Lora’s Latest – After Ten Weeks in Europe! December 2010

Here’s an update of my experiences in Europe from September to November 2010.  It was a very special trip!!!

As you can follow in my last post, I first spent 10 days in Paris where I helped out with “The Bridge”.   It was great to re-connect with my colleagues, and I loved getting my “feet wet” for the work I’ll be doing with “The Bridge”.  Once I qualify for my visa, I can’t wait to get “completely immersed” in pursuing my passion to work with internationals & refugees in France!!!

View of La Tour Eiffel from La Place de la Concorde

I then went to the Netherlands and stayed in Delft – the city where I lived for 4 1/2 years until September 2009.   I was right at home – it was as though I’d never left! I loved riding my bike again to go visit friends and for quick shopping trips into the city center.  It was surprisingly easy to tap into my Dutch language skills after a year – and as always, I understood better than I could speak

The main market square in Delft

Delft was my home base for the next 2 months, and I made some short trips nearby.  I visited friends in Amsterdam, and I enjoyed some autumn colors in the eastern part of the Netherlands.  The timing of my trip meant a change of season from summer to autumn, and therefore a need for warmer clothes and, little by little, a decrease in the amount of daylight!

Herengracht Canal in Amsterdam

Autumn colors in Baak, the Netherlands

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I also joined my friend Uta during her autumn vacation for a week in the Normandy region of France.  A highlight of that trip included a day trip to Le Mont Saint-Michel, a place I’ve wanted to visit ever since seeing a picture of it in my first French text book in high school.  It’s a monastery and small town built on a tiny tidal island about a half-mile off the Atlantic coast of France – if you’re ever in the region, I highly recommend seeing it!!

Le Mont Saint-Michel

Le Mont Saint-Michel, up close

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In the town of Le Mont Saint-Michel

Landscape in southern Normandy - also known as Swiss Normandy

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An even greater highlight, of course, was re-connecting with friends and colleagues.  I loved hearing their latest news, and I appreciated how everyone was so interested in my plans to return to Europe and work with “The Bridge” in France.  Several people have joined my team as financial and/or prayer partners – something I’m very thankful for and excited about!  I also have new friends that I met during my time in Europe.  I look forward to staying in touch – building both old & new relationships!

With friends in Delft

My dear friend Astrid

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My Dutch friends, Bram & Rienke, with their new baby, Juda

High Tea with some colleagues from the International School of The Hague

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I also got to see a few of the children I worked with in speech therapy – it’s always  fun to see how they’ve grown and progressed!!!

Sean & his mom

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A very special time included a “reunion” with my international friends from the woman’s small group that I helped co-lead while living in Delft. All of these women are pursuing a relationship with Jesus and following the dreams and destiny He has for them!  Some are still students, some have graduated and are now working in the Netherlands, and a few are now married!  Being with these dear friends really ignited an excitement for working with international students in Paris. I envision building special relationships with many students through small groups or through English tutoring, etc.

Our International Reunion - Asian friends eating with chopsticks, of course!

Enjoying Belgian chocolates!

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Friends from China and the Netherlands

More international friends - from China & Singapore

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I also hosted a “reunion” with the women from the English classes I taught in Delft. It was so wonderful to see how our relationships were not just teacher-to-student, but friend-to-friend!  We had fun sharing our latest news – in a combination of English and Dutch, and even some French now and then.  Many of them asked & hoped that I would return to Delft to teach English again – that was special to hear, but unfortunately it’s not possible in terms of a visa to live/work in the Netherlands.  Once all the steps come together to move to France, however, I do plan to make visits to the Netherlands and continue to get together with these special friends!

I had the opportunity to spend some extra time with one of these former students, and she was interested in learning more about Jesus.  She was excited when I offered her a small book to read in Dutch – John’s gospel from the New Testament.  I look forward to keeping in touch and hearing what she thinks as she reads it!  It’s very exciting to me that teaching English classes and offering English conversation groups through “The Bridge” means I will meet many more women just like these special friends! And just like I’ve continued to be friends with these former students,  I know my relationships with future students will grow beyond the classroom…

With two students/friends from the Netherlands

More students/friends - from Indonesia, Iran & Iraq

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Still more students/friends - from Belgium, Iran & Iraq

A student/friend from Iran with her daughter

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I’ve been back in the States for a few weeks now.   I’m currently in Denver, Colorado where I grew up.  Almost all of my immediate family lives here, so it’s been great spending time with them!  I’m also catching up with friends while I’m here, some of whom I haven’t seen for 10 years or more!  It really means a lot to me how everyone is so interested in the work I’ll be doing with “The Bridge” in Paris.  My team of partners continues to grow one person at a time!

Skylor, my great-nephew, preparing to carve the Thanksgiving turkey!

My sisters and brother-in-law -- really carving the turkey!

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Morgan, my great-niece, with Beau

Van, my great-nephew

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Rome, my 18-month-old great nephew

My sister Natalie & my nephew Drew, Rome's Dad

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My nephew Joe

Ryan, another nephew

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And another nephew, Alex

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I’ll return to Tucson, Arizona December 14th – where I’m sure I’ll enjoy a sunny winter!    I’m looking forward to spending the Christmas and New Years holidays with friends there.  I’ll then continue to connect with potential partners who want to join with me in my work with “The Bridge”.

Once I reach my financial goals, I can apply for my visa and make the move to France.  Obviously, the sooner I reach those goals, the sooner I can begin working with “The Bridge”!   I’m currently at 25% of my goal for monthly support, and 55% for one-time gifts. If you’re interested in making a one-time donation or monthly contributions, both of which are tax-deductible in the US or the Netherlands, you can check out the “Partnering – Giving & Support” page of this website or contact me directly.  You can also partner with me through prayer, which is an essential foundation both during this preparation time & when I’m actually in France working with “The Bridge”.  You can find specific prayer requests on the Prayer Points page of this website.  Thanks for following along on this adventure!  May you be abundantly blessed in every way!!!

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