The one in which we leave Paris

In our previous letter we shared that the plan was to stay in Paris for three months for language study prior to going to Lille. However, on arrival in Paris we discovered that the agreed accomodation had fallen through. Instead we were placed in accommodation which proved to be unsustainable. This meant that we decided to find alternative accomodation and anticipated our departure from Paris, booking an Airbnb in Lille.

Further disruption has been caused by discovering that we will have to wait a few weeks in the UK while our French Visas are being sorted out, as we need to hand our passports in at the visa office in London. Hence for most of the month of March we will be in the UK.

One advantage of arriving in Lille earlier than intended is that it has allowed us a greater awareness of the challenges ahead. As Daniel's ministry is with IBTS in Amsterdam and Regiane is joining a new programme there is a limited local support network to connect with. Seeking long-term accomodation is a challenge, especially as there is a question about whether our visa and employment conditions will allow us to sign a rental contract.(If anyone knows someone with a property to rent in Northern France...)

Hopefully the unscheduled sojourn in the UK will allow us to prepare for our return to Lille with a clearer strategy.

All this disruption has put our language learning on hold. However, we have found a good school in Lille where we will start classes when we return. We have found folk in Lille to be very sympathetic to our limited communicative abilities (a mixture of Duolingo French, Spanish, Portuguese, English and mime). We found a Baptist church to attend for the month we spent in Lille. The worship and most parts of the service were fine, but the sermons have proved beyond us.

We have been able to take a few steps to settle into our new roles. These have generally consisted of online meetings and reading up on paperwork. Daniel also had the opportunity to travel to Frankfurt for three days and meet up with other team members of IBTS's Learning Network.

1. Please pray for the granting of our visas.

2. Please pray that we may return to Lille with a settlement plan and are able to secure accomodation.

3. Please pray for Regiane's health which was adversely affected by the freezing conditions we faced in Paris.

4. Please pray for our adaptation to our new roles.

S. Please pray for Ana in Bristol especially as she moves into a time of University assesments.

In difficult circumstances we are reminded of the importance of all those who pray for us. As we move towards Easter and the unfathomable mystery of Christ's death and resurrection we remember that in him we are God's people. Looking forward to better news in future updates.

God blen

Daniel and Regiane