Aslan is on the move

Fete de la Musique

On June 21st, the annual music festival was in France, and worldwide actually. But here it seems to be an even bigger deal, maybe because you can play music anywhere you want, even under the Eiffel Tower, without a permit. So, Mike uses this time to play worship music and have fun and share the gospel with people.

With the weather being moody, not certain if it wanted to rain or not, we were unsure how it was all going to play out. Would we be playing inside the church building? Would we be outside? We ended up having an awesome time of worship inside. People passed by but no one came in. The people who were there, some of the congregation of Calvary Chapel Paris, were able to just enjoy the time worshiping. It was amazing. To be able to worship in another language, picking it up as I went, and sensing the same presence of God that I experience in the states, it is nothing short of extraordinary.

There is this woman named Josephine. I was next to her while Mike and Mounir, Hella and Helen led us in worship. To sing “Build Your Kingdom Here” in a place that is hungry for the gospel, is crazy. Like singing a prayer. And man, can Josephine worship! She was clapping and stomping and singing and I could feel that she was “all in,” and I wanted to be where she was. I knew she had struggled. Dressed in a traditional African head covering, I could see a joy in her eyes that looked like it came out of sadness. It wasn't until after that Jade told me Josephine was from Rwanda. She had seen the genocide in the nineties and had lived through. I hope I can see her again and hear her testimony. Jade told me that it is remarkable. That Josephine knew the Lord and Jesus had led her and provided for her as she escaped Rwanda and found her way to France. I have never met anyone who lived through that genocide. I remember hearing about it and sobbing and being outraged that no one did anything about it. It still upsets me. But to see Josephine, and to know that there is a beautiful testimony of faith and joy despite unbearable heartache, gives me such a living hope in my living Savior. How He can make beauty from ashes, life from death, hope from despair. It's a miracle.

After worship inside the church, we decided to get crazy and set up out on the main street. It was so much fun. Helen, who sings like an absolute angel, was singing worship songs, and people were stopping, sitting on the bench in front of us, and listening. And when they heard her sing about Jesus, instead of rolling their eyes and walking away, they applauded and asked for more. The owner of the restaurant by us came over, and we all thought he was going to ask us to stop playing, but instead he wanted us to play for his clientele. After songs, people asked questions about the church, and hung around... curious... smiling... nodding.

These are not the same French from when I was last in Paris. Mike says these are not the same French from last year even.

Aslan is on the move... As Mike texted Jeff this morning.

There is a receptivity to the gospel that is incredible. This is an exciting time to be here in France. There is an opportunity here that hasn't been here in a very long time. Probably not since the French Hugenots. It's time for the church to come alive here. There need to be workers here to gather in the harvest, that's ready to be reaped. We've been praying about so many things here. Seen so many open doors. We'd like to continue fostering the relationships that the Lord has established here on this trip. Did I mention our host Denis and his family are giving us a farewell bbq on the night before we leave? Get out, right? How cool is this?

We'd like to see a thriving growing church here at CC Paris. It is happening. The Dente's have been so faithful for so long and fruit is being born; such rich and precious fruit. Disciples are being made; going deeper in the knowledge and understanding of Christ., during the school of discipleship Mike is teaching every Tuesday night. It's packed! Who could ask for more? Three baptisms happened last Saturday, did I mention that? And then this week, with the music outreach going so well, it's just an amazing time to be here and see the people warm up to you when you mention why you're here.

For our family here, the Lord opened doors and opportunities that were only able to be done through Him, not by any manipulating or scheming of man. For that I'm grateful. I wanted to watch Him work. He healed my heart. He healed our family. Now I'm watching Him move through the land here, and desiring to heal the broken hearts for the people of France.

What an amazing time.

Love you guys!