Raison d'être

Lyon river front

I wrote a bit on my other blog about the conference in France (copied below). As I mentioned, while there was no new information, I did enjoy hearing about others' work and ministry, what they've tried and what has/has not worked. There were many ministries in all different phases and stages. I wish there had been more time for meeting people and networking - although I have learned that I am not so good at the networking thing! I think it's definitely a skill to be developed. I don't naturally go up and schmooze with all the people in the room that I don't know (maybe it's a bad sign that I equate networking with schmoozing), so it's a bit of a stretch for me. It's like speed dating or something (I've never actually done that); you have to meet people and find out all about them, tell them about you, and make some connection that could be valuable to a future working relationship - all within a few minutes. Then on to the next person. So much pressure! I would rather find the girl I'm rooming with or the one I had lunch with that day and continue a previous conversation. Anyway. :)

Just a couple of thoughts from the conference...

One wonderful French pastor [he was SO DARLING] shared his testimony through a translator and I just loved it – he and a couple people from his church noticed the African women in their town “working the streets.” He felt led to invite them to an event at his church, and after ignoring the leading several times on his way home one night, he finally turned his car around and drove back to the women. He quickly told them about the event and sped off. Shocked when they actually showed up, he and a couple young women from his church began visiting them regularly on their street, bringing coffee and cookies. This has turned into a regular ministry and close relationships between he and his wife and some of the girls.

I was encouraged by a recurring theme over the week – “Start small.” I wrestle with the “smallness” of what I’m doing sometimes, but every ministry has small beginnings. I’ve had to remind myself of this a few times in the last 6 months. Even the large ministries that were there, with programs and rescue stories and volunteers galore, began with a few people who saw a need and tried to figure out the best way to meet it. Often they failed and often they wanted to quit. But, when God gives vision, he gives the means and direction – eventually.

Sacré bleu!

Friend in town...taught a class tonight...had to prepare all day = no blogging. :) But the class is done (until next week anyway) and it went very well - I'll tell you about it tomorrow(ish). For now, here are some pictures from France, if you haven't already seen them on Facebook. :)

Savoir-faire

Hellooooooooooo!

Finally have an internet connection here. I will be home tomorrow when I will be free to share with you all the glorious details of my trip. The photo above, which I did not take, but this person did, is a famous restaurant in Lyon that I ate at with my "roommate" on our last evening in Lyon. I had one of the most interesting things I have ever eaten (and I have eaten a few interesting things in my day) ... asparagus flan. Gag all you want, but I actually really liked it. It was in the shape and texture of flan, but it definitely tasted like asparagus. It was the side dish to my lovely little slices of overpriced chicken. :)

The conference was good. I didn't really learn any new (to me) information on human trafficking as much as it was so good to be re-inspired and to be with people who have similar passions. I guess when you're working alone, as I often feel like I am, it's difficult to maintain the passion and enthusiasm. It was just refreshing to be reminded that people care about the issue, powerful things are happening, and there is support. I was encouraged by some of the leaders in the field who knew of me and let me know I am doing a good job!

I'll have to share specific things that struck me over the next few posts. My roommate, Irene, was from Switzerland. She has kids almost my age, and she is the director for several programs across Europe. We had a fun time exploring Lyon in our free time (which was scant, but we crammed it into our breaks and stayed up too late).

Thanks to a generous supporter & friend, I am in Paris for the weekend! I'm really blessed. I am a little anxious to return to Athens, as I have a bit of work to do before our human trafficking class starts on Tuesday night. My friend has several missionary friends here, so we've been able to spend time with some really great families over the last couple days. I've enjoyed that time almost more than the "Paris things." Almost. :) I'll share more about the trip this week!

that is NOT French's mustard!

Bonjour! It's a sunny morning in Lyon, France. Arrived yesterday and the conference started last night. There are Christians from 14 European countries here, all here to pray and discuss human trafficking in Europe. I'm excited to be a part of it!

On the plane on the way here (Lufthansa), I was fascinated by the German flight attendant - I had forgotten what natural blonde hair looks like! :) We have plenty of "blondes" in Greece, but it looks so different when it actually grows out of your head that color!

I was so tired when I got here yesterday that I went to Subway. Don't judge; I'll have plenty of time for French food. It was right by my hotel, my stomach was a little funny, and a good old familiar sandwich was just what it wanted. I got my usual, and pointed at the bottle that said "mustard" to top it off.

As I sat down to eat, I got out my conference materials to read through the packet. I took a bite of my sandwich...the mustard had a little kick to it! It was horseradishy or something, but it was a good flavor. By the time I was halfway in, I was trying to prevent my watery eyes from spilling over - the mustard was nearly choking my throat as there was (is there a word for this?) a very distinct piquant feeling - not burning, so much, as horse-radishing. By the time I had to take out the innards of the sandwich, drenched in mustard, for the last few bites, there were tears. Thankfully there weren't many people in there and no one noticed me crying over the conference speaker bios. Wow, my throat kind of closes up right now just thinking about it. Whew!

Anyhow, I don't speak a lick of French (besides what I learned from the educational Foux da fa fa video), but I'm pretty used to not understanding anything around me, so oh well. :) Bye for now.....

I taught a college class today.

So that was fun.

I am trying to motivate myself to clean and pack. Really, not too much to ask of myself, but I'd rather sit and stare at my papers and files everywhere than pick them up.

The thing about speaking with a translator is that either you have time to regroup and think of how you're going to say your next point (as you are being translated), or you have time to completely lose your train of thought (as you are being translated). Then they stop and everyone looks at you expectantly and you have nothing to say. :)

Anyway, the class went really well. It's all stuff I'd taught before. We made some great contacts, including several students signing up for our class that starts in two weeks. And, the college is going to offer independent study credit for it!

I also found out this week that the director of a large ministry here has signed up for the course. They work with refugees and he said he feels like his heart is being stirred for this human trafficking issue.

My prayer has been for seven people to come to this small group course; we have exactly that number who have officially registered (which means nothing in Greece). It starts the day after I get back from France, so it's just about here.

An unrelated note: I am just atingle with euphoria about my 3:45 am taxi pickup in the morning. I suppose the good thing is I'll be in France on the other side. Maybe my lack of sleep will help me fit in with the French attitude. ;)

Foux da fa fa

On Tuesday I leave again, for a trafficking conference in France. I am looking forward to it -it will be a great time of networking and they have some international speakers/experts coming. It will be helpful to learn more about trafficking specific to Europe. So, let's all brush up on our French, shall we? Parlez-vous français?