Hello Dear Friends,
We hope you are well and that 2024 is off to a good start wherever you might be reading this. As we have begun this new year, we have enjoyed the winter sunrises and sunsets. The dismal grey of the skies are lit up with hot pinks and purples, oranges and reds, just for a fleeting moment to show us a new day has dawned or is drawing to a close. It is a moment of beautiful transition in the midst of the regular and unchanged rhythms. With this, I am reminded of God’s steadiness and faithfulness, even in times where we can’t see what He is doing and all seems grey. And I am so grateful for the glimpses of hope, beauty and goodness that we get to see, especially during intense times of change.
New Season in France
After several months of discernment with our mission's agency and other partners, we've moved from working with Bless church Caen in order to be part of a French-led and French language church. The Bless Network has been an important part of our story here in Normandie and we are continuing in relationship. As we've become more and more connected in our local community here in France, we've felt a pull to be involved in a French church rather than our bilingual international church. A big part of this decision-making process was when we realized that for some of our French friends who are interested in God, the cultural jump of going to an international church is a barrier to them coming to church. For the past few weeks our family has been worshipping at a small French church plant in Caen called Bon Berger. So far, it seems like a really good fit and the kids are enjoying Sundays there as well. Please pray with us as we tend relationships with our friends at Bless and as we seek to follow God's leading into new ministry partnership and local church family.
Growing in Relationships
Since our big Thanksgiving feasts, our calendar has been full of times connecting with neighbors and friends. It feels as though there has been an acceleration in our outreach. This has looked like lots of wonderful moments in our home hosting dinners or goûté (afternoon snack), opportunities to play music, and new places of connection. One of the shows we played this Christmas was at the Marché de Noël at Silas and Elodie’s school. We had a great time singing Christmas songs and it was very well received. This chance to share our musical selves with the community around the school felt like breakthrough. It takes a long time to feel like anything other than « that strange American family ». Since the show, we have been able to talk more with other parents about music and faith. Please pray for continued opportunities to share God’s love and grow in relationships.
The Alpha Course
I (Tom) have been praying for more opportunities to connect in French with the local community and the Lord is answering that prayer! One way this is happening is at an Alpha couse with the local Catholic church. I reached out to our local priest and asked if he would mind having a Protestant missionary join in – and I’ve been welcomed!
Alpha is series of evenings designed for people who don’t yet know God to engage with big questions about the nature of life and God. It involves a meal, a short presentation on a big question like “who is Jesus” and lots of time for discussion. God is at work in these discussions. There have been times where the Holy Spirit is evidently moving in moments of transformation and changed thinking. One woman who had expressed doubts about the divinity of Christ was moved in her thinking not by convincing arguments, but by the testimony of those of us who have relationship with God. For me, (Tom) this setting feels like a perfect fit – like one of those good works that God has prepared in advance for me to walk in. It feels like when I speak it helps to shift the atmosphere of the discussion group and I sense God drawing people to Himself.
This is a place where God is moving significantly, please continue to pray for this Alpha Course. As another part of this growing connection with the Catholic church, Tom has also been able to connect with a weekly prayer gathering in Caen associated with the ecumenical movement, Chemin Neuf. This looks like 50 or so passionate believers praying with an incredible humility and hunger for more of God. It is inspiring to see God working in our city in such powerful ways.
USA on the Horizon
We have plane tickets! We’re booked for a short trip back to the States during the French school Spring break. We’re planning to be at the Gate Community Church in Franklin, TN the Sundays of April 21st and May 5th. We’ll likely also have an evening or afternoon at the Gate, where we’ll share stories and updates from France – more information to come. Hope to see many of you this Spring!
Additional Prayer Points:
Discernment for Church Involvement - we are eager to follow the Lord’s leading to a new church community and involvement. We need wisdom and discernment as to where that is and how much we do with the church so as not to take away from our community connections.
Kids’ education - we have ongoing ups and downs with each of our kids in school here. Please pray for Reuben, Eli, Silas and Elodie as they work through the struggles of attending French schools.
Praise for Health - Amazingly, aside from Tom’s sprained ankle the week of Thanksgiving, we have been relatively healthy this season, PRAISE GOD!
Praise for doors opening in our French Communities - Praise God that we are starting to see a deepening of relationships, even just as we have set out to spend more of our working hours in French language. We are so grateful that God has us here to join in his work!
Thank you!
We are grateful for each of you for your prayer and support as we continue to minister God’s love here in Normandie. Thank you so much for the gifts we have received as a response to our invitation in November to help us « Set the Table ». We pray that the God of Hope would fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.
Sending our Love,
The Appels
