Escape and Pray in Nantes, France 2017

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Recently, I was part of a team which went to Nantes, France as part of Fusion’s Escape and Pray. For those who don’t know what that is, at its basic level you spend 48 hours in a European university city and pray for God’s provision and blessing whilst you’re there. You have no accommodation or plans and only 20 euros. I know, it sounded like a terrifying and exciting adventure to me too! Honestly, up until the actual day of departure I was so scared. This was a big test of faith and our trust was fully rewarded.
The first time I fully felt God providing for us was when we’d hit a bit of a lul and were contemplating getting a room for the night and Rhys got a message from a pastor whose bible study we’d been invited to that evening. The pastor, Andrew, offered to put us up for two nights in their beautiful home! Overjoyed is underplaying it! We praised God that even when doubt and tiredness filled our minds he was always there quietly making a way for us and protecting us.
That evening’s bible study was a brilliant experience. We got the opportunity to meet so many students and people from Northern Ireland, Nigeria, California, Indonesia, Mexico, France and Chilli! Interestingly enough, their topic was cross-cultural evangelism which was very apt for our trip and gave us some bible verses which I carried with me over the next day and a half. I experienced the peace of the holy spirit so strongly that evening among those inspiring people and I was so grateful for their acceptance. We ended up talking well into the night and I felt honoured to have been there.
On the Tuesday evening, we got the opportunity to visit a house of prayer on the outskirts of Nantes. It was originally a farm but 3 Christian families bought the 3 buildings and they used them as prayer rooms, a food bank and a local produce shop. They also gave their wooden house out for people who needed shelter for the night. There was so much love, prayer and grace in this place that it was hard not to be moved by it. Vincent was overflowing with compassion and humility. We kept saying how amazing what he was doing there was, and he just couldn’t believe what we were doing either! God was using those people as such a force for good and his love was shining out of the people there that it was a blessing to be in their presence.
Personally, as I said before, I was super scared of going on this trip. Mostly, due to my ME condition. I was scared that I’d collapse; that I’d not be able to walk to the places I’d need to go; that I’d not be able to function without as much sleep; that my strength would fail me and I wouldn’t be able to go on as well as lots of other anxieties. I’ve lived with this condition for 3 years but I’ve never done anything like this whilst being ill. But God saw me through. He was faithful to me and gave me strength when I had none. He sustained me so that I could bless the city and talk to the people without my condition limiting me. I prayed to be sustained, to keep going, constantly and he answered that prayer more than I could have ever imagined.  Overall, it was such a unique and brilliant experience. To rely fully on God has deepened my foundations in my faith and I feel closer to God than ever before. I pray that this continues in my life back in England, as there are always times when to pray is the most powerful thing you can do.
Take care
x


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About Me

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" Hi! I'm a 21 year old student, and this blog is here to document my thoughts, feelings and events that happen in my life. I hope you'll enjoy reading them and get some comfort from knowing that you're not alone. So sit back, grab a cup of decaf tea and join me on this journey we call life.

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