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Birthday Gifts in the South of France

The first thing that drew me to look twice at the open doors next to my hotel was a strategically placed tray of eclairs.  I had just left my hotel building to spend a few hours walking around the city of Nice before returning home.  In a matter of about three brain synapses I discovered it was a church.  It went something like, "Eclairs--music--church--Jesus!" and into the building I went.

The room was much smaller than a typical sanctuary of sorts and the only decorations on the white stone walls were pictures of their missions teams.  The crowd included various homeless men probably looking for an eclair just like I was.  You could tell this church was placed in the heart of the town where sex shops are the norm and poverty is plentiful.  During worship we sang songs that were familiar to me such as "Our God", yet obviously different in French.  There was a sort of "call and response" as I have heard it described before.  These people went after God.  They sought after the One that can and will change Nice.  It really gave me so much more hope for what God wants to do here in Europe and killed the notion that the church is dead over here.  It's alive!  I was so thankful that God shoved me into this place to meet with Him.  It was a delightful treat.  Boy, am I so spoiled by Jesus!

Now, I wasn't sure what God would want to do with my heart here in France.  I think a lot of people expect me to never want to return to the States, but I can tell you something new that is unfolding.  During worship, I saw a person from behind that looked dramatically similar to an old friend I've been praying for for a long time.  It gave me hope, and a greater desire to come back to America to introduce this God that is more ALIVE to me now than ever before.  I didn't ever think God would send me to France only to break my heart for America, but that's what He is doing.  Thank you Jesus.


<<Prends mon âme
 Prends mon coeur
Je te donne tout
Prend ma vie me voici
Mon coeur est à toi 
Tout à toi>>


Can you find the church?  I can't believe I did!

Other things that happened on my journey:


My Birthday gift...a trip to the Côte d'Azur


 I honestly cannot take any credit for making these trips happen on my own.  Jesus also took me out on a date to the coast of Monaco, home of the Monte-Carlo Casino.  In a desperate act for some alone time, I left the group and we walked along the coast.
Monaco

Pebble Beaches of Monaco

Birthday lunch on the beach...c'était bon!




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