On my recent trip to Europe, I was blessed with a layover in my former city - Ris Orangis, France (about 40 minutes from Paris). It was super great to see old friends - both American expats and French friends!
Saturday, I spent the day in Paris with my French friend Charlene. We met 4 years ago when I was on STINT in France. At the time, she worked in the local grocery story as a check-out clerk. Our friendship began when I invited her to experience an American Thanksgiving at our apartment.
Since then, we've continued to stay in touch through Facebook and other international texting apps.
Our day in Paris was super great - beautiful weather, saw lots of my favorite places in the city and enjoyed lots of delicious French food - including escargot with my dinner - which I had never had before!
Through out the day, we talked about life updates, what each of us do for work - which is why I was in Europe - which lead me to share more about Jesus with her, explaining the gospel and why Jesus is so important to me.
After a late dinner, we made our way to the Eiffel tower to see it lit up at night (which is one of my favorite things in Paris!). On the metro, having recently talked about relationships - she mentioned she wanted to get married in a church. But to do that, the priest said she has to be baptized. She didn't see the difference between baptism and being a Christian - thinking baptism made her a Christian.
In simplest terms, I explained that deciding to have a personal relationship with Jesus is like engagement. God is a gentleman, with a gift to offer out of an extreme love because He so desires a relationship with us - He doesn't force it upon us - it's our decision. The wedding is like baptism - proclaiming to family and friends, your love for God and that He is now apart of your life. And marriage is growing in your relationship with Him - something that deepens over time.
Soon, we arrived to our stop around 11:30 p.m., enjoying the cool weather, people watching and waiting for the top of the hour when the Eiffel tower's lights would start sparkling! Right at 12:00 a.m., as the sparkles started, off in the distance we watched a couple, as the man got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend. Charlene and I were all smiles and giggles! I got goosebumps as I had just used that example of how God pursues us and is down on one knee, wanting to have a committed personal relationship with us!
Saturday, I spent the day in Paris with my French friend Charlene. We met 4 years ago when I was on STINT in France. At the time, she worked in the local grocery story as a check-out clerk. Our friendship began when I invited her to experience an American Thanksgiving at our apartment.
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| Me, Kevin, Charlene and Chelsea |
Our day in Paris was super great - beautiful weather, saw lots of my favorite places in the city and enjoyed lots of delicious French food - including escargot with my dinner - which I had never had before!
Through out the day, we talked about life updates, what each of us do for work - which is why I was in Europe - which lead me to share more about Jesus with her, explaining the gospel and why Jesus is so important to me.
 |
| Charlene and I at the base of Sacre Coeur |
In simplest terms, I explained that deciding to have a personal relationship with Jesus is like engagement. God is a gentleman, with a gift to offer out of an extreme love because He so desires a relationship with us - He doesn't force it upon us - it's our decision. The wedding is like baptism - proclaiming to family and friends, your love for God and that He is now apart of your life. And marriage is growing in your relationship with Him - something that deepens over time.
Soon, we arrived to our stop around 11:30 p.m., enjoying the cool weather, people watching and waiting for the top of the hour when the Eiffel tower's lights would start sparkling! Right at 12:00 a.m., as the sparkles started, off in the distance we watched a couple, as the man got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend. Charlene and I were all smiles and giggles! I got goosebumps as I had just used that example of how God pursues us and is down on one knee, wanting to have a committed personal relationship with us!
Please pray for Charlene, that she would see ways God us pursuing her - wanting a personal relationship with her!