So I have started classes, finished my first week! It's coming! Being immersed in it is really helping. I also am really good at making people think I understand them! haha...
I moved in with Monsieur and Madame Bauge, the greatest couple ever! He is French, she is English. They are a sweet retired couple that are so hospitable and generous enough to have me stay with them for these next 5 weeks. Dinner conversations are great and the food is even better!
I have come to realize that my internship is going to look a lot different than I thought. I won't be able to be very useful here. I know that sounds weird, but it's because A) You cannot do ANYTHING if you do not know the language. and B) It takes a lot of time and trust for the French people to open up. BUT, with that said, I am learnng A LOT and know that I will learn more. And that is what my internship should be about anyway. I am learning the language. I am observing the culture. I am getting to know the city of Paris. I am meeting some great people, French and others. I am understanding missionary life!
All in all, this has been and will be a great experience for me and something that will hopefully shape my future! Whether I spend it in France or somewhere else.
Anyway, things are great over here and now I am off to bed!
P.S. Congrats to Ben and Kim Tyler!! They were married today :)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
The First Few Days in a Foreign Land
I have settled a bit into life in Paris. I signed up for French classes yesterday and they start on Monday. I will be doing the 5-week intensive class, 4 hours a day! It really is a humbling experience when you come in, thinking you know a bit of the language (I took 3 years, for crying out loud!) and realize you know NOTHING. I am a bit scared to start on Monday, but I know it will be worth it all in the end. I now feel like a child, unable to communicate with people.
I have spent some time exploring the city a bit, although its not as fun when you are alone! I went to the Louvre, walked along the Seine, walked along the Champs-Elysees, saw the Arc D'Triumph, saw the Eiffel Tower, and went to the Luxembourg gardens. I feel though that I am a bit touristed out. I don't know how people can just go backpacking all the way through Europe for months at a time. I have done about 3 weeks of it and I am done. Touring through London, Cardif, Dublin, Belfast, Portadown, Glasgow, Edinburgh, York, and now Paris, I am kaputz! And I haven't hardly touched Paris. But it's ok, I am here all summer!
I am slowly learning the "ins" and "outs" of missionary life, from the finance side of it to the language and the fears of offending someone! I definitely know this summer isn't going to be a piece of cake. It will be hard but good. Language learning will be difficult. Communication will be hard, but through God's mercies I will prevail.
It looks like I will be able to lead a Bible study for some French girls that want to go to America. They know a bit English and want to practice, and I want to practice my French! I will also be able to play my viola in the praise band. I'm also going to be connecting with some missionaries that are working with Northern African Muslim women. I may be teaching english, or learning French with them!
Here are some pictures!
Bon soir for now, thanks for all your prayers!
Monica
I have spent some time exploring the city a bit, although its not as fun when you are alone! I went to the Louvre, walked along the Seine, walked along the Champs-Elysees, saw the Arc D'Triumph, saw the Eiffel Tower, and went to the Luxembourg gardens. I feel though that I am a bit touristed out. I don't know how people can just go backpacking all the way through Europe for months at a time. I have done about 3 weeks of it and I am done. Touring through London, Cardif, Dublin, Belfast, Portadown, Glasgow, Edinburgh, York, and now Paris, I am kaputz! And I haven't hardly touched Paris. But it's ok, I am here all summer!
I am slowly learning the "ins" and "outs" of missionary life, from the finance side of it to the language and the fears of offending someone! I definitely know this summer isn't going to be a piece of cake. It will be hard but good. Language learning will be difficult. Communication will be hard, but through God's mercies I will prevail.
It looks like I will be able to lead a Bible study for some French girls that want to go to America. They know a bit English and want to practice, and I want to practice my French! I will also be able to play my viola in the praise band. I'm also going to be connecting with some missionaries that are working with Northern African Muslim women. I may be teaching english, or learning French with them!
Here are some pictures!
Bon soir for now, thanks for all your prayers!
Monica
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Bonjour de France!
We have ended our 3-week tour of the UK and now I am off to the next phase of life! My Moody part has now ended, seeking the Lord about my future has begun!
I arrived in Paris yesterday via the train from London. I was met by Doug, the missionary field leader in Paris, and we took the local train to a little village outside of the Paris called Lognes. Last night I basically got situated in the Mission house where I will be staying for two weeks and then I will be moving to a family's house. Today I will meet Doug's family and go over what my summer will look like.
Here are some pictures of the first half of my trip to the UK. My camera died halfway through.
Friends at Stonehenge
Me at Stonehenge. Of course you had to pay to get behind the fence, so we stayed out.
This is me with our favorite host home, Ruth and Alexander! This was in Wales, by the sea.
This is Giant's Causeway, on the north coast of Northern Ireland
Nathan and I at the Giant's Causeway
More to come later!
Blessings,
Monica
I arrived in Paris yesterday via the train from London. I was met by Doug, the missionary field leader in Paris, and we took the local train to a little village outside of the Paris called Lognes. Last night I basically got situated in the Mission house where I will be staying for two weeks and then I will be moving to a family's house. Today I will meet Doug's family and go over what my summer will look like.
Here are some pictures of the first half of my trip to the UK. My camera died halfway through.
Friends at Stonehenge
Me at Stonehenge. Of course you had to pay to get behind the fence, so we stayed out.
This is me with our favorite host home, Ruth and Alexander! This was in Wales, by the sea.
This is Giant's Causeway, on the north coast of Northern Ireland
Nathan and I at the Giant's Causeway
More to come later!
Blessings,
Monica
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