Dear Theophilus Archive: Sept. 2000

Paris, France: A Mélange of Tourists and Immigrants

To my Faithful Partners in Christ,

In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul fervently writes, "I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." This is something I could not agree with more in light of the two months I spent in France. Thank you for being a part of that experience through your prayer and financial support! The prayers that you sowed were used by the Lord in amazing ways while I was abroad, and many times I was humbled to see that I was but a mere mouthpiece to proclaim something that God had already meant to do because of our prayers.

I came to love the country of France-its beauty, its people and its culture. Especially in areas like Paris, the mélange of tourists and immigrants made the experience even more surreal. But please continue to pray for France. Even amidst all the things for which it is acclaimed, France is a spiritually dead country. Though Catholic in name, many of its citizens do not have a profound relationship with Christ. In fact, the root of secularism has gained such a stronghold in France, that even religion holds little significance. Not surprisingly, evangelical Christians are few and unwelcome in France. Because of the rise of cults like Jehovah's Witness, evangelicals are often considered cults as well.

Even so, Islam has gained a stronghold in France. The rise in Islam to become the number two religion in France is due largely in part to immigration. But there are even some French converts. Constant antagonism and racism by "Christian" France is also causing Islam to become more organized and potent.

Despite the spiritual situation, God truly blessed our two-week ministry in Saint-Gratien, a northwest suburb of Paris. Our team of six Americans and two missionary families concentrated mainly in Bible distribution, street evangelism, children's clubs, and prayer walks all in predominantly Muslim neighborhoods. We had a lot of success with the children's clubs where God proved faithful to his little ones by filling up empty playgrounds with over 50 children in a matter of hours. We were able to share the gospel with some of them, but more importantly, build up bridges of trust between Muslims and Christians. Please continue to pray that these lines would remain open so the gospel can bring hope to these inner city neighborhoods.

I want to share with you one experience I had when we were passing out bibles in a crowded high-rise complex. A North African man named Boualm received one and then began speaking with me. He had never practiced Islam before, nor had he heard the Gospel. I proceeded to share with him the story of Christ's love, and then handed him a cartoon Gospel tract for children. He was very thankful, and even as we were driving away, he was still avidly reading the tract. Imagine, that was the first time in this man's entire life to have ever heard the Gospel!

I am sure it was your prayers that led us to people like Boualm time and time again. When reading Paul's admonition in 2 Corinthians, I can firmly agree that now IS the time for salvation. Why has God brought over 4 million Muslims to France? Why are Muslim converts growing in number? Why is God sending more missionaries to France? I pray that God would use you in this work, whether reaping or sowing. Thank you for being such a valuable part of my summer mission experience, and I pray that your heart would continue to burn with a passion for the lost.

Because He first loved us,
Mina Kim
August 3, 2000