Ron & Sharee McMahon
Shadow Mountain Community Church
El Cajon, CA
May 1 – 12, 2008
Our May 1-12 Impression Team had a great time serving the Lord in France. We spent a day in Douai with France for Christ missionary, André Schwab, distributing coupons for a free coffee or cola at the local coffee shop. Many coupons were redeemed and people were introduced to the coffee shop ministry. We also enjoyed meeting the young people who work at the coffee shop while we sipped coffee with the patrons. A highlight was meeting Jean Pierre, a new believer led to the Lord just two weeks prior by André. Jean Pierre has that joy of the Lord that we see in a new creation in Christ. He recited John 3:16 for us in French! Praise the Lord for each one who comes to the feet of Jesus!
We spent two days working at the Kapitanuik farm, preparing the grounds and buildings for the young adult retreat that was held May 10-12. We got to meet some of the young people who attended the retreat and observe the fruits of our labors.
We worked in the print shop for two days preparing Children's Bibles in comic book form.
Sunday, May 11, we joined the congregations from ten French churches in Northern France as we all worshipped together at the Community Center in Feignies. What a joy it was to worship with believers from several churches and to renew acquaintances with missionaries we met in previous years with teams we have led.
A day in Paris and another day at the Pierrefonds castle were added bonuses for us. Kevin & Debbi Eggleston and Mary Cayot from our home church in El Cajon took good care of us and we enjoyed seeing them again. We will continue to pray for BLF and the missionaries in France as they serve the Lord. We praise the Lord for giving us the opportunity to serve Him, and encourage everyone to give missions a try through BLF!
Submitted by Ron & Sharee McMahon, Team leaders
Impression Team Report
April 3 - 14, 2008
Richard & Elaine Wischmeier • Bob & Renee James
Russ & Mary Ann Miller, team leaders
At the end of on uneventful flight to Brussels we were met by Philip Kapitaniuk, who explained our itinerary and gave us a brief history of BLF.
After breakfast on Saturday, we left for Drulingen (headquarters of France For Christ). We stopped at the Chateau de Bouillon, the fortress that belonged to Sigmund Godefroid, leader of the first crusade, who sold the castle to pay for the crusade. On arrival at Drulingen, we were greeted by Alain and Martine Stamp, who gave us a tour of the offices and after dinner, told us about France For Christ.
Sunday morning we attended church in Weislingen. The people were friendly and many came to talk with us after the service. In the afternoon, Abby Greth took us to see the towns of Bouxwiller and Saverne, also the Chateau Haut-Barr.
Monday: After Abby's husband, Jean-Pierre, explained the areas that needed to be painted, we cleared those areas of furniture and things on the walls and began to tape. It took until noon to finish taping, then we painted all afternoon and into the evening. We painted ceilings and walls in the small entry way, the large entry area, two long halls, the stairwell going to the 2nd floor, also the stairwell going up to the 3rd floor. Sandrine from the office worked on the small entry-way.
Tuesday we finished the painting and began removing the tape and doing touch-ups. After supper, we worked on the small hallway on the 3rd floor and the stairway.
Mealtimes and tea breaks were great social times. We sat around the table with Jean-Piere and Abby and sometimes Sandrine or Barbara (FFC staff) and talked and laughed, asked questions, told stories, and voiced our appreciation. The Greth’s are perfect as hosts of the FFC house. We all enjoyed and appreciated them.
Wednesday morning we finished the painting and removing of tape and doing touch-ups, finishing by noon. At the end of the meal, Abby presented each couple with a plate with a scene from the traditional life of Alsace, a gift from the President of the Board of FFC to show appreciation for our work. We were touched by his thoughtfulness and generosity. As we left, Abby and Sandrine led us to a shop where we could buy souvenirs of Alsace, followed by supper with Debbie at a pizzeria in Mons.
Thursday we worked at BLF in the bindery--some on the collating machine to collate the New Testament in comic form, some in putting together the three parts of the whole Bible, and others helped on stitching. Russ and Kevin worked on shelves in the warehouse, while Debbie revived our energies with a good dinner.
Friday we worked in the bindery again. They thoughtfully let us stop a bit early in the afternoon and go shopping at the market and store in Erlequinnes.
Saturday we left early for Keukenhof (Netherlands) to see the tulips and other spring flowers. The weather has been cool this year, so the flowers outdoors weren't as far along as usual, but there were plenty in bloom and beautiful flower beds everywhere. The weather was sunny and warmish, making for a wonderful day.
Sunday morning we were able to sleep a bit later, then went downstairs to church. They are studying "the New Testament Church" and applying what they learned to their own church. Several of the members gave personal testimonies, revealing both honesty and struggles. It was a good service, followed by a potluck lunch. Later, we went to Strepy-Thieu in Belgium, then enjoyed a meal of raclette and good fellowship at the home of Heidi and Philip Kapitaniuk. We also saw the new BLF video and each of us received a copy to take with us.
Monday morning we grabbed breakfast and left about 8:00 a.m. for the Brussels airport to begin the trip back home. Hugs and good-byes were heartfelt because of all we had shared.
Russ & Mary Ann Miller
Spring Hill, FL
Apartment Renovation
Project Progress Update
Saturday, April 15,
2008
Apt. Renovation
Team Report By Pam Ryerson
I am a high school teacher who
received an invitation last summer to come to France
for
a month to stay with friends, Debbi and Kevin Eggleston.
As short-term missionaries with BLF, Debbi and Kevin
hosted missionaries in Marpent, France. My husband and
I
had been there two years earlier on a BLF Impression
Team, and had worked with a local church. I loved
getting to know the French people, helping them spread
the gospel and seeing how they lived.
I enjoyed every minute of our time
there and loved being able to use the 10 years of French
I had studied in school. During our IT experience, I
was
led by the Lord to go over to help with the renovation
of the apartment the following (last) summer. I had seen
the need in the BLF newsletter and I felt I could be
of
some help. Debbi, Kevin and I worked all day - almost
every day - painting, stripping paint and working in
the
yard. We accomplished quite a bit, but looking at the
big picture, 3 people couldnít do very much. On the
weekends we took our tired bodies out of the city to
explore the area. Debbi and I even made it to Paris one
weekend.
When I left Debbi and Kevin last
summer, I told them that I was going to get a team
together and bring them back to finish the apartment.
I
had never felt so committed to a cause and I know God
was working in my heart on behalf of the French people.
Even though I knew God wanted people
in France working on the apartment, He waited until only
3 weeks before we left to complete our team of 8. He
wanted us to depend on Him. While we were all willing
to
do whatever needed to be done, we were not all skilled
construction people by trade. Nonetheless, we learned
a
lotósome via the Internet. We taped ï dry walled ï
textured walls ï painted almost all the walls including
primer and 2 coats of color ï laid laminate flooring
ï
tiled the bathroom walls and floor ï stained all the
new
woodwork around the windows ï and cleaned the huge yard
of weeds, tall grass and 25 years of junk which filled
a
20-yard dumpster. We walked up and down the 3 flights
of
treacherously narrow stairs countless times. As time
went on, it got more and more exciting to see the place
be finished. We could also see our team grow closer
together.
While in France we were treated like
family. Our accommodations were very comfortable and
the
food was excellent. We got to try many uniquely French
foods, plus cheese and chocolates ìto die forî. The
people of France were so friendly and kind to us.
Speaking French was not a problem since there was always
someone to help with translating even in the French
church service. Debbi and Kevin not only worked with
us
during the week, but also made sure we got to see some
of the area around northern France. We spent part of
the
weekend in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Brugge, Belgium,
eating in the quaint restaurants and shopping.
Our
photos are beautiful.
I know our trip to France was
life-changing for me as a team leader, as well as for
our group. I would do it again in a heartbeat. BLF does
an excellent job of preparing the leaders for the trip.
You just need to be flexible regarding your expectations
and let God make the plans, because He can do it better
than we ever could.
If you are thinking that God might
be
able to use you in some way to minister to the French
people I would encourage you to pray about it and let
Him show you where He wants you. God can use a single
person or couple to fill an existing team. They need
so
much help. There are very few Christian pastors and lots
of work to be done. If you canít go right now, there
is
always need for your resources and prayer.
I canít wait to go
back!
When the Robisonís and Ryersonís went to France last month to help the Egglestonís at the Bibles & Literature in
French Mission ñ they planned on working. But being
there only 2 weeks, what could they do? Well here is
a
partial list along with a BIG THANK
YOU:
Totally clean up yard
Cleaned up a huge shed on back of
property & filled a huge dumpster to be hauled
away.
Tiled 4 walls in new bathroom
Put paneling on walls in
bathroom
Laid a tile floor in bathroom
Painted walls in 3rd floor rooms
Installed closets in 3rd floor rooms
Installed flooring in 1 upstairs
room
Installed paneling in master
bedroom
Installed flooring in master
bedroom
Painted dining room
Put texture on walls in dining room
and living room
Stained woodwork in dining room and
painted living room
Unplugged sink in kitchen
Hauled all materials to
2nd and 3 story
Installed crown molding in master
bedroom
Painted door, taped and mudded
drywall on 3rd floor
Installed drywall in closet on
2nd floor
Taped and mudded the closet
Moved heavy furniture from here to there and back
Tyran’s Testimonial
God is the God of the Universe, and not just America describes my concluding sentiments at the end of worshipping and witnessing with my French speaking brother and sisters. Although we had an interpreter, there were some things that had no parallel in words. There is no word that will suffice hearing an elderly sister in Christ cry out in prayer to God in another language. It’s like hearing a baby cry, one does not always understand the exact sentiments of a baby when it cries, nevertheless that does not stop one from being moved with compassion to empathize with the child. So, although I could not understand the words of the elderly mother praying, I could not help but to empathize as her heart cried out to God. At that point, the language barrier did not matter, she was my sister in Christ and a microcosmic picture of the coming Kingdom of God. (When every nation, & every tongue shall confess that He is LORD!)
My lack of competency with the French language did not hinder my worshipping or witnessing experience. In fact the language barrier helped me exhibit true worship. I could not complain about a worship style. I could not question the lack of theological truths in various person’s prayers. My attention had to be solely on God. Consequently, I was in one of the most influential worship services of my life.
Furthermore, as we past out invitations to the (Christian) Coffee Bar as part of our evangelistic effort, I knew one phrase; “Invitation Gratuit! Sil vous Plait.” “Free Invitation, if you please.” In most minds this is barely enough to be successful in evangelism. But, God was not calling me to be successful, he was calling me to be available. Surprisingly, it WORKED! People came! How could God use my remedial communication to draw people to a Christian coffee shop where they could potentially hear the gospel? All I had to do is lift HIM up in my heart by being available, and he drew them. My lack of sufficiency did not impede God’s work. IT was then my eyes were open to the fact that God is the God of the universe, and missionary work to the French speaking world IS a must.
Ron & Sharee McMahon
Shadow Mountain Community Church
El Cajon, CA
IT Leaders, June 28 - July 9, 2007
1. Tract distribution with FPC missionary Alexandre Dias in Beaune, France
was an awesome experience. We appreciated Alexandre's heart for the lost
and his desire to reach the French people for Christ. Alexandre told us
that the city where we distributed tracts had never been reached for Christ,
so we were involved in pioneer evangelism. We enjoyed Alexandre's sense of
humor and his love for music. Our team was blessed with musical abilities
and we had the opportunity to be a part of the worship services in both
Beaune and Feignies. We also took part in the Tuesday evening prayer and
praise meeting at the church in Beaune.
2. Our accommodations were very comfortable and the French meals were
fantastic. Our team took an offering to help cover the cost of the 6,000
BLF tracts that were distributed by the team members. It is a privilege to
be a part of the Lord's work and to realize how difficult the Lord's work is
in a country where people who have little or no interest in church.
3. We returned to Marpent to work in the print shop. We prepared Sunday
school booklets for shipment to Africa and French New Testaments for
distribution to pastors to give out free of charge to unbelievers.
4. Dinner at Philip and Heidi Kapituniuk's home and touring on the weekends
rounded out another wonderful mission trip. We strongly recommend this
experience to anyone who has a desire to serve the Lord.
Comments from other team members in answer to the question ‘What do you think of the particular ministry focus your team was assigned to?’
• Magnificent – 100x better than previous years.
• Fantastic – very good experience with missionary family (FPC)
• Just perfect for revealing problems faced by French Christians.
• Amazing to stay with missionary family (FPC)
• Wonderful.
• Outstanding.
• Great.
• Very worthwhile, rewarding experience.
• This was the best BLF experience so far.
• A wonderful time of spiritual growth.
• Very touching experience – didn’t realize France was so lost – my eyes have been opened. • Would like to return soon!
• What a blessing!!! I went to France with a negative attitude about the people. I prayed that God would change the French people’s hearts, but God changed my heart. God makes us one in Christ.
Bibles & Literature in French
370 S Schmale Rd. Suite 2B
Carol Stream, IL 60188, USA
TEL: (630) 221-1980
FAX: (630) 221-1982
E-mail: info@blfusa.org
![[Home Page]](graphics/home.jpg)
![[about us]](graphics/about.gif){kind=small}
![[news updates]](graphics/news.gif){kind=small}
![[prayer & praise]](graphics/prayer.gif){kind=small}
![[impressions teams]](graphics/impressions.gif){kind=small}
![[opportunties]](graphics/opportunities.gif){kind=small}
![[missionaries & staff]](graphics/missionaries.gif){kind=small}
![[projects]](graphics/projects.gif){kind=small}
![[donor]](graphics/donor.gif){kind=small}
![[national]](graphics/national.gif){kind=small}
![[affiliates]](graphics/affiliates.gif){kind=small}
![[contact]](graphics/contact.gif){kind=small}
![[site map]](graphics/site.gif){kind=small}
God is the God of the Universe, and not just America describes my concluding sentiments at the end of worshipping and witnessing with my French speaking brother and sisters. Although we had an interpreter, there were some things that had no parallel in words. There is no word that will suffice hearing an elderly sister in Christ cry out in prayer to God in another language. It’s like hearing a baby cry, one does not always understand the exact sentiments of a baby when it cries, nevertheless that does not stop one from being moved with compassion to empathize with the child. So, although I could not understand the words of the elderly mother praying, I could not help but to empathize as her heart cried out to God. At that point, the language barrier did not matter, she was my sister in Christ and a microcosmic picture of the coming Kingdom of God. (When every nation, & every tongue shall confess that He is LORD!) 
Ron & Sharee McMahon