Le Retour

Coucou from Grenoble, here's an update on the past few months! I am so thankful for the great cloud of witnesses that continues to pray for me — what an overwhelming abundance of God's love shown through you all.

Praises

Getting through finals! I had 10 classes last semester and am very thankful they are over. Now I just have a thesis to write this semester — no classes!
A packed Thanksgiving event back in November where I was able to share the gospel with many people who had never heard it
Being accepted to work at Camp des Cimes this summer
My roommates: my French family. We've made gingerbread houses, there's a prank war going on (I came back to 100 tiny plastic ducks in my room), weekly dinners, skiing and climbing together... so good
A sweet time back home in Colorado

Prayers

Upcoming ministry opportunities— Younglife ski camp in February, leading the Bible study (in French!) on Monday, possibly volunteering with a local Christian coffee shop
Discerning next steps for this upcoming fall — wanting to stay in France and continue working here, possibly as a missionary, but open and trusting God with how things will unfold, whether that’s coming back home or staying
Logistics of staying — applying to a post masters degree visa

Hello Chers Amis,

I hope the past months have found you well. I was not able to get a December newsletter out as I was wrapping up my classes and focusing on the exams and essays I had to finish, so I’m excited to update you all with what has been going on!

FEU Thanksgiving & Christmas (one of the games was a "shooting range")

November and December were a paradoxical combination of speed and slowness as the days grew shorter, yet my class workload and study time grew longer. I was thankful for encouraging ministry nights such as our Thanksgiving event that hosted almost forty people. Our other college ministry nights — Mondays and Thursdays — continued in the comfort and grace that comes with the “day-to-day” of a routine. I met a German girl at one of our Monday nights who was interested in church and climbing, and I was able to invite her to join me for both!

One major aspect of these months was understanding different aspects of ministry and working with people. One of my friends from school had started volunteering with our food bank back in September. There was a misunderstanding between her and another volunteer, and I got caught in the middle of two

sides of a story. It was an extremely draining and frustrating situation, but I am praying that the Lord would continue working in my friend’s life even though she chose to step away from volunteering and coming to the ministry. A good reminder that it is God who moves in hearts, not us.

I wasn’t initially planning on going home for Christmas, but am so thankful I did as the Lord in His ability to multiply His works made it evident I was supposed to be there. I had lots of good conversations with my family, was able to connect with friends in the outdoors, and held a “Soirée Française” to share what I’ve been up to in France. This night was such a blessing as I have been transitioning back to Grenoble: it was so sweet to connect my life over here with my life back home, especially with people who have watched me grow up. Hearing words of blessing and encouragement was a balm to my heart as I learn how to accept the abundant and overwhelming love of God. (My last newsletter has more to say on that…)

I was also thankful for lots of fun days outside getting exercise and learning skills in the outdoors. I’m not sure what God has in store next for me, but I’d love to keep growing in this area as I want to use the outdoors as a ministry field. I’ve seen how important getting outdoors has been in my own faith walk, and see the possible challenges or discomforts or fears faced as a neat way to get conversations started about Jesus. Even just this Christmas break I saw the Lord's work in my life as I was able to engage in things that, in the past, I would not have been able to step into. This is because Jesus is teaching me how to trust in His strength as I let go of needing to prove myself.

Though I’d love to work as a guide or with an outdoor organization of sorts, I haven’t come across one in the Grenoble area/I’m not sure the correct questions to ask or doors to knock on. This has led me to a related ministry as my next step for the summer: camp ministry! This summer I will be working at Camp des Cimes, a Greater European Missions camp about an hour from Grenoble. I’m excited to learn more about the French culture and to serve kids and young adults in the mountains.

And now, just a few days back in France and I’ve jumped right back in (the best way to get over jet lag). We had our first middle school night with the church this past Friday, and it was very sweet to begin connecting with them more, knowing their personalities and quirks a little better. This Saturday was a full day committed to Younglife and planning our winter ski camp in February. Our team is both "program" and "counselors" so it's going to be a very full but very fun week. And this next Monday I give my first Bible study in French!

I am trusting God with next steps, and praying that He would open doors for me to continue growing in certain practical skills specifically in the outdoors, though I have been so thankful for all the mental and spiritual skills he has grown me in the past 3 years.

Prayers from the “Soiree Francaise”

Nationwide

Logistical - need for young pastors

Spiritual - the hearts of the French

Grenoble

Logistical
Another team member with YoungLife and with the FEU
Funds for our church Église Grenoble Est to buy a building, as well as the government to allow this purchase to go through
Spiritual - for the almost 60,000 students in the area
The ministries in Grenoble area - Torchbearers, FEU, church outreaches, Pilgrim Coffeehouse, Remix, YoungLife - that they would continue to thrive

Personal