Thursday Update

Our schedule is pretty wild so we update as we can- let me try to think back on all we've done..... We did another day of the thing I can't tell you :) and that was good. That night we had a very french dinner - most things were delightful but the blood pudding and (very) stinky cheeses will not be missed - lol. We drove down to the south of France past all the vineyards and the olive trees-even in the windy rain/snow it was a beautiful sight. We then toured what could be called a dungeon or prison tower, truly a castle-like structure used to imprison early believers. Mary Durrand was a woman who was imprisoned for 38 years in this cold, stone prison-google her story, it is fascinating. The early Christians paid a high price for the freedom we enjoy today. We also saw some cathedrals and the palace of the Popes-more stops on the journey to religious freedom. I will post the names and some photos as I get the chance.

Today we are painting the front room of the center and baking a million more cookies for the big party on Satuday. Lift up the Christmas party- many many friends have signed up to come. This is a HUGE opportunity to interact with many cultures and leads to long-term relationships. Lift up the workers here - it is very expensive, very complicated, very dark, and the enemy is always trying to defeat and discourage. We are all doing well, getting along with each other and with the team on-site. Charon's knee is not good but she is quite a trouper. Kristen continues to be the constant- she never gets lost, never gets annoyed, never lags behind, never complains, ALWAYS wears her hat and helps old ladies cross the street - she will NEVE R be voted off the island! What a blessing she has been to all of us:) We are mastering the fake-french accents and have many silly jokes that keep us in a good mood. We can take the bus and tram and metro, we can "almost" shop competently, we can find the bathrooms, and read many signs- we have mastered "pattisserie" which is a bakery:) and the front desk lady at the hotel teaches us a few french words each morning. Several girls washed our clothes at the Indian laundry down the street:) There are many chinese here as well - certainly more of a mix of cultures than I was expecting.

Thanks for following along with us - we appreciate your prayers! Thanks for the nice comments from everyone, especially those from Pastor Brian which did not at ALL make us feel guilty for leaving the office short-handed at a busy time:) Feel free to say hey, it tickles us when we hear from our friends and family back home! Au revoir until the next time!