Last Couple of Weeks in Switzerland for 2018

The last couple of weeks have been quite full.  As soon as I returned from France, we had a family from our new Albanian team in town.  I always write this, but how wonderful it is to get to physically be with our team!  It was just a joy to get to know them better.  It was also a privilege to help them get around Zurich, attend church together Sunday, and babysit so they could attend a meeting with Helmut Monday morning. 

With our Albanian friends and colleagues in Zurich
 

Then back to several meetings, cleaning/packing, and lots of goodbyes.  I have to say that my last week in Switzerland was my most social one yet.  It's been helpful to be here longer (3 months rather than the 2 5-week periods last fall and spring) to meet more people and connect with those I've met before on a deeper level.  I'm really grateful for all those the Lord has blessed me with here in the Zurich area.

At one of Zurich's 3 Christmas markets with Gabriela, who I met in 2016.
It's amazing that we communicate as her first language is Romanian, but we manage by mixing all of our languages, ha!

  Finally, I even got to go back to France!  A few from the Swiss team wanted to take me to a couple of Christmas markets in Alsace before I left for the States.  I'm so spoiled!

Colmar, France at Christmas time (well, Advent)!

France!

I left France 12 years ago next month.  Within the 7 years before that, I'd lived in Nice, Paris, and Rixheim (Alsace) after having toured all around during a summer study abroad in 2000.  Other than a couple of quick visits during my years in Germany and chaperoning a very tourist-y trip in 2015, I hadn't been back on French soil…until a couple of weeks ago.

Chateau at La Porte Ouverte

It's a really long story with a lot of twists, detours, and a misunderstanding; but I arrived in a small town in Burgundy called Lux at the Porte Ouverte (P.O. for short, translated Open Door) late on a Saturday evening after a train, 7.5 hour-bus ride, another train, and shuttle.  After a good night's sleep, I attended the church service on site, shared a meal with some girls, took a nice walk to the Saone River, and celebrated Veteran's Day that evening with a group from P.O.  

Veteran's Day (Armistice) is widely celebrated in France

So strange yet so good to be back in this country that I love so very much.  I can't explain it, but the love I have for France is surely from the Lord.  It's certainly not the weather (though I was spoiled the first couple of days) or the atmosphere which is so heavy and dark or even the mentality which can seem fatalistic to an American (though the believers shine as they have a more hopeful outlook).  Even the food was hard for me to get used to the first time I lived here, though now I'm fully converted and agree that the French have the best cuisine in the world. :)

Each day was a gift, and I was so blessed by those I was able to get to know and spend time with throughout the week.  I was even able to hear a Canadian evangelist who visited Wednesday night.  Before I left Friday to head for Alsace (north-east France), I felt like I was only beginning to understand the vision and purpose of this Christian center that hosts retreats and missionaries but hopes to be a place of discipleship training in the future.  To give a little plug, they really need help maintaining the property and restoring the chateaux.  I offered to publicize their needs in my newsletters, so stay tuned in case you want to be a part of this venture!

Anita Pearce spoke Wednesday night

Then off to Rixheim where I lived for 3 months in 2006.  The weekend was quite busy reuniting with friends, sightseeing, and a series of workshops at the local church.  I was so encouraged by this event where the church promoted different missions agencies, showcased various Christian artists, and invited a French missionary to Cambodia to speak Saturday night and Sunday morning.  His messages were so powerful and moving that people continued to reference them throughout the week.  Praise God!

Evangelical Church of Rixheim who hosed the workshops and event

This artist painted this as a worship song was playing in the background.

Timothee Paton, the guest speaker, was being interviewed before his first talk.

The next week went by quickly.  I was able to attend a prayer meeting at this church and also meet with a group of pastors who are involved in evangelism.  We exchanged contact info and will keep in touch.  Stay tuned for more info about them as well in my upcoming newsletters.  

Two of the three "French" pastors are Brazilian.  This gives you an idea of the need for
workers and pastors in France, which was something they shared.

Please, please pray for France and the French-speaking countries of Europe.  Within the last couple of weeks, we (European office of EE) received a request from Belgium as well.  There definitely seems to be interest, but our greatest need is to translate the materials and also find workers.  

Now back in Zurich in time to meet some of our Albanian team who's in town this weekend. :)

Delira and Excira

This is Irish slang for "delighted and excited."  Cards on the table, this was not my attitude for the first few hours this morning.  In fact, I was even feeling a bit down in the dumps.  Weather app indicating no chance of a visit from the sun today, I bundled up for a quick walk after lunch just to get out.  As I climbed one of the few cloud-covered hills nearby, I marveled at the joy that a different perspective brings; overlooking the fields with a view of a nearby town and the airport in the distance.  Perhaps it was foreshadowing as I returned for the online meeting after lunch.  

My boss and I "met" with our worker (withholding name) in Ireland.  Every time I get to meet one of our people whether by phone, Skype, or especially in person, I light up inside.  These are my heroes.  This man has given up everything to plant a church and run the EE ministry in Ireland.  He and his family are stepping out in faith to have their financial and all their needs met.  They have met many challenges so far, but I really admire their courage and attitudes that this is part of the deal.

He was sharing how Northern Ireland has been called the "South Korea of Europe" with churches on every corner; though the Republic of Ireland is drastically different.  While it may sound encouraging, at least for the North, the danger is the consumer mindset that can creep in with so many options to choose from.  It takes me back to my Bible Study this morning on the importance of the purity of the Gospel.

Anyway, it was touching to hear my boss sharing with our Irish brother how he feels a responsibility, not only as the VP of Europe, but also because the Gospel came to Switzerland from Ireland.  Not only is there a sense of gratitude and debt for this, but as Ireland is doing well, Switzerland is doing well in a sense.

As we ended the call, I was no longer down.  It's like our conversation was the "walk up the hill" my soul needed to give me a broader perspective it was missing.  Getting to listen to the progress and successes as well as the challenges and seeming setbacks.     Hearing about the ministry and our colleague's family.  Getting to brainstorm ways to help him and this growing ministry.  Each lifted me back up.  I think you could even say I'm delira and excira about it :).  And would you believe that the sun even came out for the rest of the day? 

Back in Albania

It was so wonderful to be back in Albania as well as with the other EE leaders.  The time crawled by in some ways, flew by in others.  I don't want to repeat what I'll share in my next newsletter, but here are some impressions after my second trip now to Albania, with a third one in the works.

Tirana Skyline

As I wrote in my post in April, the country is a fascinating blend of cultures—Greek, Arabic, Balkan.  Last time what impressed me was the mix of mosques and churches.  On the one hand, the people are mostly secular or nominal in whatever religion they identify themselves with; on the other, there seems to be an openness based on conversations from our outreaches.

I learned a bit more this time when I got to meet our new board, which in and of itself is a huge praise!  We weren't even sure we'd have a full-time worker last April, and now we have the beginning stages of a team, wow!  To give some background, the Communist regime fell in 1989 during the nation's revolution, making today's believers there first-generation believers.  And also opening doors to a very large harvest field.

While Christianity is accepted, the church is small.  We were able to visit an evangelical church which meets in a small room Saturday evening.  They'd like to be trained in EE.  I imagine that most evangelical churches meet in similar locations as there are no church buildings I saw other than the large Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church, which bring in many tourists and host events.  The new mosque is just as welcome as these churches, though bigger than both.

Greek Orthodox Church

New Mosque Being Built

It will be exciting to see what will happen by the time we return next summer.  Please be praying for the new EE team in its beginning stages as they are trained and train others and especially as they share the Good News with their fellow Albanians, which is their and our heart's desires.

The Waters of Waiting

Note:  This is a old post written between Dec. 21, 2016 and I'm guessing March or April, 2017.  Not sure why I didn't post at the time, but some days as I walk the paths in the fields here, I remember that I'm not waiting anymore!  

Along a Path in the Nearby Fields

I'm thankful that God's Word is alive and speaks to us freshly in our current circumstances.  At the same time, it's ancient and unchangeable; and sometimes we need the truths that God has taught us in former circumstances to comfort us in our current ones.

For me, the life of Noah is such an example.  Back in October of 2005, I was reading in Genesis, specifically the life of Noah (funny how we remember details like that, huh?).  I really engaged in this familiar childhood story as I endured the endless waiting period that he had to be cooped up in the Ark with his family and all those animals!  And it wasn't for 40 days--which God had given him a heads up on how long it would rain, but if you follow the passage, it started raining when he was 600 and they didn't leave the ark till the 27th day of the second month of Noah's 601st year.  That's a lot of time that isn't recorded, but I can only imagine the squirmish, "let me out of here" emotions that Noah went through.  

I love how Noah acted by sending out the raven and doves.  On the one hand, it was smart; and it gave him some insight that the waters were indeed receding; but it doesn't lessen the wait time.  And even though Scripture clues us in that even in the silence God hasn't forgotten Noah and sent a wind, it doesn't say that God let Noah know any of this!  I can almost feel his agitation as he takes the roof off of the ark in anticipation and readiness to move; yet he waits on God's voice to give him the green light before he takes action.  

I love it so much.  Have you ever been in a waiting period like this?  Where you figuratively sent out some ravens and doves--maybe in the form of prayers or questions--to help you abate your own waters of waiting?  Where you see signs of "almost" and seem just on the brink that the wait is over, and you can finally take the "next step" out onto the dry land?  That's where I am.  

I've had so many people ask questions about my whereabouts and if I have a plane ticket yet.  I'm sorry that I have no news to share with you at this time about my "next step," but consider me at the stage where the roof is off of the Ark, so to speak.  And like Noah when he finally did get back onto land, I expect and plan that my response will be to (again figuratively) build an altar to the Lord.  In that time and space, I can remember that Jesus is my perfect sacrifice who has brought me through the trials and testing.  

"The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.  He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them His way.  The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep His covenant and obey His demands."  Psalm 25:8-10

Any Prayer Requests?

I'm so thankful for the Bible Study I've joined for a myriad of reasons.  The Word of God nourishes and cleanses us, so I'm feeling spiritually fed and clean...well, sort of (keep reading).  Another benefit is that our group shares prayer requests, and we pray for one another.  I'm so blessed so have so many who pray, but it's nice to have people locally who we can share things with.

My first prayer request with this group was for continued healing for my arm as well as grace or help with the insurance--who I had a very negative and trying experience last spring after the ER, I'l add.  I felt a little silly mentioning it, but I was starting to feel annoyed and weary from the past two weeks of zero progress despite my very detailed, frequent emails.  Now I'm so thankful to have asked for prayer because the Lord knew I would need much grace and help with this process.

Normally I wouldn't open emails from the insurance company on a Sunday, but since I'm leaving the country tomorrow, I decided to.  To my chagrin, their questions were like starting from scratch; so I decided to make a quick phone call.  All I needed was the claim form after all.

But the two reps transferred to a third who had no claim number at all for me and no record at all despite my slew of emails and phone calls.   Did I want to create a new claim?  Well, no, but it seemed there was no other choice.  And here's the first bit of grace evident: I realized that my policy ends today; so if I had waited till tomorrow or later, I'm not sure I could've made the claim (perhaps since the incident was prior, but not sure).

I'll spare you the entire 42-minute conversation, but it was painful.  I did my best to be patient and polite, but thought I would lose it a couple of times after having to repeat simple details three times and repeatedly correct really simple facts.  And it wasn't because of a bad connection or that she couldn't understand me; her questions seemed like she wasn't listening.  The clincher was at the initial close of the conversation when she said I should receive the form by mail within 5-7 business days.  I very politely asked , "Did you say you're sending this in the mail?"  (I must interject that last time everything was by email; she knew I'm not returning to the US till December; and she had never asked for my address here).  When she answered affirmatively, I asked "to my US address?"  "Would you rather me send it to where you are currently?" she asked.  Incredulous and exhausted at how difficult and unhelpful the process has been--and I haven't even submitted the form!--I was able to muster a simple "yes."  

There was more, but suffice it to say that, even though I kept a calm, respectful voice, I was a bit worked up when I hung up.  On the one hand, I was thankful for the hopeful progress and could see God's hand, including help to be gracious and polite to her; but I was left with those yucky feelings of anger and frustration all wanting to mount rather than subside.  So I began to pray and started to forgive when a recent conversation with my mom came to mind at just the right time.

She had shared how, at a recent women's retreat, the speaker (Bishop Lawrence) had spoken on forgiveness and how he distinguished between forgiveness and forbearance. How we must forgive when people sin against us, but we must exercise forbearance when people don't necessarily sin but rub us the wrong way or are really challenging.   And I knew in that moment, that this was a call for forbearance.  I didn't need to forgive this lady.  I needed to ask God's forgiveness for my own lack of love (which calls for patience, kindness...and bearing all things) in this extremely trying situation.  

It was so freeing to me (and humbling).  And to think that the prayer of other women have been heard and used on so many levels through this experience makes me thankful and reminds me to not take such a valuable offer for granted. On that note, if you're wondering how to pray for me, I would cherish prayer as I work with the insurance company.  Thank you!

Leadership Development Training

Sorry for the delay in writing. I have many excuses, most of them very good. ;) Backing up, three weeks ago I was getting ready to board a couple of planes to get to Fiji. I was happy to have a travel companion this time, a young Swiss gal who is attending the Leadership Development Training. 

With Tabea 

Kennedy Training Center

I went for a couple of weeks to help support the team there. Originally we had planned to have a small group from Europe, but it ended up just being Tabea.  Of course the Lord knew this in advance and I believe orchestrated that I be there. It was so wonderful being back in this place that feels like a second or at least a home away from home for me.  It’s not just the place itself, or only the people, but the setting where people from all over the world come together to be equipped to advance the Gospel. 

13 participants from India, Mongolia, USA, several Pacific islands,
Australia, Malaysia, and Switzerland

Some of my Fijian friends: Emma who serves us and Rusila who also serves 

and wears many hats as the new national coordinator of Fiji.

I wore many hats there, while still holding online meetings and correspondence for Europe & MENA.  Here are some examples:

~Helped Tabea catch up on some personality testing she had missed the week before 

~Helped clean, organize the office, and count inventory of the materials in Fiji

It took all day, but what a sense of accomplishment to get 

through the entire container!  Anne (VP of Oceania) was able to 

send some very much needed materials to some of the neighboring islands.

~Helped Tabea & others practice the Hope 4 Kids presentation, which she helped teach this week!

Going through the H4K presentation...in English!  

Tabea did a great job!...

...and then taught some of it this week!  Wow!

~Helped the participants work on their Master Plans

~Went on an OJT (on the job training, aka outreaches to share the Gospel)

~Was a listening ear & prayed with some of the girls (my favorite)

As I sat in on the talks and instruction the group received, I had a different lens than I did two years ago when I attended as a participant but hadn’t yet begun the work.  Some of the leaders really challenged us, and I took the challenge to bring my questions to the Lord too.  It was also helpful to remember the ways that God has spoken and called me up to this point, which is one of the exercises the participants had to reflect on and articulate.

Another aspect I consider a treasure is the community living. Okay, it can have its down sides for light sleepers or if you want privacy; but we can learn from and enjoy each other in such settings that we don't on our own.  

My final take-away was unfortunately an injured arm.  (Which is one of my valid reasons for not writing sooner as it’s slowed me down a bit!).  I was playing volleyball with the islanders.  I don’t regret playing; though I predict it will be my first and last time in my 4 years here.  

With Serai, who I met four years ago during the internship.  Wearing a makeshift 

sling that one of the participants with an engineering background rigged up using Tabea's scarf.

Please be praying for this group who will soon go back to their home ministry settings.  May they take back what they need for the tasks ahead.