August was a super busy month, driving van loads of stuff to Paris for the move, cleaning, and trying to get settled. We also got away as a family for ten days of real vacation. You might think that there wasn't much happening, but in August questions2vie.com was getting a record number of visits, over 123,000! That traffic led to a mountain of emails because the internet doesn't take a vacation. People's questions are really interesting, some ask deep theological questions which make me wonder if they're just looking for help with homework. Others come straight out with objections to the faith or a specific article. Some ask how to pray. Other ask for help against sin in their lives. Many are saying thank you for the messages they receive via our email series. But one discussion I'm looking forward to having is with Victorin, who simply wrote, "I want to better understand faith." Typically I don't hear back from most of the people I respond to, which can be a little discouraging. But Victorin already wrote to me again. I pray we can explore faith in Christ together. I feel like the sower sowing seeds, only time will tell how many fall on good soil and produce fruit. I continue to trust God in what he has called me to do and to rely on his Holy Spirit to guide and empower me. The results are up to Him!
Both Silas and Efrem were baptized in August!
Please pray
- for our relationships with our new neighbors, especially those above us who are sensitive to noise.
- that we quickly get our bearings in this big city, including finding a church. Lots of options.
- for Silas and Efrem starting in new schools and making new friends.
Sharing moments of chaos during our move.
Efrem is enjoying the first of three trips with a van loaded to capacity. This van worked wonderfully in the narrow streets and limited parking places in Paris.
Our church in Rennes baptized three people in August, including Silas and Efrem! What a joy it is to see your children profess their faith in Christ and their intention to live for Him! Each in turn shared their testimonies in front of the church. Silas told of how shocked he was during a conference with other "missionary kids" when he heard that some of them don't really share their parents' beliefs. For him, that was an opportunity to ask himself if he truly holds the same faith as his parents. His answer is yes, that he firmly believes, and he beautifully and succinctly shared the gospel during his testimony. Efrem told of the Easter Sunday when we all watched the Jesus film for children together, how that helped him understand who Jesus was and his sacrifice on the cross. He remembers the invitation to pray afterward and feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit for the first time as he prayed. Efrem also said that he believes music is a way for him to glorify God, that he feels His presence when he plays. For that reason, he played a piece by Bach and challenged everyone to hear how great God's love for us is. It was beautiful. Afterward, we all went to the beach and the three young men were baptized in the English Channel as waves washed over them. Being at their side for those moments was pure joy!
