Greetings from Camp Arc-en-Ciel in Larodde, France! Today’s update is from Mallory Brainard and from Crislyn Woods. Both Mallory and Crislyn graduated from Pensacola Christian College this May.
Update from mallory
Though we are only four days into our trip, I have already seen the hand of God working in and blessing lives. I graduated in 2023 with a degree in missions and am using this trip as a survey for possible future ministry. Our group has been exposed to many opportunities to serve in the countries of France and Spain already. Today we attended meetings at camp in Larodde, France with Pastor Didier Silberstein where he taught us about who the Jews are as well as the biblical principles of ministering to the Jews. This will give us the proper perspective for our ministry to Jews later this weekend in Paris.
In the afternoon, we were able to distribute Gospel literature that was funded by Hugeonot descendants to be passed out to every mailbox in the country. The group connects with local pastors to canvass their towns and make a connection with the local church. It was great to see more of how the people live and attempt to connect with them, despite our poor language skills.
After the visits to the towns, we drove to Andrew Livingstone’s church in Bort-les-Orgues which is called Le Phare (the Lighthouse). Pastor gave his testimony of salvation and God’s ministry call that led him from his home in Northern Ireland to Larodde, France. God is blessing this ministry as they search for a different building more central to the town.
Tonight, we heard a testimony from the Knickerbockers, veteran missionaries to France. We learned about their 50-year ministry with church planting and camps. Their daughter Sephora also gave a great testimony of how the Lord returned her to work in the ministry. This is where she met her husband Andrew who helps to run the camp and pastors the Lighthouse church. Our meeting tonight encouraged us to commit our ways to the Lord and understand His plan for our lives; the Knickerbockers and Livingstones are excellent examples of this.
Tomorrow we are taking the six-hour drive to a town northeast of Paris with a stop at another work along the way where the Knickerbockers will show us their new church building.
On a more general note, we have enjoyed driving through the French countryside, journeying through small towns and taking in the amazing scenery. The weather is beautiful with minimal humidity and highs in the low seventies. We hope that you all continue to keep us in your prayers!
update from crislyn
On the way back from distributing Gospel literature, Crislyn went with several of the team members to see a new camp location that the Knickerbockers have purchased. They plan to renovate it over the next couple of years. They are hoping to have a larger congregation room and also some apartments that they can rent out to help fund different camp functions.
Later in the afternoon, the team enjoyed special music in French from Tim and Elisabeth Knickerbocker, Sephora Livingstone, and Pastor Silberstein. The words of the song focus on the cross.