, Young s From Marseille - April 2017 pg. 1 Young s Update from Marseille 20 Years at La Chapelle de Fuveau Luciane & The Christmas Message CEM 2018 I Was A Stranger And You Took Me In Refugees Family News Craig and Katie Young January 2018 For the protection of those mentioned in our newsletter, please do not distribute via social media. We send you the traditional French January greeting «Bonne année!» (Happy New Year!). We thank God for you, for your prayers, your love and your support over the last year and we pray that God will fill you with hope and strength in the year ahead. In Christ, Craig and Katie 20 Years of Fuveau Special Church Retreat and Open House Above: Katie, Dolores, Diana and Prisca receive special recognition for their years of service for the church. Below: We chose our 20 year olds, Romain, Riwan, Alex and Laura to blow out the Church s 20 candles. Below right: This year s retreat participants. On November 12th we celebrated 20 Dolores Chapel birthday cake! years at the current address of the Chapelle de Fuveau! The celebration during our church retreat included an open house attended by a great number of friends and neighbors who have known us over the years. Diana Hutchinson s presence added a special joy to the occasion. The open house included a short concert by the Harmony Chorus and a video overview of our 20 year history, punctuated by a close up on the ministries that God has brought into being over the years, including Christians on Mission, the CEM summer session, the Harmony Bible camp, the Goodfaith Retreat Center, the Harmony Chorus and Crescendo Trio, the Club Cool and Musicals and our history of mission efforts.
Young s Update From Marseille - January 2018 pg.2 About serving the refugees: Romain says: «It s really hard when you can t understand the Arabic language.» Khaled responds: «It s really hard when you CAN understand the Arabic language.» Luciane Baptized Left: Luciane is all smiles after her baptism. Diana (right) had taught Luciane many years ago in Club Cool. Right: Luciane, youngest member of the family, embraces Huguette, our oldest member during the welcome circle as Katie looks on. Luciane Enderlé has known the church family in Marseille since she was 10 years old. While she has been in and out over the years facing different challenges that life has thrown her way, she has never lost her faith in the love of God. Over the past several months she has responded to that love in a concrete way, faithfully participating in the life of the church and following a series of studies that prepared her to fully understand what Christ has done for her and what He is calling her to as she becomes His. She was baptized right in the middle of our 20 year celebration, allowing the entire church family to encourage her. She was happy that her mother and brothers came to share the moment with her. Proclaiming Jesus Birth There was no room in the inn for all the visitors who came to hear the children share the story of the birth of Christ and the Harmony Chorus sing His praises December 16th. Over 100 visitors packed the chapel, including several Muslims, both refugees and family of church members. God is at work in the hearts of so many people that He has placed around us. May we be faithful in these relationships. Above: The chapel was wall to wall with friends and neighbors for the Christmas play and concert. In the lower left corner is CEM student Riwan s mother. A Muslim, this was her very first time to come to our church. Right: A special joy for us: Esther (left) landed in Marseille in time sing the Christmas concert with the chorus, and trios with Katie and Emilie.
CEM 2018 L to R: Cindy Chotkan, Andrea Marroquin, Khaled Hassani, Aurore Vermelle and Riwan Taourirt make up our fabulous five for CEM 2018. Cindy is from Guadeloupe, Andrea from Mexico and Aurore from Lille in the north of France. Khaled and Riwan, both from Marseille, are emerging leaders from a Muslim background. Khaled began training with last year s group in April and will continue through this entire CEM year. Young s Update From Marseille - January 2018 pg. 3 Training emerging leaders of Muslim background is the focus of my doctoral studies, and something I now have the privilege of living out day to day. One cultural difference in the training we are trying to put into practice is the concept of training or mentoring in community. Our specific application concerns Khaled, where we are creatively involving his entire family in the training process. Our CEMistes have embraced the process as well, and we have traveled and served together this Fall, notably at the Euro-American retreat in Germany. 1 2 Above: Maylis and Axel Below: With Craig and Katie Christians On Mission Activities The CEMistes spend mornings learning from the word of God, and afternoons in multiple different ministries. The classroom also extends far beyond the walls of our CEM building. Here is are a few shots from this Fall s mission travels: Clockwise from above: 1. Our group sang each evening of the Conference on Refugees in October held in Mainz, Germany. 2. Sharing a meal together with the entire Hassani family (Lili and Djedjiga in the foreground). 3. At the same conference, both Khaled and I spoke. Here Khaled speaks and I translate. 4. A month later Khaled speaks and I translate at the Euro-American retreat. 5. Phil Jackson (right) and I (left) pray for the entire Hassani family at the Euro-American retreat. 5 3 4
Young s Update From Marseille - January 2018 pg. 4 I was a stranger and you took me in - Matthew 25.35 I had met Franck some 25 years ago, very early on in our mission work in Marseille, downtown where our tiny church met at the time. When our paths crossed again this past October (because he now lives on the same street of our Chapel!), he had to jog my memory, because I did not recognize him. Our paths crossed because of an act of God, and an act of one of God s servants, Khaled. Franck was at the end of his rope in October. At 51, he had hit rock bottom. In the middle of his second major depression, he had put everything in place to put an end to his suffering. The Khaled s home is often full of visitors. fateful day arrived when Franck said to himself, Either I end it all or I find God. Since God didn t exist, that thought was rather pointless and was not much help. Still, it pushed him to take a walk down to our chapel, and linger in front of it. Khaled, who lives right next to the chapel, was out front raking up the autumn leaves. He saw Franck, a stranger, started a conversation, and invited him in. They began talking and Khaled quickly perceived Franck s distress. Khaled opened the chapel and they went in and sat down an talked, and Franck cried. A former Muslim and a dying atheist talked together in the chapel about Jesus. Franck told Khaled he knew Katie and I, and Khaled took down Franck s phone number. Franck told Khaled he had decided to go away for a week, and that we should contact him upon his return. I never had to call. Franck cut his trip short and was back on his own. This time I was there. As he explained to me how we had met, I worked hard to put a face on this person I had known 25 years earlier. Finally I did connect. Franck also explained to me how Khaled had welcomed him and taken 3care of him on that critical day in his life. Last night, at our monthly men s Bible study group, Franck shared with the guys much of what you have just read. In the last ten weeks, Franck has been participating in almost everything going on at the church. He is a changed man. Because of Jesus, he has hope. Right before Christmas, Franck came to the Net For God gathering we host each month between believers of multiple church backgrounds. The monthly video was on men s renewal movements in England and the Netherlands, and more specifically on weekend nature treks to get away and pray and encourage one another. A lover of the outdoors, Franck was hooked. His purpose in sharing last night at the men s meeting was to tell us he was ready to organize such a weekend and he already has the spot picked out... and now we are hooked, too! That weekend outing among men will take place in February. Franck shared a verse that he has learned in the last ten weeks that he felt best describes what he envisions for the weekend. Here it is: "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed". (James 5.16). Franck emphasized the word healed as he shared the verse, and it is obvious (and beautiful) to see the healing God is bringing into his life. I am thanking God today for Franck and for Khaled. I am thanking God for a shepherd who found and took care of a lost sheep. Please pray for Franck and Khaled and their families today, and thank God for the hope and transformation Jesus brings into our lives.
Young s Update From Marseille - January 2018 pg. 5 Christmas Party for our Refugees The work of loving and Above: Refugees opening serving refugees continues gifts at the Christmas in a wonderful and party. Above right: Katie organized fashion. Pascale talks to a Syrian refugee Sikaly continues to contact during the party. Right: more and more of those in Special visit in Germany need, while Katherine with refugees we met in Tertov organizes PEACE, a Athens back in June. gathering for the refugees at the church every Wednesday afternoon. It is a time for sharing, meeting needs, language learning and accompaniment for the refugees. The Fall culminated in a Christmas party on Dec. 12th, with over 25 refugees in attendance. Beginning in 2018, the neighboring Catholic relief mission has asked to partner with us as we serve the refugees. New Harmony Chorus Cds This project was over two years in the making! Through Katie s direction and Rob s recording work and cover and jacket design, we have 30 new songs from the Harmony Chorus to share with you in two Cds: Combien Dieu est grand (How Great is Our God) and Cent mille raisons (10,000 Reasons). C h o r a l e H a r m o n i e If you would like a copy, please send us an email at Combien Dieu est Grand C h o r a l e H a r m o n i e CENT MILLE RAISONS klyoung@ neuf.fr and we will find a way to get them to you. God uses our songs to bring forth his message in a powerful way!
Young s Update From Marseille - January 2018 pg. 6 Family Happenings Esther in Nursing School Esther has completed her first semester of an ABSN (Accelerated BS in Nursing) at Gwynedd Mercy University in the heart of Philadelphia right next to Independence Hall. She is really having a great time with her housemate, Grandmom, and has been a wonderful blessing to her and visa versa. She has even managed to find time to teach a children s Bible class at church. She loves the clinicals in area hospitals. If all goes as planned, Esther will graduate in Dec. 2018! Above: Esther was back in France for the first time in over a year and got her friends together. Back: Riwan, Romain, Remi, Christopher and Alex. Front: Morgana, Luciane, Alexia, Esther, Laura and Aurore. Below: Katie, Esther and Emilie back together for a trio at the Christmas concert Dec. 16th. Emilie and Rob spent the Fall busy at work and busy with the church, especially in their role leading the young adults group, which regularly numbers over 20. They are great role models and a tremendous asset to the church family in their role as servants and mentors. We are so thrilled to have them working alongside us. Both Emilie and Rob are starting into new adventures in 2018. Emilie s work contract expired in December and she is currently looking for a new position. Rob will be focusing on his doctoral studies, comparing French and American secularism and its impact on faith. Above: Emilie and Rob (back right) sing with a chorus specially organized to commemorate Luther and the 500 years of the Protestant Reformation. Thanks for Praying for Mom Mom has loved the arrival of her new roommate, Esther! Despite increasing difficulties walking, Mom has been doing well, and we shared a wonderful visit together over Christmas. We had the whole family together at the house on Christmas day. Aunt Ann In November, my dad s sister Aunt Ann died suddenly. She had already completed cancer treatments and was back in her regular routine when she left us. Katie and I flew in to be with the family and I took care of the funeral. Aunt Ann was strong in the faith and always an encouragement to us in our mission in France. She will be particularly missed by her grandson Nils and great grand-daughter Sydney, for whom we ask your prayers.