March 25, 2010
I’ve been back in Tucson for almost 3 months now – and it’s been the perfect time of year to be in the desert! The weather has been wonderful with lots of sun and warm temperatures. I think being surrounded by sunshine has been like medicine – a HUGE dose of vitamin D after living in northern Europe! And the much-needed winter rains have turned things green, and I’m looking forward to the result — spring wildflowers!
It’s been GREAT to re-connect with friends, as well as former colleagues from when I worked here as a speech therapist. I’ve also been able to visit with some friends who now live in the Phoenix area. Even though it’s been a while since I’ve seen these friends and colleagues, it just takes a bit of “catching up” and then we’re right where we left off. That’s proof of true friendships and lasting relationships!
I’m really enjoying meeting new people through the fund raising process. There are so many amazing people out there who are serving God in very practical ways. My most recent encounter this week was with a group of volunteers who help when new refugees arrive in Tucson. It’s LOVE IN ACTION – helping to furnish an apartment, providing transportation, teaching English, etc. These refugees have lost so much before arriving here, and having friends to help them “settle” into a new life is a small gift of hope. I’m feeling the need to “give out”, so in the few months that I’m still in Tucson I’ll help “adopt” a mother and daughter who just arrived last week.
A quick update on The Bridge in Paris…The first official meeting on March 14th was a great success! There are people from several nations regularly meeting together and building special friendships. More team members have arrived in France after raising their financial support and receiving their long-stay visitor visas. Making connections among the internationals in and near Paris is underway! I can’t wait to join in… and my plan is still to return to France in early June 2010. That means I need to finish raising financial support and have my visa.
I would greatly appreciate your prayers for that to happen! Specific prayer requests are for God to move on people’s hearts to partner with me financially, for God to guide me to new people to contact, and for me to move forward in confidence as I communicate about my work in France. Also, please pray for God to open a new door so that donations from financial partners in Europe can be tax-deductible. I’m looking at different options and would appreciate your prayers for favor as I communicate with organizations in Europe that can provide the tax-deductible status. Thanks so much!!!!
Until my next update – Lora
