Trouble in Algeria

We learned earlier this month that the Algerian government has started enforcing the anti-proselytism law that it passed in March 2006. Since then, many churches have been forced to close, foreign ministers are facing expulsion from the country and several Christians have been tried and condemned "proselytizing".

So Saturday afternoon a few young people from church and I went into town join a protest against the oppression of Algerian Christians by their government

We were met with much sympathy, but also with hate.

Please pray for Algeria.

Snow and Ardèche

I got back last night from the Bonnefoi retreat center in Ardèche, France. I went up for two days with Craig, Garth and Lucas to get some work done in preparation for the French-speaking Churches' retreat we have at Ascension. We also picked up thirty beds at another center that was closing.

There was a lot of snow up there, so Lucas and I went ahead and built a big snowman. It was fun.

I took a few pictures, you can see them by clicking on the photo below.

Au centre Bonnefoi

Easter

When Perter and John arrived at the tomb that Sunday morning, they found it empty. Peter went in and saw the linen bandages lying there, and was perplexed. But John, seeing the cloths, believed.

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed". We were reminded of Jesus' words this morning as we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord. Jesus desires hearts that believe in him based on who he is and the promises he has made, not inescapable proof. He desires faith.

This morning we were over ninety assembled to share our faith and the joy of the resurrection together. We were able to witness one of our young members, Claire, act on this faith and be baptized into Christ. After service, we had a big meal together.

Worship, a new life in Christ, fellowship, good food, and the celebration of our risen King. What a wonderful day!

Foot

I just got back from our monthly football (soccer in the US) match. The church has a team that plays in the Marseilles inter-church soccer league. It's lots of fun and a good way for friends to meet the Church in a fun, informal way. We're also excited about the European Church of Christ soccer tournament in Schaffausen, Switzerland, that we'll play in in April.

But back to the here and now. Tonight's match was a bit special because:

a) It was our first game played with our brand-new team uniforms, complete with numbers and FCCF (Fuveau Chapel Football Club) written on the back!

b) Today is also the eighteenth birthday of two of our star players, Constantin and Saïd!

c) The other team didn't show, so we split up into two teams and played each other instead. The blue team won, but just barely.

We then went to the nearby KFC to have ice cream and celebrate Constantin and Saïd's birthdays. Good times.

Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
KATHLEEN!!!!!

18 already! Time flies!

Palm Sunday

They lined the streets, crying "Hosanna! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord!". They threw their cloaks and palm branches on the street to prepare his path. Children ran before him, filled with excitement. The crowds of Jerusalem joyfully worshiped God, thanking him for the promised Messiah who had finally arrived to free them.

And yet, five days later, these same crowds would scream "Crucify him! Crucify him!".

It makes you think, doesn't it?

Saturday

Saturday, my day off. Felt good to sleep in.

I was forced to make a difficult decision, though. Do I spend my afternoon getting my homework done, so that I could have a calm, pleasant Sunday evening, or do I spend 4 hours of my life building a jousting helmet out of linoleum flooring?

Actually, the choice was easy.

Teen trip to Naples

Well, I haven't been blogging for a while, but Dad says there is no such thing as "blog guilt". Good, it's nice not feeling guilty.

In the news here: during the second week of April the CEMists went to Naples, Italy, with teenagers from the churches in Lausanne, Geneva, Marseilles and Lille for a week of missions.


So, we sang for residents in a senior center, a foster home, a public elementary school, in the streets and for a concert organized by the Church in Naples. We also went downtown to give food to the homeless, we spent time visiting with members of the church, eating, singing and playing soccer with them. A great experience.

If you want to see some photos from the trip, click here and here for pictures we took.