I've been in France for about two and a half weeks now, and I'm enjoying it here. Southern France is known for its beauty, and the blue Mediterranean, picturesque mountains, and spring flowers do not disappoint. We've experienced cold and warm temps, sun, rain, and fog, and I believe the Cote d'Azur is nice in any weather.
If all we needed to do was look at the foliage, we probably wouldn't have a care in the world here. However, we have a lot more to do. We are still living with our team leaders and their five young children. We don't have bank accounts, cell phone contracts, a house or apartment. We have not registered for language school. We are not officially registered with the government yet. 'So,' you might be wondering, 'What have you been doing all this time?' Well... let me explain.
France has many rules, laws, forms, procedures, policies, etc. that can make it challenging to get things done, or even to know where to start! When we went to the bank to open an account, they told us we would need proof of our address in France. One form of 'proof' could be a cell phone bill in our name. So, off to the cell phone company to set up an account. And they will be glad to set us up with a plan... they just need to see our bank card.
And so the circle goes. To rent a house, you need a bank account. To open a bank account, you need an address. It feels a little like the Bermuda Triangle - lost in an impenetrable fog of regulations. Our lighthouse, however, has been the Church. Members of our two churches, the International Baptist Church in Saint Paul and in Nice, have been helpful and generous beyond imagining. Several members have offered to act as a guarantor when we are ready to sign a lease. One couple offered to put up their house as a guarantee for us. They have donated furnishings for our future home. Although they hardly know us, many church members have advised us, translated for us, made calls for us, and interceded on our behalf in ways that can only point to one thing: We are one body, with one Lord and Father of all. Praise God for his provision.
So, although it feels as though my two teammates and I are stuck in a strange holding pattern, we are encouraged by the Body of Christ, and we hope that we'll soon be in our own home, furnished, with bank accounts and cell phones, studying French and getting to know our church family that has already loved us so well. The Church in Cote d'Azur is small, but it is true.
