M o n t r e a l 2 0 0 6

life in the little town

Things are going well here in Trois-Pistoles… the small town-ness and outdoorsieness is a nice change from downtown Montreal! It’s important to recognize how it is that we best meet with God… for some it’s music, for some it’s the grandeur of an old church, for some it’s science… for me, more and more I’ve realized this summer… is nature!! I loved my team and activities in Montreal but there was definitely something about it that wasn’t quite lovable for me. I didn’t really think about what it was until I was in Quebec City and I made Gen wait for me while we were driving around the suburbs of the city at night, so I could take a minute and lie down on grass and look at the stars… and she laughed and said “I think you’re really a nature girl!” And I guess I really am! Here in Trois-Pistoles, with the beach close enough to jog to, I’m definitely a happy gal! =)

French 24 hours a day here has been a fun challenge… I can’t really tell yet but I hope I’m improving! It also really tires me out cuz my brain’s working in overtime 24/7, so I do need to get my sleep or I’m completely drained, physically and spiritually! I’m (finally, after years of people always telling me!!) realizing how important my sleep is! My parents always told me I’m grouchy when I’m overworked and tired, but it’s not until my “job” is essentially relationship-building that I realize that I really do get irritable and have less patience when I’m tired. There’s always something to do here… whether it’s homework, or fun activities, or hanging out with friends, or reading or having quiet time, or just sleeping… all good things to do, but pray that I’ll choose the things I need to be most effective for God!

Me and another girl from York University named Vivien have started a daily prayer meeting. A few other girls have come to join us, and we look forward to seeing ourselves, and the other people here in Trois-Pistoles changed in the next couple weeks here changed through prayer. Pray for us, that we will be committed to prayer, and that we WOULD be changed as we pray and see God's glory through prayer!

I’ve had a chance to talk to a couple people about God, or at least share that I am a Christian. My tattoo (Jesus fish on my ankle) has turned out to be an incredible opportunity for conversation! On Monday, at least 5 or 6 different people asked me what it was! As a result, after lunch yesterday, a few of us had a chance to talk a little bit (in French!!) about what we thought of God and of religion. There was me, a girl named Sarah who’s Roman Catholic, a guy named Chad who doesn’t know if there is a God and is skeptical of the church and “holy texts” like the Bible, and a girl named Michelle who has some Buddhist background and who thinks there’s probably a higher being but religions are just different labels. I have three meals a day with the same group of people at a host family’s place, so do pray that we will be able to continue exploring who God really is together… pray for softened hearts and questioning minds, curiosity and hunger for truth and more opportunities for us to talk. On Saturday, I signed up for a 17.2 km hike up a mountain, and Michelle might too… so pray that that will work out and that we’ll be able to have a chance to talk some more.

Okay… more to come, but I have to go for tonight! I hope to post some pictures tomorrow with a few more stories! =)

Thanks for journeying with me to yet another city!

Luv Rainbow =)

posted by Rainbow Choi =) @ 5:26 PM