Life in Provence

Another hot, dry day. We won't have to worry about rain for the VBS. Here is a typical house in the city. Made of stucco, it can remain cool in 100* heat if you keep the doors and windows closed. It's dark and cool inside. Meanwhile, much of the family activity happens outside on the patio. The hot, dry wind dries the laundry which gets hung outside. People sit in the shade and talk, nap, read or talk. Life wakes up again after 8 pm dinner.

Life in Provence

Early arrival

Dayna and I had a good flight, despite a crying baby nearby. As we came out of the Marseille airport, Anne Herrenshneider and her daughter met us. Perfect timing. Thank you Jesus! When you are tired and jet lagged....it is so nice to be met by someone!
We stepped out into the heat...90* and not a cloud in the sky. Plus, no A/C in Anne's van. New culture, new language, fatigue & heat!
Anne had so much to show us. She is an English teacher in Aubagne, so we have education in common. She is also a believer in Jesus and her son is coming to the VBS. Anne drove us around very enthusiastically. Dayna and I were thrilled to see Mt. Victoire and a pictoresque village. We ate lunch in a crêperie and then begged for a nap. In the evening, we hiked along les Calanques and looked at the Mediterranean Sea.
Today explored a bit of Aix en Provence. Here I am in front of a fountain of warm water. It is using the thermal springs under the city.

Au revoir!

We are off! Lori Blount is leaving soon, the Reillys leave for Chicago on Saturday and then France on Monday. Dayna & I leave Detroit on Sunday. Maureen & co. leave on Monday. Katelyn and her mom are also flying over early. So, little by little our group will assemble in France until we are all at the airport in Marseilles on Thursday morning by 11 am. Pray for safety in flying. Bon voyage!

Packing the arts & crafts

Dawn Taylor planned and bought all the supplies. Dayna and Kelsey packed yesterday. We are ready to go!

Preparing for Concerts

In addition to the VBS we will run in 2 different locations, we will perform 4 concerts. 2 will be at the protestant churches in the area and 2 will be at Nursing Homes. We'll be singing American Gospel music which the French think is very cool right now. It's "in" to include American Gospel in your wedding program in France! Pray that they understand the meaning:

The Gospel of Grace

Gonna Be A Great Day

Peace Like A River

Chariot's Comin

I Feel The Spirit Moving

This Little Light of Mine

Let Me Ride

Omega

Our tee-shirts

These are the tee-shirts we will wear at the VBS each day. We will wear these on the métro and around town. Pray that they provide conversations in which we can talk about Jesus Christ and the reason we are in France.