Last weekend I volunteered to help out with the youth group "lock-in." It was myself, and two other leaders in charge of 15 teenagers. The numbers increased and decreased throughout the night, and I think 15 was around the highest number that we had. I was obviously not the main leader because I barely knew the kids and could barely speak French. So it was interesting to observe, but also be a part of it when I could.
The evening started with a pizza dinner at the church. We went around the table introducing ourselves by saying our name, age, some of our hobbies, and the worst food we had ever tried. I said that trying sushi was probably my worst food experience. I got a few cries of protest when I said that because apparently sushi is pretty popular here. To those of you who love sushi, I am sorry but I don't get it and I don't think I will ever love it. I have had a few sushi rolls that were ok, but the thought of raw fish just makes my stomach twist. Now that I am writing this, I do remember having a really bad piece of rabbit the first time I went to the Czech Republic 10 years ago. Even my parents, who have had rabbit before, said it wasn't good at all. Anyway, moving on.
After dinner was cleaned up we had a small devotional and discussion led by Pastor Ben. We talked about how we can serve or help our neighbors whether they are Christians or not. I still didn't understand it all, but it was an interesting discussion nonetheless. Pastor Ben left after that to leave us with our fun.
The whole group played a game and watched a movie before going to bed that night. The game that was played was called "Loup-Garou"[pronounced loo-garoo] which means "Werewolf." The game was a lot like the game of "Mafia," but it was also very different. In this game you had werewolves, a witch, an inspector of sorts, a cupid, a savage child, a peeking-child, a person who could kill another person when they were killed, and finally the villagers. It took me a while to get all of these characters and their powers straight, but in the end it was fun. No one "killed" me in the night, which was kind of a relief because that happens to me a lot when I play "Mafia" back home.
After a couple rounds of that game, it was time to pick a movie and set it up in the church basement. The movie that was chosen was Inception with French audio. I tried to watch it, but it's hard to follow along when the movie is in a language you don't know and you yourself don't have the original script memorized word for word. Plus I was very tired from the long day of having worked at the conference the night before and the morning of this event. I lasted maybe half an hour before I went into the other room to read.
What surprised me, was one girl who also stayed in the other room throughout the movie. She wasn't there because she was tired or anything like that, but because she knew the movie wouldn't be good for her. Here was a 12 (or 13) year old girl, who already knew that this movie would not be helpful to her if she watched it. I wish that I had that same thought process when I was her age. She shared with me what the comic book series she was reading was about. I found her to be a very refreshing and special sort of girl.
Of course the movie didn't end until after midnight and it took a while for all the girls in the room to calm down and sleep. The next morning we got up early to have breakfast and clean the church and set up for the morning service. I was too tired to stay after the service to have lunch with them. But they seemed to still have a good time.
Every person is going to be different from another person no matter where you are in the world. But I found that even though that is true, people who are going through the same stages in life (such as teenagers) can still share some of the same traits. I watched these kids here, and I remember what teenagers I have had around me in my past, and I see many similarities. Teenagers love fun and games, especially fun detective group games such as "Mafia' or "Loup-Garou," and movies. Many of them are smart and bright, some are shy and quiet, while others are loud and excited. There are still those teenagers who sleep with stuffed animals, and those who tease you about little things such as a stuffed animal or snoring. Some jump up to help and others need more persuading. No matter how similar they can be as a group, don't forget to let their individuality surprise you.
Quebec City
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
First week
I have already been here in Quebec City for over a week. It does not feel like a week. Sometimes it feels like I got here yesterday, but it's beginning to feel like a decade has passed already. So many things have been keeping me busy, stressed, tired, and excited all at once. It's almost too much to explain. But I will shared with you what I can.
When I first arrived I had two calm days where I unpacked and organized myself and got to know my host family a little better. Patrice is a retired pastor who works part-time as a chaplain, and volunteers in Hopsice homes. Suzanne works full time for a local A&W restaurant in the mall. She is also a key member of the Samaritan's Purse organization here in Quebec. You may know that company from their well known Operation Christmas Child program where you send shoeboxes full of stuff to children all over the world. Did I mention how sweet and helpful this couple are? They both know a good amount of English so I am able to have some conversations with them. They are also always ready to help me with my French vocabulary, which is very helpful.
It can be very quiet in the house during the day, and I was ready to do something. Anything really to keep me from feeling like I wasn't doing anything. So I called Pastor Bernard, who asked a couple from church if I could have lunch with them on Saturday. On Saturday, I left the house planning on just having lunch with this couple, but it turned out to be a busy day. After I had lunch with them, they took me to the Old Town Quebec, which is downtown. We walked around pretty much all of the tourist areas and I got a good history lesson out of it. After three hours of walking in the city, we returned home in time for me to leave for a banquet. The church here works with a pregnancy care center, and they were celebrating five years of being open. (That, by the way, is apparently a big deal for the city) So I was invited to their banquet that evening. I didn't get home until past 10pm.
The next day was church. I met so many people, I only hope I can remember all their names soon. It was quite something being approached by people who know a little English and I really didn't know any French words at this point. Some people even talked to me in French, and many talked around me and over me in French. It is difficult to join conversations when you don't know what is being said. After church I was invited to join the young adults' group for lunch. We had at least 20 people from the ages of 17-30 in one small apartment for lunch. Of course most of it was in French, but some would try to talk to me in English which I appreciated. After a full afternoon there it was time to go back to church for evening service. It was a long day for me, but I was able to appreciate the community that this church obviously has. It was a good day of worshipping God.
Monday and Tuesday were full of learning the bus routes and figuring out money and phone situations. Wednesday I was able to join the women's prayer group in the morning and then spent the afternoon with Mrs. Westerveld, Pastor Ben's wife. Thursday and Friday I had my first French lessons, which will be interesting I am sure. And then last night(Friday night) and this morning(Saturday) I helped with a conference the church was having. It was a nice conference about the history of different reformed churches in Quebec City. I was in charge of the book table and the snacks. And now I find myself preparing for a night with the youth group (teenagers). We will be spending the night at the church and setting things up in the morning. My goodness, will I be so tired from this week alone!
So that has been my busy week so far. Please pray for me, especially with learning French and that my health will keep up with me and my busy schedules. But especially the French, it can be overwhelming at times and it is tiring, trying to think/speak in French all the time. It is a difficult language to learn, especially because all the sounds are so different from English, but I know that with God's help I can do this.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support thus far. I hope to write again soon.
In Christ,
Jennifer
When I first arrived I had two calm days where I unpacked and organized myself and got to know my host family a little better. Patrice is a retired pastor who works part-time as a chaplain, and volunteers in Hopsice homes. Suzanne works full time for a local A&W restaurant in the mall. She is also a key member of the Samaritan's Purse organization here in Quebec. You may know that company from their well known Operation Christmas Child program where you send shoeboxes full of stuff to children all over the world. Did I mention how sweet and helpful this couple are? They both know a good amount of English so I am able to have some conversations with them. They are also always ready to help me with my French vocabulary, which is very helpful.
It can be very quiet in the house during the day, and I was ready to do something. Anything really to keep me from feeling like I wasn't doing anything. So I called Pastor Bernard, who asked a couple from church if I could have lunch with them on Saturday. On Saturday, I left the house planning on just having lunch with this couple, but it turned out to be a busy day. After I had lunch with them, they took me to the Old Town Quebec, which is downtown. We walked around pretty much all of the tourist areas and I got a good history lesson out of it. After three hours of walking in the city, we returned home in time for me to leave for a banquet. The church here works with a pregnancy care center, and they were celebrating five years of being open. (That, by the way, is apparently a big deal for the city) So I was invited to their banquet that evening. I didn't get home until past 10pm.
The next day was church. I met so many people, I only hope I can remember all their names soon. It was quite something being approached by people who know a little English and I really didn't know any French words at this point. Some people even talked to me in French, and many talked around me and over me in French. It is difficult to join conversations when you don't know what is being said. After church I was invited to join the young adults' group for lunch. We had at least 20 people from the ages of 17-30 in one small apartment for lunch. Of course most of it was in French, but some would try to talk to me in English which I appreciated. After a full afternoon there it was time to go back to church for evening service. It was a long day for me, but I was able to appreciate the community that this church obviously has. It was a good day of worshipping God.
Monday and Tuesday were full of learning the bus routes and figuring out money and phone situations. Wednesday I was able to join the women's prayer group in the morning and then spent the afternoon with Mrs. Westerveld, Pastor Ben's wife. Thursday and Friday I had my first French lessons, which will be interesting I am sure. And then last night(Friday night) and this morning(Saturday) I helped with a conference the church was having. It was a nice conference about the history of different reformed churches in Quebec City. I was in charge of the book table and the snacks. And now I find myself preparing for a night with the youth group (teenagers). We will be spending the night at the church and setting things up in the morning. My goodness, will I be so tired from this week alone!
So that has been my busy week so far. Please pray for me, especially with learning French and that my health will keep up with me and my busy schedules. But especially the French, it can be overwhelming at times and it is tiring, trying to think/speak in French all the time. It is a difficult language to learn, especially because all the sounds are so different from English, but I know that with God's help I can do this.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support thus far. I hope to write again soon.
In Christ,
Jennifer
Friday, October 17, 2014
Traveling to Canada
For the past week my friends and family have been keeping me busy, and I mean BUSY. Five days in a row of non-stop activity is a lot to squeeze in. I did have a lot of fun with everyone: went to Knott's Berry Farm and Scary Farm, had a fantastic beach party, several different dinners with people, and bowling. But the day finally came when I had to leave.
My flight was an overnight flight, so I had the whole day to still do stuff. My morning was filled with two coffee/breakfast dates where discussions of theology, Canada, and lots of laughter happened. I had some free time in the afternoon which I used to pack and re-pack my bags. Lugging your 50 pound bag to the scale four times isn't that much fun. I finally sat down to watch a movie with my brothers, but I was even working on a project while doing that. The project still didn't get finished. I was able to have a nice dinner at home with my family before they drove me to the airport. I love my family and will miss them and their funny quirks.
Thus my long night of traveling began. I had a five hour flight that left San Diego at 9:40pm and landed in New York at 6am EST, which would have been 3am PST. Then I had a three hour layover before my next flight left at 9:20am and arrived in Quebec City at 10:45am. With the lack of sleep and overall tiredness I had experienced in the previous busy days, I had, and so did others, hoped to get some sleep on the flight. Needless to say, that didn't help. I may have gotten half an hour to an hour of good sleep on the first flight. I know this because the food and drink cart was at the front of the airplane when I dozed, and it was just a few rows in front of me when I woke. That was the longest amount of actual sleep that I got. So I got a lot of reading done.
I did meet some interesting people though. I sometimes like to talk to the people who are sitting next to me on the plane, but everyone had the same agenda on the first flight. To sleep. But I ended up talking to two people while waiting for both of my planes. In San Diego I met a man from Boston who had been in town a few days for business. He had tried to arrive a day early to get some sight-seeing done, but ended up being sick the first day. I was able to tell him of a few places to visit the next time he was in San Diego. In New York, I met a woman who was also going to Canada. But she was not on my flight and I cannot remember where exactly she was going. But she and I got to talking about my work of going to Canada to be a Missionary Associate. She was very interested and sounded as thought she knew about mission works as well. She turned out to be an ordained minister in the Wesleyan church and was on her way to a Board meeting at their Bible College, again I don't remember the name of it. I thought she was very interesting.
Once I landed in Quebec City, I had to go through customs. I was applying for a special Visa called a Charitable or Religious Work Visa. I handed my papers to the first customs agent who was in one of those glass caged cubicles. I told him what I needed. He gave me this look that said, and WHY are you doing this? He sent me around the corner to a small room which ended up being the interrogation-I mean interview room. I was asked more questions by a different man, and was describing in detail as to why I was there and what visa I wanted. He may have given me a few are you sure? type of looks, but he seemed very nonchalant and couldn't care less. He asked me to wait outside. By the time I was back outside that office, everyone was gone. And I mean EVERYONE. There were no passengers getting luggage, and no officers or agents waiting at the line. Talk about creepy! So I grabbed a cart and put all my bags on it and waited right outside the door of the room I was just in. Sitting outside in complete silence, waiting for half an hour for the guy who will determine your fate (at least it seemed that way), can be a bit nerve-wracking. So read my book to try and calm myself down. He finally called me back in and gave me my visa after explaining a few rules of what I can and cannot do with my visa. I was so relieved. Thank you GOD!!!
Pastor Ben was right outside to pick me up. He drove me around the city, pointing things out and talking about the history and culture of the place. We had lunch at a crepery, I had ham and asparagus in my crepe. It was actually pretty good. I went along with him to meet an elderly couple in the church and to pray with them over the things going on in their lives. They were so sweet and so welcoming to me. Then we went to meet the couple I would be staying with, the Michauds. They are so sweet. They had a room all set up for me, which they had set up that day, and are so welcoming and asking if I need anything. They both know enough English to have some conversations with me. I barely know any French, but they are obliged to speak English with me until I learn more French. I have already picked up a few words just by asking them how to say different things. I am in a cozy basement room and am content so far.
The Lord has blessed me greatly with this living and community situation. I am so thankful for this. I cannot wait to see what the Lord will be doing through this.
My flight was an overnight flight, so I had the whole day to still do stuff. My morning was filled with two coffee/breakfast dates where discussions of theology, Canada, and lots of laughter happened. I had some free time in the afternoon which I used to pack and re-pack my bags. Lugging your 50 pound bag to the scale four times isn't that much fun. I finally sat down to watch a movie with my brothers, but I was even working on a project while doing that. The project still didn't get finished. I was able to have a nice dinner at home with my family before they drove me to the airport. I love my family and will miss them and their funny quirks.
My brothers Scott, Mark, and John and my "sister" Rachel.
Sadly not picture with my parents. Sorry Mom!
Thus my long night of traveling began. I had a five hour flight that left San Diego at 9:40pm and landed in New York at 6am EST, which would have been 3am PST. Then I had a three hour layover before my next flight left at 9:20am and arrived in Quebec City at 10:45am. With the lack of sleep and overall tiredness I had experienced in the previous busy days, I had, and so did others, hoped to get some sleep on the flight. Needless to say, that didn't help. I may have gotten half an hour to an hour of good sleep on the first flight. I know this because the food and drink cart was at the front of the airplane when I dozed, and it was just a few rows in front of me when I woke. That was the longest amount of actual sleep that I got. So I got a lot of reading done.
I did meet some interesting people though. I sometimes like to talk to the people who are sitting next to me on the plane, but everyone had the same agenda on the first flight. To sleep. But I ended up talking to two people while waiting for both of my planes. In San Diego I met a man from Boston who had been in town a few days for business. He had tried to arrive a day early to get some sight-seeing done, but ended up being sick the first day. I was able to tell him of a few places to visit the next time he was in San Diego. In New York, I met a woman who was also going to Canada. But she was not on my flight and I cannot remember where exactly she was going. But she and I got to talking about my work of going to Canada to be a Missionary Associate. She was very interested and sounded as thought she knew about mission works as well. She turned out to be an ordained minister in the Wesleyan church and was on her way to a Board meeting at their Bible College, again I don't remember the name of it. I thought she was very interesting.
Once I landed in Quebec City, I had to go through customs. I was applying for a special Visa called a Charitable or Religious Work Visa. I handed my papers to the first customs agent who was in one of those glass caged cubicles. I told him what I needed. He gave me this look that said, and WHY are you doing this? He sent me around the corner to a small room which ended up being the interrogation-I mean interview room. I was asked more questions by a different man, and was describing in detail as to why I was there and what visa I wanted. He may have given me a few are you sure? type of looks, but he seemed very nonchalant and couldn't care less. He asked me to wait outside. By the time I was back outside that office, everyone was gone. And I mean EVERYONE. There were no passengers getting luggage, and no officers or agents waiting at the line. Talk about creepy! So I grabbed a cart and put all my bags on it and waited right outside the door of the room I was just in. Sitting outside in complete silence, waiting for half an hour for the guy who will determine your fate (at least it seemed that way), can be a bit nerve-wracking. So read my book to try and calm myself down. He finally called me back in and gave me my visa after explaining a few rules of what I can and cannot do with my visa. I was so relieved. Thank you GOD!!!
Pastor Ben was right outside to pick me up. He drove me around the city, pointing things out and talking about the history and culture of the place. We had lunch at a crepery, I had ham and asparagus in my crepe. It was actually pretty good. I went along with him to meet an elderly couple in the church and to pray with them over the things going on in their lives. They were so sweet and so welcoming to me. Then we went to meet the couple I would be staying with, the Michauds. They are so sweet. They had a room all set up for me, which they had set up that day, and are so welcoming and asking if I need anything. They both know enough English to have some conversations with me. I barely know any French, but they are obliged to speak English with me until I learn more French. I have already picked up a few words just by asking them how to say different things. I am in a cozy basement room and am content so far.
The Lord has blessed me greatly with this living and community situation. I am so thankful for this. I cannot wait to see what the Lord will be doing through this.
Me in Quebec City with the most photographed building, the Chateau Frontenac.
The Michauds whom I am staying with.
Suzanne and Patrice
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Blessings and Countdowns
As I get closer to my deadline for moving to Canada, God has been showing me how blessed I am. Since I am doing this work voluntarily, I will not be paid while working in Quebec, so I have needed to raise the money myself. Honestly, I was afraid I wouldn't raise it in time because I was asking a lot from people in such a short period of time. But in a month, I have already raised a little over half of all my funds. It has been amazing and wonderful to see support everywhere. Last week I had a yard sale at my church, and in a week we had more donations of stuff than we had ever seen in any other yard sale held there. People have been beyond generous in giving and in helping me create fund raisers. My 9 year old cousin even gave me some of her money. She sold cookies and did extra chores so that she could give all that hard earned money to me. God continues to surprise me and show me how much I am loved by Him and His people.
Now that I have a good amount of my funds raised, I was able to buy my tickets. So now it's really happening! I leave on October 15th. Two weeks! I have so many mixed emotions about this right now, it's hard to explain. But I know that God is with me through this. He has been showing me that so far, so now I put my trust in Him knowing He is leading me and is always with me.
Count down: 14 days
Now that I have a good amount of my funds raised, I was able to buy my tickets. So now it's really happening! I leave on October 15th. Two weeks! I have so many mixed emotions about this right now, it's hard to explain. But I know that God is with me through this. He has been showing me that so far, so now I put my trust in Him knowing He is leading me and is always with me.
Count down: 14 days
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Why Canada?
Why Canada? That question has been asked of me a lot lately. Ever since I told people that I was hoping to become a Missionary Associate (MA) to the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) mission in Quebec City, Église réformée St-Marc, there have been many questions. I hope this blog will answer your questions and keep you updated throughout my experience.
- That learning the French language will go well. I have not tried to learn a new language since High School, and completely starting over is scary. I am praying that what I learn will stick and that being submerged in the language and environment while in Canada will help me improve.
- Finally that God will continue to work a new servant's heart in me. I have already been blessed with many encouragements and advice on serving in the missionary field and am so grateful for those friends. I pray that God will keep those things in my heart and remind me daily of the work I am doing for His Kingdom while in Canada.
And now, pictures!
Église réformée St-Marc church building:
And congregation:
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I hope you have a great weekend!
Talk soon!
In Christ,
Jennifer Nelson
This whole thing has come up rather suddenly really. I have had an interest in missions for most of my life. On my most recent short term mission trip to the Czech Republic, I realized how much I wanted to be a part of sharing the gospel. I began wondering if mission work could be something I can do or something God is calling me towards. I let those thoughts drift and fade when I came back to my regular schedule at home and at work. It wasn't until July that those thoughts and questions arose again. I heard about an MA opportunity in Uganda and was getting really excited about the idea of going. That ended up not happening but I was still wanting to serve the church in any way I could. I heard about the need for an MA in Quebec shortly afterward. The ministry that church is doing sounded so much like the ministry that I have seen at work in the Czech Republic. That has been a big part of what drew me to Quebec. Both churches are trying to teach English and spread the gospel in a foreign language and in a religiously hostile/resentful country. I know that has been quite the challenge for the missionaries in Prague, Czech Republic, and I would love to help ease that burden for the Reformed church of St. Mark in Quebec City, Canada. My goal in serving as an MA to the Quebec Church would be to serve the church in any way possible. I hope and pray that I will be able to create an after-school English program that can be used regularly and that I will be able to be of any help to the pregnancy crisis center that the church is affiliated with. I really hope to serve the St. Marc Church in any way that will be helpful to them.
I do not know what to expect in Quebec City. I have never been to the East coast states or the East side of Canada. One of my best friends lives in Vancouver Canada, on the West side, which I have visited a few times. It will be interesting to see how different the East side of the country is compared to the West side. One thing that I know will be different is that the province of Quebec is very French. The main language that they speak is their own version of French known as Canadian French. I do not have any background or experience in the French language. That honestly does intimidate me, but I know with God's help I can learn it. I have bought a Rosetta Stone French program, and hope to also get lessons while I am there as well. Hopefully that will all be a great help to me.
I hope to keep my readers updated on what I am doing for the church there and what life is like for me living in a new country. For now I have some prayer requests:
- That I will be able to raise most or all of my funds quickly. I am planning to leave for Canada in October whether I have all my funds set up or not. It is preferable that I have most of it settled before I go, but that may not happen in time. Prayers that I will be able to continue raising funds for my stay in Canada are greatly appreciated. - That learning the French language will go well. I have not tried to learn a new language since High School, and completely starting over is scary. I am praying that what I learn will stick and that being submerged in the language and environment while in Canada will help me improve.
- Finally that God will continue to work a new servant's heart in me. I have already been blessed with many encouragements and advice on serving in the missionary field and am so grateful for those friends. I pray that God will keep those things in my heart and remind me daily of the work I am doing for His Kingdom while in Canada.
And now, pictures!
Église réformée St-Marc church building:
And congregation:
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I hope you have a great weekend!
Talk soon!
In Christ,
Jennifer Nelson
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