Surveys

Each morning, we spend time in prayer and worship as a team to prepare our hearts and minds for what God wants to do that day. It is so essential to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and hear the Holy Spirit before we set out. During this time on Monday, Matt shared his vision for Marseille and France with us. The Lord spoke to him in a vision and told him to come here, and it was confirmed prophetically twice thereafter. In obedience, he and Christy packed up and moved here from Hungary.

Their story is an incredible testament to God's faithfulness and favor, and of the blessings that follow obedience. It was great to see and hear their heart for this nation.

After going over the strategy and mission for our time in the city, we set out to do a survey on the medical/dental campus near La Timone hospital. The surveys talk about the good life (La Bonne Vie) and prompt respondents to answer what they think is the most important aspect of a good life, where they get their values and ethics, etc. The final two questions asked if they might ever look to Jesus for help, and if they are interested in studying the Bible or practicing English. The survey is, of course, just a tool to begin dialogue and open doors for further conversation. We are trying to engage students ages 16-23, and we ideally want to be able to follow-up with them over coffee or dinner. We went out in pairs; I was paired with my pal Amos. Let me tell you... this STRETCHED me! I didn't expect to struggle as much with it, but it was completely outside my comfort zone. I think it was also intimidating because I did it all in French, so I felt somewhat limited in where I could take the conversation.

The other part of our goal in this is to invite these students we connect with to an "American Party" that we're having at the hotel Friday night. We're offering free food, music, conversation (in English so they can practice), dancing, etc. It's just another way to build rapport. We are handing out flyers to this after the survey, in addition to a Gospel of Luke.

What I've learned from Matt, and seen from doing the surveys, is that God is several generations removed from the mindset of the French people. The "starting point" for things is based in secular humanism, so we've met many students who have no interest in God, don't believe in God, or have been baptized "Catholic" but are non-practicing and don't hold it to be important in their lives. The education system here is also completely humanistic. As one person shared with me, "I don't really believe in God, I believe in myself." Whereas Americans have a basic Judeo-Christian worldview for the most part, the French do not. This is certainly a hard place to reach, but as a friend of Matt and Christy saw in a vision, there are shoots of grass (LIFE) breaking through the concrete! They are standing in faith to reap a harvest here, and to reach multipliers who will advance the Kingdom. God is doing mighty things and we are so blessed to be a part of it!

A group of 6 of us did have a very unique opportunity to attend an English-speaking class this afternoon. One of the girls who took our survey asked us to visit her class, and so we did. We made great conversation with the students, and God opened some doors there!

Please pray for us as we continue to do these surveys. I know that God has lined up divine appointments for each of us, and that He has already been working to prepare the soil of people's hearts. Please also pray that we would walk in supernatural discernment and boldness. We are fixing our eyes on Jesus, knowing that we are but vessels that hold a tremendous treasure!

Thank you, Mom, for this verse that so encouraged me today!

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17