Sunday Morning

One of the many things we're praying about in this transition to Louisville is church. This morning, we loaded up and visited Highview Baptist Church's East Campus. Their facility is beautiful -- one of Highview's six locations. Pretty impressive. Bible study was good, music was good (even if a little polished for me), message was good (the youth pastor from the original Fegenbush campus preached today).

One thing you ought to check out is Highview's new website. I think they've done a great job providing an entry for visitors and one for members. The visitors site -- the one I checked out -- answers the questions we were asking.

More later about our praying -- do we attend a strong established church or a smaller struggling church? Do we try to start a new church, a simple church, or a network? Oh la la...

The Providence of God in the Little Things

Worry number one: our kids' adjustment to yet another new school.

God's answer: "I know the plans I have for you..."

There's a little girl in Daniel's class who is -- guess what -- French! Her parents are from Paris but have lived in the US for several years. Maybe she won't be too scared of vicious lion-boy...

Missing folks

My daughter, Rachel, reminded me yesterday was the fourth anniversary of our arrival in France. It seemed especially appropriate to both of us to think about that HUGE change in our lives even as we are in the process of adjusting to life back in the States. Today is the first day of school in the Metro Nashville system, so Rachel starts at her fifth new school. I am amazed at the way God has blessed all three of our kids with adaptability, grace, and patience. Jeffrey and Daniel have never been to an American school. It will be different.

When we first arrived in France four years ago, we immediately began to miss certain things. The most obvious were various conveniences, habits, and brands. We missed Kraft mac and cheese, Lysol, Chevrolet, etc. Those things stood out to us because we were frantically trying to figure out how to live in a place we didn't know. We got used to French brands and habits, though. Then, we really started missing people. After the hectic first days, we started missing family and friends and church. As we started to enjoy BN, Dannon, Perrier, and Smart, the absence of grandparents, cousins, prayer partners, and buddies stood out.

Today, I'm noticing the same thing. It's great to be back with family. We missed them terribly and are enjoying every minute we can with them. We have been surprised at how much we miss certain elements of our French life, but are getting used to American things again.

But I'm missing people. I miss our pastor and his family. I miss Sébastien, Jacqueline, Nicole, Emmanuel, Joelle, and the folks at the marché. I miss the people I worked with.

Just like four years ago, it's not the "stuff" that shows itself to be important. It's the people. That's how God intended it -- made for Him and one another. Relationships.

Today, my kids launch a new round of teachers and friends. So do we. And it will be good.

No More Food Posts

OK, so my beautiful and wise wife pointed out that my last several posts have been food-related. Gosh.

I will now fast food-related posts.

Surely, from all that I'm reading I can come up with something besides Mexican food and barbecue stories.

Check back and see. I'm hungry.

The Wall

I haven't done much posting on our transition. I guess I'm still too much in the middle of it.

One important event tonight: I hit the wall. I knew it would happen. Rolling along, doing whatever I want, enjoying whatever I want. Then, the wall.

All thanks to the "Special Dinner" at Franklin's La Hacienda Restaurant. You know the plate: enchilada, tamale, chile relleno, taco, chalupa, rice, beans, guacamole. It was awesome.

And now I'm dying. We spent all day shopping for "standard attire" for the kids' school year, taking advantage of the "tax holiday." It was exciting. We didn't eat much all day, just to enjoy our first Mexican night.

I ain't what I used to be.

Quick thoughts on re-entry

Wow. I can't believe we've been back in the U.S. for almost three weeks. It's been a wonderful whirlwind of visiting family, re-figuring out the Green Hills/Hillsboro/Belmont area of Nashville, worshiping with our hosts at Woodmont Baptist Church, and, well, eating. I haven't had much time to think about my "transition series," but here's a quick list of things that have been pleasurably present and noticeably absent, in no particular order:

What we've been really glad to see...

1. First and foremost, our families. It's been a real joy to be with parents, brother, sister, and nieces and nephews; and church friends.
2. Tennessee hills and cotton fields.
3. Swimming pools where you don't have to wear a speedo to get in.
4. A dollar's a dollar -- no figuring out the horrible exchange rate.
5. Pre-season college football coverage and NASCAR.
6. Dairy Queen. They have this "Chocolate Extreme" blizzard that's out of this world.

What has been noticeably absent...

1. Sidewalks. Nobody walks anywhere.
2. The vegetable guy -- though I was happy to find a farmer's market nearby. And you knew I'd say cheese.
3. Public transportation.
4. Our French church -- we've missed them much more than we expected to.
5. Pollution -- thank goodness.

I'm sure there is much more that I can add to this list, and I will as time passes.

Taking Home Questions

I've still got internet, so I'll write some more...

Our gathering last night was fantastic. We missed a few of the folks that couldn't be there, but enjoyed meeting some new friends. Our four hours together affirmed my belief that our partage will be what I miss the most this year (though even now I'm dreaming of the feel of a warm baguette in my hand...). We ate, we sang, we prayed, we talked about the gospel, and I even cried a little.

I am also reminded of something I'll take home with me next week: questions.

If our group is not yet a church, what could I have done differently? What could I have said or prayed? I know I could have worked harder, hit the streets more, been more bold in my witness, spent more time with people.

Why didn't I say more to L. or S. or S. or M.? Why wasn't I more patient with C. or F.? What if I had been more forceful with another? If only I had gone to coffee with G. or had lunch with L.

I appreciated the encouragement from our friends - those who believe and those who don't - who said they were thankful for the way God has used us in their lives. I kept thinking about how much more He wanted to use.

I guess I've got two options (aside from using the week we have left to answer some of the questions above). I can let the doubts and regrets darken my future, or I can trust my Father to do His work. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, "He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it." About that, I have no questions.

What I'll Miss the Most

I was going to wait a couple of days to write this entry, but the impending termination of our internet service dictates otherwise. Tomorrow night is the last meeting of our partage biblique (Bible study) for the year, and our last before our long stateside assignment. This group, this gathering, is what I will miss the most while we are in the U.S.

For 1 1/2 years, this group of 17-22 adults and children have gathered once a month for fellowship in the classic French fashion. Everyone brings one or two or three dishes, puts them in the middle of a table, and we pass them around and eat for three hours. This group is where I really learned the bisou, and where I really learned what it means to love French people. And to be loved by them. I will miss this fellowship of young and old, American and French.

For 1 1/2 years, this group has gathered for worship. One of our men -- a true Frenchman from a Catholic background he can't quite part with -- plays the piano while we sing songs from old French hymnbooks and new translated choruses. Some raise their hands and sing, some just listen. Either way, it's worship, and I love it. I will miss Robert singing and playing the guitar, seeing N. raise her aged hands in praise, and French songs that now mean as much to me as "Amazing Grace" and "Victory in Jesus."

For 1 1/2 years, this group has gathered to read and share from God's Word. Most of the group are non-believers. Some got their first Bible at this study and started reading it as a result of hearing their friends share the power of the Scripture. They found that the Bible was much more than an antique book of stories, but is rather a powerful and applicable source of Truth. We go around the circle every month (again, in classic French fashion) and everyone shares their insights or thoughts on the passage we studied. Sometimes, it's some strange stuff, but most of the time I am touched by the way the Holy Spirit teaches from inspired Scripture. I will miss the way the Bible (especially Acts!) comes alive every month when we gather.

For 1 1/2 years, this group has grown together. J. and G. and E. are all closer to recognizing Christ than they were a year ago. Every month, we see them draw nearer to the cross. L. has all kinds of philosophical arguments, but he also has found the comfort of the Scriptures and the Body in the midst of troubles. I have grown, too. God has humbled me over and over, reminding me that it's probably not the missionary who has the most to say. The Father has taught me what the church really is. I am going to miss seeing the Holy Spirit gather the Father's sheep into His fold.

I have shared in other places how hard it has been to plant a church in France. This group is not yet a church, but it's close. As close as any of us has been to starting a church in a long time. Now, we're headed back for the States for a season, leaving them to continue without us. Continue they will, because the group is not us. We are part of the group, the group is part of us, but it will go on without us. These folks laugh and cry, they are patient with my terrible French mistakes and still care about what I have to say.

I've been studying 1 Thessalonians for a message I'll preach this Sunday. Paul loved that church. In chapter 2, he says, "having been taken away from you for a short while -- in person, not in spirit -- were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. For we wanted to be with you..." (v. 17-18, NASB). He missed that church.

I think I'm getting ready to know how he felt.

What I've learned, part 1

I was going to save this for one or two big posts on "what I've learned and will take home with me" on this stateside assignment, but a couple of blog posts I just read changed my mind. I know there has been a movement for some time now to rebuild or eliminate the Cooperative Program. Today, a post at Twelve Witnesses quoted several sections of a post by Bob Roberts. [As a disclaimer, I have to say that I don't know Bob Roberts and I haven't read his book, though he seems to be pretty hot right now.]

Both of these guys are advocating an overhaul of the CP, saying that it in our world today, we are in need of something different. I agree that the CP could use some serious improvements. Roberts is right when he says that "churches can't just send money and read stories of what other people are doing." CP giving is not a substitute for living and proclaiming the gospel. He is also correct that we should probably take a look at how well we're spending CP money.

That said, though, here's one thing I've learned and will take home on this stateside assignment:

1. The Cooperative Program is still the best way for churches to work together to accomplish the Great Commission.

The problem with Roberts' post is that it is bad history and makes false assumptions. He sees the CP as some kind of "tax" similar to that which sparked the American Revolution. The fact is the the CP addressed some serious issues affecting churches in its day. First, churches were looking for a way to accomplish the Great Commission, and the best answer was to do it together instead of separately. Roberts is apparently blessed to work in a large church with big resources. My churches aren't like that. In fact, the vast majority of SBC churches aren't like that. Do many churches substitute CP giving for living the gospel? Maybe so, but those small churches still accomplish more around the world together than apart.

Second, the CP addressed the society model. Churches faced constant appeals for money from individual missionaries and organizations. How do you choose? For huge churches, no problem. For churches I've been associated with, big problem.

I realize I am a beneficiary of the CP "tax." I am blessed and well taken care of by the giving of thousands of churches. I am also freed from the having to return home every other year to raise money as many of my colleagues are. I can continue my ministry without that fear of a church deciding to build a big building or hire another staff member and cutting their giving. I know that happens often anyway, but the impact is not as great. I am a beneficiary in that I recieved and am still receiving the finest theological education you can get without having to break the bank.

I understand Rogers' and Roberts' concerns. I really do. Some things need to change with the givers and the spending. But let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater. To return to the societal model or to the time when only big churches could support missions would be a shame. Should churches be more "missional?" Absolutely. Does that mean we should get rid of CP? Not at all.

Thanks for listening.

A couple of things I won't miss

OK, a couple of things I won't miss over this next year. These don't have anything to do with French culture, for better or worse:

1. Ladder climbers
2. "Strategy" (a vitally important part of our work, but a word that is WAY overused)
3. Fence builders (those who guard territory at all costs)

What I'll Miss, Part 1

During all these changes in the Walters family life, I want to write a few posts about what I'll miss in France, what I'm taking with me, and what I will not miss. I'm going to save the not miss part for later so I can try to avoid sounding like I'm complaining, mad, culture-shocked, or some combination of all.

First, a couple of things I'll miss. Those who know me know that there will usually be food involved, so I'll get that out of the way by saying I'll miss fromage au lait cru. That's cheese made from raw (not pasteurized) milk. We don't have that in the U.S. because of goofy laws, to use technical language. I could also say that I will really miss foie gras, but that might raise the ire of too many animal rights activists and former James Bonds.

Food issues behind me now, I've got to say that one thing I'll miss here in France is the bisou -- the kiss on each cheek that is the standard greeting among friends. Whether it's in our Bible study, at church, or with people in town, I love the way our friends stop what they're doing to greet one another with this wonderfully intimate gesture.

Sure -- it's not easy for this American guy to get the hang of the bisou. Even after four years, I often find myself coming perilously close to a nose collision because I forget which side to start on. Some of my friends swear that in one part of France you start with the left cheek, but in other parts it's the right. Some regions kiss three times, some four. That may be true in their black-and-white culture worlds, but in mine it seems that it's never that simple. It's also hard to know when to go from hand-shaking to cheek-kissing. My greetings sometimes turn into a Michael Jackson-esque dance, with hands going back and forth and heads bobbing like strutting roosters. Now, I just go for the kiss.

For most of our time here, I've said that I would take the French bisou back to the U.S. with me. I think it's a wonderful greeting, especially among brothers and sisters in Christ. At least five letters from the New Testament admonish us to "greet one another with a holy kiss." And it's not just the act of kissing each cheek, there is also the fact that my French friends will stop everything to greet one another. Relationships are important.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure how well the bisou will make the trip back across the Atlantic. Kissing each other just doesn't translate. But who knows, I may try it anyway.