This past month, SFC got to organize a conference for the French, in French, at the foothills of one of France’s most iconic mountains, Mont Blanc! In Les Contamines-Montjoies, we were hosted in the backyard of one of our French leaders, Yannick, and his amazing wife Marie, and their 5-month-old Noe. We got to stay at the excellent hostel of JAB (Jeunesse Action Biblique), which has been hosting and organizing Christian Winter camps for over 50 years and summer camps for over 80 years! This hostel represents SFC’s mission of being a light on the hill.”
The weekend was a unique experience; the French are no-nonsense shredders! They know exactly what they want! They will be there at the first lift, and they ski till the last lift. After skiing, it is time for the ‘Apero,’ which I made into a wax event on the second day of the conference. Dinner always starts at 7h30, but it actually starts at 8h30, with salad. Throughout every extended mealtime, there was not a single moment of silence. The room was filled with chatter, laughter, and clinking wine glasses. If you ever need a lesson in fellowship, have dinner with the French!
But the best is that Jesus is still in the center of it all; throughout the weekend, mini-prayer circles popped up left and right, whether on the slopes or at the hostel. Even though most of these people had never heard of SFC, they represented all that SFC stands for. I pray that this is the seed of something big and marvelous, that the fire in people’s hearts is lit, and that they want to carry the torch of SFC proudly. I hope that there will be many more of these gatherings in France, there is so much potential there. Un dernier fois je vous remercie pour votre participation, vos souris et vos couers. Merci a l’equippe pour l’organisation, pour cuisiner et pour nous servir!
Meline, SFC’s volunteer SFC France Social media Coordinator, attended the conference and shared: “I was so excited for this weekend to bring along new friends into the SFC family and catch up with the ones I already knew. It did not disappoint. There was this general enthusiasm of simply being together, whether riding the fresh pow, sharing a meal and listening to each others’ stories, or worshiping our Lord and praying for one another. We were blessed with such a beautiful day to ride the fresh snow, and the excitement could be felt. Everyone challenged themselves and encouraged each other. The group effect was real in the most positive way! What touched me the most was the thankfulness of some newly made friends for this weekend together. They were so joyful to be a part of this community, and it reminded me of my gratitude for this family in the mountains.”