Sharing the Good News in Southern France
by Shelley Hooker
In July, two of us from Christ the King in Alexandria, VA were blessed to join a group from International Christian Community (ICC) Eurasia and help lead two week-long bilingual Vacation Bible School sessions in southern France. The goal was to encourage the local church (Protestants make up about 2% of the population of France), do outreach, and build relationships within local communities. As in America, people in France also need low- or no-cost options for summer childcare; bilingual day camp is therefore attractive from a secular educational perspective and drew a diverse group of kids.
Many of the children had never been inside a church before. Many were immigrants from Africa, across Western and Eastern Europe, and even Australia. A few came from Muslim families. Most had experienced the strictly secular education and culture of modern France. Many knew of the cross, having seen crucifixes throughout France, but few had heard of Jesus and His victory over it.
Through Bible stories, songs, games, crafts, memory verses, snacks, and seven hours a day together, what a joy it was to share with the kids the rest of the story: that Jesus rose again, is alive, and loves them! So many responded to this message. Other family members of the children also came to us with a desire to know more about what their children were learning.
Despite many challenges (a voracious stomach bug, lice, and this summer’s intense heat) nothing prevented God’s Word from going out. Thanks be to God for those kids who accepted Christ, and please be in prayer for all missionaries serving in France; for the Spirit to move mightily in the hearts of French speakers; and that His Word would take root in the hearts of these beautiful children.
Shelley Hooker is a parishioner at Christ the King Anglican Church in Alexandria, VA.
