5 ans après

5 years ago this week, I went on mission.

It was my first overseas cross-cultural experience, in a country where English is, at most, a second or third language.

I joined a team of like-minded Christians from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds,
- such as Armenia, the DR Congo, England, France, Guadeloupe, the Netherlands, Poland and South Korea.

For most of our week together, we spent about 2 hours each day hanging around outside university campus entrances. In those two hours, we approached as many students as had the time to stop and talk to us (not many stopped) and made efforts (sometimes quite feeble, garbled efforts) to engage them in conversations about the person & work of the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed throughout the Bible (most were not interested in talking for long; some openly mocked or sneered at us). Occasionally we were able to give away the odd Bible or an evangelistic tract (e.g. "Two Ways to Live", or Chappo's "What is a Christian?" - but not often). We also invited the university students we met to our evangelistic events and Bible studies that we ran during our mission week (interest and/or positive response were rare though)...

What really struck me about the local unbelievers (principally uni.-aged students) in the places where we did mission was how unwilling they were even to discuss religion at all. In Australia we still experience a fair bit of openness to discuss different belief systems, and there seems to be (in general) a tolerance of people who hold different religious views to others (though that's starting to change for the worse). Yet in this country where I was on mission, there seemed to be much more intolerance of anyone who expressed religious beliefs. A keep-it-to-yourself, faith-has-no-place-in-public, what-an-uneducated-idiot-you-are-to-be-so-deluded attitude.

Our team's outreach language was the official language of the country:
French.

The city in which we were operating:
Paris. Yes, the one in FRANCE.
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Most people see this nation as a holiday destination
- but even many believers don't see it as a nation under condemnation because of its refusal to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.

They see French people as Catholic
- but excuse me, since when did the Roman Catholic version of the gospel give anyone total assurance of salvation?

They might even think most of the French are Christians - but the reality is, more than 25% of France's young people (ages 18-25) declare themselves to be atheists; most Catholics are only nominal and non-churchgoing; and the Protestants are few in number and generally poorly taught the Bible in their churches (unlike numerous Christians I know in Sydney churches).

Which is why I'm committed to God's mission in France.
Having been there; having seen what it's like to be young and Christian in France; knowing what a tough gig it is to reach people on the university campuses or to serve long-term in ministry there (whether among uni. students, in churches, or elsewhere); having met and made friends with ministry apprentices and poorly/not-fully-funded staff workers
- I want to keep being a part of this work.
Praying for it, caring for those involved in it (or trying, anyway), giving out of my relative poverty to it - and even going over to help my friends out with it, if God might open the door.

France is one of the major reasons why, 5 years after my first visit there to see and join in with the French GBU ministry to students, I accepted the offer to begin studies in theology at Moore College in 2014.

Because I want to be better trained for ministry - just in case...

L/T.
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10 vidéos (si vous avez le temps)

The last 6 months have been insane, even though I haven't been working full-time at all.

Did I forget to tell you that I got to start studies at Bible college this year?
Only one subject per semester at present (still awaiting guidance about whether to go full-time/75% in Semester II or not); still sticking with my existing employment until further notice.

Prayer according to PHIL. 4:19 appreciated.

In other news, I've really gotten into a PG-rated series from 2009-2013  -  "Horrible Histories".
Live-action sketch comedy, generally thought of as a kids' show BUT, in fact, even in its 4th season it was winning adult comedy awards.

So just for fun..

..here are ten of my favourite song clips from this series!
(Whilst I work out the best & cheapest way to actually obtain all 5 series on DVD...less easy to access in AU. than in the UK. *sob*)
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1. "The Monarchs' Song (The English Kings and Queens)"
So much hilarity (and royalty). How can you not smile? Or at least bop along?

2.  "(We're the) Georgian Navy"
Think patriotic chant, but minus the usual alcohol-induced haze and plus a lot of historically accurate information presented via clever lyrics... (.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qnWtwYuwwE)

3. "The Few (RAF Pilots)"
The only reason this song doesn't rank higher than #3 is because it's just slightly disturbing - don't you think? .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOXRvu-58qA

4. "Boudicca"
Those of you who have known me long enough to experience my Dark side should understand why this angry Celtic queen's history resounds with me ;P

5. "The Truth About Richard III"
The solo performer in this clip is just a bit younger than me. Can act. Can dance. Can make me laugh. And boy, can he sing - as this live gig shows. Wish I was half as talented.

6. "Alexander the Great"
This actor's strength? Why, he makes a ruthless historical figure from the intertestamental period look almost attractive. (Not a bad singing voice, either.)

7. "Funky Monks" 
If there are other classically-trained musicians out there who appreciate this style variance, please...sing out?

8. "Literally (The Viking Song)"
Ignore the lyrics..
Ignore the lyrics.. ..literally.

9. "Spartan High School Musical"
The energy in this clip is invigorating
- dancing that routine looks like so much fun.
(Would hate to be a teacher in Spartan times, though! .. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmK6LUavR0)

10. "The English Civil War Song"
Liked the choreography in this one, too - and it's got some classic one-liners.
If you listen carefully.
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Just bubbling under, an 11th song with quite clever, factual lyrics - considering it's a spoof of Lady Gaga's style (only with more decent clothes). If you dislike the actual artist, don't click on this link.
(You were warned. I like this spoof - but I'd personally never listen to any real music from her if I could help it.)

I do promise some actual serious blog posts this year, as well - just not right now...

L/T.

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