Ashley's May Newsletter

“He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” - Psalm 23:3

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I am praying this month that the Lord would give me eyes to see what He is doing around me in Lons and that He would continually guide me in paths of righteousness. I already feel that I am ‘switching gears’ as I look ahead to my upcoming projects and locations, but I am also trying to invest myself completely in Lons with my remaining month here.

The church is also fighting to ‘keep in step with the Spirit’ despite its many obstacles. I think many of them are still confused by the pastor’s leaving, but their hearts are genuinely seeking to honor the Lord. Recently, they hosted a children’s ‘Revival’ with the local Catholic church in an effort to reach out to the neighborhood children, as well as their parents. There were between 40-50 people present! This was an exciting activity and I ask for your prayers that connections made with these families will grow. Please pray also that this church would demonstrate the Body of Christ to the community in their relationships with one another and with others.

It is sad to think of saying good-bye at the end of the month to the friends I have made here. I plan to spend time with my French colleague Alice and her family before leaving and I hope to have more opportunities to share with her about my faith before I go. Please pray that God will prepare her heart to hear His word. Before I finish teaching, I am also trying to organize a party with all the students I have taught this year (about 150 of them!). I would love to invite them all to visit at the church during the week for an ‘American-themed’ party and also have more of a chance to share my love for them in Christ. Please pray that God will make this initiative a possibility and that He will bless my time with them.

I just returned from a weekend in Marseille. The time I spent there is making me more and more excited about the events taking place--the new church and the ICC movement as a whole. As much as it is important for me to make the most of my time in Lons, I am starting to pray that God will guide me in His paths during my upcoming time in Marseille. Once I finish teaching at the end of June, I will move down to Marseille to focus on various ICC summer activities and the Marseille church development. There is so much to share with you!

God has been providing and going before us with ICC in so many ways. We have been offered a place in Marseille to use as an office, which has required lots of renovation and cleaning, but it is truly a blessing to have some office space! The Painters are still expecting to sign very soon on the building that will become the ICC headquarters. This is still a walk of faith because, though God has provided the property despite many obstacles, it all still depends on the financial support to come in.

Knowing the need for a church to reach out to internationals in Marseille, we have been taking steps to begin a church there. This was the major reason for my time spent there this weekend. We hosted the first ICCM worship service Sunday evening, held in a French church, which has offered us the use of their building. It was followed by a Mexican-theme dinner where we had a chance to connect with the people who came. Please pray for this expanding ministry and the people that God will call to be a part of it. We want first and foremost to serve the Lord by meeting people’s spiritual needs in Marseille and across Europe.

When I move down to Marseille in July, I will be focusing on this growing church movement and the administrative work to be done. I really appreciate all of your prayers concerning my time there and the advancement of His work. I look forward to keeping you updated soon on what God has in store. We know that He is always at work and I don’t want to miss out on it! I remain deeply grateful for your partnership and prayer support that makes this possible.