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“We’ve lost western Europe” lamented Os Guinness in a Veritas Forum conference Aline and I listened to over the internet.
Our eloquent English brother was referringto the paltry state of the Church on the continent which was once synonymouswith “Christendom.” Guinness’ observation was corroborated during our annual sojourn to Marseille (July 22-Aug.15) where we filled in for MTW missionaries Pete + Ruth Mitchell who were in dire need of some R & R after hosting four young American “stagaires” and a family of five for the better part of the summer.
Our job consistedof exhorting the few faithful (between 15 and 30 at Sunday service) who actually attend worship and the dozens of acquaintances who revolve around the church group. Aline’s keen listening ear and counseling skills were put
to good use by several women eager to share their concerns with my circumspect
wife. I had four sermons to prepare. In addition, there were a couple of encouraging prayer meetings eagerly attended by a half-dozen, including Gerard, a zealous brother originally from Martinique. “Why do we pray,” someone asked, “since the Lord knows our thoughts in advance?” The answer is that our Father wants relationship with His children and delights in even their feeble efforts to draw near to Him. How foolish to deprive oneself of this amazing privelege!
One of the more agreeable evangelistic activities was the occasional afternoon ‘pétanque’ sessions with neighbors of MTW missionary Stephanie Pike—my buddies from last year’s visit. Claude and his son Patrice, of Antillean origin, seemed the most receptive to the gospel of the lot. Likewise, it was a Camerounaise woman in Marseille named Endole who voiced the only positive feedback from my preaching efforts. One might conclude that dark-skinned people are more spiritually sensitive than Europeans…
Pétanque buddies Giovanni (an Italian), “Coco” (a retired international salesman),
and André asked some basic questions. I gave them all copies of the gospel—which none had ever read—and exhorted them to go right to the Source. In conversations about the Word, discussion often regresses from the metaphysical to the political. The key, methinks, is to redirect the focus on the identity of Jesus: Who does He claim to be? How can we know anything about Him; about God?
Another renewed summer acquaintance was 82 year-old Christiane, who sits in the
park next to the pétanque terrain between 4 and 7 PM every day where she chats with neighbors. “Je prie la ‘Bonne Mere’ tous les soirs” (I pray to the Virgin Mary every night) she confided. She was particularly interested by the story of our daughter’s forthcoming marriage. In a culture where most couples live together and procreate outside the bonds of matrimony, the idea of a traditional marriage—of a virgin couple, no less—seems almost quaint. Christiane’s own daughter is “Pacsée” i,e, living with a young man under a government-sponsored contract (called a P.A.C. for “Pacte civile de Solidarité”) which, though less than a marriage
contract, provides tax benefits and is easy to terminate. It’s a way of avoiding expensive divorce settlements when the relationship ends, but still benefit from the generous French government allocations formerly reserved for married couples.
Back on the pétanque terrain; Claude the Martiniquais lamented: “It’s too bad you’re leaving so soon,. .I’d have a few more questions to ask you…”. Pete Mitchell and Timothée Calvot, the church’s new interim pastor, will be there to answer them.
Less encouraging was a visit to Aline’s hometown in Alès, 100 miles west of
Marseille, a traditionally Protestant area where the rapid erosion of the Christian heritage (including the Protestant work ethic) is manifest. Antony (21) lost his job but isn’t looking for new employment, preferring to milk the generous state welfare system. Broken homes and dysfunctional families are the norm here, with catastrophic consequences for the disoriented children. Renaud (13), thoroughly confused, deprived of parental love and guidance, has already been arrested thrice for armed robbery! He’s a poster-child of the “Clockwork Orange” world coming unless the Lord sends revival. Aline’s brother Pascal labors valiantly for the Kingdom in the small but evangelical Methodist church. But no man is a prophet amongst his own…
Some good things in Southern France include magnificent scenery, dry summer weather, great food, and a good selection of radio frequencies—at least compared to our culturally deprived Miami area. Unfortunately, the so-called Christian/Ecumenical “Radio Dialogue” diffuses a mixture of liberal and mystical Catholicism and Protestantism along with some occasionally edifying offerings. One can listen for a long time without ever hearing the gospel.
We were encouraged by time we spent with our son Calix who lives in Marseille. Many of you have much prayed for him over the years, for which we’re most grateful. Some prayers take a long time to be answered. The case of St. Monica praying twenty years for her son Augustin (Calix’ middle name) comes to mind; the bishop of Hippo was 32 when he finally saw the Light. Our son (31) seemed more receptive than ever this year when we shared some gospel truths with him, usually over a meal. Likewise MTW missionary Hugh Wessel told us that he’s detected more spiritual receptiveness in the French in recent months than in previous years. Could that aforementioned revival be looming? “Affaire à suivre…” as they say.
Blessings,
Marc
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