more technical difficulties

Danielle is having some trouble with her computer and internet connection again.
She will post as soon as she is able.
Julie R.

May 9, Retreat Day 2

I am so sorry about the delay, but it appears that for some reason (hmm), I was not going to get my entries or requests out to all of you who have been following our journey. But I know that you have been praying, which we completely feel here in Lyon. Our group learned just on Thursday that Lyon is the occult capital of France. I’ll leave it to you to figure out who our opposition is here in this beautiful city. I will give not credit. But we did find it interesting that the Masonic Lodge was going to be located right next to our meeting room. From what I heard from the missionaries here, the Mason members are judges, and other high officials throughout France. Our Lord has been very faithful. We prayed for a buffer to absorb sound so as not to disturb their group, but that if any did need to get through, it would. As far as I know, there where not complaints from our neighbors.Amelie did not come last night. We all looked for her. We must trust that God has a plan for her life and that this may be her first encounter with real Christians. I Corinthians 3:6 tells us, “ I (Paul) planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God make it grow.” We do not were she is in the list, but God does.What Janice said is true. The retreat attendees are indeed anxious to talk. Some ladies are missionaries. They are needing emotional and spiritual support. The other ladies are here in France with their working husbands. They are extremely lonely. Families are only allowed one working visa, so wives are left at home either alone, or with their children. It is very difficult to break into French circles, so friendships are limited. I am especially thankful to God that I am able to be a sounding board for a few while we are here.Our small groups after Janice’s talks have been wonderful! Hearts have been open to what the Lord has given Janice to say, so the women are sharing freely. There is too much to share in one sitting. Just know that the Lord is having his way here. And for you WaterGirl fans- Yes, they are here to minister to us in song. I wish you were here to experience them too.Love you all. I’m off soon to present my workshop!

May 7, Day Two

The Lord is showing us the wonders of his works this evening. After a full day of sight seeing in 80 degree sun, we are now experiencing a fabulous lightning and rain storm. In California where we live, seeing huge bolts of lightning crossing the night sky is very uncommon. Truly God is showing us his power and strength. We will be calling on his strength all weekend as women from around Europe, Africa, and the United States are ministered by his powerful word.

We have already seen his moving. Our latest experience was just today as we toured old town Lyon. At the top of a hill overlooking this beautiful city, there is what the locals call a “mini basilica.” This beautiful basilica was built in the late 1800’s by the citizens of Lyon to thank the Virgin Mary for pushing the Prussians back when under siege. To this day it is still kept in repair by the people of Lyon. The interior is breathtaking. Six beautiful mosaics of stone, glass, and incased gold leaf, run the length of the chapel on either side. Each mosaic depicts a historical event where the Virgin was asked to intercede. Our tour guide, Amelie, was full of information and seemed to enjoy explaining the history behind each mosaic. More than once she mentioned that the historical figures had prayed for Mary’s help, “but it didn’t work.” As our time together neared it natural conclusion, our group was able to chat with her quietly about ATM’s (she was very curious about this acronym) and her life in Lyon. Amelie explained that she was from Germany, had married a Frenchman that she’d met in Los Angeles, and had lived in Lyon for 10 years. She liked her job working as a tour guide because she enjoyed the interaction with visitors. In fact she needed the interaction. Amelie explained that the French people were cold and had not accepted her into their community. Janice said, “You’re lonely.” Amelie’s eyes grew wide as she slowly turned toward Janice and replied, “How did you know?” It was a surreal moment. I felt almost as if I had been eves dropping on Christ’s conversation with the women at the well. How did he know this?
Janice has been telling us that the retreat was started for women who where not natives of France. They are lonely and lack the support they need as Christians, but also as women. Amelie fit the lonely women in France profile. Janice quickly explained to Amelie why our group was here, and about the retreat. It would be a place she could meet other women in Lyon and hear more about being a Christian. We wanted her to come if possible. She took the information with eagerness. I pray that she will have the courage to come. We had a divine appointment. I pray that Amelie will have a divine appointment with Christ this weekend too. Then she will know the one who does answer the prayers of his people. Please pray with us that women like Amelie all around France will listen to the call of the Holy Spirit and answer his call on their lives.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULITIES

Danielle is experiencing technical difficulties with her Internet connection. She asked me if i would let you all know not to worry and that she will be back on line and posting as soon as the problem is resolved. julie r.

May 6, 2009 Our travel day in Lyon, France

Praise the Lord. I could not have asked for a better travel day than this. I couldn’t begin to tell you how many times zones we traveled, only that we left San Francisco in gloom and arrived in Lyon to glorious sunshine! This is a wonderful beginning Lord. We left US soil in the afternoon on Tuesday and arrived in Lyon on the following day with five hours sleep for most of us. We were able to stay up until 11:30 plus that evening. Jet lag? Well it hasn’t reared its ugly head too much just yet, but we’re waiting. My room mate Terri and I hit the sack at 12:30 and are now up and about at 7 am. It’s looking pretty good. What’s that you say, “Pride goeth before the fall?” Oh, yes. I have heard that before. Anyway, we are praising our Jesus for a great start.

Our group, which has now expanded to seven, started out sightseeing, well actually looking for dinner, at 5:30. Pure Lyonaise. Lyon is known as the food capital of France. We were entertained by the wait staff, enjoyed wonderful local delicacies like tripe, and sampled every dessert on the menu. Why leave the sweets behind? A good time was had by all We didn’t eat until after 8 PM. The locals eat very late around here so we were able to do some sightseeing. This can be a challenge when your tummy is on another in another time zone. Laura and Carrie had the worst of it as they hadn’t eaten since 5:30 that morning.

We did have one mishap. Emily was pick pocketed while on a very crowded bus on our way downtown. Fortunately, Emily had been focusing on credit cards, so she has limited cash on hand. She is now our guest until back up finances arrive. A small price to pay for her company, and a lesson to be learned while away from home. She took it like a real trooper saying, “They must have needed the money more than she,” but still it’s a rough way to start out. We are thankful that it’s only stuff and that we are all well and safe in this beautiful city on the Lord’s mission.

We decided to walk the few miles back to our hotel along the beautiful Rhone River after dinner. Don’t worry about us husbands. We were well protected by our Lord as we prayer walked our way back and enjoy the well lit city that is also know as the “city of lights.”
Magnifique!
Carrie and Laura, missionaries from Africa, have joined us while on sabbatical. The rest of us are from Northern, Central, and Southern California. This cadre of travelers are the afore mentioned Carrie, Laura, Terri, Emily, Diane, myself, and our fearless leader Janice.

I will apologize now for any misspellings or grammatical errors, etc. that might appear on this sight. Yes, I know that I’m a teacher and should know better, but I don’t have my trusty editor with me. Miss you honey. My soul purpose(multiple meaning here) is to keep you informed about our comings and goings, but mostly to let you know what our sweet Jesus is up to while he takes us on this wonderful journey. Thanks you Lord for this opportunity to serve you in this way.

When I was first invited to France on a missions trip I felt an over all chill that I could not shake. This reaction was unusual for me. I knew that there was reason God wanted me to go to France but I wasn’t sure what it could be. You see, going to France doesn’t sound very romantic as far as missions trips go. You usually think of people going to third world countries to dig ditches, while they’re living in a hut in the outback. Or going to Haiti like Brenda and John have done, helping construct and beautify orphanages. At least that is what I used to think when I thought of going on a short term mission trip.
This trip will be much different. I will be going to a country that considers itself to be intellectual, logical, enlightened and progressive. I won’t be sleeping on the dirt, but in a bed in the city of lights and at a Christian camp in the French Alps. I will be in Lyon and Paris, the two largest cities in France and a Christian camp in Grenoble, the sight of the ‘68 winter Olympics. From what I’ve read, it seems that the most enlightened places are the darkest.
France is a very anti-Christian country. It proudly states that it is secular. Fiftyone percent of the population considers itself Catholic, though only 9% of those believe in God as being personal and relational. Ten percent of the population are Muslim and 1% Jewish. France’s atheist population is 31%. This next statistic blew me away. There are 30,00 occult workers and only 2,300 full-time Christian workers. Recently the French government has begun investigating Christian congregations, especially evangelicals, for possible terrorist activities.
The Light is starting to break into this dark nation. Over the last 12 years 400 new churches have been started, but most of them are in larger cities. Smaller towns with populations of 10,000 or less still lack Christian leadership. God’s Spirit continues to move. There are currently plans to start Christian radio stations and more church planting is being organized.
So what will I be doing? My ministry will be about equipping and encouraging English speaking Christian women. May 8-10 we will facilitate a retreat in Lyon. I will be presenting a workshop on journaling and giving my testimony about the School of Women in Ministry. Women are coming from around Europe. Seven countries will be represented at the retreat. Some come from as far away as China and Northern Africa. The attendance this year is doubled from last. Eighty women are registered. An event such as this is unusual for the European continent. I am honored to be apart of it. From what you’ve just read you can see that these women are in the minority and are desperate for encouragement and feeding. I’ve been told to get ready to listen because they will talk my ear off.
May 11-13 we will be in Grenoble praying and planning for a School of Women in Ministry that is due to begin in the fall. I have been actively involved in the schools here in California, so this is near and dear to my heart. The remainder of our time will be in Paris working with our Converge missionary as she moves and cleans her residence in Paris. In case you’re wondering, we will have one day in each location to do some sightseeing.
I am very excited about this opportunity, and anxious to see what the Lord has in store for us. The ladies organizing in France have met with a lot of resistance from the dark side of their beloved country. This only confirms for me that we are going on a trip that will make a difference in the lives of these Christian women and their country. Obviously, there is someone not very happy about our trip, so I do covet your prayers for protection for our families and ourselves as we set out on May 5th.
As I prepare to leave, don’t tell yourself that you would never take a trip like this one. You don’t know what God is preparing for you to do. He is full of surprises. He’s preparing you for something right now! Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

It has happened again! My missionary focused devotional, Voices of the Faithful, was spot on. With each new month comes a new emphasis. For May the focus is Witnessing. Beth Moore writes the introductions for each month, and as usual, she had me pegged. Witnessing is not my stongest area; in fact it's the weakest. Beth mentioned that there would be two reason we might feel less comfortable about sharing our faith, the first being that we do not have a vibrant relationship with Christ. The second being that we don't have the guts for it. Yicks, that hurts. Currently, I know that my relationship with Christ is growing. I am walking real close to him these days. But the second... I must remember that witnessing does not come naturally, it comes supernaturally. I must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct. "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."Acts 1:8