NTM

Wow! it’s hard to believe that I’ve already spent a year studying French in Quebec, Canada! It went by SO fast! It was a difficult year but also a good one. God taught me lots and I really came a long way in French! It’s neat seeing the progress! My teacher said I’m almost bilingual! I don’t feel even close to that! That was really encouraging to hear!

Now I’m back in PA, getting ready to leave for Senegal. I leave Feb 3 and am VERY excited! There’s just LOTS to be done this next month as well as saying goodbyes. Please be praying for me during this time of trnasition.

When I get to Senegal, I’ll be living with a Senegalese family for a time to learn the Senegalese culture and even French more! I’m REALLY excited about this! He’s the pastor of the church my parents go to and him and my dad are really good friends. I’ve been talking to them via skype and I think I’m really going to enjoy them!

Thanks for your prayers and support! be sure and check out the photo page as i’m going to post some resent photos!

Since being here in PA, I’ve had the chance to get together with people. Some friends from New Tribes were able to visit me. It was special because I don’t know when I’m going to see them next! I’ve also had some good times with family and other friends here in the area. I leave Labor Day to return to Quebec. Please pray for a good and safe trip up there and that I’d really learn French well during this last semester! Thanks for all your prayers and support! I couldn’t do any of this without you guys! It reminds me of the body of Christ in Corinthians. Thanks again!

After the camp, I was able to spend some time in FL with family and friends before I head to Senegal in early Feb. My dad returned for meetings there and it was really neat spending some time with him!

I worked at a French camp 10-12 hours north of where I was studying French in Sherbrooke, Quebec. I had never worked in a camp before so it was really neat having this experience. Most of it was in French and I was able to really use and practice my French! I had some opportunities to share the gospel in French too! It was a really neat experience! I’d do it all over again if I had the chance!

In Senegal, there’s a lebanese food we eat called a charwarma. It’s close to a wrap. I haven’t had one since I’ve been here in North America. It was really neat because I found a restaurant where they make them here in Sherbrooke! It was a really nice surprise from God!

As part of our French course, the whole language school goes on outings to experience some ot the Quebec culture and God’s creation. Friday, we went hiking. It was SO gorgeous! It was neat just to again marvel at the creativity of God. His creation is just one example of how much He loves us! He didn’t have to make earth a beautiful place but He did out of love for us! After the hike, we had a pique-nique lunch, then we went to get ice cream. Pure maple syrup is HUGE here and they do all kinds of things with it including putting it in ice cream! It’s amazingly good! Don’t forget to check out the photos!

I had the awesome privilege of going on a 2-week mission’s trip to northern Quebec with the Bible School students! I’m really glad I went! Yes, it was out of my comfort zone but it was worth it! We saw some people come to Christ and had the opportunity to present the gospel in public schools! How often does that happen! It was really neat seeing God work! Also it really helped my French too! It’s SOOOO pretty up there too! I’ve been realizing the HUGE need there is for mission’s right here in Quebec! It’s sad! Thanks for your prayers! I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them! Check out the photo page. I’m going to put some pics of the missions trip there! Oh, I recieved a neat surprise from God! I got to see a seal! it was awesome! I’d been wanting to see one but was told it was too late in the season but God showed me one!

All of us language school students went to what’s called a cabene a sucre (sugar shack). It’s actually a maple farm! It was really neat to experience some Quebec culture.  The buckets I’m in between are collecting sap from the maple trees. It takes LOTS of sap to make just a little bit of syrup. The sap looks like water! They then boil the sap and then you have maple syrup! It was really neat! They have a table with snow on it and they put some maple syrup on it, which hardens. Then you eat the syrup. It’s called tior (I’m not sure how to spell it.) It’s really good!  

Im up here in Quebec learning French and trying to stay warm! Its been a HUGE adjustment but God has been good! Hes teaching me lots of things! The main thing Hes been teaching me is to lean on Him. Hes the one who got me here and He wants me to learn French too. Hes not going to leave me!

Its been lots of fun hearing French all the time and having to speak it! I LOVE this language! ive been realizing thogh that i need to be patient and thats been hard; you dont learn a language overnight!

The students are very friendly so that really helps! For those who dont know, this is a Word of Life Bible school for French Canadians but they have a language school too. Im living in the dorm with French speakers so Im hearing French constantly! Its been neat!

Pray that Id learn French really well and that Id be patient with it!