July 2014

Ryan biked to La Madeleine, 55 miles round-trip.

We're moving forward, but we're not finished yet. Language experts say it takes at least two to three years to be fluent in a language. We now understand why. Originally we told you that we would be here 18 months to 2 years. However, if all goes well with our studies this fall, we should be finished here in December. This is good news, but it means we still have lots of work to do. We will by no means be fluent in French, but we will have enough of a jump start to be able to speak and understand the things that are necessary to move forward.

Some indications that we are learning French: 1) Last week I went to the public school district and enrolled Leslie and AnnMarie for the next school year all by myself. 2) We can actually eaves drop at a restaurant or on the street. 3) We can watch our favorite movies in French and understand a little bit and learn from the conversations. 4) We can contribute even if just a little bit to somewhat complex conversations. 5) We can understand more french speakers than just our professors.

It was a big day on Sunday the 13th when we said goodbye temporarily to our teammates, the Lairds. On the same day, they were the first of our team to place their feet on Togo soil. Jason and Kathy have been very special friends to us these past 10 months. As a team, it has been a crazy year, but we look forward with anticipation to seeing how the Lord will use us to share Jesus' grace with the people of Togo. Please pray for Jason and Kathy as they find a home and begin learning the culture, that God will strengthen and encourage them through the transition period.


Leslie finished her first school year totally submersed in the French language. We are so proud of how far she has come. Her French has come along fairly well, but mostly, we are proud of how she has not allowed this difficult time in her life to get her down. She always has a positive outlook on going to school. Since the public school in France begins at 3 years old, AnnMarie will be enrolled next year. We are praying that she will be able to enjoy school even though it will be difficult for her at first since she has not been fully exposed to French on a daily basis.

Currently, Ryan and I are in the middle of a three week summer course designed solely for speaking. This year the topic of discussion has been "La Résistance." La Résistance was a group of French patriots who fought under-cover against the Nazis during World War II. It has been interesting to get a glimpse of the French perspective on WWII. The resistance is also represented by other people in history who have fought to make the world a more peaceful place such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Gandhi. The sad theme we have noticed so far is history's tendency to repeat itself. Without hope in obedience toward Christ, mankind's tendency is to fend for himself and his rights at whatever costs, even if it means betraying loved ones to save his own life.

92 year-old British vet Michelle, our nanny, and I met at Normandy.

Thankfully, Jesus wasn't out to save himself. In fact, he went so far as to die for selfish mankind. He took the penalty for our wrongdoing on his own body to save us from the penalty we truly deserve, hell. Not only did he take what we deserve away, but he offers us gifts and blessings instead! As believers, these reminders are constantly needed as we go through our day to day lives. For those who do not know God, it is a warning that hell can be avoided, and it is an offering that personally knowing Jesus brings freedom from all guilt in God's eyes.

We are certainly in La Résistance with Jesus. We are fighting against the lies Satan has planted all over the world. He has taught that we do not need God, that we do not need God's authority, and that we can make earth a better place to live without Him. Our job is to teach Truth from God's Word, the Bible, until He comes and our desire is to be dedicated to this mission at all costs.

Our plans for the coming months are to begin our final trimester in September and then to be finished and finally move to Togo in December. In the mean time, we look forward to having Ryan's mom visit with us for two weeks in August and my mom with us for two weeks in October. The girls can't wait to snuggle with their grandmas!

As you work in God's Résistance, we pray that you will sense His guidance and encouragement as His Word says that He will never leave you or forsake you.