A bit of background…

Michelle and I have both had international “stuff” in our wiring since we were young. I was born in South Africa, and by the age of four, had lived in Lebanon (Beirut), Greece (Athens), and Switzerland (Geneva) twice. Growing up, my family spoke some French and even some Arabic, and we always had a fondness for European culture.

Michelle lived in Brazil for a few years when she was growing up and has traveled to France a few times. I love foreign languages and am fairly fluent in French and Spanish. Michelle spent two years teaching missionary kids in Bundibugyo, Uganda.

Our family watches as much of the Tour de France as we can for 3 weeks every July, and for years we’ve dreamed and talked about trying to spend time in France someday.

Our friend has a sister who lives in Montpellier, France with her husband and kids. Over the past 10 years or so, we’ve talked with them about trying to house-swap with them for a couple weeks during the summer sometime. Around March 2022 we learned Jill and her family were planning to come to the US this August and stay for an entire year. The opportunity presented itself, and Michelle and I began to think and pray about moving to France for a whole year. As we prayed and sought counsel on the idea, Michelle and I could see God at work and consistently got a “green light”. That gave us courage and confidence to move forward, even with a lot of uncertainties (no job, for example) and a keen awareness of and concern for the significant impact this decision will have on our family, friends, and church body.

This is requiring a lot of courage and faith that God is leading us, and that’s a great thing! Zach and Mazie will be shaped immensely by this year abroad. Michelle and I want them to have a sense of how big and amazing the world is, with all of its cultures and languages and beauty, but further, that it is broken and needs Jesus as much as we do, and that God is there and that he is at work, renewing hearts and drawing people to himself. Though we’re not going out as missionaries, per se, we trust that God will use this time in Zach and Mazie’s lives and hearts to give them a sense of the huge story, the kingdom story, they’re a part of. That goes for Michelle and me, too. We’re grateful to be able to do this as a family!

We’re holding all of this with open hands, and we’ll be living with Proverbs 16:9 front and center: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” We’re excited to see what God has in store for both our family and for GCPC, our church. Have fun welcoming Jill and Fred and their four kids to the GCPC family, and please pray for our family while we’re gone.