Maranatha Outreach - France

The second country on the European tour was France. After spending time in Italy the team took a 10-hour train ride through the Italian and French Alps into the picturesque French city of Grenoble. Beautifully situated in a valley with mountains on every side, Grenoble would prove to be a prime example of the power of God when His children are obedient to His word. Upon arriving the team was greeted by the church members from “Le chandelier” – meaning, the light. The first morning the team rose early to meet at the church and get to know their new French friends, who would also go out and minister with the movement team. “You could literally feel the excitement in the air.” Both teams were pumped and ready to take to the streets. “ I think this week was much different than the first week in Italy,” says Cody, “ the first week we were still getting used to things and overcoming the obstacles of evangelizing. We were ready this time.” Before the team went out they met the French team at the church and had corporate prayer, declaring that Grenoble would turn its ways to God and receive the word that was going to be preached to them. This was followed by an intense time of praise and worship for what God was about to do.

The team went out into the streets and squares declaring that Jesus is the risen Lamb of God and it is only through him that one is able to have ever lasting life. Many people came to know Jesus during this time. The Movement team led praise and worship on the streets, and the French team did mime skits. Each day the teams invited the people to join them that night for a service at Le Chandelier. “venez et voyez” we would tell them. “ Come and see,” and they did. During the nights the team would lead the congregation in an intense time of worship, share the word, and then provide an alter call. During this time many of the people gave their lives and re-committed their lives to the Lord. Also, during this time many healings and miracles took place. “I distinctly remember praying for this one young boy. It was difficult because I didn’t have a translator, but I knew he wanted to be prayed for, so I began to pray what was in my heart,” says, Cody. “ Not long after, the boy started yelling and jumping up and down, everyone ran over there and I had no idea what happened to him. Later I found out that while I was praying for the boy his eyes suddenly went blurry. Normally this would be scary except for the boy was already wearing glasses. When he took the glasses off everything became clear again. God had completely healed this young boy who had worn glasses for most of his young life.” God is an awesome God. “ I wasn’t even praying for healing, I was just praying for the boy, I know he didn’t understand me.” After that happened the power of God fell in the church and many more miracles were witnessed.

After leaving Grenoble the team proceeded on towards their next stop in Paris, France. The team was called to lead praise and worship at a church that was having a Spanish conference during that week. Once the team was finished with worship they would go out to the Eiffel tower where they would then find a way to share Christ with whomever they could find. “It was more difficult than I thought it would be,” said one of the team members. “ In Europe they have a law that states it is illegal to proselytize, or attempt to convert another to your religion.” We had to get them to ask us why we were in France, then the door would be open to tell them all about who we were and why we were their.” Sad to say Paris was a very cold city for the Movement team. The Gospel was not very well accepted. Nonetheless, it was taken over there, and seeds were planted all over the city in prayer that one day Paris will be opened to the Gospel.

The last stop was Longwy, France. Located just west of the Belgium and Luxembourg borders, the team would hit all three places during their time there. While staying in Longwy the teamed helped the local church to repair and clean up a facility it owned to bring in missionaries and have teams stay. “It was a huge farm, we stayed in a house there that could sleep probably 30 people. We cleaned the entire house from top to bottom, cooked for people that came in, fixed holes that had been washed out in the road, and cleaned up around the outside. Cody said, "something that I remember very special while we were in Longwy was their Sunday service we attended. I guess France celebrates Mothers days a few weeks after the U.S. because it was their Mothers day. It was a really neat time." The team was able to buy and give roses to each mother in the church and then lead worship, preach, and do a special program just for the children that Sunday morning. Later that night the team again had the church service. One of the team members states, “this was probably my most favorite night of them all. The power of God showed up that night and many more miracles occurred than we had seen the entire trip.” God has his hands on that little church in Longwy, and He is doing great things through their ministry. As for the Movement team, it was time for them to minister in the Netherlands.