My experiences at church were overshadowed by my lack of French. AT MLK, it was challenging to understand the pastor, although I loved worship. I wrote about in my Tenaciously Missional #1 Journal my love for hearing other languages praise the Lord. Another aspect of being abroad that I loved was the rich history and roots of the church. In America, churches are focused on being modern, new, and stylish. It was majestic to walk into churches that have seen hundreds of years of faith; walls that are worn by the praises of the generations, and windows that vibrantly portray the timeless stories of the gospel. During our time at Mont Saint Michel, we visited the monastery, built in the 8th century AD at the very top of the mountain. I was awestruck watching the monks and nuns prepare for mass. We watched a monk ring the bell at the very top of the city, pulling the heavy rope, signaling it was time to begin mass. The nuns and monks sang together a beautiful Latin song that reverberated through all the church chambers. I felt transported back in time. Also while here in Paris, I attended a bethel concert. It was exactly what I needed that night. The worship leaders lead in English, and we interceded for the light of God to penetrate the city of Paris. In all the public places, people have little regard for other people. No eye contact, no acknowledgement, no exchanged smiles. It can be easy to become numb to the people God cares for. This night of worship broke that in my heart, and we sang worship songs on the metro on the way home.
Especially during my time in Laval, I have grown in seeking the Lord in the quite places apart from the nourishment at ORU.