Last Friday evening, myself and approximately ten other American students volunteered our evening in order to participate in something called travail bénévole. Every Friday evening, a coalition of many catholic people from many churches goes around the city and serves food to homeless people. Together, along with many other French people, we traveled across the city, making stops at four different catholic churches in order to set up a temporary food line and serve food to homeless people. The people were very appreciative and I even had an opportunity to practice speaking my French with the majority of them. I really enjoyed the opportunity to give-back to a community that has already given a lot to me, despite having only been here for two weeks at this point.
On Saturday afternoon, I went with my host dad and his older son to watch my host brother Axel's Judo tournament. Even though the tournament took the better part of the afternoon, I really enjoyed the opportunity in being able to watch Axel participate in something, that I know if I were in his place, it would really mean a lot to me to see my older "brother" spending six hours of his day watching me compete. And it was worth it too! Axel and his team took first place in their division. It was really exciting for him, as I could tell when his eyes lit up as the judges walked down the line of nine and ten-year-old's, handing to each one a brand new shiny, silver trophy. It brought me back to my days of martial arts when I was his age.
Left to right: Rémi, Axel, and me at Axel's Judo tournament
Immediately following the Judo tournament, my host family and I packed up the car and drove an hour and a half north up into the Alps in order to spend the weekend at a retreat for the church of my host family. I made sure to pack my new French Bible in my suitcase. We got settled into our housing and quickly met everyone else to play some games and wind down the night. The next morning, we had worship again together. Once again, some of the songs seemed very familiar, until I realized that we were singing the same songs that we sing in church every week. I noticed that during every worship service, there is a time where the people can say a short, spontaneous prayer. I really felt like that was something that I wanted to do, so I asked my host mother if I could write out a prayer and say it at the next service. She asked the pastor and he excitedly agreed. I didn't think much of it, until the service actually came and I suddenly realized that they had planned for me to read the prayer in front of the entire congregation. Now it may have only been thirty people or so, but still...reading a prayer in front of a bunch of French people is a little intimidating. But I took a deep breath and read the words that I had written down on paper out loud.
"Seigneur, nous sommes ici pour te louer. Nous sommes ici pour t'adorer. Nous sommes ici pour chanter toutes les merveilleuses choses que tu as faites. Je suis reconnaissant que tu m'ai ammené en cet endroit. Je suis reconnaissant pour tout le monde ici qui m'a accueilli. Merci Sergneur car tous les gens que je ne connaissais pas bien m'ont toute suite consideré comme un ami. Dieu, tu es capable de surpasser les frontières des langues. Parce que tu nous as donné la Parole au début. Merci Seigneur pour tout ce que tu as déjà fait. Merci Seigneur pour tout ce que tu es en train de faire. Merci Seigneur pour tout ce que tu feras. Amen."
Have you ever heard of Bocci ball? Well if you haven't, let me explain it to you a little bit. Four people play the game at a time, divided into two teams of two. Someone tosses a small yellow ball, called a bouchon, approximately 10 yards away, and the players take turns trying to throw large steel balls while trying to get as close to the bouchon as possible. Well, I learned that this game here is called Pétanque and it is a big deal. I was on a team with another kid, about my age and even though we fought valiantly, we came up just short against the fearless team of two sixteen year old girls. (For once, Sara, I hope you're not reading this blog). It was nice having other kids my age on the retreat. I had many opportunities to listen to and practice my French. I truly believe that I am starting to make notable progress in my comprehension and speaking abilities. Of course, from time to time, it's always nice to get a compliment from someone that I speak the language relatively well.
Front left to right: Aline, Aude, Camille; back: me, Eric, Valentin
Another week has gotten underway. I am officially past the halfway point, which I cannot hardly believe. The time is passing too fast. I started my new internship this morning. I am now working in la Médecine d'Accueil. I met the new medical students and doctors that I will be working with for the next three weeks. They were very friendly to welcome me, and I was able to quickly jump in, and witness an EEG on a patient who was having convulsions. I really anticipate that this new internship will be beneficial for me in order to gain a more holistic picture of the French health care system.
I'm just about to wrap things up, but before I go I first wanted to add, this evening I went with my host dad to his Bible study with the church. Over the course of the past year, they have been working through an intensive study of the entire Bible. I was there today to listen as pastor Timothé discussed the epistles of Paul, and how they correspond in the context of evangelism, and serving les uns les autres. What a cool experience it was in being able to participate in a study of the Bible in a different language, among a completely different group of people! I think it's just goes to show that there are no limits to God's unending love and grace. I really hope that I can go back to the next Bible study in two weeks.
Before I head off to bed, I wanted to take a second to wish a happy birthday to my real dad. He celebrated 48 years yesterday. I'm very thankful to have you as my dad, and I pray that the next 48 years of your life can be just as much of a blessing to you and all of us. I love you dad.
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