Archive for August, 2009

International evangelism

Friday, August 28th, 2009

Lausanne counts about 35% foreigners (we are part of that number too!), Geneva counts even a bigger percentage, and our outreach touches a large number of folks who come from all around the globe. 

I was put into contact with a young man from Bolivia who is studying in Geneva. One of his housemates had invited him to church and he had enjoyed it. We studied together, shared stories and cultures, he continued to come on Sundays, all before going back to Bolivia for a 6 week break (from university studies, not from me). As soon as he got back, he asked to be baptized, so we celebrated that event a couple of weeks ago.

There’s a retired guy in the USA who has started sending out French Bible courses to folks who ask for them. I was reading his newsletter and saw that he had a contact in Switzerland. The retired guy sent out an email and I started writing to the student finding out he was from Burkina Faso and studying in a Bible institute in Bienne, about 60 minutes away. My colleague in Geneva invited over to his home for a 24 hour stay and, surprise!, when I arrived for Geneva’s Tuesday evening Bible Study, the baptistery was full and the student (he’s 40 with a family in Burkina) wanted to be baptized into Jesus. It was done, and he has gone on his way with joy.

Posted in Evangelism | 3 Comments »

Summer days

Friday, August 14th, 2009
Summer brings about a deadness to the city that I must admit, is easy to enjoy. Things are quieter because so many are on vacation. The traffic is almost non-existent because everyone is in the mountains, the south of France, or somewhere in Asia. I do not like the low numbers of folks at church, but I love meeting new people who are traveling through and want to commune with the local church.

The afternoon worship times are more relaxed than what we had in the morning. Certainly people are more tired, so open ended questions, reflection on Bible verses, questions about what we’ve learned from our experiences with God all seem to keep (most) people awake. I hope they are even more in tune to who God is through our time together.

Son 1 is on the West Coast as of 9 PM yesterday. He is in Portland, then will be in Fresno and later at Pepperdine, nurturing relationships and celebrating his Bachelor in Forensic Science.

He may stop off in Stockton and break into one of Randy’s cars. Just to fit in, you know.

Posted in Church life, Summer | 4 Comments »

August 1

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Our 4th of July… Our National holiday is August first. On Saturday Switzerland celebrated 718 years of existence, commemorating the pledge made by the leaders of three cantons (Uri, Schwyz and Unterwald that they would, with God’s help, defend each other and, well, just get along a whole lot better.

The local retirement home invited me to give a "meditation" for that day, so I did (even though I’m not Swiss). There was traditional music (think small accordions and a bass), Alpine horns and decorations taped everywhere. Some of the residents danced. Some slept. I spoke. We all ate. 

Daughter is back with us and she had some friends over later that day. We went to the lake for fireworks. Then Son 1 and 2 tried to blow up the neighborhood with all the fireworks they had bought. No luck. But we did fill up the house with another 4 students from Harding University who are traveling through.

This is a great place to live. I love it, though I love the USA too. Although I must admit, when Federer played Roddick, I was for Roger. And when Cancellara took the Yellow Jersey, I didn’t feel sorry for Lance. It’s not that I want to be a traitor. It’s just stronger than me.

Posted in Switzerland | 3 Comments »