Under the sparkling lights of the Eiffel tower...

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.

Me, Kevin, Charlene and Chelsea

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.

Charlene and I at the base of Sacre Coeur

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!
 

 

Please pray for Charlene, that she would see ways God us pursuing her - wanting a personal relationship with her!

The disciples make me laugh

Recently for my quiet times, I've been reading through the gospels, "watching" Jesus. Mainly as I see Him interact with His disciples, I'm learning two things.

1. The disciples were so ignorant, it made me laugh many times! They daily questioned Jesus with what He was doing or saying. He often referred to them as "Oh you of little faith" - and they physically walked with and talked with Jesus. They sort of make me feel better when I think I'm "weak" in my faith.

2. Jesus always answered with kind and gentle words. His responses were always seasoned with grace and love.  He was 100% faithful and never got fed-up with them. 

The word "Christian" refers to 'little-Christ's. As believers, we've been given the gift of Holy Spirit, through salvation, the acceptance of a relationship with God. Therefore, He lives within us and calls us to live like Jesus did. That's one of the reasons Jesus came - to be an example for us in how to live life here on earth. And He is ready and willing to help us in that.

I know there are many times I don't utilize His help, and rely on myself - fail. Depending on myself is a set up for failure! I'm only human. But, when walking in step with the Spirit, I am not living out of my own power or abilities - and as much as I want to think I've "got it together" on my own, I don't. And won't without Him! 

Truly responding to others out of grace, kindness and love, I really need His guidance. And I'm thankful He is actively there to help and shows me how through Scripture.

It's here! It's here!!

Praise God!!! The Jesus Film App has now been released for download in the Apple Store, with the Android app soon to follow in the Google Play store.

Please download it, play with it and let me know what you think! Tell your friends, post it to Facebook, Twitter or email your friends.

Know of some missionaries overseas? Share this with them! Think of how this will help them communicate the gospel in the native tongue of the country they are serving in.

I would also love to be in contact with any missionaries you may know of - email me their contact info so I can encourage, inform and share ideas with them. As someone who has lived overseas in a country where I did not know the language very well, I can see so much potential for this ministry tool!

Thankfulness, Prayer and Hope: September

Things I am thankful for...

• A supportive family who believes in what I am doing with my life
• Reaching 50% of my support raising goal
• The season of fall: changing color of leaves, apple cider, football games
• Dark chocolate and it's wonderful flavor
• The ability to laugh at myself

Things I am praying and trusting the Lord for...

• Connecting with the other 50% of my support team
• Searching, budgeting and buying a "new" car
• Relationships - a lot of my genuine community is at a distance and I want to use this 'solo' time to draw closer to Him
• The official release of the Jesus Film Media app for Apple products (sooooo soon - check my blog again this week maybe!!!) 
• Daily surrender to trust Him and His leading

Things I am hopeful and looking forward to...

• Eventually buying my own, first, nice car
• Reporting to my job with Jesus Film Media in Orlando
• The New Staff Follow Up conference in October
• Hopefully running the Turkey Trot in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day parade
• Snow... can I say that? It's almost been 2 years!!! I want to snowboard so baddd

Hopefully not lost in translation

It's about 6:45 p.m. here at the conference. Glad to report our presentations went well - we hope!

First, we showed this clip (Once our digital platform is launched, we will be able to embed video clips like this. Special thanks to JP Erickson for help with subtitles.): http://bcove.me/0v5ejcs5

First. I talked about the easiness of streaming the Jesus Film from our website. It is currently available in over 1,150 languages! And once the digital platform is finished, people from across the world will be able to download the full length film! We are hoping to create partnerships with different communication centers across this part of the world, as well as globally with others. I then talked about embedding videos to blogs, emails and social media sites from Jesus Film Media. Embedding these videos from our secure digital platform will allow for solid follow up, real statistics and create more of a unified optimization of these videos in ministry.

Nifer then talked about the power of social media and how we can utilize our presence on the various forms: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, blogs. She also shared with them about the exciting future plans we have once our digital platform is complete.  Partnering with Jesus Film Media will allow us to track views, check demographics and see what parts of films are most viewed. We can also share the successful strategies and plans with other communication centers across the world.

After our presentation people were able to have some good discussions among their different communication teams: Radio, Television, Communication, Internet and Literature. We walked around answering questions as asked.

During the afternoon, we ate lunch with two girls from Central Asia. They shared a story about when they used a clip from Magdalena, during a conversation with students they met, both of those girls came to Christ! It was great to hear about their ministry on campus. They also tried teaching us Russian - which is incredibly hard!

It has been a great time here, reconnecting with national staff. Early tomorrow morning (4 a.m. here)/tonight (10 p.m. Florida) I will start my journey back to Orlando. Prayers for connections, safety and sleep would be greatly appreciated.

Living in Europe has its perks...

This weekend, I was fortunate to travel to London, England and visit some family friends. They were so warm, generous, welcoming and accommodating! My roommate Chelsea and I got to see all the major sites in London - including riding the famous London Eye - which gives you a birds eye view of the city!

Our friends hospitality was refreshing! It reminded me that as believers, we are the body of Christ and should work as one. Jesus' idea of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, yeah, He meant that.

I think on this Mother's Day, I want to express how much I am thankful for my mom demonstrating this through out my life. She loves to host, cook and entertain others. I appreciate all these thing about her! Your servant attitude is appreciated and I am thankful for your love. I love you mom!