There is a God-given season of harvest in France. LYDIA International has partnered with an evangelical church in the southern port city of Marseille to reach children and families with the saving love of Jesus.
God has used Lydia International to lead forty-four adults and children to the throne of God where they discovered the wonderful love and forgiveness purchased on the cross. There they chose Jesus as their Savior and King, and eternity changed! It is exciting to see the lives of these individuals from three different culture groups drastically changing as they learn more and more about God's love and become His disciples.
Weekly Gospel Clubs
Each week two clubs are hosted for the children in the neighborhood. Clubs include a Bible lesson, a game, songs, crafts, snack, and a skill-learning activity. Parents who generally avoid all contact with any Christian church, and parents who do not trust people outside their family clan (which is one reason their children do not regularly attend school), have been eager to have their children participate in the clubs. Many of these children have given their hearts to Jesus, and are now sharing the gospel with their families. We rejoice as some parents have given their heart to Jesus too.
Children, ages 3 - 13, participate in the two clubs (one club for the boys and one club for the girls). They enjoy hearing about God's love, and now they are learning to be disciples of Jesus as well.
Tutoring Program
Illiteracy is common among the poor immigrant families in the neighborhood. During club times the children have learned to write their names, to cut with scissors, and to count in French and Spanish. They have learned some basic manners, as well as achieving an oral understanding of the French language. Yet, there is so much more for them to learn. So, beginning in spring 2009, tutoring sessions were offered to give academic help to children who are struggling academically as well as tutoring for the children that do not regularly attend school. One grandmother was delighted to have her very own tutoring session.
French philosopher Blaise Pascal's prayer echos the cry of our hearts,"Lord, help us do great things as though they were small, since we do them with Your power; and small things as though they were great, since we do them in Your name. "
Will you partner with us in prayer to reach these precious souls in Marseille? We need and appreciate your prayer support. Please pray that God will continue to use us to show His love to these hurting children and families, to make disciples among the neighborhood, and to break the cycle of generational illiteracy.
Tax-deductible gifts may be mailed to:
LYDIA International
4300 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60641-2525
Please mark "France" on the memo line of the check or money order.
If you would like to use your Visa or Mastercard credit card to donate online, please select "International" Fund from the drop-down list, and specify the program "France". It is also possible to set up an automatic monthly donation.
To email the staff in Marseille, or to receive email update letters,