The last few weeks have felt like a sprint, a blur of excitement, of struggle, and of new experiences. The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris began on July 26 with a harsh reminder of the desperate need this post modern society has for Christ, and to say we walked into it ready for war is an understatement. We arrived on July 29 alongside a group of fourteen individuals from a church that currently supports us in our pursuit of Australia. Despite multiple delays, we hit the ground running that night and straight into the coming weeks.
Our group consisted of sixty-three participants divided into four or five smaller groups that rotated locations each day to hand out booklets to the estimated 600,000 attendees and athletes alike. Over the course of our two weeks, we handed out over 60,000 of them combined in locations such as Gare du Nord, the largest metro station in Europe, the Eiffel Tower, Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and more. As a result, we reached over 130 countries and had multiple professions of faith.
There were a lot of safety precautions we had to implement while there. For starters, Paris is notorious for pickpockets. One of our teammates had their wallet stolen on the very first full day of ministry, so we were constantly having to be aware of our surroundings, keeping our bags on the front of us at all times. We also had to be aware of potential terror threats. There were a few instances in which things got a bit out of hand at some of the sporting events, but fortunately, we were never directly in the middle of these situations.
Paris was heavily patrolled by both police and army recruits, so there was never a lack of security. Every now and then, we did have to content with the authorities pushing us out of certain locations, such as the Arc de Triomphe, but this was more often because of their dislike for what we were doing. Fortunately for us, there were only a few instances of this, as most of them were super friendly even with the language barrier.
On this particular day, we were stationed at Bercy Arena where they held the gymnastics and basketball competitions. As soon as we arrived, the authorities asked if they could get a picture with us. They were such a fun group!
We weren't entirely sure what to expect when we said yes to doing this ministry. Our initial plan was to return to Australia for a short two-week trip this summer. But when the Lord put this in our path, we knew it wasn't a coincidence, and we were right. We went through a lot of spiritual warfare leading up to this two weeks even months before our departure. I specifically struggled with my mental health more severely than I have in quite some years. There were times I doubted I'd be able to do this type of ministry work as I have always been very shy and open air evangelism is not a good mix. But once again, the Lord proved me wrong.
The first time I went to Australia, I was blown away by the realization that all my life, everything I'd ever been through had seemed to lead me to that moment in time, to that country, to those people... I have never experienced anything similar and I think that's how I knew it's where God wanted me to be. These past few weeks, despite my shy timidness and my awkward social skills, I experienced the same exact thing and I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude, not only for the good things God did to prepare me for that moment, but also for the not so good things that helped me relate to the people we were ministering to.
Tears were shed, some good and some bad. And, personally, I feel that the bond Trenton and I have was strengthened in the wake of this trip and all that led up to it and has come therefollowing. It's an experience we will not soon forget and we are already looking forward to participating in the Los Angeles Olympic ministry in four years.
One story we'd like to share happened on the day before we left. We had one free day to go sightseeing, so we decided to go to the Palace of Versailles to get away from the busyness of the downtown Olympic venues (it was a good choice). The metro stations are not always easy to figure out, and it's even harder when you don't speak the language written on the signs, so it was an experience to say the least. But we were able to help a sweet Italian couple who were also struggling with the same thing. They sat next to us on the thirty minute trip back from Versailles, and despite the fact that they did not speak an ounce of English, we were able to communicate with them via google translate. We hit it off so well that they invited us to dinner, and we hung out for over an hour and a half. We left that time feeling overwhelmed with gratitude, reminded of the fact that God is bigger than any language barrier, and can build bridges despite whatever comes between.
Here's a picture we took with them before we left. They are insistent that we visit them in Italy sometime in the future, so who knows. Maybe that will be our next unexpected adventure. God has a way of surprising us.
A few things we'd like to mention in closing, though I will keep it short as I know this newsletter is rather long. I got a message from my doctor while in Paris with some relatively disheartening news. The medicine they have me on for my autoimmune disease has stopped working. They want to put me on a relatively new medication that specifically targets the inflammation of the esophagus, but it is a once-weekly self injection, and they will have to teach me how to use it. I am still waiting to hear on a date, but will keep you updated as things unfold. Just pray that this works, as it is our last option for treatment.
Secondly, I have been asked to participate in another book signing at the Family Bookshelf in Fairview, Michigan next week. I'll be coming alongside three other local authors, so feel free to come and hang out, buy a book, or get one of yours signed! I love these events and the doors they open to conversation. So pray the Lord would continue to use my position as a new author to lead others to Him.
Thank you all for the continued prayers and support. We truly could not do what we do without you, and we hope that you know just how special that is to us.
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he fallen; for he hath not another to help him up." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
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