First Sunday in France

We just enjoyed our first Sunday in France. It was encouraging to see first hand the power of the Gospel reaching lives. We enjoyed being reunited with brothers and sisters in Christ and being able to see evidence of their growth in the Lord. It was also exciting for us to take part in two different Gospel conversations with visitors. Following the service, my dad entered into a conversation with one student that ended with her calling on the Lord for salvation. Please pray that her profession would be genuine, and that God would give her other avenues of Christian growth as she is leaving the area this week. We are grateful for these reminders from the Lord of His power to save the lost--even in France!

In one conversation another young lady commented that Protestants are "more modern" because they allow their priests to marry, "not like us Catholics." I made the comment that Peter was married and that happened a long time ago, so I wouldn't call it a modern invention. She was shocked. "We've never been taught that!" She was really blown away when another student from the church informed her that Mary was not an eternal virgin! "But she's our mother in Heaven! I can't accept that!" One of the ladies from the church has made an appointment with her to take her to buy a Bible on Wednesday so that she can check these things out for herself.

Here are some pictures of the day.

We began our day with fresh croissants purchased from the bakery around the corner.

The church eats together every Sunday. However, in honor of our arrival, they had a special dinner of shish-kabobs and French sausages. We enjoyed the time of fellowship.

The church's Sunday School hour is at 2 p.m. following the fellowship meal. Today's SS hour was a continuation of a discussion on the will of God, and Ruth and I were put at a table facing the adult class where we shared our testimonies and answered questions about God's leading in our lives.

One of the young men in the church spent three hours the night before making crepes for the dessert which we enjoyed after the Sunday School hour.

Meeting new friends.

Trip to France: Completed!!

We have, by God's goodness, arrived safely in Bordeaux, France with all our luggage.

We left the parsonage in Spartanburg, South Carolina (our home for the last 1 1/2 years) on Wednesday morning about 9:30. Donna Bixby and Judy Hurst and Ruth's mom Judie Pahnke took us to the Charlotte airport.



Our first leg was from Charlotte to Chicago. We were within about 100 feet of the ground, the landing gear was out and we were about to land when the pilot picked up speed and we flew on past the airport. A storm was moving across the field just as we were about to land and it made it too rough to land. Because we didn't have enough fuel, we had to fly over to Midway Airport, land and refuel while we waited for the storm to pass. We then took off again and flew the 12-minute flight back to O'Hare. The unintended detour provided us with a beautiful view of Chicago. Bob, Jennie, Patience and Corban Bixby had come to the airport to see us. Because of the delayed arrival, we only had 15 minutes together! However, it was fun to see and hug them.



Our flight into London Heathrow, the bus trip across town to London Gatwick, and the flight into Bordeaux went well. It was good to see Papi and Grandma Bixby waiting for us at the airport. Below are some pictures of arriving at their home, unloading the car, and eating supper after we had all showered and were enjoying having the trip behind us.


All the emotions of permanently moving to another country and realizing that all the hoopla about getting to France is behind us and now the real thing lies in front of us is a bit overwhelming. We are so grateful for a wonderful network of friends to rely on back in the States and for my parents here in Bordeaux (for the next two weeks) to welcome us and help us get adjusted.

This afternoon, we went down to the university to try to enroll Ruth in the summer session of language school, but they were closed. Tonight at 8 p.m. we will be attending the church's prayer meeting. Thank you all for your prayers for us.

Traveling to France

Tomorrow, June 24, is the big day! We will be departing Spartanburg around 9 a.m. and should arrive in Bordeaux around 10:30 a.m. EST on Thursday. We will fly from Charlotte to Chicago, then on to London Heathrow, switch airports there to London Gatwick, and then finally on to Bordeaux, France. Please pray for safety for us and the children. We'll let you know when we arrive.


Here's a picture of our moving crew that helped get our belongings to the warehouse where they will be loaded onto a container.


Ruth also enjoyed a goodbye lunch today with some ladies from our home church.

Commissioning Service

Our sending church really rose to the occasion and gave us a royal sendoff. The love offering they gave us to help with our moving expenses was extremely generous and sacrificial. I really wish I could post some more thoughts, but there are men coming in just a few minutes to help us load our belongings up that we are shipping to France. Unfortunately, there is not much time for reflection at the moment!

Here are a few pictures of the day and some of our many dear friends who were there.

Baby News

We got pictures today of Bixby Baby #3!

12 weeks old and about 2 inches long
Due date: December 24, 2009
Destination: France!

Micaiah turns 6!!

It is hard to believe that our firstborn is celebrating his sixth birthday today! We love him so much and thank God for giving him to us.

Happy Birthday, Micaiah!!

Visas in Hand!

We are so thankful that our visas are now in our possession! April 14, the day we applied for them, seems so long ago. However, it has all been in God's good timing, and we are thankful for how it has forced us to prayer at every stage of this adventure. Thank you so much to all who have prayed with us about this need. It is hard to believe that by the end of this month we should be in France!

We are in the process of purchasing one-way tickets for Wednesday, June 24. We will be leaving from Charlotte, NC, stopping in Chicago then landing in London. In London we will have to collect all our bags (so we are told), and then catch a bus across the city to the other airport. From there we will fly straight to Bordeaux.

On Sunday, June 21 (our last Sunday in the States), Cleveland Park Bible Church (our sending church) will be holding an official commissioning service. Both I and Ken Jensen of EMU (our sending agency) will be speaking. There will be a fellowship meal following the service. You are all invited to come!