July - September 2017 in pictures

This summer, we were away from home for 5 weeks.

Our first stop was the stadium in Le Havre, Normandy, where we joined with several thousand people in the "Get France Moving" event. To get an idea of this event, we invite you to read this article (in French). 

A highlight of 14th July was Nick Vujicic's testimony. You can find the video of it here. 

And we were touched to see several dozens of people standing to entrust their lives to Jesus. 

After Le Havre, we took a ferry to the United Kingdom.

Over the summer, we drove 4500 kms to visit our partners, who support our ministry, all over the UK. We were so blessed by the warm weclome we received from each family and church. 

We were invited to different churches.

And we had several opportunities to tell of what God is doing in France.

And we appreciated receiving prayer for our ministry and our family.

Below, preparations in full swing for a "Taste of France" evening...

... for which Carolyn made over 80 crêpes ☺.

Since it wasn't yet school holidays for British children (the holidays are shorter in the UK than in France), we were invited to visit a primary school class where Julie and Anna were able to speak a few words of French and discuss the differences between French and British schools. 

We also enjoyed the British landscapes during our walks.

We even ran into the Gruffalo, for those of you who know the book.

We also enjoyed the British parks and gardens which stay green and full of flowers througout the summer.

And of course, the numerous playgrounds we visited delighted both young and old☺.

We also had a week's holiday in Port William, a little village in the South-West of Scotland, away from the crowds and surrounded by wonderful views. 

Amongst the rocks and pebbles, we found a beach of black sand where we built our fortress.

The programme also included: kite flying...

... and refreshing swims.

We also made the most of the Carnaval Week festivities, with, amongst other things, an arts and crafts morning...

... and a fancy dress competition with our 3 princesses.

Not to mention the traditional Fish & Chips.

Our main family outing was to the Beamish Museum, near Newcastle. It is an outdoor museum where you can explore villages, a farm and a mine as they were from 1820 to 1940.

We enjoyed the old tramways and buses...

... the steam engine...

... the old Ford tractor...

... the classroom and the slates...

... the playground games of olden days...

... and the visit to the mine.

A few other highlights of our summer were:

building a house of cards...

... coming close to a squirrel...

... and studying the pond wildlife.

After these thrilling adventures, we were also glad to spot the French coast from the ferry on our return.

We barely had time to unpack our suitcases, briefly see a few friends and family and enjoy a last family picnic...

... before David left again for a week in Switzerland with 20 or so other Agapé Europe leaders. 

The programme included: continuing to be trained as a leader...

... group work on real challenges to be solved for Agapé Europe...

... asking Agapé Europe's Director hard questions...

... understanding the challenges of a multi-culural team by playing cards with people who had different rules without being allowed to talk...

... organising an evening to meet migrants from Irak, Eritrea or other countries...

... and sharing food from our respective countries with them.

Back at home, it was time to go back to school for Julie, now in CM2 (last year of Primary School), Anna, now in CE1 (second year of Primary), and Claire in PS (preschool). 

And for us parents, beginning of September was also a bit of a new start with the first meeting of our new housegroup with whom we are joining in the adventure of starting a new church in the North of Rennes. 

We are extremely grateful to God for His protection on the road this summer and for the way in which we experienced His love for us through all the people we were able to spend time with over the last few months. And we are trusting Him to guide us as we face the challenges of a new year ahead.