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September 2007
Why might it be important to know bad words in French? When I last wrote you, I didn't know. Nor did I know how much I would be needing your prayers! I also didn't know our Christian camp high up in the Cévenne mountains took in troubled children -- kids who have been removed from their families by the state. You could tell because a number, rather than a name, was marked on all their clothing.
"Rasheed" was number 58, with an attitude. A sharp 9-year-old, he figured out pretty quick (like most of the other kids) that I didn't catch on when he used bad words, and that he could talk back all he liked because I didn't always have a quick response, or I hadn't understood what he mumbled under his breath. He became increasingly unhappy and defiant until, on a forest trail near the end of a camping expedition, something in my response to him touched his heart.
After that, he became my enthusiastic helper, and it was beautiful to see him smile. By the end, he was eagerly participating in the devotional and prayer times -- an amazing change for a Mus1im kid! When the bus came to take him back to the Home, he sobbed and sobbed. I shed tears too, for Rasheed and for the other kids who heard the Gospel and felt the love of Christ. The vast majority are not from Christian homes, if they even have a home.
Some of the local churches are following up by inviting the kids to a weekly club. One mother responded, "No thanks! Ever since my son came home, he's been talking about Jesus non-stop! I'm going to wait until that calms down first. On the positive side, he now insists on brushing his teeth!"
Please pray:
~ For the children in difficult circumstances whose hearts were touched by the Gospel at camp.
~ For wisdom, love, and humility in my new responsibilities with children and youth in a French church.
~ For the salvation of unbelievers through the church's evangelistic outreach on Friday nights.
Thank you for praying!
~ When I was high up in the Cevenne mountains, out of range even of cell phone signal, I knew I wasn't out of range of your prayers. God showed me my need of His love and His strength as I came to the end of my own resources. And lives such as Rasheed's were touched.
~ When I was weary after camp and overwhelmed at the thought of moving and leaving all my friends in Aix-en-Provence, God gave me extra time to rest and say goodbye, and I knew you were praying. I'm now settled one hour west of Aix in the city of Nimes -- famous for its bullfights in a real Roman arena!
~ As I felt rather isolated, having little internet or landline access in a new city, my new friends in the Reformed Evangelical Church in Nimes invited me into their homes and made sure I'm taken care of. And God has worked in my heart, awakening me to my self-centeredness and my need for Christ-like love. There is a lot I can learn from this little church that has greatly suffered in the past year. (Story later.)
I've begun a 5-month internship here and am now helping teach children, co-lead the youth group, visit elderly members, and assist the pastor as I can. (Churches here have no secretaries, no paid youth or children's workers, and only a very few can afford a part-time assistant pastor. I had no idea how appreciated a missionary could be!) I'm deeply grateful your friendship and continued prayers!
By His strength, Stephanie Pike with Mission to the World's Southeast France Church-Planting Team
PS: For those of you who, like me, are having a hard time keep track of where I am and why, here's the...
GRAND OVERVIEW:
September 2006 - August 2007 Year of language school in Aix-en-Provence, near Marseille. (Went better than I could have hoped. Everyone compliments my French, and I discipled a young believer in my "spare time." Summer was spent fulfilling requirements of French law to work with children.)
September 2007 - January 2008 Internship with the Reformed Evangelical Church of Nimes. Goal of internships: Immersion in French culture to perfect my French and broaden my understanding the denomination my team partners with.
February 2008 - June 2008 Internship with the Reformed Evangelical Church of Ales, a small town in the heart of the Cevenne mountains, where Protestantism best survived in France.
July 2008 My two years of training complete, I move to Marseille to take my place with my team, aiding with evangelism and encouraging the growth and eventual independence of a church plant in the south part of the city.
2010 My first four-year-term complete, I return to the States for my first "home assignment" to see you all in person and be mutually encouraged by what God has accomplished!
2011 Return to France, Lord willing, for my second 4-year-term to further our team's vision of seeing a network of churches planted throughout the south of France!
First-class mail (NOT packages) will be automatically forwarded to me via this address:
Miss Stephanie Pike c/o Mission to the World 1600 North Brown Road Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Packages: Mlle Stephanie Pike Centre Protestant, "La Colline" 74 rue Henri Revoil 30900 Nimes FRANCE |