So this is my first time being away from home AND being away from the saints, and I'll admit that it is not exactly my ideal living situation. My home stay family is nice, but it's not the same as when I'm with the saints. I am missing the spiritual supply.
But on the positive side, I will be spending time with brother Eric this Lord's day morning/afternoon. He is a local Quebecois and he really loves the Lord. He has been reading brother Lee and Nee's writings and has contacted the saints a few years ago, and since then he is enjoying the ministry and has been in fellowship with the saints in Montreal. Last year, him and his wife went the winter training and they really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to spending time with them!
Here are some photos I grabbed off Facebook. There will be plenty more to come and I'll be doing a lot of sight seeing. In the first photo, we are playing some French games which require us to answer basic questions or to give our opinions on subjects. I've been able to practice my French often and I feel a lot more confident, but I'm still a ways off before being able to preach the gospel in French, which is one of my many goals. I really enjoy the quality of teaching here. The professors are great and the students are super friendly and willing to practice French at all times.
Like I said, I really miss you all so please leave some comments or some bits of enjoyment and I will try my best to reply. A verse I've been enjoying recently in French is John 1:12. Even though I am far away from the saints and have not been going to meetings, I am still a son of God. And as a son of God, my Father God is still taking care of all my needs. He knows what I need to be transformed into a precious stone for His building.
à bientôt (see you soon!)
Patrick,
ReplyDeleteEven though you are away from the saints, and the family. In Matthew 28:20, the Lord promised, "I am with you all the day until the consummation of the age." And now is the time you need to practice to spend more private time with the Lord. He is the only One close to you and always with you all the time.
Last Lord's day message was taking the lead to be patterns and to love the Lord with the First love.
The brother shared how much do we love the Lord? If we say we love the Lord, we should take care of the living Christ in us. We love the Lord by giving Him preeminence, the first place, IN ALL THINGS, and take Him as everything in our life.
The beginning of love in everyone toward the Lord is A VISION OF HIS PERSON. Love also keep us in a proper relationship with the Lord.
We should also take the lead to be patterns to the believers or even to the people who are with you in homestay. Just like Paul charged Timothy to be a pattern to the believers in word, in conduct (manifest and magnify God), in faith and in purity.
May the unbelievers can see Christ through you. You may not be able to go to the meetings. but you can still enjoy the Lord, and spend time with the Lord. By doing so you can enjoy the richest grace and the sweet love (just like the Lord ate butter (curds) and honey) and enable Him to live God for God's glory.
Just use this opportunity to spend more time in Word, prayer, and calling on His name. You will still get the spiritual supply before you go to Anaheim for training.
Keep in touch, love, mama
Glad to hear that you like the academic atmosphere there. Learning another language (in your case, French) is not easy but I'm sure you will achieve what you want since you have the determination to do so. Are the people in the recent photos you posted your housemates ? Mama, Stacey, Louella and I went to Julie's tea ceremony in Richmond last Friday. Then we went to her wedding in Pitts Meadow yesterday. So for the past few nights, we were all occupied and unable to contact you. Take care and God bless. PA
ReplyDeletePatrick,
ReplyDeleteI would like to refresh my mandarin since I have not touched it for many years. I told Stacey to buy me Chinese recovery version Bible so I can read it to improve my Mandarin. Learning another language is an asset. I was inspired to see your desire to learn French.
love, mama
The pics look like you are having a good time. Sounds like you have an awesome opportunity to develop your French. Maybe your next blog post should be in French.
ReplyDeleteThanks all for your replies. And thanks Ma for the encouraging word. Amen, the Lord is always with us and He is so near and dear. Only He is our true comforter.
ReplyDeleteAnd Pa, those are just some other students in the program. I've posted some photos of my housemates in my newest blog post.