Welcome to the Violleau's

We had two opportunities to share about our ministry in Cheltenham. On Sunday 18th, we were interviewed during the morning service at St Matt's church. We shared briefly who we were, how God was calling us to serve Him with Agapé in France and how to pray for us and for France. People wanting to know more about our ministry were invited to come for a French evening at Tim's on Monday evening. We had a very nice evening with interested people. They were delighted to taste some French specialities, learn about France and hear about our ministry. We have been very encouraged to meet people once again really interested in what is happening in France. Some of them have spent time in France and want to give back after receiving a lot from our country. Really encouraging!

On the road again on Thursday 15th for a 2-hour drive from Slough to Cheltenham to spend a few days with Tim (Carolyn's older brother), Sarah, Jamie (4) and Emma (2). We had a very nice weekend together. We enjoyed watching the children have fun at Wacky Warehouse indoor play park on Saturday. And we had a couple of rides on miniature trains at the Cheltenham Society of Model Engineers open ground on Sunday afternoon. Julie also had her face painted for the first time there and looked lovely as a bunny rabbit.

On Sunday and Monday, we had a great time at Saint Helen's, a church situated right at the heart of the "City". All 4 of us were at the morning service on Sunday with about 600 other people. The worship and teaching were wonderful. And Julie made new friends at Sunday school, where she learnt about Abraham obeying God when He asked him to leave for a faraway land with his family, his livestock and his tent. David was also able to attend the evening service, again with around 600 students and young people. The sermon, on the theme of secularism and multiculturalism, and based on the passage in Daniel 3:1-30, was particularly interesting since very relevant for France.  You can listen to the message HERE . The service was followed by a meal which gave him the opportunity to meet some of the young people from the church. On Monday evening, we both attended the monthly prayer meeting. Again, it was so encouraging to pray with about 150 other people for some of the church acti

We had a very encouraging time at the "French Connection" , a conference organised by a group of people who meet regularly at St Helen's Church in London to pray for French-speaking Europe. Three missionaries talked a bit about  their ministry: Charlie Newcombe (Belgium), Edward Nelson (Paris) and  Étienne Koning (Mont de Marsan, France). They shared the things they were thankful for and listed some prayer requests so that we could pray for them. It was great to pray with people with such a heart for France and Francophone Europe (Belgium, Luxemburg and Switzerland) and who pray regularly for Jesus to be known and accepted in these countries too.

We arrived in London without any problem after 11 long hours on the road on Thursday, a night in Béthune and a ferry-crossing from Calais to Dover. We are thankful for a blessed journey and a very warm welcome from Charlie and Claire on our arrival in London. Julie already feels at home and is having lots of fun with her new friend Tom.