February to June 2021 in pictures

In February, Carolyn, Julie, Anna and Claire really enjoyed helping the children of the CADA (centre for asylum seekers) in Rennes to paint a large fresco on the wall of one of their kitchens to brighten up their daily lives.

At home, Anna continues to take care of her babies Cracotte and Noisette (our two guinea pigs). End of February, they tried out their little travel bag to spend a weekend with David's family in the Vendée.

During this family weekend, we were able to go for a long walk, some of us riding donkeys.

David continues his regular father-daughter outings, whenever possible. With the Spring weather, cycling in nature was much appreciated.

We are also grateful that we have a park nearby which allows us to have occasional picnics during our lunch break.

After the third lockdown in April, what a joy to be able to take a trip to the seaside again in May.

Not so enjoyable, after a year of dealing with water leaks and completely redoing our bathroom in 2020, 2021 is the year when months are spent looking for a leak in our new shower. Just what we needed to work on our patience, perseverance and trust in God.

Meanwhile, the aftermath of our 2020 water damage is now gone.

A much more joyful event that brought together family and friends on 16 May: the baptisms of Julie and Anna. A beautiful day where we could see once again how great and good God is.

End of May, we were finally able to meet again in person with our colleagues from Agapé Rennes after months of meeting behind screens.

And early June, the national leadership team of Agapé France met near Toulouse after more than a year of working only at a distance.

Finally, in June, our Rennes Nord church was able to take a new step in its administrative structuring with the constitutive general assembly of our local religious association (in accordance with the French law of 1905). A beautiful occasion to remember all that God has accomplished in the last 4 years.

As we look back on all that we have experienced in recent months, we want to say, as in Psalm 113, let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and for evermore, including for the sometimes more difficult circumstances and challenges that are opportunities to shape our character and cultivate contentment.