Au revoir la France!

All of the team left today, some going to the Marseilles airport at 4 am!! It has been a wonderful 18 days. Thank you for praying for us and following our story here. We all have more photos and more stories to tell in person. If you would like to see some really good photography ( thanks to Elizabeth) , contact me on Facebook and I'll invite you to join the Mission page.

Whew! So we are coming to the end of a very full, very busy week in Marseilles. Some of the highlights for me were the concerts at the retirement homes, and the sweet beautiful faces of the four and five year olds I spent the week with. They were very engaged in the Bible stories, songs, and activities. It was a privilege to meet many of the parents at the final performance. Some were Christians, very encouraged by the whole experience for their children. Some were Muslim, or from Muslim backgrounds, but did come and seemed to appreciate the ""Spectacle" ( ending program). One more church service tonight at ICC Marseilles, then many of us flying home tomorrow.
Love from Janie Reilly

Final weekend

This last weekend has been a flurry of shopping and visiting places in Marseilles. We went to the military beach. Katelyn, Joseph, Elizabeth and Paul swam out into the Mediterranean and climbed on two small islands. In the evening, we had dinner in the square - Amanda,Dayna, Alexi & Kelsey in this photo. Dominique Orsini wants you to see his boats. He plans to paint them.

Bells in final program

Making disciples

Our verse for today is Matt. 28: 19 & 20 which tells us to go and make disciples. I was thrilled to see two local kids become moniteur & monitrice this summer. Antsa & Mary Ellen were in my class 2 summers ago. This year they were helping the younger ones and catching the vision for their own church.

Les feux d'artifices

I am so tired! But it was all worth it. Last night we celebrated the 14th of July (Bastille Day) with the French, well we celebrated like Americans and watched them from afar. We got the best pizza in Marseille and then climbed up to the ramparts at the fort/hotel. It was so windy yesterday that we were afraid the fireworks may not happen, but after many rounds of ninja, pictures of the sunset and rising moon, and swing dance lessons, the fireworks began. I guess nothing stops the French, even when fires started next to the fort and Notre Dame de la Garde the fireworks never ceased. We had the perfect seats for all of it. There were fireworks coming out of boats in the port and fireworks coming from the fort across the street. They were incredible. There was every single color and shape imaginable, every type of sparkle and explosion possible. It was quite a show and everyone loved them, so it was most definitely worth the lack of sleep that we are all feeling today in our last day of VBS, even though the kids seemed to have gotten plenty of sleep.
Now that we're nearing the end of our trip and our time together, it's difficult to know how to feel. Everyone misses our families and friends, but we all know that we will miss each other and the work we've been doing. It's been a truly amazing experience and I have learned so much that I will take with me for the rest of my life. Thank you to everyone who gave us the chance to come. We have all learned so much and gained so many friends. Thank you for your support and we will see you again soon in the States.
-Sheridan Lamb

We're nearing the end of our second week of VBS and our team has proven the old adage that those who work hard play hard! After a fun and sweat-filled day of learning to "Open Up to Jesus" our team headed to the ramparts of the Officer's Club to celebrate Bastille Day with silly photos, games of ninja, freeze tag, and the aforementioned swing dancing. We then enjoyed the fireworks display with the best view of the city, the Notre Dame de la Garde watching along with us as the brilliant moon served as a spotlight (credit to Christine Crowson as the source for the moon/spotlight comparison!)

It's now our last day of VBS and we covet everyone's prayers for a successful final "spectacle" (performance) as the kids show their parents the songs, verses, and dances they've learned at our SonSurf Beach Bash. God has really blessed our team and the kids in the camp as we are both working and playing hard : )

Off to catch this last wave and ride it in! As the surfers say in our daily skit-- woot woot!

-Christine Orsini

BASTILLE DAY!!!

Yesterday was France's national holiday- Bastille Day! It was amazing to be there and celebrate with this wonderful nation. We all gathered on the ramparts of the port for pizza and dancing before the fireworks. Once everyone had eaten, the swingin' began. The newer swing dancing folks caught on so fast!! I was incredibly impressed. Using Connor's ipod, we were all transported back to the 30s and 40s. Glenn Miller, the Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra and more! Above left are our most amazing and generous missionaries: Mr. and Mrs. Painter-the most adorable couple on the floor:) They were groovin'! Right are other wonderful dancers including a most patient friend-Kyle- who put up with my wanting to teach him all these flips and twirls:) It was great fun!! After dancing we all sat and watched the most amazing firework show I've ever seen. The vibrant colors lit up the entire sky and the water sparkled in the harbor. I just marveled at God's creation. I'm so thankful that we were all able to enjoy this wonderful day with the French people.

-Alexi Moehlenpah

Games

God is soooooooo good. It's impossible to describe with human words the love of God that has truly abounded to us on this trip. There have been so many small wonders on this trip that have demonstrated God's sovereignty and mercy. I'm not even sure where to begin: the wonder I have felt at numerous cathedrals, the beauty of the sunset-lit Mediterranean waves lapping up on silky sands, the power of the wind, the full moon rising over the Fort Saint Nicolas... But God's work in the hearts of men is even more beautiful than all this.

The gorgeous group of individuals on the left are just a few of the many little people I have been blessed to meet this week and last. The Bible is spot-on--as always--when it discusses the heart of a child. How refreshing is their love, naivety, honesty, and wide-eyed wonder! What a reminder it is to live with these same traits in our daily lives.... And praise the Lord for His work of salvation in many of these French children! They are the future of this country; the changes this camp makes in their lives can, by God's power, exponentially expand and revive this county for Christ.

Tuesday night was a great sign of how this trip is working in the lives of all of us as well. A few of us, myself included, just started a little impromptu worship session, sang a couple worship songs and started praying. We soon had the entire team in the room, alternately singing and crying out to God. I have never felt the Spirit of God as I did that night. For over an hour the we all praised the name of the Lord, pleaded with Him to help us make Him our all in all, and cried out for a revival in this beautiful city of Marseille. God's presence was tangible, and we were all very much moved and reinvigorated by renewing our focus on the only One who deserves it.

Continue to pray for us. The power of God is alive here in Marseille and is manifesting itself to the kids in the VBS and to our team. “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

-Connor Perkins

Anglophones parmi les Francophones

This week in VBS, I can always be found with my new friend Amelia. Amelia lives very close to my hometown, and is staying in France with her family for the summer. She and I are good buddies now, mostly because we both are part of the the few that only speak English. It has been so much fun to spend time doing crafts with her, playing sports with her, and most importantly sharing God's Word with her. Many times Amelia and I feel a little lost amongst all the French speakers. But God has really shown me on this mission trip that, while language may seem like a barrier from our human perspective, it is no barrier to God. Whether the children speak French or English, God is speaking to their hearts here in Marseille. God knows no barriers. Nothing can stop His work. You can see the children feel the love of God by the smiles on their faces throughout the day. God is relentlessly seeking the hearts of these children, and our team is so excited to see how many children will enter His kingdom this week!

News from the Dish-lady

Hello everyone! My name is Amanda, but most of the VBS kids know me as the sister of Alexi. Among the team, I am called the bell-lady or the snack-lady or the dish-lady because that is my life during VBS! But I love washing dishes because it gives me the opportunity to cover every day in prayer and sing worship songs to encourage the team.

I was asked to share my testimony with you because I shared it with the children yesterday and received a wonderful response among the young ones. Four told me that they wanted to ask Jesus into their hearts after I finished with my story!

It is very simple really: when I was about two, I decided that I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart. I thought that heaven was very far away, so to make sure that God could hear me, I went outside. Sitting in my sandbox, I called up to the sky as loudly as I could: "Jesus, come into my heart!" And that was that! I think that because my testimony is so simple, the children identified with it and realized that they could come to Jesus just as simply. Please pray for the children who asked Jesus into their hearts; pray that they realize the decision they made and that they are always attentive to the Holy Spirit.

Last Nursing Home concert

Our choral group was advertised at this Nursing Home in Marseilles. There was terrible traffic as we made our way there after VBS yesterday. Only a few of us eventually found it and the music books were in the other car!! As God arranged it, there was a piano in the room where we held the concert. Katelyn played the piano and Ben turned pages as we sang our Gospel music.
The older folks clapped and enjoyed it. The nurses came in and out to hear us also. It cheered their day and gave them the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Bubbles ( les bulles) in Science

Colleen led the kids in a fun activity with bubbles. We had to take it outside the church because there wasn't enough room and it made a soapy mess. So we set up on the sidestreet and the kids had a wonderful time. Myriam ( top pic) is blowing up a storm, Laura has a big bubble, Jazel is having fun and Colleen ( with goggles) leads the way.

Dancing on the ramparts

Bonjour from Christine Crowson!!

The second week of VBS continues on despite exhaustion, sickness, or injuries! Here in Marseilles, I'm so encouraged in everything I've seen in these kids. There's little Noa who shares his huge toothy smile every time I catch a glimpse of him. He's my buddy who likes to hang all over me whenever we're together. Then there's energetic Michael who I tickle every time I pass as he exclaims chidingly, all the while hiding a delighted smile. It's amazing to see how the children have already changed. The first day was generally tame with the shyness still heavy among all the kids. However, each day they get more and more comfortable with us and thus harder and harder to control. They are such a joy just as our 6 children in Narbonne were. I think about them often and already miss them as a scroll through my camera pictures. My favorite memory is watching them up on proudly perform on stage by themselves after the week of us teaching them the songs and dance moves.

So, for all you back home, here's a typical VBS day from my perspective...

As soon as we arrive it's setting up time for whatever is needed. Then Christine Orsini, Sheridan Lamb, Lori Blount, and myself lead the children in music. Today we learned "I am the Way" and "Jump, Shout." It's a great way to let the kids release a lot of energy while being productive. Being very interactive with the kids--giving high fives or jumping around--is a great way to easily get to know them.

Then off to lunch prep and quickly have another music session. By this time, my fellow music leaders wish we could sit back and make the kids jump around for us while we catch a quick nap :) But then the smallest group, the seagulls, arrives and their excitement and energy rejuvenate us for a last session before we enjoy our lunch together.

After lunch, it's science time. As Aunt Colleen previously explained, science takes all hands on deck--water, bubbles, rocks, shells, and paper flying everywhere! Today we made the whole downstairs fill up with bubbles, which soon taught us we should have done it outside. Aunt Colleen wishes to include her thankfulness to Kyle Reilly and myself for all our cleanup afterward.

All and all, VBS is going excellently and keeps us so busy we can only miss home in the evening. All of you are in my thoughts and I can't wait to come home and share many more memories!

Au revoir!

-Christine Crowson

Highs and lows

Today we woke up to cloudy skies. It had rained over night which has never happened in the experience of our group! Thanks to those of you who have been praying! It is certainly cooler! The plants have revived and things look a bit greener.
Funny thing....nothing in the city looks cleaner. In fact, the cars are covered with gritty sand. It blew over from Africa with the storm and has covered everything.

Yesterday we were very tired after a VBS day. The above pictures show Les Travaux Manuelles = handiwork. Ben sat down at the piano and began playing familiar songs like "Oh Great Thou Art". Everyone gathered around for an impromptu concert, praise & worship and prayer time. God inhabits the praises of His people and it did us so much good to praise Him together!

Pray for Kelly, our director, who has twisted her ankle. She is at the doctor's today to have it looked at and Ismini is resuming her old role as directrice. Last year.....it was Ismini who twisted her ankle. So, who wants to be director next year???

Roach Attack!

What do you do when you open the closet in the kitchen for a spoon and find COCKROACHES?
Nancy Painter ( barely recovered from her illness) showed us what happens when several groups use the same church kitchen in the basement of an 1800s building. Somone must have left out some sugar ...or flour. It doesn't take much. There are lots of dark, small, old hiding places in this building. And the kitchen is the size of a large American bathroom.
Thanks to Amanda, Elizabeth and Connor who dived in to help! Dan Painter showed them how to chlorox the whole room. They went after every roach and then sanitized the plates, silverware, teapots, etc..... everything on every shelf.

Lunchtime

Bonjour! My name is Samantha and today I will share with you a bit about how lunch works here...among other things. My primary job is to help take care of the preschoolers, which includes: encouraging participation in games, walking the children to the park for sports, singing, making crafts, and helping out at lunch time.

Essentially, lunch begins as a mad dash of hungry children for the lunch room. While we do our best to keep the children at three different tables - one for the seagulls, one for the dolphins, and one for the sharks - mixing and mingling is unavoidable. Next, we open lunches. But not just any packaged "lunchable,"these children have gourmet French lunches packed for them. The biggest challenge is keeping the lunch - and the children for that matter - at the table!

And this is where the real interaction takes places. Our translators and French speakers have the chance to talk to the children in a relaxed (and somewhat chaotic) environment. Connecting with the children in this way makes a world of difference. That's what some of them need the most: a friend!

Colleen and Oh Happy Day!

Concert in Marseilles

The Friedland church has befriended a Nursing Home a few doors down. We walked there after church to give a Gospel concert. Here Paul and Nicolas are practicing music as we go.
Nic lives in Narbonne but has come to help us with this VBS. Notice the pink shirt. Men here in France have no trouble wearing Barbie doll pink or violet. "C 'est une jolie couleur, "says Nic.

Science class

Science is all about discovering, wondering, having curiosity, and exploring and experimenting. We explored the use of space, as we set up the Science Center in Jean Raymond's hallway, experimenting with how we can best us space in a small church, with nearly 90 people making there way through the various rooms.
Day 1 Meeting up with Jesus, we discovered an extraordinary boy. Jesus is God's Son. The Creator of the universe, God our Father, loves for us to observe His creation. As good scientists, we looked, and looked and looked, and then recorded our observations. We observed marine life, and the wonder of shells, collected by the team members from various parts of the world. We had shells from Malaysia and France and India and America. Looking at the diversity and similarities, textures, and colors, we organized and categorized them, and then we made hypotheses as to what the sea creature that once inhabited the shells could have looked like.
We can't wait to explore more about God's awesome creation, especially things at the beach this week, as we enjoy our Sonsurf Beach Bash!
Colleen Hawthorne

Registration for Week 2 in Marseilles

Our second week here in Marseilles has begun with 47 children. It is hot and the building is small, so we ask for your prayers. There are 3 age groups: : The seagulls, the dauphins and the sharks. The children have been very receptive to the Bible stories and are learning their verses. They LOVE the music and the songs. The words are in English with the kids love the dance moves that go with it. We have a lot of Philippino kids and I have many of the same kids in my class as the last 3 years!
We also have several missionaries' kids who prefer English....so we give directions in both languages. It is a privilege to be here and share the love of Christ with these kids.

The Between Days

Salut!
This is Katelyn Mullins, and I have been helping the older VBS groups with Madame Starosciak. The team here is pictured on Saturday evening after a delicious dinner of salmon and potatoes au gratin in a quarter of Marseille called "le Panier," or the basket.

As a helper, I've had a lot of great experiences interacting with the kids. My French has improved a great deal, and they have learned some English in the process as well. Usually I teach them all the Bible verse at small group in the morning. They are always so eager to learn it in both English and French, and I am amazed how quickly they memorize and pronounce the respective foreign languages. As this second and last we continues, I hope that I can get to know each of the nineteen (lots of work!!!) kids in our group at least a little.

-Katelyn Mullins

Chichis frégis

Sunday was a long day. First there was a French service at L'église Friedland. Jean Raymond gave a great sermon in French and Kelly translated. Then we drove up to Nellie's. She wasn't hone, but she let us use her charming home in the hills outside Marseilles for lunch. Jean Raymond cooked for our group. The view of the Mediterranean was gorgeous.
On the way back to town, Kelsey wanted to try some chichis. So we bought this fried dough ( sort of like elephant ears or churros back home) for everyone to try. David Reilly thought it was pretty good!!
We spent the afternoon decorating the Friedland church for VBS and then stayed for the English church service of ICCM. Nancy Painter laid out a wonderful "collation" ( snack ) after the service. It was more like a meal for the whole team.
We actually got back early to Fort St. Nicolas and had devotions on the remparts. Please pray for our team this week. We have several people sick, quite a few tired teens and the temperature will hit 90*. The good news is that God has sent us about 50 kids for the VBS.

Dinner in Marseilles

Saturday night we had dinner at "Le Tablier", a restaurant owned by a member of the church here. It was a delicious meal outside under canopies. This is my German friend, Nicole. She works for the TGV and is the conductor for the line Paris - Francfurt. She doesn't know much English, so those who could speak French gathered around her for dinner. She is not a believer, but she commented on the love she felt in the group. She doesn't agree with our mission, but she felt welcome and cared for by us. Please pray that she will come to know the Lord and for her father who is ill.

Aigues-Mortes

Once our week in Narbonne was done, we packed up and headed east to Marseilles. Along the way we stopped to visit Aigues-Mortes. This seaside town means "Dead waters" in Old French. It was surrounded by swampy land in the Middle Ages and King Louis dug out a channel in order to launch his ships from here for the Crusades. The 13th century church in the walled city was where he received his instructions and blessing.
The Tour de Constance was built and then used as a dungeon for criminals and later, the Protestant women. So if you were arrested for having a Bible or worshipping as a Protestant, the men were sent to the galleys where they would row the kings' ships on the Crusades. The women were imprisoned in the Tower. Marie Durand, arrested on her wedding day, spent 38 years in the tower before being freed. On this monument you can see the Hugenot cross, the galley ship and the tower.

Children singing

Bells

The children enjoyed using the bells. They followed colored cards to know when to ring them.

Final program

For the final program, we did the last skit and the children sang the songs they had learned. The parents and church members came to watch and applaud. Here is our team with the children. Pastor Georges from the ADD church and Pastor Steve Lloyd from the Methodist church thanked us for coming and we thanked them for their hospitality and help. It was a wonderful final evening together!

This is Nadia and her boys: Philippe, Jérémie & Yasim. She is from a Kabil Algerian background. Three years ago she cried out to the Lord in desperation and met Him in a dream. She wanted deliverance from her occult Muslim beliefs. After reading the Bible, she accepted Jesus as her Savior and is now attending a Bible study at the church of Steve Lloyd. She was so grateful for the teaching & fun that her children received this week. It was an encouragement to her personally. Pray for her husband and sisters who are seeking.

Last day

Kelsey & Sheridan show off the last craft - a turtle pillow! Elizabeth is our photographer. She has taken amazing pictures that we made into a presentation for the final program.

Last day water fights

Sports on the last day is usually La Bataille d'Eau. The students have as much fun as the kids. In the top picture Joseph Hawthorne aims his water pistol while Kyle attacks. In the middle picture Ismini uses her pistol like a sword: "On garde!" In the last picture Nicolas throws a water ballon right in Ben's face. Voilà!