The Conversational Triumvirate

 I have been trying to make conversation with French people here in France. Namely with my roommates who are pictured above. Actually only the two girls on each end of the line are French the other three of us are American. But they have their friends over and we get to hang out a lot together. And I have so far found three topics that can be revisited as often as needed when the conversation reaches a lull: food, movies, and idioms.  Now, maybe this is subject to change with age bracket, I don't know. But discussing these three things has provided me with lots of quality time with new French friends.

Food is kind of a given, while we are sitting around in the kitchen we exchange favorite foods. We wrinkle our noses at each others' discriptions of different dishes, or nod appriciatively- depending on the ingredients. They list foods we have to try while we are here, foods special to the region.

My roommate and I have had several conversations about movies; she tells me most French people think American movies are too happy and naive. I have watched some French movies now, and I told her I find them depressing and without conclusive endings. She said the French like to have to think about the film, and it should be realistic. So, that has been fun, we compare opinions at different movies, and usually our opinions line up with the above generalizations.

Idioms are so much fun. At Thanksgiving we shared some with each other. I never realized how much I use until I speak with someone whose first language is not English.

So, now you know my "backup plan" when having a cross-cultural conversation. Though I think most of the time  only two of these three will apply in Africa:)

Why Re-invent the Wheel?

I had been thinking about doing a post here when I read my friend Erin Duplechin's blog a couple of days ago. And I loved it! It was pretty much what I wanted to say, only I think she did better! So why reinvent the wheel? I just shamelessly asked if I could repost her thoughts on my blog.

 Erin and Kevin and their two girls are also in Pioneer Bible Translators. I got to get to know them a little as we lived in the DFW area at the same time taking classes. They are wonderful!

And so, without further ado... He's Wild, You Know by Erin Duplechin

“He’s wild, you know. Not like a tame lion.”
What is safe?
      I often wonder this. I think of our jungle-bound family and I wonder- is it safe? I certainly get asked that enough. Believe me when I say that I know there are hard times ahead for our family. But aren’t there for everyone?
    I know the risks are real. Diseases. Wild animals. Lack of convenience. Missionaries are not immune from bad things happening. Children get sick. Some lose their lives.
Jim Elliot died at the end of a spear. Yet, his family returned, believing that even at the loss of father, husband, it was worth it. The Kingdom was worth it. Jesus was worth it. Perhaps they clung to his words, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.”
      I think of the Man of Sorrows, who, for the JOY set before him, endured the cross. Jesus wasn’t safe. He didn’t lead a timid life. He was born to die. But he didn’t run from his destiny. I would be lying if I didn’t admit to the fear within me that sees the calculable risk. Sometimes I want to keep my daughters wrapped up tight, safe in a bubble, fending off harm. But I know this is no way to live. I think they would resent us if, in 15 years, they learned of their parents who weren’t willing to give it all for Jesus; that weren’t willing to say “yes” because it was just too easy to say “no;” that clung to all the stuff they can’t take with them into eternity. How sad it would be for me to look them in the eyes and admit that I’d been too afraid to follow Jesus.
     That brings me back around to the opening question: what is safe? Is safety found in a two-car-garage, white picket fence, 1 cat, 1 dog, SUV filled life (and trust me when I say I long for these things sometimes)? Or is it found in the center of his will? His good, pleasing, so-not-a-bummer will. His will might be picket fences, and that’s certainly okay, but it may also be spotty solar power in the middle of the jungle.
But the reality is that nowhere is safe. People, babies, die right here in my town, every day. But God is good.
We walk with a God who isn’t known for safety. He’s a Man of War, the roaring Lion of Judah.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” –C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
~Erin

If you want to check out the Duplechin's  blog it can be found at http://untilallhear.wordpress.com/