The first 48 hours in Creteil actually went very smoothly for me. I had never flown overseas, and getting off the plane and being surrounded by people speaking (very, very fast) French was exciting. The apartments were not yet ready when I arrived, so they put me in a suite at the church normally reserved for guest pastors or visitors. I was not jet-lagged at all, save a minor headache which Advil took care of quickly. I went for a walk in Creteil and ended up walking almost an hour away from the church! This ended up well for me, because I got to see much of the city. The city is beautiful and the people here (in France in general) are very reserved. Faith and Esty arrived the next day and Jeff took Faith and I to get a pastry while Esty slept; it was probably the most delicious pastry I have ever tried in my entire life. I haven't experienced much culture shock at all, perhaps mostly in the church itself! I come from a church that is not very charismatic, and I generally prefer to worship in a more liturgical setting. I know this is not typical for an ORU student, and very much the opposite of the church here in Creteil! I think the most "culture shock" I have felt was when the pastors decided to pray and prophecy over all of us during orientation. I have never seen, or read of "prophecy on demand" like that, and it seemed a little strange to me. However, it was a neat experience and I appreciate the way that the church reaches out so whole-heartedly to the city and the people. Just being here in the city and in Paris, I've already felt checks of the Holy Spirit many times and felt His guidance in many ways-which has been amazing. I'm excited for this study-abroad experience and these new cultures (both spiritual and geographical!).