The Visit

“The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain” as Professor Higgins taught Eliza Doolittle in ‘My Fair Lady’. I discovered it also falls on Lyon as was the case for much of my time spent there visiting Estelle. This was a real disappointment to her, as she assured me it wasn’t usually that persistent. But it meant that she couldn’t show me all that she’d hoped of the beauties of the city.

However, on Monday morning we were able to do some of the tourist trail. In a prominent position on one of the hills overlooking Lyon is the opulent Basilica to Mary which was built in the early part of the nineteenth century in thanksgiving for her aid in saving the city from invasion. This devotion to Mary pervades the city and small statues of her are found in niches on many buildings.

Near the Basilica were signs of one of the earlier historical settlements of Lyon, including a well preserved Roman Theatre. In a different area there was a museum in memory of the resistance movement that was so strong in that area during the second world war. It had some moving descriptions and pictures of that period in its history.

It was a privilege to go with Estelle to the Oasis meeting on Saturday afternoon. A small group of both Algerian and French Christians met on this occasion. We were encouraged by singing, a testimony, and teaching from the Bible. The hymns and choruses were in one of three languages: Arabic, Kabyle or French. In fact one Chorus was repeated in each language.

We had a short walk from where we parked the car on our way to church on Sunday morning. The Lyon marathon was taking place and part of this was in front of the church. Both we and the runners were kept cool by the rain!

The church is in a row of shops along the front of the river. Again the message was given by an Algerian brother. Fortunately I had my personal interpreter with me so I was able to appreciate all that was said.

On Monday morning we joined John at the bookstall that he and Estelle have near the market each week. Nearby was one of the niches with a statue of mary on it. Although they weren’t very busy while I was there, one or two people stopped and took calendars after short conversations.

John joined us at the flat for prayer in the afternoon and was encouraged by a conversation he had had after we left. A French man had specially gone to the bookstall. Apparently he had seen them there for the past fifteen years and decided to find out what it was about!! After a conversation with John he left with a French/Arabic New Testament as there wasn’t a French one available. There would be one there for him the next week but John felt it better to give him something then in case it took another fifteen years to make contact again.

Estelle was able to share with me about her correspondence work. She also showed me the sites on the internet that are being used to spread the good news. These can be obtained in the UK as well as the Arab world, so why not log onto www.maarifa.org and find out more?

On Monday evening we enjoyed a piano recital arranged by a church in aid of an orphanage in Romania that they support. The pianist, Sam Rotman is a professional with an international reputation. At the end of the performance he shared his testimony with us and we were challenged by this Hebrew Christian and what he said of the family difficulties he faced. Yet he had an obvious joy in using his musical abilities to bring glory to the Lord.

Estelle was thrilled to receive the love gift from QBC and immediately thought of things she needed and could now obtain. Pray for her as she continues with her translation work, writing ‘Palm Courses’ S.U. type notes, and answers correspondence. Pray too that the Christians at Oasis would bring along their non-Christian friends to the meetings. Pray for the summer schools that take place at the end of July, for all the arrangements that need to be made beforehand and for those preparing the studies for the students who will be attending.

Jan Page

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