First deadline is past

This past week we sent in our first deposit to Maureen. The Hechtmans from Milford, Michigan are going to join us. Catherine and Phillip will be a help and we look forward to their joining us.
Pray for the kids in Marseilles and St. Paul de Vence to invite their friends. Pray that people will come to our concerts. When we hold these events, people say afterwards "Oh, I wish I had known earlier. I would have invited......". However, there is only so much we can do on this side of the ocean. So pray that the kids from last year will spread the word. Pray that we will have enough time to advertise our concerts once we get there.

Team members

Please pray for our team members and their support:

Dr. Lathrop ( my dad) from New Jersey

Daniel Stephens ( French 2) from Michigan

Jessica Parks ( French 5) from Michigan

Katie Beer ( French 5) from Michigan
Claire Beer ( French 5) from Michigan
Mary Beer ( Elementary French) from Michigan
Johnny Beer ( Beginning French) from Michigan
Judy Beer ( mom)
Brian Beer ( Dad)

Charis Gibbs ( French 4) from Michigan

Reagan Cerisano ( French 3) from Virginia

A few people are undecided. Pray that God makes their way clear!

Prayer

Prayer is so important for this trip. Pray for the people on the team - for their health, their preparation and their support funds. Pray for the children who will come. Pray that they will invite their friends and we will have more kids than last year!
One of the pastors in St. Paul de Vence is Pastor Orozco. He has several children that will help us in the VBS. One of his sons, Emilio, was just diagnosed with diabetes. This means a big change of lifestyle for them. But they are thanking God for good doctors and good care. Pray for Emilio as he adjusts to his new medications.
Today is my dad's birthday. He is 84 years old. He went with us last year as the Science teacher and plans to come back. We thank God for his courage and stamina.

Reformation Tour

At the beginning of our trip, we will spend some days at Château Solier in the Cévennes hills. We will visit le mas Soubeyran and follow the steps of the early French protestants. They were called Huguenots. They lived courageously for the Lord during a time of religious persecution. I recommend reading How They Kept the Faith by Grace Raymond. This book is fiction, but it demonstrates the kind of lives they lived and takes place in the same villages where we will be: Anduze and La Salle. The author's real name was Annie Raymond Stillman. You can find this book in the library or on www.amazon.com.

La Jungle

Several students from Michigan and TPS are hoping to join us. We have a variety of students from JH French through high school. Our theme will be La Jungle. Pray with us as we raise our funds and get ready for this trip.

The planning has begun

Bonne Année 2010! The planning has begun for an 18 day mission trip to France. Our VBS program is known as Le Club bilangue and children from all languages will come. The venues will be the same as last year, but we have a different theme - Le Jungle! We will be in southern France from July 1-18.
We plan to spend the first 2 days in a castle in the Cévennes mountains. We will prepare as team for the VBS, practice some music and give some local concerts.
The first week we will stay at Fort St. Nicolas in Marseille and work with the Baptist church and the Reformed church.
The second week we will stay with the good sisters of La Cordaire in Vence and do the VBS at the International Baptist church in St. Paul de Vence. The kids from last year are excited and looking forward to our return!

During January we will determine who is interested. There are so many needs in France and my students can help! This trip will be open to French 2 and above because speaking French is necessary.
I am very excited to be a part of what God is doing in France. Pray as people decide who will join us, as we raise money and as we prepare to serve.