Before I tell you about our visit with the missionary in the arts district, I must give you an exciting update! One of the missionaries in Lyon, France followed up on Amelie. Elizabeth sent her a note and arranged to pick her up for church on Sunday! Yeah, God! Thank you to Elizabeth and her family for following through with Amelie for us and also for our great and glorious God. We pray that Amelie's heart will be softened by the gospel and that she will come to know our Lord Jesus Christ. I will give updates as they come in to me.
On Friday, May 15 we took the Metro to the arts district in Paris. This area is located near the Musee D'Orsay, the museum where all of the impressionist art is displayed. The D'Orsay was formally the train station in Paris. It is a beautiful building and the art is fabulous. This sets the stage for "M's" neighborhood. The buildings in this area are lovely. The storefronts house exclusive antique stores, designer galleries, and upscale clothing. Jean d'Pardu (this is not a correct spelling), a famous french movie actor, keeps an apartment next door to the building where "M" and her family lives. The building used to be the Baptist church of Paris and is now owned by the Baptist Federation of France. This old church now houses a bible bookstore, booking agency that arranges visiting Christian artist, a recording studio and other Christian based businesses. This building needs some major renovations. As you enter the building it is obvious that at one time it was very impressive. Sweeping stair cases grace both sides of the entrance that will one day become a social space. Right now it houses the garbage cans. At the end of the entry there is a courtyard that is covered with cobble stone. It currently is home for an automobile, which enters the space through some double doors located in the entry. Strange.
"M" joyfully showed us the one area that has been renovated and is used for performance or visual arts. It is set with an extensive lighting system and state of the art sound system for recording. It frequently houses art shows, actors studios, and musical production rehearsals. If it's art related, it happens here.
"M"s" families apartment is also located in this former church. Walking up a long flight of curving stairs (I'd say at least three or more stories) we finally reached the apartment. This may sound like unnecessary information, but I forgot to mention that we each carried two boxes full of books up these stairs. That means we went up twice. My heart was pounding when I finally reached the top the second time. "M" and her family have recently moved to this apartment after having lived in a house for twenty years. As you can imagine, it has been difficult to pare down her belongings.
The apartment is lovely. "M" who loves interior design, has pulled together a warm and welcoming space. By now, you can see that "M's" and "N's" living situations are very different. "N" neighborhood in multicultural and "M'" is rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. Because of this, it is more difficult for "M" to assimilate into her neighborhood. Her focus is on those who enter the "Foundry" which is the name of the building now, or the "Pavey" which is the studio. Though the artist might be her neighbors, it is unlikely. That just wouldn't have the means to live in the neighborhood.
Terri and I walked around the apartment with "M" and prayed over each room: from the entry to the children's bedroom. The other members of the team did some general cleaning. Old, beautiful buildings have their drawbacks. This one has mold and rats. As a team we had an extended prayer time with "M" after the initial tour. As our time drew to a close, we knew that "M" would be able to entertain her former neighbor that afternoon with a little more peace. Her home was clean! This neighbor does not know that Lord, so she was pleased to be able to focus on their time together and not worry about her surroundings. I pray that their time was sweet.
As we said our good-byes, we headed off to the D'Orsay for a few hours of soaking in fine art and taking a peek at the Eiffel Tower. Along the way I spotted a small white dog. I knew immediately that it was a Coton de Tulear, just like my Tiffany at home. I crossed the street to see the dog and realized that the owner was an American woman from So. Carolina. We chatted briefly about our dogs and their backgrounds. That was an extra blessing for me. I really wanted to see a Coton in Paris, and God gave me the opportunity on the last day of our trip. Silly, I know. But sometimes God grants us our silliest wish. He's like that.
On Friday, May 15 we took the Metro to the arts district in Paris. This area is located near the Musee D'Orsay, the museum where all of the impressionist art is displayed. The D'Orsay was formally the train station in Paris. It is a beautiful building and the art is fabulous. This sets the stage for "M's" neighborhood. The buildings in this area are lovely. The storefronts house exclusive antique stores, designer galleries, and upscale clothing. Jean d'Pardu (this is not a correct spelling), a famous french movie actor, keeps an apartment next door to the building where "M" and her family lives. The building used to be the Baptist church of Paris and is now owned by the Baptist Federation of France. This old church now houses a bible bookstore, booking agency that arranges visiting Christian artist, a recording studio and other Christian based businesses. This building needs some major renovations. As you enter the building it is obvious that at one time it was very impressive. Sweeping stair cases grace both sides of the entrance that will one day become a social space. Right now it houses the garbage cans. At the end of the entry there is a courtyard that is covered with cobble stone. It currently is home for an automobile, which enters the space through some double doors located in the entry. Strange.
"M" joyfully showed us the one area that has been renovated and is used for performance or visual arts. It is set with an extensive lighting system and state of the art sound system for recording. It frequently houses art shows, actors studios, and musical production rehearsals. If it's art related, it happens here.
"M"s" families apartment is also located in this former church. Walking up a long flight of curving stairs (I'd say at least three or more stories) we finally reached the apartment. This may sound like unnecessary information, but I forgot to mention that we each carried two boxes full of books up these stairs. That means we went up twice. My heart was pounding when I finally reached the top the second time. "M" and her family have recently moved to this apartment after having lived in a house for twenty years. As you can imagine, it has been difficult to pare down her belongings.
The apartment is lovely. "M" who loves interior design, has pulled together a warm and welcoming space. By now, you can see that "M's" and "N's" living situations are very different. "N" neighborhood in multicultural and "M'" is rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. Because of this, it is more difficult for "M" to assimilate into her neighborhood. Her focus is on those who enter the "Foundry" which is the name of the building now, or the "Pavey" which is the studio. Though the artist might be her neighbors, it is unlikely. That just wouldn't have the means to live in the neighborhood.
Terri and I walked around the apartment with "M" and prayed over each room: from the entry to the children's bedroom. The other members of the team did some general cleaning. Old, beautiful buildings have their drawbacks. This one has mold and rats. As a team we had an extended prayer time with "M" after the initial tour. As our time drew to a close, we knew that "M" would be able to entertain her former neighbor that afternoon with a little more peace. Her home was clean! This neighbor does not know that Lord, so she was pleased to be able to focus on their time together and not worry about her surroundings. I pray that their time was sweet.
As we said our good-byes, we headed off to the D'Orsay for a few hours of soaking in fine art and taking a peek at the Eiffel Tower. Along the way I spotted a small white dog. I knew immediately that it was a Coton de Tulear, just like my Tiffany at home. I crossed the street to see the dog and realized that the owner was an American woman from So. Carolina. We chatted briefly about our dogs and their backgrounds. That was an extra blessing for me. I really wanted to see a Coton in Paris, and God gave me the opportunity on the last day of our trip. Silly, I know. But sometimes God grants us our silliest wish. He's like that.
I have to make sure I have a tissue with me every time I read your updates! I am so very proud of you. I'm still in awe over this incredible journey you are taking with our Father. Love You! Jen
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