I've been in a state of disbelief since Saturday, thinking about how I'll be in Paris at this time next week, done with Nantes. There are so many loose ends. So much more to be done.
I have been tossing around a couple of ideas during these last weeks, including returning for summer project '10, STINTing and other ministry ideas.
As somebody I was talking to on Friday said, "when (French people) say Bretagne (the province Nantes is in) they say rain. It's the same word." And when it rains, it pours. People aren't out and aren't willing to talk. It's not just when it rains. Sometimes, people are apathetic to anything outside of themselves and their own situations. They just don't think about life and don't care about truth. Sometimes, I just want to slam my head (or theirs) on the table.
But for every frustration I have here, I have a conversation, a meal or a rendez-vous with somebody that makes it all worthwhile. It gets to the point where during lunch or a soccer game, I realize that I could hang out with these people and really build into them if I was here for a longer time. There are so many people here who want to know, who have questions and nowhere to take them, who are too afraid to bring up tough questions to friends or family, who know their desperation and brokenness but have no answers. You can see it in them when they talk. You can see the ways the Lord has softened their hearts.
When you see it, you can't help but take the posture that Isaiah assumes in Isaiah 6. "Here am I Lord. Send me into the intellectual fog of doubt and despair in France. Send me to the untouched cities and unrepentent hearts."
It will take months of prayer and conversation with others, but my heart for ministry has grown in the past six weeks. I can't believe that the Lord could possibly use me to further His kingdom. This is going to take some time.
Showing posts with label Nantes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nantes. Show all posts
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Rejuvenation
When I get tired of being in the hot sun and talking to people who I can barely understand, some rejuvenation is needed. Here are some good ways I've found to revitalize my body and spirit.
1) Prayer - Whether in the morning before bible study, late at night, in between conversations, or whenever, letting the Lord into my life through confession and letting in grace is an amazing feeling.
2) Walks - I'm in town all day, but people generally only gather in certain spots. It's fun to walk the streets of a city that was around before cars. It's often narrow, cobblestone and windy. The best thing to do is just to get lost, open up the Word, then meditate on scripture as I try to find some tram tracks and figure out how to get back. An iPod is always a plus.
3) Sermons - My go to pastors this summer have been D.A. Carson and John Piper. I love to gain access into the way they view the Lord. I learn something new about Christ. I get convicted of some sin in my life, or I am led to joy.
4) Discussion - Each Sunday, David "Paydirt" Pater and I have been meeting to listen to a sermon, reflect on it, and talk about our lives and our weeks. I've found this to be a great way to finish off the week. David just graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA and is headed to Trinity in Chicago for seminary next year. There, he will study under D.A. Carson and other awesome men of God. It's been a blessing to get to know David and tap into his knowledge and learn about his convictions.
5) Journaling - Sometimes, I don't even realize where my own head is at until I put my thoughts on paper.
6) Napping - Whether in the ile de Versailles japanese garden or in my bed or somewhere else, some shut eye never hurts.
7) Psalms - I love psalm 73, but usually, I just flip through and read a couple. It's amazing what the Lord leads me to.
HOW DO YOU REJUVENATE?
1) Prayer - Whether in the morning before bible study, late at night, in between conversations, or whenever, letting the Lord into my life through confession and letting in grace is an amazing feeling.
2) Walks - I'm in town all day, but people generally only gather in certain spots. It's fun to walk the streets of a city that was around before cars. It's often narrow, cobblestone and windy. The best thing to do is just to get lost, open up the Word, then meditate on scripture as I try to find some tram tracks and figure out how to get back. An iPod is always a plus.
3) Sermons - My go to pastors this summer have been D.A. Carson and John Piper. I love to gain access into the way they view the Lord. I learn something new about Christ. I get convicted of some sin in my life, or I am led to joy.
4) Discussion - Each Sunday, David "Paydirt" Pater and I have been meeting to listen to a sermon, reflect on it, and talk about our lives and our weeks. I've found this to be a great way to finish off the week. David just graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA and is headed to Trinity in Chicago for seminary next year. There, he will study under D.A. Carson and other awesome men of God. It's been a blessing to get to know David and tap into his knowledge and learn about his convictions.
5) Journaling - Sometimes, I don't even realize where my own head is at until I put my thoughts on paper.
6) Napping - Whether in the ile de Versailles japanese garden or in my bed or somewhere else, some shut eye never hurts.
7) Psalms - I love psalm 73, but usually, I just flip through and read a couple. It's amazing what the Lord leads me to.
HOW DO YOU REJUVENATE?
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Occipital Overload
I know that I've been talking about objective truth as a basis for faith rather than subjective opinion, but I can't help but share a song. It's woken me up morning after morning either on a run or a tram ride to the church in Nantes. It's a simple message - You're Beautiful. Your cross is beautiful. Your creation is beautiful. Your love is beautiful.
The second verse is my favorite; it's very appropriate to evangelizing a scientifically-minded western country:
I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It’s all proclaiming who You are
You’re beautiful
Check this vid. It's aight.
The second verse is my favorite; it's very appropriate to evangelizing a scientifically-minded western country:
I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It’s all proclaiming who You are
You’re beautiful
Check this vid. It's aight.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Why me?
In talking with non-believers about salvation, and studying salvation, and talking to people about salvation, a couple of questions are raised.
Why are we saved? What is the purpose of our redemption?
-- the answers to these questions have come from an amalgamation of scripture, wise counsel, and sermons from John Piper and Don Carson. To help me write, and help you read, I'm going to try to stay in the past when referring to gospel truths about the person of Christ and His relationship to the Father Jehovah. Feel free to replace any "was/were" with "is/are or will be" --
God does not need us. We are in total need of Him. He doesn't need my praise, my time, my money, my life, my soul. God is the creator of all things and he is not in need of anything from me.
Our salvation is linked only to the Father's love of the Son. In the gospels, Jesus is put into a position of subordination to the Father (John 5:19 ; John 14:28 ; John 6:57). Jesus did only as the Father commanded, and because of that, He lived perfectly. In living a perfect life, Jesus's will aligned perfectly with the will of the Father, and they live in a perfect relationship of love. I'm not saying that the Father and Son were behaving in a "loving" way. The Father and Son were love. They were perfect, and their relationship was perfect.
Jesus wanted us to be reconciled to Himself, as we see in his prayer in John 17. Because of the Father's love for the Son, He answered Jesus's prayer in the way that it lined up with His will (which was also Jesus's will). Therefore, we are saved only because that is a way for the Father to glorify the Son.
Our lives have value. Jesus, fully God, wouldn't give up His life and voluntarily submit Himself to the unmitigated wrath of the Father for garbage. So take heart, Jesus has put a high value on our lives.
Romans 6
We are called to live lives to glorify the Son. It's the only reason we exist, it's the only reason we've been rescued.
Why are we saved? What is the purpose of our redemption?
-- the answers to these questions have come from an amalgamation of scripture, wise counsel, and sermons from John Piper and Don Carson. To help me write, and help you read, I'm going to try to stay in the past when referring to gospel truths about the person of Christ and His relationship to the Father Jehovah. Feel free to replace any "was/were" with "is/are or will be" --
God does not need us. We are in total need of Him. He doesn't need my praise, my time, my money, my life, my soul. God is the creator of all things and he is not in need of anything from me.
Our salvation is linked only to the Father's love of the Son. In the gospels, Jesus is put into a position of subordination to the Father (John 5:19 ; John 14:28 ; John 6:57). Jesus did only as the Father commanded, and because of that, He lived perfectly. In living a perfect life, Jesus's will aligned perfectly with the will of the Father, and they live in a perfect relationship of love. I'm not saying that the Father and Son were behaving in a "loving" way. The Father and Son were love. They were perfect, and their relationship was perfect.
Jesus wanted us to be reconciled to Himself, as we see in his prayer in John 17. Because of the Father's love for the Son, He answered Jesus's prayer in the way that it lined up with His will (which was also Jesus's will). Therefore, we are saved only because that is a way for the Father to glorify the Son.
Our lives have value. Jesus, fully God, wouldn't give up His life and voluntarily submit Himself to the unmitigated wrath of the Father for garbage. So take heart, Jesus has put a high value on our lives.
Romans 6
We are called to live lives to glorify the Son. It's the only reason we exist, it's the only reason we've been rescued.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Top 5 Questions from French non-believers
So, here are some of the most frequently asked questions. I've cross-referenced my own experience with those of the other students on project to come up with this list. I am only going to list the questions. Keep in mind that the conversations that these questions come up in last about an hour, usually. So, if you want to know how I respond to the questions, email me (silverman.gregory@gmail.com) or call me when I get home, and I will be glad to meet up for a coffee and discussion. But for my fellow fans of brevity, I'm not going to answer them here.
1) How can a good God allow injustice, violence, suffering in the world?
2) Aren't all religions the same? Why can't they all just work together and believe the same thing?
3) How reliable is the Bible?
4) How can God/religion affect and influence my/your life?
5) What about evolution/the big bang/chance as arguments against religion?
Bonus question) How do you know that Jesus was God?
Sound familiar? If you are used to sharing on campus in America, they should. The point of this entry is to re-emphasize the fact that French students are just like those in the US. They have the same doubts, arguments and questions. At the end of the day, they still go home and ask themselves "is this all there is? Am I truly alone?" The difference is this: God and the gospel message have been discarded from the general mindset of the population. People don't discuss religion with friends. Faith in France, it seems, is for the uninformed, the naïve, the elder generation. In this country, God is taboo.
1) How can a good God allow injustice, violence, suffering in the world?
2) Aren't all religions the same? Why can't they all just work together and believe the same thing?
3) How reliable is the Bible?
4) How can God/religion affect and influence my/your life?
5) What about evolution/the big bang/chance as arguments against religion?
Bonus question) How do you know that Jesus was God?
Sound familiar? If you are used to sharing on campus in America, they should. The point of this entry is to re-emphasize the fact that French students are just like those in the US. They have the same doubts, arguments and questions. At the end of the day, they still go home and ask themselves "is this all there is? Am I truly alone?" The difference is this: God and the gospel message have been discarded from the general mindset of the population. People don't discuss religion with friends. Faith in France, it seems, is for the uninformed, the naïve, the elder generation. In this country, God is taboo.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Knowing
For project, we're doing an inductive study of 1 John. For those of you who don't know, an inductive study is where you take a book of the bible and study every sentence of it, testing the diction, syntax, context and weight of each word and idea.
Thus far, 1 John, for me, is about confidence. Confidence in the person of Christ. John, an apostle of Christ, has real, objective proof of Jesus. He saw Him and lived with Him for the years that Jesus was teaching. John speaks objectively of what he saw when he begins his epistle.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1-3)
So often we think of the subjective feelings we get as evidence for Christ in our lives. When the worship, prayer and sermon work together in such a way, we get butterflies, goosebumps, a feeling of excitement and fulfillment. We take this subjective feeling and try to turn it into objective truth. What John is saying in this passage is that we don't have to rely on subjectivity. We can believe in and have confidence in a true Christ, who he saw with his eyes and touched with his hands.
It's with this confidence that I have learned to embark on the city of Nantes each day, proclaiming objective truth and the promise of life in Christ.
Thus far, 1 John, for me, is about confidence. Confidence in the person of Christ. John, an apostle of Christ, has real, objective proof of Jesus. He saw Him and lived with Him for the years that Jesus was teaching. John speaks objectively of what he saw when he begins his epistle.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1-3)
So often we think of the subjective feelings we get as evidence for Christ in our lives. When the worship, prayer and sermon work together in such a way, we get butterflies, goosebumps, a feeling of excitement and fulfillment. We take this subjective feeling and try to turn it into objective truth. What John is saying in this passage is that we don't have to rely on subjectivity. We can believe in and have confidence in a true Christ, who he saw with his eyes and touched with his hands.
It's with this confidence that I have learned to embark on the city of Nantes each day, proclaiming objective truth and the promise of life in Christ.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tired
I had no idea how tiring this project was going to be.
For years, I grinded through two-a-days in August sun, but this is something else entirely. The weather here is mild, cool in the mornings and evenings, but during the afternoon, the sun comes out and bakes the city. In many of the places where students gather, you're hard-pressed to find good shade. It's physically taxing walking through the city in the heat.
Concentrating through the conversations, usually for an hour or more at a time, is mentally draining. We're in France. People either speak French or broken English. Either way, it takes a ton of concentration. Plus, we're constantly on the look for windows to the gospel. If I need to answer in French, that takes time and thought. If I need to answer in English, I have to annunciate and choose small, easily understood words. It's a completely different experience.
Finally, it's spiritually exhausting. It's great because your beliefs are challenged every day, and you need to be able to put forth sound reasoning to your truth statements, and be able to challenge theirs. It's an opportunity to constantly rely on God.
I'm looking forward to the French summer project to arrive this week. People who speak French and love Jesus will be a refreshing change of pace. I'm sure we'll all be encouraged by their presence.
I keep reminding myself of Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
For years, I grinded through two-a-days in August sun, but this is something else entirely. The weather here is mild, cool in the mornings and evenings, but during the afternoon, the sun comes out and bakes the city. In many of the places where students gather, you're hard-pressed to find good shade. It's physically taxing walking through the city in the heat.
Concentrating through the conversations, usually for an hour or more at a time, is mentally draining. We're in France. People either speak French or broken English. Either way, it takes a ton of concentration. Plus, we're constantly on the look for windows to the gospel. If I need to answer in French, that takes time and thought. If I need to answer in English, I have to annunciate and choose small, easily understood words. It's a completely different experience.
Finally, it's spiritually exhausting. It's great because your beliefs are challenged every day, and you need to be able to put forth sound reasoning to your truth statements, and be able to challenge theirs. It's an opportunity to constantly rely on God.
I'm looking forward to the French summer project to arrive this week. People who speak French and love Jesus will be a refreshing change of pace. I'm sure we'll all be encouraged by their presence.
I keep reminding myself of Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Weekend Wrapup
So, I wrote this on Saturday evening, but couldn't post until right now.
Today, 1 Corinthians 1-2 was screaming at me.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18 NIV)
People cannot desire what the Spirit desires without the indwelling of the Spirit. Therefore, we shouldn’t judge those without the spirit, or expect them to be able to discern right from wrong, as one with the Spirit. Also, 1 Cor. 2:14.
“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom … for I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified … so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Cor. 2:1-5 NIV)
Although the Lord gives us spiritual blessings, as Paul writes in Eph. 1:3, we can’t rely on anything or anyone but the Lord to further His kingdom. I’m reading two books of Christian apologetics, but no amount of apologetics can hold a candle to God’s boundlessly given grace.
Therefore, we deserve nothing when we see success in evangelism – Eph 2:8-9 – and we face no remorse for failure. In fact, when cannot even begin to determine success or failure, because we do not know what God is doing in each person’s heart and life. (1 Cor. 2:11-16).
UPDATES
While it’s great to meet new people, I’ve experienced a lot of joy in furthering relationships with three guys I’ve met this week. They came to our soirée on Friday, and basketball on Saturday, and they want to meet again to go out for lunch or a drink sometime in the next week. Please pray for Manni, Alain, and Charles.
The church Aaron Lane and I attend is currently hurting for people to play instruments for worship. Aaron plays the piano, and I said I could learn some of their songs on guitar, and they were happy to hear it. Please pray that Aaron and I can begin to play adequately enough to lead worship in a foreign language!
At church, Aaron and I have been welcomed in extremely lovingly. It’s a small place, and they want to get to know us better. There are a couple of socials next week that we’ll attend, and a couple who speaks english at the church invited us to dinner at their house at some point. The church has been a huge blessing during this trip. I definitely feel like I have two very tight-knit groups for Christian fellowship, which is rare in such a lost city!
Saturday night was the first free night that we really knew the city. I went out with a few guys to check out a part of town that was wildly recommended to us by some French students. It’s called the “Banana district” and it’s an old WWII shipyard turned into a grouping of clubs and bars. We listened a part of a public concert – people who were clearly French, but sand in English. After, we walked to a bar where we could sit outside, and watch the sun set on the Loire river. It was gorgeous, and there was a band playing Gypsy Jazz music, some songs I recognized as Django Reinhartd. Definitely different from the bars I'm used to at OU.
I got to talk to Marie on Skype for the first time since the trip started. I miss her a ton, and seeing her didn’t help! I know that a lot is going on at home, but I’m sure that when I return, it will feel like I never left. Knowing that, it’s important that I make the most of this trip that I can, and put the trappings of home out of my head as much as possible. I can’t wait to get home and meet with all of you personally and share stories from Nantes!
Today, 1 Corinthians 1-2 was screaming at me.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18 NIV)
People cannot desire what the Spirit desires without the indwelling of the Spirit. Therefore, we shouldn’t judge those without the spirit, or expect them to be able to discern right from wrong, as one with the Spirit. Also, 1 Cor. 2:14.
“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom … for I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified … so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Cor. 2:1-5 NIV)
Although the Lord gives us spiritual blessings, as Paul writes in Eph. 1:3, we can’t rely on anything or anyone but the Lord to further His kingdom. I’m reading two books of Christian apologetics, but no amount of apologetics can hold a candle to God’s boundlessly given grace.
Therefore, we deserve nothing when we see success in evangelism – Eph 2:8-9 – and we face no remorse for failure. In fact, when cannot even begin to determine success or failure, because we do not know what God is doing in each person’s heart and life. (1 Cor. 2:11-16).
UPDATES
While it’s great to meet new people, I’ve experienced a lot of joy in furthering relationships with three guys I’ve met this week. They came to our soirée on Friday, and basketball on Saturday, and they want to meet again to go out for lunch or a drink sometime in the next week. Please pray for Manni, Alain, and Charles.
The church Aaron Lane and I attend is currently hurting for people to play instruments for worship. Aaron plays the piano, and I said I could learn some of their songs on guitar, and they were happy to hear it. Please pray that Aaron and I can begin to play adequately enough to lead worship in a foreign language!
At church, Aaron and I have been welcomed in extremely lovingly. It’s a small place, and they want to get to know us better. There are a couple of socials next week that we’ll attend, and a couple who speaks english at the church invited us to dinner at their house at some point. The church has been a huge blessing during this trip. I definitely feel like I have two very tight-knit groups for Christian fellowship, which is rare in such a lost city!
Saturday night was the first free night that we really knew the city. I went out with a few guys to check out a part of town that was wildly recommended to us by some French students. It’s called the “Banana district” and it’s an old WWII shipyard turned into a grouping of clubs and bars. We listened a part of a public concert – people who were clearly French, but sand in English. After, we walked to a bar where we could sit outside, and watch the sun set on the Loire river. It was gorgeous, and there was a band playing Gypsy Jazz music, some songs I recognized as Django Reinhartd. Definitely different from the bars I'm used to at OU.
I got to talk to Marie on Skype for the first time since the trip started. I miss her a ton, and seeing her didn’t help! I know that a lot is going on at home, but I’m sure that when I return, it will feel like I never left. Knowing that, it’s important that I make the most of this trip that I can, and put the trappings of home out of my head as much as possible. I can’t wait to get home and meet with all of you personally and share stories from Nantes!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Revealing Fissures, Building Bridges
On Wednesday I went sharing with David “Paydirt” Pater. We got invited to lunch with the group we were sharing with, and that gave us a great window in which to share our beliefs. They seemed to believe there was a God, but didn’t realize how Christ could impact somebody's life.
This is so typical in France. People don’t understand their need for a savior. Even if they believe in God, they don’t understand the disconnect between a perfect God and an imperfect people.
1 John 5-6 says “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to follow Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and don’t live by the truth.” God cannot allow an imperfect people to interact with Him and dwell in His kingdom. The Spirit cannot enter an unjustified body.
Dave and I got the same reaction when we met Charles, a really cool guy who loves sports and people – his grandpa was on the French Olympic basketball team that lost to the Americans in 1972. Charles had grown up in the Catholic church, but still didn’t fully understand the gravity of God. The full truth had not been revealed to him. It was a joy to share the gospel story, carefully going through the separation of God and man, and all of our need to repent of our sins, and surrender to the God of the universe.
David and I were talking to each other about the person of Christ, and what it takes to know Him. The French cannot truly understand what forgiveness from Christ means until they understand the need. There has to be a gap before there’s a bridge. The fullness of what this means cannot be grasped in the short hours we have with them, barring some drastic revelation from God.
Once the person sees the need for the bridge, they can fully grasp the person of Christ. At that point, what else is there to do besides glorify God? Our song of praise should be the loudest in all the Earth. In Nantes, I want simply to glorify God by spreading His gospel.
Overall, the day was really amazing. David and I were able to meet some interesting people. Again, both contacts were willing to talk, and talk for a really long time. We invited Charles to play some soccer or basketball sometime, and to come to our party on Friday. We made some facebook contacts, and I hope to see them all again during the five weeks I have left here–which suddenly seems all too short a time.
This is so typical in France. People don’t understand their need for a savior. Even if they believe in God, they don’t understand the disconnect between a perfect God and an imperfect people.
1 John 5-6 says “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to follow Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and don’t live by the truth.” God cannot allow an imperfect people to interact with Him and dwell in His kingdom. The Spirit cannot enter an unjustified body.
Dave and I got the same reaction when we met Charles, a really cool guy who loves sports and people – his grandpa was on the French Olympic basketball team that lost to the Americans in 1972. Charles had grown up in the Catholic church, but still didn’t fully understand the gravity of God. The full truth had not been revealed to him. It was a joy to share the gospel story, carefully going through the separation of God and man, and all of our need to repent of our sins, and surrender to the God of the universe.
David and I were talking to each other about the person of Christ, and what it takes to know Him. The French cannot truly understand what forgiveness from Christ means until they understand the need. There has to be a gap before there’s a bridge. The fullness of what this means cannot be grasped in the short hours we have with them, barring some drastic revelation from God.
Once the person sees the need for the bridge, they can fully grasp the person of Christ. At that point, what else is there to do besides glorify God? Our song of praise should be the loudest in all the Earth. In Nantes, I want simply to glorify God by spreading His gospel.
Overall, the day was really amazing. David and I were able to meet some interesting people. Again, both contacts were willing to talk, and talk for a really long time. We invited Charles to play some soccer or basketball sometime, and to come to our party on Friday. We made some facebook contacts, and I hope to see them all again during the five weeks I have left here–which suddenly seems all too short a time.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Je m'appelle Super-Greg
We've gotten into the swing of things here. Bible study (1 John) in the mornings, outreach in the afternoons and team dinners in the evenings.
At dinner, people have shared some crazy stories about the French hospitality once a relationship is established. One group even had an old lady pile them into her tiny Renault and drive them to church.
The French are open to sitting and conversing over a baguette or a drink. Popular places in Nantes are on the campuses, on the steps in front of the Opéra, around the huge fountain in the city center, in the gardens of the chateau, in one of the many parks, or on the banks of the canal that splits the city.
The conversations have gone really well. They usually start off with some questions about culture, i.e. what is there to do on the weekends, or where do they like to go to get lunch for cheap. That's followed by questions about school or what they do with their time. I've met a couple of pianists from Paris, a professional figure skaters, a renewable resources contractor and a bunch of students from the campus.
The French seem to think about spiritual things every once in a while, but they are seldom discussed. When I meet groups of friends, I ask them if they talk about spirituality ever, and they say no. It's hard to find somebody who even knows another Christian. Most have never been to church, and some come from families where nobody has gone to church in the past few generations. Spirituality is definitely on the backburner.
That being said, they have been eager to talk about God, about purpose and afterlife, about morality, spirituality, Christ, religion, war, politics, sports, anything. They love to talk, and never seem to have anything else to do. Conversations can and have lasted hours.
My French has been effective, though sparse. They don't teach you how to convey the gospel in high school French class. It's been fun to talk to people who speak as much english as I do french. I told one girl my name at the end of our conversation: I said "Je m'appelle Greg." Somehow, she thought I said, "Je m'appelle Super-Greg." Oh man. My French must be horrible. We laughed, and when we left the conversation, I heard her say "au revoir, super-Greg!"
These people I've met; Charles, Julian, Antoinne, Daphne, Pierre, Paulin, Victor, Axelle, Leah, I feel like I know them all so well after a single conversation. They were all strangers at the beginning of the week.
I'm growing used to Nantes. Right now, they have a huge art festival going on. All kinds of modern art in the city. Wooden "creatures" emerging from the canal downtown, a giant wooden modern art assembly in a club, a pack of wolves in the grass by the moat of the chateau, a hydraulic mechanical elephant. We are always surrounded by art – and 800-year old churches that sit empty.
Sunday night, there was a music festival. Bands set up in the streets all over town. Anybody who wanted to play could, if they had space. Professional musicians and hobbyists shared the same stage – the cobblestone street. People ate it up. They danced, laughed, sang. It was an amazing evening.
So, now that I've caught you all up/bored you all to death, I want to iterate how much of a blessing it is to be here. The fact that I need to be a good steward of the resources it took to get me here and keep me here is incredible motivation to be bold in sharing my faith and make the most out of each day. I pray that God is glorified by the way I spend my days in Nantes.
At dinner, people have shared some crazy stories about the French hospitality once a relationship is established. One group even had an old lady pile them into her tiny Renault and drive them to church.
The French are open to sitting and conversing over a baguette or a drink. Popular places in Nantes are on the campuses, on the steps in front of the Opéra, around the huge fountain in the city center, in the gardens of the chateau, in one of the many parks, or on the banks of the canal that splits the city.
The conversations have gone really well. They usually start off with some questions about culture, i.e. what is there to do on the weekends, or where do they like to go to get lunch for cheap. That's followed by questions about school or what they do with their time. I've met a couple of pianists from Paris, a professional figure skaters, a renewable resources contractor and a bunch of students from the campus.
The French seem to think about spiritual things every once in a while, but they are seldom discussed. When I meet groups of friends, I ask them if they talk about spirituality ever, and they say no. It's hard to find somebody who even knows another Christian. Most have never been to church, and some come from families where nobody has gone to church in the past few generations. Spirituality is definitely on the backburner.
That being said, they have been eager to talk about God, about purpose and afterlife, about morality, spirituality, Christ, religion, war, politics, sports, anything. They love to talk, and never seem to have anything else to do. Conversations can and have lasted hours.
My French has been effective, though sparse. They don't teach you how to convey the gospel in high school French class. It's been fun to talk to people who speak as much english as I do french. I told one girl my name at the end of our conversation: I said "Je m'appelle Greg." Somehow, she thought I said, "Je m'appelle Super-Greg." Oh man. My French must be horrible. We laughed, and when we left the conversation, I heard her say "au revoir, super-Greg!"
These people I've met; Charles, Julian, Antoinne, Daphne, Pierre, Paulin, Victor, Axelle, Leah, I feel like I know them all so well after a single conversation. They were all strangers at the beginning of the week.
I'm growing used to Nantes. Right now, they have a huge art festival going on. All kinds of modern art in the city. Wooden "creatures" emerging from the canal downtown, a giant wooden modern art assembly in a club, a pack of wolves in the grass by the moat of the chateau, a hydraulic mechanical elephant. We are always surrounded by art – and 800-year old churches that sit empty.
Sunday night, there was a music festival. Bands set up in the streets all over town. Anybody who wanted to play could, if they had space. Professional musicians and hobbyists shared the same stage – the cobblestone street. People ate it up. They danced, laughed, sang. It was an amazing evening.
So, now that I've caught you all up/bored you all to death, I want to iterate how much of a blessing it is to be here. The fact that I need to be a good steward of the resources it took to get me here and keep me here is incredible motivation to be bold in sharing my faith and make the most out of each day. I pray that God is glorified by the way I spend my days in Nantes.
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