HOLIDAYS TOWARDS SPAIN

After our interesting stay in Saint-Jean-Du-Gard we headed South, seeing some lovely places on the way

Our route took us through Andorra, on a spectacular road. Sorry to say we do not have many photos. However, some of the new development that is springing up was not, to our mind, pleasing to the eye.

At one Camping-site we met people from the British Cycling Association, who were enjoying France on their bikes! This lady was one of the leaders!

HOLIDAYS SAINT-JEAN-DU-GARD (cont.)

Another museum that we found very interesting was the Museum of the Valleys of the Cevennes in Saint-Jean-Du-Gard. Among all the interesting exhibits, we did enjoy seeing the part about the silk weaving business, -even to seeing the live silk worms -and learning how it was the women's job to breed them (in the house)! Then in another part we saw the silk dresses that the Protestant women would have worn. Because of the fierce persecution against them many French Protestants - the Huguenots- were exiled and many countries, England being one of them, benefited from their skills of silk weaving, lace making and, not least, their Godly way of life.

This is the entrance to the Museum

Museum exploring is hard work! Time for a break!

From nearby Anduze we took the tourist train to Saint-Jean-Du-Gard and back.

A nice touch! Being sent off with a smile!

HOLIDAYS - SAINT-JEAN-DU-GARD

After saying Goodbye to Thea and Henk we thought we would turn back on ourselves and drive North to Saint-Jean-du-Gard, in the area of the Cevennes. Although France has been a fiercely Roman Catholic Country there are many reminders in different parts of the country of the struggles that Protestants faced before, during, and after the Reformation. And, after all, France gave Jean Calvin to the world. The area round Saint-Jean-du-Gard still professes to be largely protestant.

We paid a return visit, after many years, to the nearby Museum of the Desert at Mas-Soubeyran. The museum exhibits movingly the hard struggles of the Protestants of the region, against the persecution which raged against them. The people worshiped in the open air, hiding in the mountains, sometimes living in caves. A communion token from Perth, Scotland and another from Cullibacky, N. Ireland, can be seen on display. Many early bibles, psalm-books, and other Christian literature can be seen, and paintings have been made to depict the scenes of the times. Each year, on the first Sunday of September thousands of Protestants from near and far gather at this spot to attend an open-air meeting.

The photo below gives an idea of the old buildings of Mas-Soubeyran which are in close proximity to each other

One painting depicts the 10 year war which took place in the mountains of the Cevennes, where the Protestant protesters wore white shirts over their ordinary clothes to distinguish friend from foe. This gave them the name Camisards. The museum has been made in the house occupied by one of the main leaders of the Camisards.

This is a Free Evangelical Church in Saint-Jean-Du-Gard where we worshipped on the Lord's Day. The tower in the picture is not part of their building. The upper flat to the right is where they hold their services, and the Pastor lives in the downstairs flat.

New friends took us to see the well-attended French Reformed Church nearby before kindly taking us to where they were staying for lunch.

HOLIDAYS - PEZENAS

Thea and Henk who were at Bill's birthday party in February, have a house in the pretty town of Pezenas. So after Albi we headed east to stay near them for 2-3 days.

Having a meal with friends who love the Lord is very special.

Who's making us laugh?....
Thea.....!

Oh Thea! And what is Henk doing with that thing on his head?

Aw! That's better!

What do you think of this shot?

Now, Carlijn, when I was young....

Bonding time for Henk and Bill!

Do you think they're in love??

A labour-saving idea from Bill.

HOLIDAYS -ALBI

This year we followed the same direction as last - south! We called in to Albi again to visit our dear friend Liliane who, as her custom is made us feel so welcome.

We enjoyed meeting her friends......

and renewing friendship and fellowship with the group of believers

Meet Rev. Tim Ross, his wife and daughters.

What's this? Two pastors dancing?
Well, no! They are discussing some practical issues, such as where (and how) to build toilets so that Tim's "garage" which is now a meeting house can be officially registered as such.

So nice to be in your home again, Philippe and Martine.
Thank you for the delicious cherries.
Hope the cat is ok.

All too soon it is time to leave.
Please come to visit us in Scotland, Liliane.

SERGE AND EVELIEN

This news from Serge and Evelien is a bit late coming to you. The couple are knowing encouragement in the work they are doing for the Lord in Cuenca. Here are some points for prayer:

They are opening their church building from Monday to Friday from 18.30 to offer counseling to any who may feel the need to talk. Also, from Monday to Thursday at 19.00 there will be time for prayer and a short explanation of a passage from the bible. Each Wednesday the weekly Bible-study is held at 20.00.

On Sundays the church is open at 11.00 for prayer before the service. The congregation is being encouraged to see the need of praying for the work and are beginning to attend.

In the Summer months they go, after the evening service, to one of the parks and have a short gospel message. Already they have had some interesting conversations with different people.

Pray for Sergio in his involvement with some Jehovah Witnesses. He asks us to pray that the Lord will give him love and wisdom as he explains the only way of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Pray for the producing of leaflets advertising the times of the services. and please also remember their testimony at the weekly street market.

Please remember the retired policeman who was playing his guitar in the park when Sergio met him. He has come to one of the services with his daughters. Pray that he may return with his Muslim wife.

Sergio is happy to have found a hobby that he can enjoy and which gives opportunities for sharing his faith - fishing. He hopes the patience and dedication needed will help him in his other work of fishing! Olga's husband Augustin is one of his fishing friends and has visited the church on several occasions.

The meeting with the congregation on the 8th of May was very encouraging. The people and other pastors do feel indeed that it is the Lord's will for the couple to continue their service in Cuenca.

Evelien will start teaching again in October. They are grateful to the Lord for providing for their needs and thank all who pray for them in the needy land of Spain.