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Change
We continue in Albertville, France in full-time language study with a plan to finish next July and then move to Gabon. Between classes, homework and interactions at church and in the community, we spend 40-50 hours per week studying French. We each have a language partner as well.
Living in France has given us the opportunity to see some of the historical sights, taste some of the wonderful foods, build relationships with other missionaries, and laugh at some of our more interesting encounters and language screw-ups.
As we reflect on the last 4 months, the word CHANGE comes to mind. There have been many changes since we arrived here. In France, we have seen a change in our waistlines from all the good food. We are changing as  we adapt to the French culture. And certainly, our ability to speak French has changed. While we have a long way to go, we are amazed at how much French we know already. In the US, there have been many changes as well. The biggest change for us is we now have a precious grand-daughter, Eloise. She is growing fast and changing daily. Donald Trump was voted to be the next president. And the Cubs won the World Series. Big and surprising changes!
Change is happening all around us all the time. You’ve heard is said - "The only constant in life is change". I am sure there have been many changes in your lives, some by design and some not; some for good reasons and some not so good; some easy and some hard.
It is comforting to know that Jesus Christ never changes. En Hébreux chapitre treize, verset huit, on lit, “Jésus-Christ est le même hier, aujourd'hui, et pour toujours.” In Hebrews chapter 13, verse 8 we read, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
God has called us to Bongolo Hospital and in that calling, we need to learn French. It’s hard. It’s tough being in another culture. It’s tough being away from family, friends, and our home church. It’s a difficult but necessary change. As we move into 2017, change will continue to happen for all of us.
Yet, we hold on to the promise of a God that does not change.
We hold on to God’s:
Unchanging Goodness and Provision,
Unchanging Wisdom and Guidance,
Unchanging Comfort and Peace,
And most of all His Unchanging Love for us.
May you have a blessed and prosperous 2017!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! -Philippians 4:4
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