AU REVOIR TO PARIS

The time has come to say our "good-byes" and cast our eyes on Michigan. We both remarked at lunch today that it seems we have hardley just arrived here, and now it is time to go! What an incredible experience it has been for both of us--much more than we ever thought or envisioned. John finally got to the top of the Eiffel Tower, walking up to the second stage, and then taking the lift.

We are being ushered out with a blitz of appreciation, and listening to wonderful music. This week we have had three opportunities to attend concerts by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, a world class acapella group of 24 men and women, musician alumni and students of the University of the Philippines. The first concert was in the Invalides Church of the Dome (within walking distance and where Napoleon is buried), the second venue was at the world headquarters of UNESCO, and then the final concert at our church.

Also last Sunday, our church hosted the "Distinctly Bronze" bell ringers from the U.S., a group of 32 ringers with over 100 bells...we've never heard anything quite like that!

So it's off to the airport Sunday morning, July 1, being picked up at 5:00 a.m. for our BA flight thru London, Chicago, and then to Grand Rapids.

It's been wonderful to share our experiences with you, and we appreciate the thoughts and prayers for us during these 6 months in "the city of Lights."

Returning to Michigan

July 1 marks our return to Michigan, I have many reflections and thoughts about our 6 months here......It has certainly been much more than the brief tourist trip that many folks experience, and itwas not nearly as long as a more permanent stay which involves much more adjustment. I would say that our stay here had the advantages of both.

Being here for 6 months has given us opportunities to get to know Paris, using walking trips giving historical information and details not available to the casual tourist. We became familiar with the bus, metro, and train schedules and found them such a convenient means of getting around. We found it very "freeing" not to have a car, and learned to walk more. We were able to visit favorite places more than once, and also had the opportunity for travel to London, Brugge, Cyprus, Chartres, Versailles, and Giverney

We have learned and used some basic French phrases and words, and ways of fitting in with French living, always greeting the bus driver or clerk with "bon jour" and when leaving "au revior". Our basic French/English dictionary was like a second Bible to us. We found the French people to be polite and respectful, especially when we needed help with directions, or words. They are for the most part mannerly, giving bus seats to the elderly (even me!), or for a young mother with children. Interestingly, though most people are Roman Catholic, the French are not "religious" in the sense that they worship regularly. However, at the American Church, every Sunday finds a vigorous and full group of people worshipping God!

Paris, is a city that draws in the wealthy and famous, the ex-pats, students, tourists, aspiring musicians and actors, but it is also a city where lonely students and homeless refugees find Paris to be an expensive and unfriendly place. The ACP has ministered to hundreds of these folk, and has become family for them. Now celebrating its 150th year of active ministry, the future reaches out to people of all nationalities and religious background, to find a common faith in the Triune God and expressing God's love to all.

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Will I miss the 24/7 noise??? .....motorcycles, sirens, workmen (who never seem to finish), traffic, busses, trains.....No, but it has been exciting to live in the midst of the city, where one finds people and activity in every section of Paris, day or night.

Will I miss the dog poo on the sidewalk? No...still seems incredible that so many people while walking their dogs, do not clean up after them.

Will I miss feeling like an outsider when I cannot understand people talking in the store, on the street, or on the bus.? No...but it has given me a greater empathy for those in our communities who struggle to know English.

Will I miss the lack of organization and order, and the layers of red tape that the French have? No....but I have come to appreciate a more leisurely life style.....spending hours over a cup of expresso and conversation in a cafe.

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Will I miss the American Church in Paris? Yes, and definitely so! To be a part of weekly worship where there are people from over 50 countries, and various religious backgrounds, all experiencing Christian worship, is just amazing. We have made many friends who have warmly received us, and included us in their lives.

Will I miss apartment living? Yes....although small, it has been very adequate and enjoyable to live "at the church", so convenient and be able to share in the lives of other staff members. It has made me realize how much "stuff" we can really do without. Simpler living has given me more time to read, people watch, help with the mission lunch, be a part of the French/English conversation group each Monday nite at our church, and entertain family and friends the past several months.

Will I miss the baguettes and brie? Yes, for sure....we've enjoyed expanding our waistlines a bit with the wonderful breads and pastries of our favourite patiesserie, Secco's. Walking to the fresh fruit and vegetable markets was always a favourite jaunt.

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If you had told me a year ago, that in a year's time I would be traveling thousands of miles : Australia, Italy, Russia, Finland, France, Cyprus, England, and Belgium.....I would not have believed you. God has given me (us) this incredible year to grow and be enriched by the lives and work of His people all over the world! I will never be the same.

And how will I adjust to being back in western Michigan? I honestly don't know....but I guess I'll find out soon!

Au Revior for now! Sharon

Australian Family Visit

We welcomed Leslie, Gavin, Ben and Tessa Coote early Saturday morning, June 2

After a long and tiring 24 hr trip, they were glad to get settled a bit and enjoy a light lunch here at "our" apartment.

That night the kids (and mom and dad) were glad to get to bed.......only to wake up at 4 the next morning, but slowly the jet lag evened out, although 6 a.m. wake ups were not unusual.



Gavin left for Berlin that next Monday for a week of work in Berlin, returning Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately the #2 Air France Bus stopped running at mid day, so he was delayed and had to take the RER back to our place. So much for French sporatic transporatation strikes.


The weather was generally favorable, and we hit all the major and some minor parks and playgrounds in Paris. Luxembourg, Jardin du Acclimation, Parc Villete, Champs du Mars, and Jardin de Plantes. With Tess still needing a nap, one of us alternated going with Leslie and Ben. Sandwiched in between, were several wedding appointments for John.

On Sunday afternoon, June 10, John and I treated Ben to a surprise birthday present by going to the Cirque du Solei, which was an outstanding show, and a special time with Ben.

We had to bid farewell to the family Tues. noon, when they left by the Thalys fast train

to denHaag, to visit with Aussie friends, Adrian and Mara and their girls.

The dreaded flight back from Amsterdam to Melbourne was Sunday, June 17. No fun travelling with kids, and also having to deal with a 12 hr. layover in Hong Kong. But we so appreciated their efforts to come to Paris!!

Eiffel Indoor Picnic

The umbrellas were out today, not to keep out the sun, but to deal with the ongoing rainy season in Paris! We were scheduled to have a picnic on the lawn of the Eiffel Tower today, with friends from Holland, MI: Bruce and Carla Masselink and their friends, Arnie and Hazel DeFeyter. The week previous they enjoyed a canal/bike trip in the Netherlands (with decent weather), only to put up with rain showers while in Paris!

They brought sandwiches and pastries, and we had animated conversation, especially doing the Holland crossword (who's related to who)...... They wanted to get a couple hours in the Louvre Museum yet, so on they went on bus 69, to meet up with their son Reid.

Reid and his wife, Nathalie, (French) are expecting their first child in August. Reid and Nathalie are both in the art "business" Reid is a painter, and Nathalie buys and sells paintings. We had dinner with them earlier on in our stay here.

More Michigan visitors!

On May 9, we welcomed Chic and Nancy Broersma, long time friends from seminary days. They presently live in Cadillac, MI, near their son Steve and Sally and family. Chic was able to be our guest preacher here at the American Church in Paris, so that was special for all of us.

Quite soon into their visit here, we took the train to Chartres, a delightful hour's trip from Paris by train. We had just a spectacular day, enjoying that beautiful cathedral, and then walking the historical streets along the river, and finally finding a charming place to enjoy lunch. We noted how much less expensive it was than eating in Paris cafes!

As well as the typical tourist sites here in Paris, they enjoyed strolling along the Seine, watching people on the bus, participating in our church's coffee fellowship, taking in a flea market, shopping, etc.

Chic kept daily tabs on how the Detroit Tigers were doing! We played lots of setback, with the guys having the winning record. (...this time!)

I am including some photos of flowers, which has become kind of a hobby for me....Hope you enjoy them!

John is keeping very busy with wedding matters, and will also participate in a weekend retreat at the Taize center....He preaches here June 3, and then we'll be keeping active with a visit from our Aussie family, eager to spend time with them, especially Ben (5) & Tessa! (2)! We'll be preparing for our sojourn back to the States, then on July 1.

Till later! Sharon (and John)

Fast Train to Brugge, Belgium

What a welcome change of venue to view rolling countryside, farms, small towns, and colorful fields from the window of our TVG fast train trip to Brugge. We changed trains in Brussels, and arrived in Brugge in the middle of a holiday, so it was lively and loud in the main square.

Brugge is a charming city, now with a vibrant tourist industry; filled with medieval, historical buildings and churches,quaint architechure, cobblestone streets, canals, parks, and hundreds of bicyles that can be rented. Lacemaking, chocolates, and beer are trademarks of this town! In 2002, it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Although one can walk the city, we did rent bicycles one day, and cycled to Damme, a lovely village about 4 miles from Brugge, along a canal, with a bike path on either side. Before we took this trip, we bought fresh strawberries and cheese at the open market.

We passed a windmill, and later viewed a 14th century church in Damme. I took a picture of the sign "Kerkhof" by the church, which is the "church cemetery," (and is also part of my maiden name, Van't Kerkhoff). I also found a tombstone of a couple whose name was "Timmerman", which was my mother's maiden name! Brought back a lot of memories.

I did have one fall, meeting another bicycle, and my bike tire hit the edge of the path, and down I went into a bunch of stinging nettle plants!!!! OUCH! My arm was full of the little stingers, and was very uncomfortable until the next day, when itching set in! At least I didn't fall into the canal, I thought, cheerily!

We stayed two nights at the Novatel, which was very lovely and had a scrumptious morning breakfast. On our third day, I did some shopping, and John climbed the 366 steps up the bell tower, and visited some museums.

With wonderful spring weather each day, we made our way back to the train station, and 3 hours later, we were back in Paris!

More Visitors!

Mid April we welcomed Sharon's sister, Aletha and Will, her husband. They had to think long and hard about what they wanted to do and see!

The perfect spring weather found them enjoying a Seine cruise, visiting Notre Dame (and having great ice cream at the Berthillon), visiting the Rodin Museum, and spending some time at the Louvre Museum. Another highlight was enjoying a day at Versaille, with it oppulant chalet of Louis XIV, the beautiful grounds, the fountains, and taking a ride in a rowboat on the lake!
Then we took two days, by train, and rental car, to visit Normandy and southward near Mont St. Michel. Our host at our B&B was an Englishman, with whom we had delightful conversations. The morning we planned to visit Mont St. Michel, it was totally fogged in, so we headed up to the Normandy area, finding a newly opened and recently discovered very large German battery at Maisy. Walking around the bunkers , the remains of buildings, and the Howitzer gun platforms, was very sobering. Here it was that the U.S. Rangers drove out the German army further back into France. This discovery at Maisy is very significant since now the history books will have to be rewritten. It was thought that LaHoc was the largest contingent.

Then, driving our hybrid Prius (lots of trouble), we made our way to Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery. Again very sobering to think of the lives lost, and given for their respective countries. We made it back to Caen for our train back to Paris.



Another highlight of lesser importance, was to pick up our Pinocle competition, which again, the women were dominant! Baguettes, Paris pastries, and the sights will always be remembered!

Petals, Parks, and Playgrounds

It is springtime in Paris, and we have been overcome with the beauty of new flowers, trees leafing out, and observing so many people (and tourists) enjoying the out of doors! There is a saying that "the parks are the lungs of Paris", meaning that with so many people in apartment accomodations and small spaces, it is necessary to "get out" and breathe fresh air and open spaces. Baron Haussmann and some others were fore-sighted enough to plan for plenty of "green space" and parks. I hope you enjoy some of the beautiful photos.

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Giverny is the fabled home of Claude Monet, one of our favorite impressionist artists. He lived here for many years, established his home, gardens, and his retreat, the "lily pond". We were able to be there for a wedding early in April. It is about an hour NW of Paris.

These flowers are from an area just east of the Champs de Elysee, near the Concorde.

We have taken two major park outings in the last week: One to the "Bois de Boulogne" to the west, where there is a fabulous playground for children (for Ben and Tessa when they come!), a carnival, small zoo, and lovely walking paths.

Then on 14 April, we went way to the east to the "Bois de Vincennes" (BOIS means "woods") There is also a large carnival there, lots of green space, and a lovely lake , lac daumesnil, featuring two picturesque islands which we walked all around, stopping often to watch people of all kinds, young and old: sunning, boating, bicycling, picnic-ing, reading, and just relaxing.

We took two busses to the Bois de Vincennses,

#42, then #24 all the way, picked up some lunch take out at the local Monoprix. We returned on the #8 and 9 metros. We shook off our dusty shoes when we got back, and a quick shower was most welcome!

Wish you were here!

Spring Weddings

Being a part of the wedding ministry of the American Church in Paris is such a joy!

Most ceremonies are held in our beautiful sanctuary. However, during the month of April there were two "off site" weddings in which we were privileged to participate. The weather was ideal for both weddings , with an infusion of spring flowers, fragrance, and sunshine.

The first one, April 5, 2007, took place at Giverny, the fabled home of Monet, where expansive flower gardens blanket the landscape !

Suzanne and Brett Woellner solemized their vows, April 5, along with members of their families, along with many onlookers, with a string quartette adding to the venue.

It was not only a memorable occasion for them and their families, but also for John and me to enjoy the beauty of this place!

Then just two days later, Kevin Scott and Landa Acevedo were married on "le Quai", a boat/restaurant moored on the Seine very near the Orsay Museum.

They met here in Paris, on April 7, a couple years ago, and so wanted their marriage to be here. Many guests and family members celebrated with them in this unique setting. We had the privilege of meeting with them in London, where they both live, and also enjoyed a light lunch with them here in our apartment when they came to finalize plans.

We pray for these two young couples, along with the many others who come to the American Church in Paris for a wedding blessing, or a renewal of vows!