Today's summary is provided by head coach
Jeff Bramlett
Bonjour.
What a trip! We went into France hoping to plant a seed of faith for the people that we encountered on this trip. 40% of French people were not born in France and most immigrated from Northern and Western Africa. Because these were former French colonies, the language makes an easier transition for them and they have fled due to very dangerous conditions in their home countries. Many of these immigrants in Paris live in an impoverished area called Aubervillier, which is is where our team stayed and did much of our mission work.
There were many highlights to this trip. We saw the Basilica du Sacre' Coeur. The name translation is Church of the "Sacred Heart." It was built in 1850 and took 30 years to build and this magnificent church overlooks Paris. We also got to admire the architecture of Notre Dame, The Louv
re, and the Eiffel Tower. All these sites were completely amazing! Next, we got to attend the French Open at Roland Garros. This event brought me so much joy to see the smiles of amazement on my players' faces during their time at the French Open.
Our first Sunday in Paris, we went to a worship service at the Refuge Ministry and met with Elisabet Dominguiz and John Eugen. They are the heart and soul of this ministry. We witnessed an elderly refugee being baptized that day and it was a very inspirational moment. We also participated in worship services with YWAM, which is the base which we stayed and the youth were very hospitable and made us feel very at home.
The tennis team did morning chores every morning to help repay their kindness and everyone also did their duty by serving meals at a homeless shelter. While I was there an older gentleman who spoke no English asked me to pray over him, which was a very moving experience for me. I was asked on two occasions to pray by two different elderly men, while in Paris. It was so nice to show the people at the homeless shelter that they all have worth and that we are equal in God's eyes.
Tuesday through Thursday was heavy lifting on the mission work and the tennis team was all in. I was quite proud of them as they each exhibited the love of Christ while they all cheerfully rolled up their sleeves and got to work by using a great deal of elbow grease, leg work, lifting and moving things. Much sleep deprivation and disrupted meals didn't diminish their spirt and we put together 169 goodie bag and sandwiches along with 75 children's goodie bags. After the team organized the church basement, we hit the streets, walking miles passing out flyers to recruit people to the refugee church.
The team's hard work was rewarded when everything came to fruition on Thursday. All 169 sandwich bags were handed out to men and women. Also, all 75 children's goodie bags were handed out as the team played various games with the children. It was a total smash hit! After this event, we said goodbye to Elisabet and John and I had to hold back tears as I said goodbye to John because we had become very close.
Friday, we traveled to the French Alps to assist with an outreach festival on a perfect day. The team assisted several churches, which came together for a Christian family festival in a park in Grenoble, which was a site for a Women's World Cup Soccer game. The goal of the festival was to help bring people to Christ. It was located in one of the most beautiful settings with people from all over the world. A very electric atmosphere and as usual the tennis team exceeded expectations!
Our last Sunday, Bryan Doyle of International Sports Federation, the liaison for our whole mission trip experience, brought us to Alpha Church in Grenoble. On the wall was of the chapel was written "la PAROLE qui change les vies," which is translated "The BIBLE will change your life." It was a beautiful service in the mountains. (I wish that we could have a setting like this for every Sunday service). We were fed lunch and enjoyed fellowship with our host church members and then we headed back tonParis to have worship and dinner with our YWAM friends. On Monday we capped our France trip off with one last time of worship and prayer with the YWAM Paris team. It was an amazing last time to spend with such a passionate group of people spreading and acting on God's word. After worship though unfortunately, it was time to return to Texas.
Elisabeth Dominguez and John Eugen are two tiny soldiers out in Paris doing God's work. They have already influenced generations. She told us that Jesus commanded us all to be disciples and to create other disciples. When we came to Paris, I was hoping that we could possibly plant one seed with the difficult task and barriers ahead of us. Now I feel as though we not only accomplished this but planted
many seeds. We all know what God can do with the tiniest mustard seed of faith and how it can be used to move mountains. I couldn't help but think of that as we were in the most beautiful mountains in the world and when circled by the beautiful, huge, smiles of the children of the Paris refuge community. I pray for a bountiful harvest from all the seeds that have been sowed and lives that have been so warmly touched by this ETBU Tennis Mission Trip.
Au revoir,
Coach Jeff Bramlett
