March 14, 2010
St Montan and Ray Charles
Our day off yesterday, Lynne and I continued our exploration of the area. We went first to a lovely little village called St Montan. These photos do not do it justice:
And down an alleyway, la Rue de la Poterie (see above), we found there the Ray Charles Salon de Thé (tea-rooms).
Actually nothing to do with the singer, this delightful little place has just been open a month. it is run by a very friendly lady called Corinne in memory of her grandparents Raymonde and Charles.
If you are visiting the Ardeche this year, St Montan and the Ray Charles tea rooms are well worth a visit.
And afterwards, we continued on for a drive through the Ardeche, passing St Peter's Church in Lamas:
And then some magnificent scenery along the river:
March 09, 2010
Evangelism in Songhai Villages
This week, Pascal, Seydou, and Pierre will be receiving a team from America to join with them in a week of evangelism in the Songhai villages where they have been working around Gorom-Gorom.
Pierre (right), Pascal, and Seydou are regularly visiting a number of Songhai villages, where people are wanting to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Please pray for this week of evangelism. Thank you.
Read more about this week of evangelism at the Acacia Partnership Trust website.
If you wish to support our church-planting work, click on the image below:
March 08, 2010
What a difference a day makes
Saturday Afternoon
Monday morning.
March 07, 2010
More France photos
In keeping with our decision to take one day a week away from studies and work, and explore the area, here are a few more photos from France from the last couple of weeks:
Avignon
Keith and Lynne (and Lynne's co-student Maja)
La Forteresse de Mornas
Nimes
Uzes
March 02, 2010
Go north young man...
Two new pastor-missionaries are heading up to join us in the work in the north of Burkina Faso. One will be moving into a Tamacheq village and one to a Songhai village.
Please pray for these men and their families as they prepare to take this challenging step
Read more at the Acacia Partnership Trust website.
If you wish to support our church-planting work, click on the image below:
February 22, 2010
A Grand Day Out
Lynne and I had a lovely day off on Saturday - a day away from French studies and computers, to go for a drive up the Ardeche Gorge:
Gorge-ous!
February 20, 2010
New Creations
While in Avignon for Lynne's studies, we sometimes stay with Eric and Joanna, who have very kindly opened their home to us. We are so grateful for their hospitality, and it is a great help for Lynne to be able to begin to talk French in a family setting.
Eric is a sculptor, who is trying to express the life-transforming impact of Christ through his work. You can see (and buy) his work at his website: www.ericdemaret-christianart.com. Here are some of his pieces:
1.Appointed. 2. Thirst
3. Enlightened. 4. Soul and Spirit
Newsletter February 2010
Continue reading "Newsletter February 2010"
February 19, 2010
Military Coup in Niger
Burkina Faso's neighbour Niger had a military coup yesterday.
The BBC reports that France and the AU have condemned the coup:
'The junta, which has called itself the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, imposed a curfew and closed the country's borders... The plotters said their aim was to restore democracy and save the population from "poverty, deception and corruption"
(President) Mr Tandja provoked a political crisis last August when he changed the constitution of the uranium-rich country to allow him to remain in power indefinitely.'
Our friends in the capital Niamey say that the city appears calm, but that they will be staying at home today! They ask for prayer:
- Pray that there will be no further loss of life
- Pray that democracy will soon be returned
- Pray that the door for the gospel will remain open.
February 16, 2010
Pope City
Avignon, where Lynne is studying at university, is known as "Cité des Papes" (City of the Popes), because for much of the 14th century it became the seat of the Papacy instead of Rome. In the photo above, you can also see to the far right the bridge - from the French children's song "sur le pont d'Avignon", which tells of dancing on the bridge. Only four arches of the bridge now remain, and you can no longer dance on it without first paying to gain access...Avignon university, and the "Palais des Papes"
The Palais des Papes, and a street shot.
.jpg)
February 13, 2010
New Cell Church Starting
A new cell church is starting in Fulani village "Y", where we have been visiting and sharing the message of Christ for many years!
To read more, go to the APT website here:
New Cell Church Starting
Bourg St Andeol
This is Bourg St Andeol, where Lynne and I are living in France for these 5 months.Bourg is a small old town on the very edge of the Ardeche, about 50 mins drive from Avignon university, where Lynne is studying. The weather since we have been here has generally been very clear and quite sunny, but unbelievably cold.
The air temperature is only about 1C, but the Mistral wind is blowing at the moment, which makes it feel about -10C.
February 11, 2010
Back to School...
February 05, 2010
Bloggity Blog
Under the Acacias has just been named one of the top 50 Evangelical Blogs by the Biblical Learning Blog!
I am under no illusions about the subjectivity of such lists, but I am honoured (if somewhat bemused) that James considers my blog to be so good. And thanks too to both of my faithful readers for faithfully persevering with my ramblings!
However, there are some excellent blogs out there, and James does link to some other really good ones. Go and have a browse.
You can also see some of my own favourite reads from across the spectrum of blogworld in my side-bar. Two friends' blogs that I like to visit often are:
* Voice in the Desert - by my colleague Steve, fellow missionary in Burkina Faso, and
* Distinctly Welcoming - by my friend Richard, reflecting on Christian engagement with our multifaith society.
