South of France

I am now in the French Countryside in the South of France, near Colloiure, just a stone’s throw from the border to Barcelona, Spain. This is the next to the last leg of my trip in Europe before heading to Cambodia. It is absolutely gorgeous and peaceful here. The pictures posted here are from the sun setting over mountains where I am staying and from a hike/jog that I took early this morning. (The house that I have rented for a week is pictured at the center of the last picture.) My quiet time this morning was splendid: sipping coffee on the balcony of this house amidst the trees and chirping from thousands of birds waking to the day; and just feeling blessed in God’s love. This morning I read in Acts 16 about the amazing ministry of Paul and Silas, but how they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to share the Word in Asia. It struck me about how different a time this is that God’s Word and Holy Spirit is so alive in Asia now. It was also tremendously encouraging to read of their faithfulness: being unjustly condemned, beaten, and imprisoned their response was to pray and sing hymns. And then to read that the other prisoners were listening to them (and that the prison keeper and his family were saved). What a great light their faithfulness helped to bring to such a dark place! How can we not find courage hearing of these brothers in faith and knowing that the very same God is alive in us?    

I am writing with a joyful heart and peaceful spirit.