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La Lumière: October 2021

Newsletters
15 October 2021
La Lumiere
October, 2021
click for printable pdf
Dan and Davis working.
UN
OFF TO A GREAT START

We enjoyed our eventful first month in the Agapé Hub! The art exposition displayed there will change every two weeks, thanks to the dynamic Agapé Art team. Since there is always an exposition in place people passing by or friends are welcome to come in and visit. We're surrounded by artwork as we work which is beautiful and provides a great backdrop for video calls! As well as serving our teams, it already proves to be a gathering place for scores of people drawn to the different ministries in Paris. Having a central space has been a dream for a long time, and now that we have it we're surprised how much we use it, a little like that tool you always seem to reach for and can't imagine how you got by beforehand. There have been two special events to express a warm welcome to people in the neighborhood and friends of the ministry. I was there for the open house Saturday afternoon. The Hub was comfortably full, with some looking at the canvases on the walls, others grabbing a drink or snack, and everyone was chatting, pulled together by the warm embrace of hospitality. Efrem represented Crescendo France by playing three songs on his flute. Davis recited a couple poems, one which was written specifically for the event. Then Efrem's flute was joined by a piano and drums for an impromptu jazz trio. Everyone loved it! A video was displayed that presented the digital creations team's work. Agapé Paris is now present, approachable, and able to shine the light of the gospel more effectively!

Arc de Triomphe wrapped

Seeing the Arc de Triomphe wrapped.

Street art
Jazz trio

Efrem and other musicians playing jazz.

 

Praise

  • that visits to questions2vie.com took a significant leap last month, the trend looks good.

Please Pray

  • for wisdom as we lead the technology and digital creation teams.
  • for Efrem to have quality audition recordings.
DEUX
SURROUNDED BY ART

A few weekends ago May and I walked over to see the Arc de Triomphe wrapped up in blue and silver woven cloth and red chord. It was a temporary installation, only there for two weeks, using 25,000 square meters of fabric and costing fourteen million euros (about 16.2 million in dollars). I'm not sure what inspired the French artist Christo, who died in New York last year, to want to package up such a massive monument, but it certainly looked surreal. Was it an attempt to make it look more appealing or does it reflect a desire to conceal or hide? How does it strike you? Another piece of street art appeared this summer on a route I walk every week on the way to the vegetable grocer, a colorful and striking lion looking out from a black background. It makes me think of Aslan, the lion who isn't safe, but who is good. Art can speak to us in strong ways and is a powerful lever to move society. It is a conversation that uses a different language and reaches us at different levels. As Francis Schaeffer wrote, "A Christian's life is to be an art work, a thing of truth and beauty in the midst of a lost and despairing world."

Our Signatures

La Lumière: September 2021

Newsletters
15 September 2021
La Lumiere
September, 2021
click for printable pdf
Vacation time as a family.
UN
NOUVEAU SOUFFLE

This is no surprise, but today videos make up a crucial form of communication. As the digital creations team gets its footing we're seeing more and more requests for videos from different Cru ministries. These might be to advertise an event or inform about a project or provide training. Every new video helps us increase our skills of capturing great video, quality audio, and the many details of editing. Earlier this year my teammate Davis was challenged to create a spoken word poem (slam in French). The message is this: the Covid pandemic has dealt us all a blow and we all want to turn the page, but as we do let's take the time to reflect on what's really important and consider who can provide a solid foundation, help us catch our breath (souffle) and face what's next. The challenge we took on together was creating a video to bring this poem to life. We filmed in our sound booth and on the hill of Montmartre, with Davis performing the piece. Then it was edited, the audio was refined, and I added music and additional clips to help illustrate the message (I do have a cameo appearance). We invite you to watch the video which does have English subtitles (they must be activated), and we hope it's an encouragement to you.

Biking in Morlaix

Passing through Morlaix with our bikes.

 

Please Pray

  • for the health situation to remain stable as we begin to see our coworkers again.
  • that efforts to bring more visitors to questions2vie.com will be effective.
  • for successful school years for Silas and Efrem.
Nouveau Souffle

Davis performing Nouveau Souffle.

Mile marker zero

Mile marker 0 on the Vélodyssée!

DEUX
SHORT ADVENTURE

Once again our family embarked on a biking adventure, seeking out mile marker zero of the path we already rode for 550 miles all the way to the Spanish border. It was just me, May and Efrem since Silas was working his summer job. With our tents, sleeping bags and other camping gear attached we pedaled from Roscoff on the northern coast of Brittany down to Pontivy following first an old train track which has been converted into a bike path, then a canal. It felt good to be on the bikes again discovering new parts of the country. Pulling out of Pontivy, however, Efrem hurt his knee and couldn't continue. We had covered only half of the planned itinerary. Although Efrem's knee was swollen and it was difficult for him to walk, it healed nicely after a few days rest. Meanwhile, a kind and accommodating bus driver let us take our bikes apart and place them in the hold, along with thirteen saddlebags, so we could make it back to Rennes. The summer was relatively relaxing and we feel ready to dive into the coming year. Efrem is now a senior in high school and will be auditioning for a number of music universities for flute performance. Silas is in his 3rd year at Université Paris Dauphine and continues his violin at the Ecole Normale. We are looking forward to working in the office together with our colleagues instead of having all of our meetings online. May it provide a nouveau souffle!

Our Signatures
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