I was so blessed to have many memorable experiences this week in France and Switzerland, but most of all, I was blessed to have spent time with old friends. These are the kind of friends who, even if you haven't really talked in a while, you can pick up a conversation like there was never a gap. I am thankful for these friends, and thankful they live in such exciting places!
Last Sunday was James' birthday. We had a wonderful service and then a surprise bbq birthday party for him, a great time had by all. Early that evening, I took the train to Dublin and hung out with my friends Johnny and Georgina. I am continuing to build strong friendships with both of them, and am thankful also to have friends in Dublin.
Some Background
I flew into Lyon, France, and was met at the airport by Nathan and his 16-month daughter, Ayla. Nathan and I have literally been best friends since we were infants, as I'm two months older. We went to church together and lived in the same neighborhood. In fact, we used to meet up and walk to school together. Then in 3rd grade, both our families moved to the same neighborhood in a different school district just outside of town. We went to different high schools, but we both went to Union University for college. After college, I moved back to Bloomington (my hometown) while Nate moved to Dallas with his new bride, Joanna. However, after I lived in Nashville a few months, they also moved there. Now they're in Europe and so am I. Nathan and Joanna are with Wycliffe Bible Translators, preparing to go from France to Cameroon, to translate the Bible there for an unreached people group. Anyways, there's the background.
Day 1 in Paris
The first night, tired from traveling, we relaxed, had dinner and talked. We got up early the next morning to catch the train to Paris. Joanna has more detail on her blog about the time in Paris (click here); I'll just give you the very basics. The first day, we went to Sacre Coeur, one of the most amazing cathedrals in the world, inside and out (no pictures allowed inside). We then got on a bus to see the famed Louvre art museum, only to find upon our arrival that it is closed on Tuesdays. The plan was to see the Eiffel Tower that evening, and we could see it from the Louvre, so we just decided to start walking towards it. Well, it's obviously a very large construction, so it was further than originally appeared. But, I think that walk was my favorite part of the entire trip. The majority of the walk was through a park, filled with statues, gardens and fountains. It was a perfect day and everyone was outside enjoying the beautiful city. We got glances at other famous pieces of architecture like the Arc de Triomph and other things I can't name. The Eiffel Tower was slam-packed and Joanna had seen it before so she stayed with Ayla and Nate and I went up to see the phenomenal views. After dinner, we returned to our tiny hotel room. Nate and I sat out on the balcony and talked for a while. We have been talking via Skype, but it was really good to catch up face to face and talk about what the Lord's doing in our lives.
Day 2 in Paris
The next day, we gave ourselves plenty of time to see the Louvre and it was well worth it. We could have spent hour more in there to see all the art and the ornate ceilings and walls. That place is so massive! After lunch, I hopped on a train to Geneva, Switzerland.
Day 1 in Geneva
My friend and former college roommate, Jon Mark Walls, is living there. He is getting a Masters in International Relations at a school with close ties to the UN. He is also working for the Spanish Ambassador the UN, doing translating. His is also fluent in French and a stud. He met me at the train station and we walked down to the non-touristy part of Geneva to have dinner on a dock. Again, the weather was perfect and the city was amazing with its massive fountain displaying rainbow colors. He waited until my last bite to tell me he had ordered me horse meat, at which point I had to confess it was very good. He and I then went and sat on the pier and talked about Jesus, politics, Christianity and everything in between. Conversations like that change people and change the world. The sun went down and the full moon was coming up when we walked to meet up with his friends.
The Mugging and Chase
On the way, a man approached and asked what time it was in French. Jon Mark handled the man, who continued to ask questions about soccer and where we were from. He held out his hand to me to shake and when I grabbed it pulled me in close. He then started kicking back and forth between my feet and saying "Futbol Americano". I backed off and Jon Mark yelled at him to stop. I started walking away very confused. After only a couple steps it hit me why he would do such a thing. I felt for my wallet and it was gone. Sheer adrenaline then pumped through me to the point where I honestly don't remember what happened immediately after that. I know I exclaimed, "my wallet!" and Jon Mark and I turned around and ran after the two men. We hadn't gone very far when we rounded a corner and I saw the man stopped holding my wallet out in front of him. I snatched it out of his hand and immediately checked the inside. To my surprise all my cash was in there, along with my debit card and my license. The other man, who I hadn't really noticed, was running across the busy street, dodging cars and all, and Jon Mark was more focused on him. Apparently, the guy with the wallet didn't think it was worth trying to cross the street and knew he couldn't take us on alone, so he just concede and gave it back. Needless to say, I was thankful. I felt like I had just been given an amazing gift, even though I hadn't actually gained anything. JM and I walked around for a while with a feeling of "What just happened?" and examined it more closely. We met up with his friends and it was great to talk to people from different countries like England, Germany, Hungary and Seattle.
Day 2 in Geneva
The next day was a lot more walking, which was fine by me considering the weather and the beauty of the city. We saw the church where Calvin preached, the Reformation museum, the Red Cross museum, walked by the UN and the WHO, went out and enjoyed the view from Jon Mark's school (an old Chateau), enjoyed a couple meals outside and some gelato, met an American pastoring a small church who eavesdropped on our dinner conversation and just really enjoyed Geneva. I enjoyed it so much I bought a Swiss flag and a Swiss Army knife (which Nathan is going to bring to me because I didn't check a bag). The flag is a big deal considering the only other flag I own is of Ireland.
Last Days in France
I got back to Chambrey late that night, but not too late to talk with Nate and Joanna a little. The next day, I had some downtime for the first time in a while; Nate was in class and Joanna with a tutor. It was then that perhaps the funniest incident on the trip occurred. Ayla is amazingly cute. In fact, I confessed to her that I'll never have a child as cute as her. Joanna calls me her boyfriend and we get along great except when I try to hold her when her parents aren't there or change her. That morning, I changed her and she screamed bloody murder the entire time, but when it was over, Joanna picked her up and told her to kiss me and she instantly ceased crying and happily obliged. I guess you had to be there, but it was like that all week with her. That afternoon, we rented bikes and Nate, Ayla and I biked around Chambrey and up to get a good view of the Alps. We picked up some bread and cheese for dinner and I was happy to relax at their place my last evening there. The next day, we went to Lyon, walked through the extensive market and walked around. I loved the city, though it doesn't have the famous monuments of Paris. It is, however, known for its cuisine, which was magnifique (see, I learned some French).
The week was a blast and was encouraging to me and I know to Nathan, Joanna and Jon Mark, who are exactly where God wants them to be. I know He is and will continue to use them in mighty ways!
As for me, I will post again soon as there is a lot going on here. Au revoir! (Or-riv-wah)
Good job out mastering the theifs!! Ahhh.. Im jealous of the travelling!!
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