Rain, rain, go away . . .

Walking back from the bike race.

Micah and Arianna pose.

 After such a good start last week, with the occasion to share our faith one on one, with Angie sharing about the Bible with her language group, we were a little watered down when no one was there for the Bible study, but Angie enjoyed having a quiet moment to share about the days events and the future.  Saturday was filled with kids activities. I walked Caleb and Arianna down to see a bike race in town, but we arrived just as the bikes passed. We had fun all the same.  There were only four kids present for basketball. Sickness, the weather, traffic, were all excuses that I heard.  Andrew was out at a birthday party.  That was a neat story in itself. Tuesday Angie sent a text to a lady we met at the kids old school that she hadn't talked to in a while. Angie wanted to get together with her some time.  The lady wrote right back offering for Angie and Andrew to come to her daughters birthday party on Wednesday at McDonalds.  Andrew had a great time playing with the friends from his old school, and Angie got to reconnect as well.  At our basketball that evening, there was a new player that I was able to introduce myself too.

Lilia participates at the youth meeting.

On the way to Bordeaux.

Thursday, had a good language session, and got some paperwork done, as well as a couple of household projects.  Friday morning, it was raining, so no market.  I has rained a lot this winter. My friend who has a small ranch, mentioned that his ground has been mud for over a month  (foreshadowing).  

Andrew tries out the violin of one of our new friends.

We made it!

Arianna and Micah watch the basketball game.

Friday night, as it rained, Caleb spent the night with a friend, after he and his brothers all had hair cuts.  Saturday, we made ready for our trip to Bordeaux.  Angie and Lilia went to the youth meeting in Carcassonne, while I packed and made up some sandwiches.  We headed out for Agen, where we spent the night in a Formula 1 hotel.  It rained the whole trip.  The hotel was very inexpensive, but the were no bathrooms in the room, everyone used the public restrooms.  I probably should have paid more attention to the rooms.  We had a someone restful night, amid the noise of people entering and exiting, and people talking, playing guitar, even singing.  We finished the trip the next morning, in the rain.  We enjoyed services with a church in Bordeaux, the pastor is a friend of ours we have known for several years.  After services we went to a basketball game with another American family who is church planting in a suburb of Bordeaux.  We had a great time at the game, and enjoyed a meal at their house afterwards.   We had a great visit, they have been in France for about 20 years, and it was great to ask question and talk about different ways of reaching out.  We left for the three and a half hour drive home (in the rain).  We made it back home about 11 that night, tired but excited.  Monday we got the kids off the school, unpacked and cleaned, and caught up.  Angie had a meeting at school with Micah's class.  Their teacher has been absent a lot and sometimes there is not substitute and so he stays home, as he did today.  Otherwise he would go to another teachers class and color or draw.  He doesn't mind missing school.  We are looking forward to Bible study tonight.  We should have a first time visitor coming.  We did receive word back from a couple we spoke with two weeks ago.  They made it clear that they are not "convinced" about what we shared with them and that "they will never be".  We politely offered our services anytime in the future.  We will continue to pray that God opens their hearts. Blessing, JASON