You know how sometimes you’ll see some news report that goes like this:

    NASA has announced that they lost contact with Satellite BL-298 which was on a mission to map the far reaches of the solar system and beyond for nearly 3 months earlier this year before reestablishing communications with the craft and receiving stunning images.

If satellites could talk here is what BL-298 would say:

 “Hey guys sorry. I’ve been busy looking at stars and working. I also found a Cookout about 47,000 miles away from Neptune. Had to take a detour to grab an oreo milkshake. I’m good now, fam. Back on track. Thanks for being patient.”
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I can’t remember the last time we gave you an update on life in France exactly but I do know that we’ve been back to the states for a visit and gotten back to work here in France since then. So without any further stories in space travel, here’s a recap!

-Still nothing resembling a Cookout or Sheetz here in France. Updates to come. 
-We were super thrilled to attend the France Mission annual conference in Paris in April. It was a joy to meet so many community members from all over France. 
-Ophelia continues to mostly enjoy school, learn French. From time to time she can even get a little sassy in French, which is a bit of a feat in and of itself. She’ll complete her first year of school during the first week of July.

Which brings us to some bigger news…

We’ve made some solid early contacts with local authorities in Descartes which led to finding a building for the church. We searched, Manu called, we debated, Raphael called, I listened or just nodded my head when I didn’t understand the details. Basically the mayors office approached us and asked if we would be interested in this building…

That is the old Grenier à Sel in Descartes. For many years the grenier, just like many others in France enabled the French government to levy salt taxes that sometimes were outrageous. This gabelle although not THE cause, was one of the many causes for the French Revolution. How fitting that a building used to distribute salt and that was known to be a building of financial pain for the French can now be a building to help distribute Christians who are called ‘the salt of the earth’ (Matthew 5.13) and who can build bridges of love with the community and help it find itself through the power and desire of Christ (Luke 15.32).

Basically the church will occupy the 2nd floor of the building while a midwife and a couple of vacant spaces occupy the first. This is not ‘official’ as of yet so pray that we can sign the right papers and agree on a rental fee that will work for us all. Once we have the keys we’ll take you on a tour of the place. 

The other news is we’ve made an agreement for a house in Descartes. It’s a great location, 3 minutes from the center square (where the Sunday market is). This house is actually around the same price as our apartment in Loches (maybe a little less) and has an extra bedroom and space that will easy accommodate guests during the summer and beyond. 

Details are very much progressing for our early July move to Descartes with our team. We are excited to start this step in abiding in Descartes and seeing what God will do through us. Never a dull moment. We’re still here. Still working. Thanks for partnering. 

Satellite Saldi —End Transmission—