beginning again (I'd started around ch. 9).

And the fighting has begun.

I'm having some issues over some things Matthew records the Lord Jesus Christ saying in ch. 5 - verses 21 to 26 as well as 38 to 48.

Issues in that I'm trying to think through what the application of those verses are for me.

And I'm divided within myself about it.

If you pray, please pray for wisdom and obedience about this.
It would be an understatement to say that being wise or obedient in response to these verses is somewhat difficult for me.

Oh what a Christmas.

But, after all, if the Saviour born is truly Christ, the Lord.. .. ..

L/T.

Lien: L'évangélisation et la peur

This article by Pete Sholl (an Australian in Monterrey, Mexico), had some great ideas.
The Sola Panel
Sergio, evangelism and customer service

Posted using ShareThis

Excerpt:
"Sometimes I wonder if the fear of being asked a question we can't answer prevents us from sharing our love of Jesus with our friends. We are worried that if we bring Jesus into the conversation, we'll be asked a curly question, and maybe as a result, we'll look like a bit of a goose, so we choose to keep quiet.

"But a lack of knowledge or a fear of not knowing the answer didn't stop Sergio. When we started asking questions he couldn't answer, he wasn't put off at all. He kindly and genuinely served us, and went out of his way to find answers to each of our questions. In between times, he warmly took an interest in our lives and shared his own life. Not only that, but at the end of our conversation, he invited us to investigate more products—an in-store loyalty card and a credit program.

"Perhaps we all need to take a leaf out of Sergio's book.."

If idling, have a read IN CONTEXT (or a skim).

L/T.

Pourquoi restez-vous chrétien/ne?

This article was written at the start of the year.
http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/mission/missionthinking/questions_why_are_you_still_a_christian/

For those of my friends who are Christian and have stuck with God, it's worth considering the grace that brought us safe thus far.

So, to those who are in Christ with me
- why are you still a Christian?

(I intend to share my own reasons, but I'm still in a D&M with gospel-writer/apostle Matthew (Levi) bar-Alphaeus, so once again soyez patient!)


Et qu'est-ce que vous allez faire pendant le mois de janvier?
On a different tack, IF you are planning to be off work or on holidays after the new year, why not consider..
CMS Summer School 2010
..at Katoomba?

Even just for a day.

It is one fantastic conference - the best I've ever attended.
Really great esp. if you want to know more about what God is doing in the world
- how His kingdom is being expanded, and even how you can play a part in it..

DO consider coming. I can't recommend it highly enough.

L/T.

..
.. P.S.
Two more videos for the road!!
(Vision of CMS.)

A day in the life of missionaries in 35 different countries..

(What is quite cool is recognising French local Christians whom I met, or heard speak, depicted in these clips.)

:O

Matthieu 25: le Maître et ses serviteurs

I am determined to get to the bottom of this parable, in spite of my limited internet time over the last 2 weeks!

But wait a moment.
Let us bear in mind that this parable is 3rd in a row of four, each illustrating the idea of no-one knowing the day or the hour of the Son of Man's coming.

So..
The Master entrusts his property to his servants.

If the Master represents Jesus Himself, then what is Jesus' property?

Furthermore, how does He expect His servants to be "good and faithful" with that aforesaid property?

The property:
The Master's property appears to be money. Wealth; riches; thousands of coins. That's what talentas meant.

So what is the true wealth of Jesus the Master of the universe - the King of the kingdom of heaven? What, therefore, is His property?

Why does the master of the parable commend & reward the good/faithful servants who double the money he entrusts to them, and cast out the servant who digs a hole in the ground to hide his master's money?

If good/faithful handling of the property means multiplying it through work, what is this property that Jesus the Master has given to me His servant?
What is the wealth/money/property that my Lord and Master really wants me to multiply?

What the property is NOT:
It is NOT my ability, my strengths, my gifts in music/languages/friendships/childminding/dance/[fill-in-the-blanks]. The word TALENT here is a Roman Empirical unit of money, not the modern Oxford or Webster dictionary definition that Asians of every generation think it is.

Hence, with as much respect to the well-meaning Christians of my mummy's generation as ever I could muster - I believe your reading of the passage is well and truly out of context.

I am not going to be classed as wicked and lazy [ESV "slothful"] if I don't put every one of my so-called gifts, abilities, skills, etc., to work.

Seems, though, like I'll be classed as those negative things if I don't guard the good deposit entrusted to me (2 TIM. 1:14) - the gospel [good news] of Jesus (GALATIANS 2:7 as well as 1 THESS. 2:4 and TITUS 1:3).

So if I make no effort to increase the kingdom of heaven by sharing the gospel that the Master entrusted to His servants - well, isn't that a bit closer to the mark than the classic Asian Generation B interpretation?

Apologies for any perceived brusqueness; just thinking aloud.
All comments subject to change without notice.


COMMENTAIRE?
Yes, I've been hunting commentaries, too.

1. The New Bible Commentary Revised (1970).
Not that helpful, as it didn't say much!!

2. IVP online (on Bible Gateway site)
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Matt/Industrious-Lazy-Managers

OPENING PARAGRAPHS
(directly quoted from the ABOVE site link):
^^As in 24:45-51, readiness for Jesus' return here demands faithfulness in doing the work he has called us to do. This warning applies to all disciples, but perhaps most seriously to church leaders: "A Christian leader who does not lead is damned" (Meier 1980:300).

We have the opportunity to multiply what Christ has entrusted to us.
Matthew seems to make a special point in noting that the master gave to
each according to his ability
--he already knew which slaves would be most industrious, but expected all to show some industry. In the Roman Empire slaves could earn wages and bonuses and acquire property (as in Apul. Metam. 10.13; Cohen 1966:179-278), hence they would have more incentive to look out for the master's property than slaves in many cultures do. Householders going on long journeys might entrust their estate to slaves to oversee (compare 24:45-51), since household slaves often held managerial roles (for example, Treggiari 1975:49). Thus the servants understood very well what was required of them.^^

CITED FROM IVP NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARIES.
Source: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Matt/Industrious-Lazy-Managers [On-line.]

L/T.

Matthieu, le publicain, l'apôtre et l'écrivain (2e partie)

Here are my notes on MATTHEW 24 and 25.

Matthew records what Jesus says on a number of topics:

~ the temple

~ the end times (when) & the symptoms of those times
incl. the gospel being preached - ch.24, v.14

~ the actual event of the end times
incl. God's angels gathering His chosen ones

~ the end times (uncertainty of the exact day/hour)

~ the choices of the Master's servants,
to be faithful/wise or wicked/violent/drunk

~ parable of 10 virgins, illustrating wise & foolish approaches to waiting on the Master's arrival

~ parable of three servants entrusted with the property (talents) of the Master, illustrating that those who increase what He entrusts to them are good/faithful, while those who hide and do not put to work their Master's property are wicked/lazy [=slothful]

~ parable of the "sheep", who sought to help the least of their King's brothers; and the "goats", who did nothing for the least
_______________
I mention this because every now and then some Christian person of my parents' generation tells me that I should make more use of my "talents".

By which they mean things like my musical ability/training or my French language proficiency (not my teaching skill, as that's always being put to work).

I would like to propose that the Parable Of The Talents (as it is often called), is not ultimately about God giving us gifts and talents and us being wicked and lazy if we don't make every effort to subsequently develop and use these.

From my close reading of the passage, I do Not believe that God is telling me to keep up with my music and join the music ministry at my evening (or perhaps even my morning) church. Or that He is telling me I am wicked and lazy just because, between 2003 and 2009, I barely used my gift of French language at all.

I have more to say about what I think Matthew meant here in the context, but I'm going to have to leave things for the moment and get back on this hobby-horse next week (earliest - 2nd Dec.; latest - 5th Dec.). Paid work and Sunday School are quite demanding of my time at present.

Attendez-moi!

L/T.

Matthieu, le publicain, l'apôtre et l'écrivain

At the moment I'm on a devotional plod with former tax collector, apostle and gospel writer Matthew (alternate name Levi, son of Alphaeus). Considering the parables throughout MATTHEW 24 and 25.

For example, the well-known parable of the talents.

What does it really mean, in the context?

For that matter, what does it NOT mean?

Matthew's gospel is certainly not a simple walk in the park!

L/T.

À Dieu soit la gloire!!

My 4 y.o. cousin Jeremy is officially in remission!

*aeroplaning*

See the details at:
KESJ: Wonderful News !!!

God doesn't always answer our prayers just the way we want them.
But it's thrilling when He does!

Let the organ play..:

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son,
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see!

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

{Lyrics by Fanny J. Crosby, first published 1875.
Music by William Howard Doane (1832-1915); year of composition unknown.}

L/T.

Une soirée Jazz

While reading my CMS monthly prayer newsletter, I noticed the following on Day 18 (France):
"Pray..for the GBU's Soirée Jazz on 20 November, to be followed by a week of evangelistic dialogue meetings.."

From my understanding (which may require confirmation - j'espère qu'il y a un/e GBUssien/ne qui puisse m'aider confirmer ces informations), this Soirée Jazz event involves French students & others (predominantly non-Christian) being contacted (i.e. through Bible-stands) and invited by GBU-affiliated believers to the event to hear jazz music and a spoken presentation of the gospel.

Those who attend the event, and subsequently indicate interest in other GBU activities can then come along to other evangelistic events organised by GBUssiens/GBU partners.

I got in touch with Mia* (pseudonym), my Korean francophone sister from June/July mission, to find out how the evening had gone (20/11 was this Friday just past).

Here's an excerpt of her reply:
"La soirée s'est très bien passée, c'était K.[Kade*] et les deux autres collègues qui ont organisé et il y avait bq d'invités (environs 100 ps?)."

Translation:
The evening went very well, it was [Kade*] and two other colleagues who organised it, and there were many guests [i.e. non-GBUssiens who had been invited] (around 100 people?)..

If this be true, then - à Dieu soit la gloire, et beni soit son nom!!

In God my Saviour does my heart rejoice!

L/T.

Des gars, des bonhommes - amis de longtemps

ATTN:
Captain Samuel L.W. Chan (resident of Singapore), and Anthony Lui (resident of London).

If perchance you read this, my brothers (oops, nearly typed "bothers", hehe), this is just a quick acknowledgement that your names appeared on my trimesterly prayer calendar on WED. 18/11, and thus, you were duly prayed for (with reference to COLOSSIANS 1-2 and 1 THESSALONIANS 3).

If alive, do send word in the next year.

If dead, see you in the place that isn't hell!!

Your sister (or auntie, in Ant's case),
L/T.

Dieu peut-il utiliser les faibles?

Can God use weak people?

Can He use people who are the worst of sinners?

Can He use those who by nature are blasphemers, persecutors, violent?

People like ME (slow to listen, quick to speak and quick to become angry)?

There but for the grace of God go I.

And in light of that
- and a chunk of Bible text from 1 TIMOTHY 1
- I say:
"Here I am. Send me!"
________________

1 Timothée 1,12-17
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,
that He considered me faithful,
appointing me to His service.
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man,
I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me
abundantly, along with the faith
and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
- of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy
so that in me, the worst of sinners,
Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience
as an example for those who would believe on Him
and receive eternal life.

Now to the King
eternal, immortal, invisible,
the only God,
be honor and glory for ever and ever.


L/T.

Je ne sais pas ce qui arrivera demain

I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the One Who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One Who stands by me.
And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

(From the hymn, "I know Who holds tomorrow"
- lyrics & music by Ira Stanphill, circa 1950)

I grew up with this hymn, and it is pure GOLD.

L/T.

Où se trouve le coeur de la bergère

Le 20 septembre, 2009
En ce jour-là, je me suis rendue compte que je voulais assister les GBUssiens et leurs responsables dans leur tâche d'annoncer la bonne nouvelle aux étudiants de France.

On m'a dit que ce n'était pas assez de faire un an avec les GBUs..qu'il valait mieux d'en considérer deux ans ou plus (longtemps, par exemple). Cela ne me derange pas; si Dieu le veut, je suis heureuse de donner tous les jours de ma vie à cette tâche.

Pourtant, on m'a parlé aussi de ce qu'il était necessaire de faire à propos de préparer pour deux ans (ou une vie) d'une telle tâche - il s'agit de deux ans de travail avec des étudiants chez moi, dans mon pays de naissance, avant de venir à l'étranger pour joindre les GBUssiens.

En ce moment, je travaille dans mes écoles, j'essaie de trouver plus de temps pour lire la Bible et prier, et je fais appel aux quelques responsables australiens pour apprendre de ce qui serait possible.

Soyez patient..encore!

L/T.

Conversation: jeune élève juif

Yesterday, while at the school of my Jews, I went out to one of the playground areas at 11h05, to say hello to a few of the kids I taught Music to in 2007 and 2008. They commented that they hadn't seen me in a while, so I explained how I'd visited Paris, London, HK and Paris again.

At which point one of the kids asked me if I'd been to Notre-Dame (famous cathedral in Paris).

I said, yes, but hadn't bothered to go inside, since I found even the outside quite disturbing.

At this child's look of surprise, I went on to explain, briefly, that because I am a Protestant Christian, I was not in agreement with (protesting against) the way the Catholic Church was running in France.

A tiny snapshot conversation with a Jewish former student. One little seed sown - one link in a chain that, who knows, might lead them to Yehoshua, the Moshiach (i.e. Jesus).

Random!

L/T.

Jérémie, fils de ma cousine

To learn about my little "nephew" Jeremy (4 ans), who has been undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since septembre, you can look at this link:
KESJ: 8 November 2009
http://blog.loui.com.au/2009/11/8-november-2009.html

It brings me great joy to announce the positive progress he has made - but my cousin's blog tells it best!

If you have a look, do THANK God for the gift of recovery from grave illnesses - this is (by the way) not the right of Christians, nor a sure promise we can always expect right here, right now, or in this lifetime.

It is a gift. A welcome gift, but a gift alone. (Not a right.) Read the Bible, know it well enough, and you will agree.

Jésus disait:
"In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart!
I have overcome the world."
JEAN 16,33

L/T.

Deux écoles: juive ou chrétienne

Until the week ending 20th November, God has graciously provided work in two very different school environments.

Mes juifs
One school is an old hunting-ground of mine. Well - not really a hunting-ground. It's a Jewish school in the affluent/well-off suburbs east of the city of Sydney. It has been over 2 years since this school invited me to start work there as a Music teacher of K-2 (children aged from 5 to 8), Choir and Recorder ensemble leader, and piano accompanist for religious celebrations including Pesach, Siddurim and Mitzvah presentations.

This November, I return for my 3rd set of Mitzvah rehearsals. I play the piano, help the Kindergarten children consolidate their knowledge of the Hebrew or English songs they are singing, give them their musical cues to sing or stop at the right times, etc.

It's a very Jewish school - prayers (in Hebrew) every morning, emphasis on doing good works (mitzvot), trying to get in the good books of the Lord of the universe who made the heavens and the earth (Adon Olam - commonly referred to as Hashem).

What freedom my Jews have in Australia! - to live openly as the Jewish people, to observe their religious practices publicly, to let people (even Gentiles like me) know what they believe and why they believe it.

Mes élèves des familles qui n'opposent pas notre Évangile
Since 21st October, I've also been teaching 1 day per week at an Anglican school closer to the Southern Highlands than to Sydney suburbs (near Campbelltown). This school is overtly Christian - all teachers claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and themselves as His servants. (Well, we try the latter, anyway..) Each day in my "salle de classe" I am able to talk freely about the Lord Jesus as much as I want to my students - all aged between 10 and 12 years old. Most are from families that do not live under the Lordship of Christ - but who are open to their children being taught about Him.

What freedom we have in Australia! - to share our faith, to proclaim the gospel of Christ, to invite others to find out more about what we believe and why we believe it.

En dehors de mon pays?
But what of the lands outside this country?

Do they have such freedom?

I think not.

Can the good news of God the Son, Jesus Christ, be so freely proclaimed outside Australian borders?

In Asia?

In Europe?

I think not.

Then what am I still doing here, if I have the same passion for the lost as my Lord and Saviour does?

I cannot answer.

L/T.

La chaleur

Everything feels like it's heating up. There are November days in Sydney that just make you sick of summer. Even though technically, in Australia, it's still just springtime!

Today we experienced 37-degree temperatures. And, as often happens when such extremes hit, I have a headache I cannot get rid of.

It's not just the weather heating up though - work is, too. This school term (19th October to 9th December) I have work in Menangle, near Campbelltown NSW; also in Bondi Junction NSW, near the sea. Feels so busy. So much running around. And yet it's not even 5 days per week that I need to work!

Then again, maybe it's just the heat that seems to be adding to my stress levels.

Oh that it were cooler!

And calmer.

It's like I don't have time to think.
Not even about the future.

L/T.

Anniversaire de mon père (en retard)

In the last post I neglected to mention my father's birhday.

Oops!

Happy birthday, Dad (wherever you are in Asia) - PHIL. 4:19.

L/T.

Aux amis européens

A Bible study group I attend is reading through 1 Thessalonians.

A great book! It's like a long-lost friend.

Speaking of long-lost friends.. .. ..
________________

Mes amis européens
(ceux qui habitent en Europe)
- des versets pour vous:

Nuit et jour,
nous le prions avec une extrême ardeur
de nous permettre de vous voir,
et de compléter ce qui manque à votre foi.
Que Dieu lui-même, notre Père,
et notre Seigneur Jésus,
aplanissent notre route pour que nous allions à vous!
Que le Seigneur augmente de plus en plus parmi vous,
et à l'égard de tous,
cette charité que nous avons nous-mêmes pour vous,
afin d'affermir vos coeurs
pour qu'ils soient irréprochables dans la sainteté
devant Dieu notre Père,
lors de l'avènement de notre Seigneur Jésus
avec tous ses saints!
1 THESSALONICIENS 3, 10-13
________________

This post is in honour of the people I miss, who are far away in Europe (while I'm stuck here in the southern hemisphere until further notice):
Claudia*, Mia*, Liat*, Miriam*
Avi*, Jonah*, Kade*, Jonty*, Matthew*, Asher*
(semaine ADN pseudonyms)

..and..

Anna, Delphine, Mariele, Nari, Rachel, Raphaèle, Sara, Stephanie, all the British brothers
(semaine Nouveau Départ - real names!)

I wish I could be certain we'll meet again before the day of Christ.

L/T.

Mise en colère

Current mood:
Trying very hard not to be extremely angry about stuff that happened today. (Not in the après-midi or soir.)

Current Bible verses it is really hard to sit still, to listen to & obey:
JACQUES 1, 19-21

1 Corinthiens 13, 4-7
Éphésiens 4, 1-3 & 17-27
Colossiens 3, 5-8

But if Jesus is really the Lord, and I am His servant.. .. ..

Matthieu 18, 21-35

La vie n'est pas facile.

L/T.

Souffrances - petites ou grandes

Thanks to the job-searching - which involves some hand-writing and mountains of typing, my right arm and elbow are in significant PAIN. Small suffering, compared to that of the people around me - or even those outside of my country.

Speaking of suffering, in this post I'd like you to meet my friend Job.
Can't say I know him as well as my prophet buddies Isaiah (son of Amoz), whom I just love, or Daniel (called Belteshazzar by people from ancient Babylon), whom I've only gotten to know better recently, but Job is the kind of friend I really should spend more time with!

Leçons du livre de Job
Job was human, just like us. A rich, respected and well-loved rural gar. In fact, in his day "this man was the greatest of all the people of the east" (JOB 1:3).

Until he lost virtually everything:
~ livestock (camels, donkeys, oxen, sheep);
~ most of his servants;
~ all but 1 member of his family
(a wife who felt he should "curse God and die", cf. JOB 2:9);
~ support and understanding of friends
(based on what 3 of them are recorded as saying to him!).

Yet in the midst of his suffering, he understood life was not just about being happy; he understood God was still good & worthy of praise in spite of all he had lost:
"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
(JOB 1:21)

Des autres conforts: Job
Here are other things Job said - as he was grieving his losses - sayings which have also been a comfort to me in the past.
"I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end He will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!"
(19:25-27)

"If I go to the east, He is not there;
if I go to the west, I do not find Him.
When He is at work in the north, I do not see Him;
when He turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of Him.
But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold."
(23:8-10)

It's easy to be friends with Job when you feel you've suffered like him.
I know I have. Before going to France & other places in June this year (where I got a bit of sanity back), I had been hurting, quite a lot, for quite a while - April 2008 to June 2009 (14 months). Thank you to anyone who prayed for me & fussed over me in that period!!

My friend Job had it worse than me, I have to say. That's why in the past I've found retracing his steps so helpful. I hope, if you're hurting right now, that you find it helps too.

Thing is, the greatest Friend we have went through even worse suffering than Job did. And this Friend suffered for us - not while we were His friends, but in fact while we were His enemies (ROMAINS 5:10).

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love into our hearts
by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
You see, at just the right time,
when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man,
though for a good man
someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood,
how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath
through him!
For if, when we were God's enemies,
we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son,
how much more, having been reconciled,
shall we be saved through his life!
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have now received reconciliation."
{ROMAINS 5:2(b)-11}

What a Friend I have in JESUS,
All my sins and griefs to bear,
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.
{Quoted from hymn - text by Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886; music by Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918.}

L/T.

La Folle des Boulots

(misquoted title of French stage-play: "La Folle de Chaillot")

Traduction: The madness/mad lady of jobs.
Or rather, the madness of searching for them!

Once again I've been sucked back into the swirling muck of job-seeking under C'link.
Plus: They pay me a fortnightly unemployment benefit.
Minus: I have to apply for and record details of 10 employees contacted each fortnight.
Which gets nightmarish once I have casual days of work!

And the rejection letters just keep rolling in, it seems.
Not because I'm unimpressive; I get interviews, and they result in casual work. But when (as with CAS school Knox), your application is 1 out of 80 that flood in, being knocked back quite quickly is just what happens to most people like myself. Especially in the midst of a crise financielle.

Am I considering drastic changes over the next 2-4 years?
Sometimes - when I have the time. All it feels I ever do these days is jobsearch, apply, record, blah, blah, do I need to go on?

I need time to sit still and pray more about where life appears to be galloping.

I need time to listen to God more about how He wants me to treat Him and others as we gallop on.

I need time to say thank you, too!
________________

If you pray, please pray for that kind of time:

To be still and know that God is God;
to play my part in exalting Him among the nations (hmm!) and in the earth (PSA.46:10);
and to know what on earth that should look like for me.

Bises,
L/T.

Dans le monde, cette semaine

It's all happening in the world this week.

Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines and Vietnam:
A typhoon called Ketsana causes severe flooding, leading to the death of hundreds and the homelessness of hundreds-of-thousands. Another, named Parma, is shortly expected to strike.

And how many of these who died do you think trusted in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour?
~

Indonesia:
In Padang, on the island of Sumatra, an earthquake results in over 1000 lives lost.

Again I ask, how many of the dead had put their trust in Jesus?
In a nation such as this where practical Islam is on the rise?
~

Italy:
A mudslide on the island of Sicily takes another 13 lives for certain, more not yet reported.

How many dead, but with hope in Jesus, in this culturally Roman Catholic nation?

Oh, sure, the death toll's nowhere near that of our Asian neighbours, but don't you think God cares about the death of every human being made in His image who will not acknowledge Jesus as Saviour and Lord and the judge of all humanity?
~

Samoa and Tonga:
A tsunami ensures the death of over 100 people in the Pacific. Including two Australian females. My own countrywomen.

How many who died did not truly perish but have eternal life - because of believing in Jesus the Son whom God gave out of His love for the whole world?
________________

My heart is sad and wonders why it isn't sadder.

Why am I still here in this rich, resourceful, reasonably trouble-free and tragedy-free nation?

While unsaved people in other nations SUFFER and DIE in natural and other disasters?
..And, moreover, since they face God's judgment for rejection of Him, with no hope in the risen Lord Jesus Christ to save them from eternal condemnation?
(HEBREWS 9:27 and JOHN 3:36.)

Oh, yes, I can give money as aid to the regions/peoples affected. Even when unemployed. That's easy.

Yes, I can ask God to intervene so that in spite of 9 months' unemployment, a here-and-there CV and a chronological age of 32 years + 2 weeks, I might get a job, start earning a regular income again and be enabled to give even more money as aid. That's still pretty easy.

Yes, I can pray for the survivors, begging my God and Father to sustain His fallen and groaning creation. Still somewhat easy.

But surely there is more I could be doing to draw people out of spiritual darkness and into the wonderful light of Christ - towards the precious blood of Christ, the only thing which makes any human right before God, acceptable to Him, and rescued from the coming final judgment? ..no matter whether they live or die? Tragically or at a ripe old age?

People all over the world - not just in the nations mentioned - need to know the good news of Jesus. Otherwise they are LOST.

Who is going to tell the lost among the nations about Jesus, if we all just stay here in the English-speaking West?

Why do we wish, advise, demand, that our children (Christian and assured of salvation and eternal life) stay here and continue to pursue successful working careers and a comfortable, financially secure future?

Why do we refuse to let them go, to let them tell those who are perishing in their rejection of God the Son about the hope and the future God the Father has planned for them (JEREMIAH 29:11) if only they trust in the Lord Jesus?

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life;
whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life,
but the wrath of God remains on him."
(JOHN 3:36)

I live in relative comfort and security, and with full assurance that God is mine and I am His, because of the Lord Jesus my Saviour who shed His blood for me His enemy.

While outside of this country, hundreds, thousands, millions of others DIE and are eternally condemned because they have so little knowledge or hope in Jesus, God's chosen Judge and King.

I can hardly bear this. It brings me to tears.
Let me weep.
And let me GO!

L/T.

JESUS All About Life, take#2!!

Wearing my colours proudly online..*bump*..*bump*..
________________

My contribution to the Thank You section of the website
(http://www.allaboutlife.com.au/):

"Thank you Jesus,
that God gave You because He so loved all people of the world!"


If it looks familiar, well, that's my June/July mission team (again) seen here - many nations and peoples who have come from most world regions (excepting Antarctica)!

AFRICA - DR Congo, Madagascar
AMERICAS - Guadeloupe
ASIA/PACIFIC - Australia, China, Korea
EUROPE - Armenia, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, United Kingdom (England/Wales)

L/T.

;D

JESUS All About Life

*bump!*


Dearest Sydneysiding sisters and brothers,


Just a couple of tips about what you might want to try saying when attempting to invite friends to October outreach, during the Jesus All About Life campaign. We tried these during Paris mission, and God was gracious in opening doors for us, so in Sydney.. .. ..well, you never know until you try!

"What have you heard (OR, what do you think) about Jesus?"
(If they're interested in talking longer, go on to share your own knowledge of Jesus - from the Bible; it's good to make sure it's not just your opinion of Jesus!!)

A related question:
"Would you mind if I shared with you what Jesus means to me?"
(If they don't mind, have a go at sharing your testimony - the difference you see Jesus making in your life.)


Oh, and here's a short-form answer God allowed me to use in Paris:
"Jesus is my LORD and my SAVIOUR. Because of Him I have HOPE for life now and the future as well. I am acceptable to GOD, not because of anything I have done to deserve this - but because He loved this world and sent Jesus to die for it (including me!) I can live God's way, and do what is right, because Jesus is my LORD and He helps me by His Spirit to do what pleases Him.."

I could go on and on, but I did say "short-form", didn't I??!?

Something to get you started, anyhow. Oh, and that's not a complete testimony summary, by the way.. .. ..just an example.

L/T.


Give it a go, and whether or not it works - let me know!

Matthieu: 9,35-38 ET aussi 10,29-39

MATTHEW chapter 9, verses 35 to 38
Jésus parcourait toutes les villes et les villages, enseignant dans les synagogues, prêchant la bonne nouvelle du royaume, et guérissant toute maladie et toute infirmité.
Voyant la foule, il fut ému de compassion pour elle, parce qu'elle était languissante et abattue, comme des brebis qui n'ont point de berger.
Alors il dit à ses disciples:
La moisson est grande, mais il y a peu d'ouvriers.
Priez donc le maître de la moisson d'envoyer des ouvriers dans sa moisson.


MATTHEW chapter 10, verses 29-39
Ne vend-on pas deux passereaux pour un sou? Cependant, il n'en tombe pas un à terre sans la volonté de votre Père.
Et même les cheveux de votre tête sont tous comptés.
Ne craignez donc point: vous valez plus que beaucoup de passereaux.
C'est pourquoi, quiconque me confessera devant les hommes, je le confesserai aussi devant mon Père qui est dans les cieux;
mais quiconque me reniera devant les hommes, je le renierai aussi devant mon Père qui est dans les cieux.
Ne croyez pas que je sois venu apporter la paix sur la terre; je ne suis pas venu apporter la paix, mais l'épée.
Car je suis venu mettre la division entre l'homme et son père, entre la fille et sa mère, entre la belle-fille et sa belle-mère;
et l'homme aura pour ennemis les gens de sa maison.
Celui qui aime son père ou sa mère plus que moi n'est pas digne de moi, et celui qui aime son fils ou sa fille plus que moi n'est pas digne de moi;
celui qui ne prend pas sa croix, et ne me suit pas, n'est pas digne de moi.
Celui qui conservera sa vie la perdra, et celui qui perdra sa vie à cause de moi la retrouvera.
________________

No idea what those passages are about?

If truly interested, visit www.biblegateway.com to find out. (Or just go and grab the nearest Bible.)
________________

On another random tack, here's a segment from a website I'd like to share with you.
Naomi Smith is the daughter of Aussie missionaries who went to serve student ministry in Japan. Phillip King is the son of another set of Aussie missionaries who went to serve student ministry in France - first Paris, then Strasbourg. Both are now in their early twenties and at university themselves in AUS.

<<
Naomi's Japanese church was small, close-knit and conservative, with a mostly older congregation; her siblings were usually her only peers. Likewise, the church Phillip attended in Strasbourg had a much older congregation than those he has been to in Australia. Back in Oz, Naomi and Phillip have been lapping up the opportunities to receive solid Bible teaching and to meet with other young Christians.

"When I first came back to Australia, I went for a drive along a major highway," Phillip told me. "And I was struck by how many churches there were along the road. There are a lot of churches in France, but they're more museums than anything else."

Phillip knows that being a Christian in Sydney means swimming against the cultural tide, but he says that Christians in France are much more isolated. "In France, in a school of about 1000 students I knew of ten Christians at the most. I acted as a Christian and I strongly believed the Bible, but if I could avoid talking about God I would, just because I had very little support at school. French people would never even dream of having the resources and support we've got here."
>>

SOURCE - Quoted from http://www.landscape.cms.org.au/landscape001/growingupinbetween.html

Love to all, and thank you for your prayer support.
L/T.

..{adresse rétirée}..


P.S. As always, Women's Katoomba Convention was fantastic.
See feedback comments by visiting http://wkc.kcc.org.au/feedback

Thank you CLAIRE SMITH for your clear, careful and humble presentation of Genesis 2, and your referencing of 1 Timothy 2, 1 Corinthians 11 and also ch.14; may we be humble enough to accept the bits of God's Word we least like to hear!

Mon vol va descendre...

Flight will land in Sydney at 0605 hours, Sat. 26th September. BA 9 from London/Bangkok. *sigh*

Am being collected by a CCC person, NOT family, and will go straight to Katoomba for a conference - thank you in advance D.C.!! Quel étoile!!

Should be ready for pick-up and transfer to Katoomba at 0705 or thereabouts. If the plane doesn't crash (I have forgotten neither the text of JAMES 4, nor that Air France flight over the Atlantic less than 4 months ago!).

Am staying overnight with one of the new stagiaires Relais and an IFES-UK girl short-termer. The former has loaned me her laptop JUST for now (am about to return it). Have checked no emails since approx. Sunday. Also, will not have access to computer again until stopover in Bangkok, I hope there are no real emergencies before then?

Also, mission has finished today; therefore please refrain from ringing emergency contact Tom Parfitt, as we've all said our goodbyes now!

Love to all, hope D.C. and Ivy get the message about my arrival time!

L/T.

{EDIT: Have just viewed my bank history and am NOT HAPPY.

I told you not to deposit money into my account!!
Which part of I Am Coming Home did you NOT understand??}

Folie-bèrgere occupée

Our week of mission continues, and I beg your prayer support; please remember:

* a Bible-study group I'm leading tomorrow (Tuesday night) - my first ever Bible study en français. On Luke chapter 14 - Louisa, dear, remember "Welcome to the banquet"? if God is pleased to provide for us, please pray for
..good discussions..
..adequate listening skills IN FRENCH (this is all so new!)..
..unbelievers to better understand the good news of the kingdom of God and the King that He raised from the dead to rule it..
..God's Spirit to work in all who are reading His Word..
..God's Name to be glorified!!

* a Muslim who we talked to at tonight's café event, who fired so many questions at us - all in French - about ideas in the Bible, sin, the devil, the humanity and divinity of Jesus (hopefully he'll keep coming along to GBU events)

* an atheist and a non-committal student with whom I shared my testimony about the difference Jesus makes in my life (during morning Bible-stands)

* all those we've contacted so far (last full team day on Tuesday)

* the team - energy & dependence on God (one of my favourite British girls was a little stressed out earlier this evening as she tried to prepare her testimony for public presentation)


And please thank God for:

* the opportunities we've all had to talk about Jesus & to open the Bible, sharing His good news with them

* answered prayers about team unity & love & support (which I saw so clearly on the day of my birthday)

* His power at work in all our weaknesses

* His willingness to use us, though we are so unworthy

* His goodness and love and mercy shown that people might hear about Him

* His desire for none to perish but for all to come to repentance & faith in Him

* His giving me the chance to see Avi*, Claudia* and Jonty* again (beloved and much-missed friends/team-mates from the June/July mission team). So happy to see they're all well!! {EDIT: Saw Esther* too!}


Thank you for your prayers. They are much appreciated and even more needed, in these last 24 hours!!

L/T.

32 rue Lutetia

Happy Birthday to me:
Far away across the sea!
Only just until Thursday,
Happy Birthday to me.

Happy Birthday to me:
Single, childless and free!
(Bless all married friends and parents..)
Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to you:
To my twin sister too.
Happy Birthday dear Louisa,
Happy Birthday to you!

Mon anniversaire
It's Sunday, and the first time I haven't been at home in AUS. to celebrate this.

How do I feel?
..Quite emotional actually. It has been an emotional day.

Points for praise:
God knows best.

Points for prayer:
Submission to what God seems to be showing me is best. And COLOSSIANS 1:9-14. Thank you!

I am coming home as scheduled, flying out this Thursday, arriving Saturday morning for WKC. No exceptions (unless God intervenes).

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Please Do Not deposit ANY money into my account!

Your way is not the way for me.

I repeat, it is not the way. I love you very dearly, but I am coming home as per original itinerary, I am now 32 years old, I have made my choice (stay tuned for what it is) and I'm really sorry if my decisions are not what you want for me.

Love to all, and thank you for your support of me and the interest you show in my life. Or rather, thank God, because all such blessings flow only from His hand!

L/T.

Chouette!

This week has been exhausting so far. But God has graciously been answering many prayers.


Praise:
Every team member, myself included, has had some chances for Christ-centred discussions this week.. .. ..

Yesterday, for example, I spoke to an extremely hardened atheistic Communist who insisted that the Bible was all lies, demanding in the same breath that I prove God really exists.

Today, by contrast, I was able to tell a Portuguese student named Miguel about Jesus being Saviour and Lord.

Pray for:
* our night events (soirées) tonight, ie. Fr., also on Mo. and Tu.
* two of the British team members, who arrived here a week ago with minimal French and have been struggling to communicate
* sensitivity & humility as well as the nine fruits of the Spirit (see GAL. 5:22) among all team members incl. myself; there are nearly 20 of us and so, size-wise, I feel the inherent danger of cliques forming..!
* the rest of our outreach time (last day on Tuesday 22nd); using my old favourite verses from COL.4:2-6 as you remember us in prayer
* chances to talk - and LISTEN - to a few of the Australian long-termers; feels like time is running out
* my personal seeking of and listening/obedience to God (as usual!!)

Thank you in advance for praying.

L/T.


P.S. Here is an EMERGENCY contact only.
Do not call unless it is a LIFE or DEATH situation, please!!
This number must be used only up until Wednesday 23rd Sept.

NO EXCEPTIONS, so as not to unnecessarily annoy anyone on team!!

29/10/09 - contacts withdrawn (no need for these anymore)

..

Priez pour nous!

Yes, you guessed it, this blog post is a dead giveaway, I'm here, alive, well and back in Paris.

We have a large team which feels half-British - several IFES-UK short- and long-termers, some other British students (no Relay trainees this time) also. One German, and myself, I think, are the only ones from outside of France or the UK.

As such it's a very different feel from the June/July week I did. That's all I can say at present (being pressed for time).

Please will you pray for us?
That:
* we will be united as a team & serve each other's needs first (cf. PHIL 2:3)
* we will encourage one another & be bound together by the compelling love of Christ
* we will shine like stars in the universe (PHIL. 2:15-16) as we hold out God's word of life to the students of Paris
* we will be wise in the way we act towards them & make the most of every opportunity (of which we have not had that many so far)

Give thanks too, praising God that:
* He desires the salvation of all nations and peoples who don't recognise Him as Saviour & King
* He works through us for the glory of His Name
* He provides our every need according to His glorious riches in Christ (PHIL. 4:19)
________________

I've had the great joy of being reunited with 2 fellow team members from last time: Mia* (KOR.) and Kade* (GBR). It's been so nice to see them again!

Please remember Mia; we caught up a bit in the last hour. She's been here for 6 years working with the students of the GBU. But the next year may be difficult because after a recent visit home she's been unable to raise adequate support for that time (with link churches in Korea). I know many of you don't pray for people you've never met, but let me remind you, it never stopped the apostle Paul from praying for the Colossian believers!! Therefore please pray PHIL. 4:19 esp. for her also.

Everything feels so busy even though I'm not in Australia anymore. Pray that I'll make time with my Heavenly Father a priority. Oh, and trust in/obedience to Him a priority too, of course!

I DO NOT know when I can next check my e-mails, so if you've sent something to me even before I flew out, and I haven't replied - sorry, it may be QUITE a while before I can reply. Am not using GBU office computer, so every minute is costing me euros and centimes!

Louisa:
Please let me know contacts for Theresa, Simon & Hannah Chan, who should have landed here in Paris sometime today..!

Selina (in reply to your comment):
Leave messages via posting comments on the blog. It's the only thing I'll be able to reliably check or post on every 2 days.

As for schools that call, one that should is Broughton Anglican College. Otherwise, I've left my "JobSeeker Diary" near the RH computer in study; you can check it to confirm which schools may get in touch.

Love to all, & thank you in advance for your prayers!

L/T.

Tout va bien

All has gone smoothly, the public house areas generally tidied, the dishes washed up (but not put away), the cat fed and her litterbox clean, the Sunday School class taught.

And in case you've only been skim reading recent posts, I'm back inside Sydney Kingsford-Smith, awaiting a flight to Paris via Singapore.

As you'll know if you've followed my journey since about June this year, I'm heading back to Paris to join the Groupes Bibliques Universitaires (GBU) students in their O-Week outreach.

I expect it to be harder than the June/July mission for several reasons:

1. Longer - 11 days (or 10 for me), instead of the 8 we did last (European) summer.
2. Different team; more locals, less internationals apparently. I'll probably feel more of an outsider this time.
3. I'll be seeking feedback from the long-termers; Australians or IFES-UK workers, whoever is able/willing to chat at length. That may be hard to accept; by nature I'm not the queen of graciousness/humility when it comes to correction, etc.
4. Remember YOUR O-Weeks, uni. students & graduate-friends? Oh, they were challenging, and rewarding..
..but imagine trying to do SUEU or CBS-NSW stuff without being allowed to even enter most of the university campus areas. Much greater restrictions in place!

And for that, any prayers you have to spare would be so much appreciated!

Please pray
* that God will open doors for the message, that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ to unreached students (COL.4:2-6)
* that we will preach Christ Jesus as Lord and us as His servants (2 COR.4:5)
* that in this time where after a crazily hectic week, I will..
..be still
..seek God
..know that He is God (PSA.46:11)
..know what obedience to my Lord really means
(esp. in relating to those closest to me)
..listen & be sure & be willing to obey/accept what my Heavenly Father wants for me (regardless of any differences between what He wants and what others want..)

Arrival: 2PM Sydney time, Monday (6AM Paris time). May be straight into mission (will have missed the opening day today), so don't know if I can post before end of week.

Please do not pray what you want for me.
Please pray what GOD wants for me.

Love to all,
L/T.

Six jours, mais pas assez de temps!

6 days until I fly (if God who gives life keeps me alive until Sunday) and I'm stressed about all that needs to be done.

MES TÂCHES
6 job applications to be completed/reported in my jobseeking diary (for the government which is assisting me in my unemployment) before 2359 hours on Wed. 9th.
[COMPLETED!! 09/09/09]

**Ring the ATO to ensure the required tax gets taken out of my unemployment payments - and casual public-school wages.

Travel insurance corrections to be sorted.
(My surname is NOT "Chend"!!!!!)
[COMPLETED!! 09/09/09]

Visit to family doctor for needed basic medication paperwork (stops me from being suspected of carrying illegal drugs into SG or FR..oh no, I've said too much..!).
[COMPLETED!! 09/09/09]

**Cleaning-blitz all house areas where my stuff is spread out.

Read from COLOSSIANS 2:6 to the end of the chapter & do Growth Groups surgery on it.
[Commenced!! 09/09/09 (only managed a patchy job though..regrettably..)]

**Plan lesson on NEHEMIAH for Years 1-2 class this Sunday.

**Finish car registration renewal.

**Pack as little as possible & prepare it for stowage in a residence close to the city.

And I haven't been able to read the Bible for ME yet today!!

Time! Time!! Time!!!

L/T.

Mais pourquoi retourner à Paris?

In 9 days, I'm going back to Paris for another semaine ADN (outreach week).

Why return to Paris, and so soon?

There are some things I'd like to find out, which I'm hoping I'll be a step closer to finding out after I've gone for the second time..

Pondering:
Since my arrival in Sydney on 16th July, I have been pondering the future.

Pondering whether more long-term involvement in the work of the Groupes Bibliques Universitaires of Paris might be possible for me - or simply beyond me.

Pondering why I should stay in Australia when all the usual doors I'd otherwise be choosing have stayed shut.

Pondering what are the implications of Bible passages that speak so clearly about the condemnation of those who reject God's Son (e.g. JOHN 3:36) - esp. when there is so much less freedom for people to hear about the true Jesus outside of Australia.

Pondering whose voice I'm really hearing, whose desire this really is, when a Bible verse leaps off the page at me during Q.T.'s, when my heart looks towards France (even though Australia is SO much nicer/cheaper to live in).

Pondering how best to use my new-found emotional freedom..
- which I did not have between 26th March 2008 and 26th June 2009
(such a waste of 15 months really, when I might have done so much more good than I did) -
..esp. before any new distraction drags me back down..!

Priez-vous pour moi?
Once again I ask anyone reading this blog & talking to God about me, to pray the following:

1. For time that I may read God's Word, independently of my Sunday-school and TAT-prep. passages

2. For time & inclination to listen to my Heavenly Father
(even/esp. when I'm not sure I want to listen)

3. For time & inclination to obey my Heavenly Father - in the small daily things as well as the big
(even/esp. when I'm not sure I want to obey)

4. For time enough to not be distracted from the Father by anything..
..OR anyone.

5. For time enough to sort out all things I need to arrange before flying out on Sunday 13th September!

6. For time to pursue a more devoted relationship with the Father, that my desire might become just whatever His desire is for me.. .. ..and that I humble myself before Him, contrite and trembling at His Word.

Because I'm not there yet.

L/T.

Mon étude biblique: COL. 1-2

This week (on top of usual duties of job-searching etc.), was obliged to prepare a Bible study on COLOSSIANS 1:24-2:5.

Working through that Bible passage was really difficult and even after conferring with one of the Bible-study leaders I still wasn't sure I had it right.

I think because in Sunday-school we tend to spend more time on narratives, not Pauline epistles!!

Anyhow, in hindsight, I consider that the following ISAIAH quote (66:2) has particular relevance after my struggles through my allocated portion of Colossian text..!

"This is the one I esteem:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit,
and trembles at my word."

Yes, it was hard. And yet, a really good exercise. One can never have too much humility.. .. ..but often, we don't value it enough!

L/T.

Coûte que coûte

Traduction: "quel qu'en soit le prix" (whatever may be the price..I think!)

IF you know where I live, please pretend you DON'T.. .. ..because I'm about to count my money!

Total liquid assets (a.k.a. all my worldly riches):
EUR
€7,247

How much it would cost to do a year of work with IFES in Paris (approx):
EUR
€9,000

Difference between my savings & the cost involved:
EUR
€2,000

BUT nobody need panic yet (or start hyperventilating). Cette bergère n'est pas encore folle.

L/T.

Soyez patient!

Patience is something that seems, for me, to be in naturally short supply.

Perhaps it's simply because I live in such an "instant" culture. There is so much demand about what needs to be done NOW. Or very soon.

My occasional psychiatrist, probably the only Christian who really consistently knows what's been going on in my head since mid-1993 and how the thoughts therein have influenced the best/worst of my conduct over the last 16 years, has suggested that - in regard to the future - I do a little more waiting and stop being so hectic about decision-making. {EDIT. - Although my tax-return estimate, worth close to €2000, does change the equation slightly.. .. ..}

I have to agree in principle. There's plenty of time before April 2010, which is when things may really need to get moving (if things at all get moving).

I just hope I don't get distracted before then. Life may change drastically in the next 12 months - but please (to those reading this who care), don't assume it will change to necessarily suit your expectations.

(Or mine.)

L/T.

Premier mercredi du mois

{Fr.-En. "First Wednesday of the month".}

5 weeks and 2 days ago, Wednesday, 1st of July, 2009, I had what must rate as THE most meaningful human conversation of my life... .. ..I was trotting hopefully around the spacious campus grounds of Cité Universitaire, Paris, France, clutching a small bundle of leaflets which advertised GBU evangelism-infused soirées, and a survey titled "D'APRÈS VOUS, QUI EST JESUS?" (Fr.-En.: "And you, who do you say Jesus is?".)

At that precise moment in time I was weak, I was scared, I was alone, I was far away from family & Christian support networks, I was far away from the land of my birth.

What I still had:
The gift of la langue française (the gift of "the French tongue"); some of the Word of God stored in heart & mind; a French-version of the 2 Ways To Live tract in my bag; & last but by no means least, God the Holy Spirit ever resting on me.

I had gone to France well aware of some of my own major character flaws:
*lack of emotional stability
*lack of security in God alone throughout every area of life
*lack of spiritual maturity (IMHO)
..and oh my, that's just the tip of the iceberg!

Yet, in that next fateful hour, GOD USED ME ANYWAY.
Check the 3rd, 4th & 5th paragraphs of the 1 juillet post:
http://lutetia-de-paris.blogspot.com/2009/07/une-conversation-fille-atheiste.html

Did I mention that GOD USED ME ANYWAY?
Because He did. His grace was sufficient for me, for His power was made perfect in my weakness (2 COR. 12:9).
I was a much-cracked jar of clay.
A weak, not-that-mature Christian.
A mild-depression sufferer.
An injured soldier in the ongoing war on anger-management.
An unworthy servant.
I could go on and on about every possible reason I should have been utterly useless in that situation.

Yet truly God's grace was poured out in abundance on me (1 TIM. 1:14). Especially in that hour.
Truly the message I was enabled to communicate to this atheist girl was not with wise or persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, that any faith she may in future develop in years to come might rest not on my wisdom, but on God's power alone (1 COR.2:4-5).

Thank you DANIEL, of the tribe of Judah, Jewish servant of God first and of the king of Babylon second, for words written over 2500 years ago, which inspired me:
Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding;..
..To you, O God of my fathers,
I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom.. .. ..
2e chapitre, versets 20, 21 et 23

Is God willing to use me again in such a way as this?
In such a place as this?
In such a language as this?
At such a time as this?

Je ne veux qu'une année de ma vie. Une année, c'est toute, et à toute à l'heure.

Je ne demande pas beaucoup d'années. Une année seule.

L/T.

Bon anniversaire à ma sœur aînée!

Well, technically, it was now yesterday.. .. ..

Nosy-parkers can read what I think of my older sister (who's now another year older, having had a birthday today) in an earlier post (look for the word famille in one of the appreciation posts, "je rends grâces pour..").

If you know her, & you see her, wish her a happy birthday week!

L/T.

Félicitations aux étudiants anciens!

In 2005 I did a memorable three months of Religious Studies teaching at Cranbrook School in Bellevue Hill (mainly with Year 7; they're now Year 11 2009).

Just heard that the school's 1st XV won against The Scots College last weekend (in what is known in the school community as the Battle of Bellevue Hill). 13-7 was the full-time score.

Now, I'm not a sport-mad person, nor have I any particular interest in rugby. In fact, the weekend they played, I was out, happily oblivious to the dramas, watching the movie Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with my sisters. Yet I know that winning against a school like Scots means quite a lot to my former students, and how elated the Cranbrook community must be.

Well done boys!

:D

Priez-vous pour moi?

WANTED: 20 (or more) committed people to pray for Christian needing clarification/guidance.

Essential Criteria: Christian, calls Jesus Lord & at least tries to live as if He is, attempts to make a daily habit of praying to God and/or reading His Word, willing to pray not just once about something but twice, thrice, continuously, patiently over long periods of time.

Desirable Criteria: Interest in praying & caring about overseas cross-cultural missions work in Third, Second AND First World nations. Or even in giving (if you have the means) or going (if you are sent).

How to apply: Register your interest by getting in touch by any means available.
And please would you pray the following? That I will..

* listen attentively to what God wants to tell me
* keep listening even if/when it's not something I want to hear

* obey God in what He directs me to do
* keep obeying even if/when it's not something I want to do

* seek God more & grow to love Him more,
so that I will want to listen to whatever He has to say & do whatever it is He wants me to do.

Positions will remain open until suitable applicants have volunteered.

L/T.

Plus d'images de Paris

One fine July morning in central Paris.. .. ..

A British IFES-UK staffworker (that's Kade*, far L) is ready to set up a Bible-stand with some of his team-members.

Who's the maniac holding the fold-up table? Oh, that's just Dovi*, a stagiaire - Parisian French, if I'm not mistaken. (No, the men of Paris are not all like that. Really.)

The [very] young man with the bags and the weight of the world on his shoulders hails from the land of the occasional vowel, Poland. Name: Matthew*. Age: Eighteen. Personality: Priceless.

And the token girl? That's Hannah*, who came from Strasbourg on the Franco-German border with two sister stagiaires to join the team. Yes, I'd look a dash embarrassed too, seeing how Dovi's dominating the picture!!

________________

But what's this?

Not so long ago, in a country really only 24 hours' flight away.. .. ..

Non-English-Speaking EUROPEAN WARS!!


Oh, hang on, it's just a mop war between the Netherlands and Poland.
(Jonah* vs. Matthew.)

________________

Meanwhile, the light shines in the darkness upon a Bible and a frisbee, but the darkness has not understood it.


Such an abstract photographic work. Who really needs to go to the Louvre when you've got access to a camera, a book, a piece of sport equipment and a portable lightweight table??!?

________________

Forget that ultimate frisbee.

Meet the ultimate chick magnet of the team. And yes, he's Australian. Mostly, anyway (born Cambridge, UK).


To misquote some famous Slim Dusty song lyrics:
"Love to have a chat with Jonty*, 'cause Jonty's me mate!"

As for my favourite international sisters, Liat* (GBR), Miriam* (FRA) & Claudia* (FRA), I was joking about the chick magnet thing. They've got more sense than that!!

________________

Absolument fou!

Regardez ses yeux - ils sont rouges!!


Oh, the humanity.

What was Asher* doing with that ice-cream cone?

Oh to heck with it - who cares, in the end? .. Just laugh. I did!!

;P

Images de Paris

Claudia* and Esther* pooled the photographs they took from our mission week in Paris.

I have chosen just one, for the simple reason that I want you to look very carefully at the expression on my face.

What you see epitomises the way I felt all through our "semaine d'évangelisation". I kid you not. It was one of the most meaningful weeks of my entire life.

Of course, the fact that Asher* (blue shirt) and Jonty* (black shirt) were being a bit silly at the time the shot was taken may have served to enhance my broad smile!



I've been viewing all the other pictures that Claudia compiled & sent to us, too. Am gradually updating the blog with some of these shots. Feel free to scroll down & look for illustrations on my previous posts. It's all coming back to me now; I laughed & laughed as I saw all of the photos!

I miss my team! I wish we'd done what we did for longer than a week.

L/T.

:]

31 rue Lutetia

And now, what?
________________

Note to future travellers planning overseas holidays:
Qantas A330 Airbuses CAN be trusted.
(Not like that Air France one last month..!)

I landed last night & was taken home by mother & step-father. Having spent 2 days around my dad - & I can say this freely here, because I've already said it TO him - I wish he'd been around for all of my growing-up. Or that I'd had someone like step-father (who has proven himself superior even in only 6 years) through all my growing-up.

I think life - AND the way I respond to it - might have been so different.

No sense sobbing into a handkerchief about the past anymore, though!

And so, to the future.. .. ..
________________

Where do I go from here?
I have now lived over 31 years, & feel like I'm standing under the Arc de Triomphe again.

Why?

..Well, the Arc sits at a huge roundabout, from which many roads trickle out to all parts of Paris. The issue, then, when you're done sightseeing at the Arc, is quelle rue/which road you'll choose to walk next.

Champs-Elysées
The most obvious of these roads starting from the Arc is the famous one called Champs-Elysées. A wide, flashy, fashionable route lined with tall green trees on both sides, ever twinkling in the sunlight reflecting off the masses of cars ambling up & down its lanes, ever buzzing with swarms of locusts, oops, I meant multicoloured tourists, devouring everything in sight with their cameras.

Parc Monceau
A less busy, less impressive route, give or take a few fork choices, will take you to the relative tranquility of the Parc Monceau. Like Sydney's Botanical Gardens, except that the pond waters are murkier, there are Roman-built ruins & statues scattered around it, & the grass areas are Off Limits - you are NOT supposed to sit on them (though picnicking Parisians flagrantly breached this ordinance the day I walked in the Parc).

Palais Garnier
Turning your face south-east of the Arc, you can walk until you find the opulent Palais Garnier (use a map to help). Home of the Paris Opera, & Opera Ballet. Style, substance, elegance, red-carpetedness, staffed by snooty reception & security guards whose default position is to look down their noses at you. (8 euros for the insider's tour.)

Out of these & other options - which road to take?

The Palais Garnier is like my teaching career. I began work as a paid professional classroom teacher in 2003. In some ways, teaching has been full of style & substance; plenty of snootiness, too, in that I've been knocked back on numerous occasions during times of unemployment. Will I take the 8-euro tour this time? Will I stick with a job whose prospects are, close-up, much less glamourous than most people outside of the teaching profession think? And in this time of global economic turmoil?

The Champs-Elysées seems the most obvious option - & also the most expensive. My Champs-Elysées would be further studies. As a high-school French & Music teacher (I'm only trained for up to Year 6)? As a TESOL teacher? In some completely different field? Yet further studies will expend time & money, where I can't earn much (if anything) while I'm studying full-time.

The way to the Parc Monceau - well, that's a bit like going back to Paris, to do more mission, only for much longer. Like 11 days, not eight. Or a year of it with IFES. Or maybe 3 or more years through CMS. Walking or running through this greater Parc of Paris - walking in a manner worthy of Christ, running the race marked out for me in a place with more squalor (=ponds), more oldness (=Roman ruins) & much less religious freedom (=not-on-the-grass) than in Sydney. More a mission field than a Parc.

And there are other roads I might take, too.

For now, there are people I'd like to talk to about the future (apart from God, whom I started talking to about all this as I flew home) - for example:

Alison Napier
CMS
Helen & Phillip Jensen
Leoni & Dave Painter (if the opportunity arises)
Pam Tow

Anyone who wants to give free insights on their own experiences (have withdrawn my request for advice until further notice), I'm very poor & welcome any offered freebies!!

If you are still praying, please pray for my obedience to God as I try the handles of different doors to see which ones might open - for my desire to pursue what He wants for me as I consider the roads that could be taken. Most importantly for me to keep taking time regularly just to talk to Him & to listen to His Word on my own.

La bergère petite est retournée de Lutèce.

Mais que faire maintenant?

L/T.

Je viens de partir de l'Europe

That's my team! (Remember all names are pseudonyms.)


(From L-R.)
Back: Matthew*, Esther*, Asher*, Dovi*, Jonty*, KADE*
Middle: CLAUDIA*, Miriam*, Hannah*, Sophie*, Avi*, Jonah*
Front: [me,] MIA*, Liat*, Nadia*

{To fast-track into my mission-week recaps., scroll down a bit.}

Yesterday flew away from Europe with much regret.

Arriving in HK today brought me much closer to home. To which I am not at all anxious to return, but for 3 reasons:

1. Family - blood/steps
2. Wednesday PM Bible study
3. Ballet

Understand that this does NOT mean I don't care about all the other people outside of these groups - especially any of my dear friends who have followed me & retraced my footsteps through Paris mission week. But only the 3 categories outlined above are grief-free for me; the rest causes me some degree of pain, though principally unwittingly.

Family
PLEASE take note!
Owing to a miscommunication, it was thought by some of you that my flight into HK arrived at 11 tonight, HK time. The real arrival time was 7 in the morning - 16 hours earlier than *somebody* told dad to pick me up. You can imagine I did not therefore have a sunny first few hours in this non-European city. HK Int'l airport had a horrid, stuffy & smoky smell (like Bangkok had, when my first flight in June stopped over there). I hated it.

My final flight, on, *dramatic pause* an A330 Airbus (Qantas), is scheduled to arrive in Sydney at 2025 hours, Th.16/7.

That's this coming Thursday, around eight-thirty in the evening on Thursday night, Sydney time. Try not to botch it up this time, please!! It's hard enough having left Europe so far behind me & not knowing whether I'll ever be able to return there.

Bee there or bee a Rectangular Thynge!!!!! (*Today's quote brought to you by Terry Pratchett.*)
________________

And now.. .. ..

More outreach-week recap.!

Behold, an example of a Bible-stand:



Bible-stand teams going to universities..(that I was allocated to) were as follows:

MO.29/6 ~ Cité Universitaire, with Kade* (GBR), Jonty* (AUS) & Sophie* (GUA)
For this session, I paired up with Sophie (whose family, incidentally, is from Guadeloupe) & in keeping with the more lenient policy at Cité U., we went walking about campus grounds, talking to people relaxing on the grass lawn areas. Sophie did most of the talking, as I felt initially quite rusty. Then we met a German girl who was willing to engage us in disussion, although for most of the converation I was a little lost because Sophie spoke quite fast. Rather like me in English. (Oh yes, go on, snigger, snigger..)

From Sophie's point of view it seemed like the German girl just wanted to keep on firing questions without listening too hard to the answers. But from what I heard/understood, it seemed like a good discussion.


TU.30/6 ~ La Sorbonne/Paris IV, with Mia* (KOR), Matthew* (POL),
also a student friend of Kade/GBU named Mikael
- he joined us for that day only, not part of team.

As with most universities, we couldn't go inside the gates at all. And people were hurrying back & forth, many not interested even in stopping long enough to receive a leaflet. Mia got into some great discussions with the nominally Muslim guards at the university gate - who had at first watched us set-up & begin our connection-attempts first with curiosity, then with increasing interest. They accepted Arabic New Testaments & talked for a long time with Mia.

As for the boys - Matthew, green but determined, bless him, posted himself diagonally opposite the guards' gate on a shop-corner with leaflets in hand & attempted to engage passers-by. Mikael walked back & forth in front of the main building - Greek-style pillars & all - & did the same with those walking up & down the road.

Meanwhile, I trotted across to the plaza in front of the university, flanked by shops on either side (incl. Matthew's corner), & approached those seated on the edge of the plaza fountains, or on benches placed nearby. Most of the people I tried to talk to were not native French speakers, in fact English or Spanish (including a girl from Argentina, studying in Italy but on holiday in Paris that day). Discourse with those I tried speaking to held:
a) a common thread about being Catholic; &
b) short-sentence, monosyllabic or non-committal answers to any questions I asked them about their personal faith.

A day of trusting that at the proper time a harvest might be reaped if we did not become weary in doing good this way.


WE.1/7 ~ Cité Universitaire, with Mia*, Matthew*
All I can remember of that Wednesday Bible-stand session was that tremendous opportunity I had to talk with the atheist girl for more than an hour. Scroll down to relevant previous post, containing French version of word "atheist", for more details!


TH.2/7 ~ Jussieu, with Claudia*, Esther* (SWI) & Avi*
[*NEW*]

Here's how we looked before heading out to the Jussieu campus:

L-R: Claudia, Avi, Esther & (of course) me.

This day felt a lot like Tuesday, in that we had to stay outside the university gates. It was the only time I ever saw Avi in solemn mode - at all other times he seemed so cheerful, lively & cheeky - but he & Claudia (him on our RH side, Claudia on the LH side) plugged relentlessly away at the task of walking up to students sitting/standing in the areas outside the gates & trying to engage them in converation. Esther & myself, on the other hand, had worsening headaches - I think this made the going doubly tough for us.

Yet in this 24-hour period God showed me the simple power of simple leafletting. During the opening of our scheduled night event for Thursday, a young Chinese student (ie. had only started university last September, a new arrival in France from China) arrived at our venue & made a beeline straight for me. Turns out I'd handed this child a leaflet on this very day & so, mere hours later, there he was at our evangelistic evening.

Moreover, at the end of the evening, having not understood some of the concepts of the Bible talk given, he was keen to find out more in a small group setting. Therefore he signed up to join the GBU's Bible-study meeting of Jussieu campus students (ie. for every university campus, GBU aims to have a Bible-study group composed of Christian or other interested students who attend that campus, although they can't meet on campus property.. .. ..am I confusing anybody??!?).

The point of this little episode? Somewhere, somehow, God can & will choose to work through your weak, seemingly insignificant actions of simply handing out leaflets. You just never know whether you'll see it happen or not.

In my case, one leaflet meant one unsaved student attending the evening activity, then wanting to join the GBU groups!

Hence that passage from Galatians, already inferred above, comes to mind:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
GALATIANS 6:9


FR.3/7 ~ Port-Royal with Claudia*, Nadia* (MAD) & Dovi*
[*NEW*]
Buoyed by what God had shown me the previous day, I continued handing out more leaflets. We gave Bibles away to interested students & older faculty members too. Claudia (again) & Dovi took more active roles, walking & talking with students sitting outside the university entrance doors. Nadia (of Madagascar, where French is a principal language) alternated between what Dovi & Claudia did, or what I was doing.

Unfortunately for me, I didn't manage to find out how things had gone for them, since later that day (during our pre-dinner discussion & prayer about Bible-stand time) Dovi spoke really, really fast as he told all the team what conversations he & Claudia had been involved in. So fast, in fact, that I couldn't catch one word he said!

So I have little idea of how the other members of my morning Bible-stand team really went that day!


Dovi got a taste of his own medicine after dinner, though.. .. ..Our final evening activity was volleyball & frisbee, interspersed with personal testimonies of a couple of our équipiers (including Asher*) at the Cité Universitaire lawns.

Was with Claudia, Sophie, Mia & Dovi at the start of the evening, running one last Bible-stand outside the Cité U. gate, from where we invited people to join the volleyball & frisbee happening inside the grounds (the Cité U. authorities had kindly permitted us to use their beautiful lawns for our games - provided that no fresh invitations were made to those on campus property).

Thus we were outside, as usual (the other 11 team members were already inside playing volleyball & frisbee). More conversations & more Bibles given away; out of one of those conversations, the speakers were English, so of course they needed me to handle it. As I chatted to the English-speakers, I turned to Dovi (who'd made the initial contact before handing over to me) & tried to explain to him what we had just said..

Dovi (in English):
"You're talking too fast for me!"

L/T.:
"Now you understand how WE feel!!"

Dovi was very subdued after that (*hehe*).


That final evening was the night Liat* (GBR) was crying for joy, the night Jonah* (NED) supplied great help by taking over-interested Asian students away from me, the night team-leader Kade* shouted us all ice-cream, & the night that Asher just had to try & find a beer!

(I know that last bit sounds dubious, but if you'd read a few posts ago where I recounted this incident, you'd understand it wasn't, really!)


Thus concludes the summary of our Bible-stands (with a few random anecdotes thrown in!).

L/T.