Please come to FEC Glendale on Sunday Aug. 25 starting 1:30 to hear us share about our short term mission trip to Paris. We will meet in the Auxiliary Chapel.
Debbie shares her personal notes for the extra three days she and Shi-Min, Monica, and Lai Fei spent in Paris after the rest of the group left.
07-28-24 (Saturday)
We were touring around the Eiffel Tower. I was looking around and the Lord brought this family to my attention several times. The mom was in a summer dress. She caught my attention for it was a cold morning. Later I asked the Lord in my heart if I were to talk to them. I said "Lord if You brought them to me again then I would bring up a conversation." Sure enough, they were behind me when we were waiting to go up the elevator. I chatted with the mom. I knew they were from India, the south side. The son was about 5 years old. Looks like he doesn't say much English, so he might not be too local (or maybe the child speaks French???). They just reminded me of Riddhi and Nikita. I missed them. There were not much other things I can share with them. I think like the devotional this morning, I only need to obey. I will leave the result up to God.
Afterwards we took an Uber to Arc de Triomphe. After going to the top, took pictures and walked around for a while, finally as we went into the siting area. I sat next to a young Asian girl. I heard her talking in Cantonese. I then took the opportunity to talk to her. She told me she came with family from England. Originally they were from HK. She is going to college now. I told her I came with a team of people to sing and share the Good News. She told me she sometimes goes to church but has not been lately. I encourage her to continue her faith. She seemed very open to talk and willing. May God bring her to a church where she can grow in faith.
07-28-24. (Sunday)
Very hectic, have not yet processed.
07-29-24 (Monday)
The rest of the group went to Monet Garden. I decided to stay back to rest and to walk around the area.
The morning before on the 28th I read Oswald Chamber's Jesus walking on water – Mark 6:48. Oswald said, "If I can stay calm and unperplexed in the middle of the turmoil, I've already reached the end of God's purpose….. God is training us to obey him in the present moment, and to leave all other considerations alone. We have no control over what happens after we obey; we go wrong when we start dwelling on the "afterward". God wants us to see that he can walk on the chaos of our lives right now." I also remembered one of the devotionals for our team was also regarding "walking on water". I was encouraged as I am reminded of His Scripture that says "God's unfailing love surrounds those who trust in Him". So I went out after I found a Pho place close by. I finally landed at the Pho place with not much trouble. One young lady greeted me. She spoke English to me. I ordered the food. There were 2 tables of people. One table sat a young girl with her computer busy typing. Another table were a group of either 2 or 3 people. After I ordered, I decided to walk over to check out the other fruit stands. After a while, I went back to the Pho place. The food was ready. I asked the young lady their hours. She told me they will close in a little bit and then will reopen again. I left since I do not know if there is anyone I can talk to.
I then passed by a fast food place and I thought that was a Pho place. I saw 2 young persons, a boy and a girl. I felt like I was to go in. So, I went inside. One of the workers or maybe owner stood behind the cooked food stands like those at Panda Express. I tried making conversation with her. I told her I came with a team of people from America to sing and to tell others about the Good News. She mentioned as long as the world has peace that would be good. I told her it would be hard to have peace because people are selfish in nature. I started to have a very tender feeling in my heart for I felt for these innocent people who are oppressed by the greedy and the powerful. I asked her to look at the world now. We have war in so many countries. Then I told her actually our God had Chinese in His mind even way back in Chinese history. She then listened for a while then she had to go and worked at the kitchen. I talked with the 2 young students who lived in France. They were probably in their early twenties. They gave me their names, I felt like they might be Christians. I encouraged them to continue telling others of the Good News, keep going and do not give up.
7-30-24 (Tuesday)
The 4 of us went to a mall recommended by locals for souvenirs. We decided to split up and meet again in an hour.
I saw an older Chinese woman sitting by herself. I walked up to her. She looked at me. I asked her if she mind me sitting next to her. She was receptive. She told me it was a hot day so she came to the mall to enjoy the cool, air condition. I asked if she has been in Paris for long. I told her I came with a team of people to sing and tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ. She said she is a Buddhist. She said as long as people believes in a god, people will be directed to be good. I told her Jesus came to take all our sins onto Himself because we cannot be good enough. Then I told her what a divine time we had with each other. I, from the United States, would come all the way to meet her in France. Later she told me her name. I asked if I can pray for her. She said I can pray for her later. I told her if at any point in her life she needs help, she can cry out to Jesus Christ and said, "Jesus Christ if You are God then show me and help me." She nodded. We parted with that.
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