Thank you for praying us safely home from Ukraine. The last wonderful stories will have to wait as I leave for France today to train
and equip 2 teams that we have there. Please pray extra hard as this place is cold to the Gospel. I will travel by myself and work with the 2 French
teams!
Love in Jesus,
Linda
October 8th, 2006 Travel to France and Arrival
Dearest Friends,
I am now in France, near the city of Chartres, in the town of Luisant. To be honest, I
was very concerned about coming to France. We have 2 French puppet teams and I did not want to jeopardize their ministry by anything I might say or do. I
well understand the feeling that many people here have about Americans and my heart's desire was to be able to show them Jesus' love above all other things.
More, this is a very difficult place for the Gospel as most French people either do not believe in God or are uninterested in Him.
However, after this morning, all of my reservations have disappeared. We had a wonderful time of worship at Anna's church (she is our French puppet
Director). There were people in the service from France, Nigeria, Korea, England, the West Indies, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka and Reunion Island. This
church reflects the changing face of France which has a huge immigrant population. Ironically, many of the people who are coming to France from Africa come
with a very strong faith and in God's providence, maybe He will use some of them to reach people here for the Gospel.
L'EGLISE LA BONNE NOUVELLE
I found out that La Bonne Nouvelle church has been praying for me regularly for a very long time and especially this past year, as I
have been dealing with Mike's death. I was overwhelmed by the love they offered me when I arrived at the church. So many people were excited to see me and
I couldn't understand why. Anna has been translating our e-mails into French for them so they had been following the ministry and praying for the work.
Through their prayers, they had become partners in our ministry.
The pastor very graciously gave us an opportunity to do a puppet show as a part of the service. I partnered with the French puppet team and they did a
great job with their puppets. All the puppets they were using were new ones that your love and sacrifice had enabled me to bring to them. You should have
seen the girls' faces at practice last night when they received the new equipment! They were excited and thrilled, yet those words so inadequately cover
what I saw in their faces. This is a great team and I beg you to pray for them.
The church was very responsive to the program we did this morning, encouraging Anna and asking many questions about the ministry. The pastor concluded the
service by saying how much he had been touched by everything he had seen and heard. He told us that he had really seen something of the power and authority
of Jesus in the story of how He calmed the storm.Many people crowded around to talk to me after the program and Anna's voice is already becoming very tired
as she translates. Please pray for God to strengthen her voice. She is a very good translator but she is not accustomed to using her voice so much.
Then, we all had lunch together and amazingly, people returned to hear a 2-hour missionary report. They really listened and many were moved by the stories
they heard. More, they began to discuss their new vision for reaching the children of France with the Gospel. So many committed to pray for the children in
different countries. They were so interested that I honestly believe they would have sat there for 2 more hours, they were so hungry to hear what God is
doing around the world.
When Anna and I finished speaking, they had a time of prayer for us. Anna told me later what they had prayed, and I was very touched by the depth of their
prayers. They prayed that God would go before us every day this week and bless the work. They asked that everything we do would glorify His Name. They asked
God to grow the puppet ministry around the world and even thought to pray for my health. They prayed that everything that has been sown around the world
would grow and yield a harvest for the Kingdom. Please join them in praying these same things so all of us may see great things in the lives of children
all over the world.
LOST LUGGAGE
In God's providence, I arrived in France with only 4 of my 5 bags of equipment. As it was, people stared at me at the airport since they could not believe
one person was travelling with 4 enormous suitcases and tubs as well as two large carry-on pieces. If the bag had not been lost, it would not have fit in
Anna's car to get it home! So it was really a belssing that they had to bring it later.
However, we had a small problem. When they lost the luggage they didn't actually know where it was for quite a while. By the time they found it, it had
been destroyed and run over with a truck! There were tire tracks on the luggage. It was ripped completely to pieces and held together with tape when it was
finally returned to us. Some of the equipment in it was necessary for our program this morning, so we were also grateful when it was delivered to us 5
minutes before we left for church. Praise God! Considering that the airport in Paris is about a 2-hour drive from where we are, it was most remarkable that
the luggage arrived so early in the morning.
The airline has graciously offered to replace the bag and we are so happy that we received the equipment when we did.
SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK
Please pray for this week of ministry. Our primary focus is to better train and fully equip the 2 French teams that we already have here, one in Chartres,
and one in Dunkirk. However, we also have some wonderful evangelistic opportunities sharing in a convalescence home, in churches and on the streets. Please
pray for all of these opportunities. Ask God to make us bold and very wise.
Tomorrow, we leave for Dunkirk to train and equip that team. On Tuesday we will be doing street ministry in Paris. Please pray.
Love in Jesus,
Linda for
Anna and the 2 French puppet teams
October 9th, 2006 France
Dearest Friends,
AMAZING GOD!
I confess to you that I never imagined that I would be sending these kinds of reports
from France. We are seeing God do amazing things! Everyone told me how dark France is and it is a hard place for the Gospel, but I forgot that nothing is
impossible for God.
When we arrived in Dunkirk, we met with our team there. How all of these teams in France began is a wonderful story. I have never been to France until this
trip, but we have 2 teams here. How is this possible? Sam Shaw, our Irish puppet Director, came to France and trained Anna. She began a team in Chartres and
then in April 2005 she traveled to Dunkirk and began a work there. These teams represent our spiritual grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
One dear lady, Delphine, began to cry when she saw what we had brought for them. She told us that she had seen puppets used to share Christ and was very
excited by what she had seen. For one and a half years, she prayed for God to make a way for her to do puppets. Then Anna, our French puppet director,
came and trained them. They had so little in the way of equipment, but they began to work. None of them expected to receive so much equipment today. They
were so overwhelmed that they could not stop thanking us.
My heart's desire was to be an encouragement to them and God truly answered this prayer. One man said, "I am rich for having met you". The truth is I am
the one who is blessed by the desire of these people to share with French children. Another said, "I am so challenged". Anna and I had shared with so many
stories about the children we serve around the world. So many wept as they listened and some struggled to listen because they were so broken by what they
heard.
It has been a very busy day that began with us leaving the house at 7.30 AM. Then we drove for almost 5 hours to reach Dunkirk. Immediately, we started to
work, sharing over lunch and then training until dinner time. At 8 pm, the church gathered for us to give a mission report.
Now, it is almost past midnight and so we must say goodnight, but praise God, we are so happy. It has been an awesome day!
Prayer Requests
Tomorrow morning at 8, we set out again to go back down south to Paris, where we will spend the afternoon telling stories on the streets
with a group from a local church. It should take us about 4 hours to drive there. Please pray for the weather to be just right for street work and that
many people would stop to listen with open minds and hearts, and that God would draw many to Himself.
Thank you for your support in prayer, without you, we could not work.
In Jesus,
Linda for
Anna and the 2 French teams
October 10th, 2006 France
Dearest Friends,
PARIS STREET SHOW
What an incredible thing we have seen God do! We went to Belleville, a place in Paris
with a high immigrant population and many Moslems. Our friend Peter has been doing street ministry with Open Air Campaigners for 16 years but did not
expect that we would have a crowd of more than 10. More, he warned us there might be trouble, verbal or physical abuse. In truth, this was a place that he
often shared until the war with Iraq began, and since he was an Englishman, he had not returned there in 2 years.
We began to pray. I was really missing our puppet team as Anna and I were there alone, planning to tell a story and then tie some balloons for the children.
I am short and felt myself getting smaller as we prepared to start. We knew that only God could do what we were trying to do. He must pour His Spirit on
the afternoon, or we would fail.
More than we asked or could have imagined, God did. We did not have 10 people listening to the Bible story, we had 100. Peter was shocked. The crowd was
full of Moslems, Buddhists, Hindus, and French people who claim no-one. They truly listened to the story of Zaccheus and the miracles of Jesus. More, we
explained how they could know Jesus.
A man came up and took my chalk and started drawing on my picture. We could not stop him, but a homeless man came over and took him away. Amazingly, the
crowd had begun to yell at him, 'Let her finish. We want to hear the story.' How can you explain this response? Only Jesus!
DUNKIRK
We are amazed at the way the Father arranged everything for us this week. Although we knew nothing about this when planning the schedule for this week, the
team in Dunkirk have been granted permission by the town council to do a street show this Saturday and Sunday afternoon in the central square of the town.
While the team had prepared an awesome program, they had little equipment with which to carry it out. In God's providence, we were able to come to them
with many new puppets and further supplies, including a sound system, just a few days before their big event. God is so good!
Please pray for Christine, Delphine, Corinne, Katell and Mathilde, and those who will be helping them to tell the people of their town about the love of
God for them this weekend. This opening is really a miracle. The North region of France is a very hard place for the Gospel, and it is very difficult to
get opportunities to share outside the church. But this time, the town council was delighted with the idea, and even offered to provide electricity for the
team if they needed it. Please pray for God to pour out His Spirit on the team and their work this weekend, pray for the weather to be just right, pray for
people to stop and listen with their hearts, pray for them to be drawn into the Kingdom, and pray for the team and the church to be encouraged and spurred
on to greater things still. Pray for the authorities in Dunkirk and the region, that they would soften towards the Gospel, without which they, and the
people they have responsibility for, are lost for eternity.
Thank you for praying with us
In Jesus,
Linda for
Anna and the 2 French teams
October 11th, 2006 France
Dearest Friends,
99.6% of all the people in France do not claim faith in Jesus Christ. The county where
I am staying has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. There is a rise in occultist practices, many people practicing what they call "white magic".
All over France, people consult mediums to get advice, to see their future, to talk to the dead. One nearby church is built in accordance with the signs of
the zodiac. There is also a place in the crypt, underneath the church, that contains non-Christian, Druidic things that are kept hidden from public view.
This country has a desperate spiritual hunger, but they are looking in all of the wrong places. Please pray for God to send His light to France and shatter
their darkness.
More, all of these truths illustrate why these 2 puppet teams are so important. They have the ability to go to the streets. The people are not coming to
the churches.
PROBLEMS
Each day, we are reminded of how difficult it is to serve here. In one place that we visited, they told us that every time the Gideons
stand outside the schools to pass out Bibles, they have rocks thrown at them. Protestants are viewed as a cult and looked on with distrust. Often, they are
denied the opportunity to do puppet shows in public places. Today, we were forced inside because they would not allow us the opportunity to be on the street.
Please pray for France.
CASTLES, CHEESE, AND PARIS TRAFFIC
Anna treated me to a trip to a lovely castle this morning, in Chateaudun. It was wonderful! Begun in the 12th century, it was finished
in the 16th century. The outside walls are adorned with what looks like lace, but it is actually carved stone.
The French have a lovely tradition of serving cheese at the end of their meals, followed by fruit. I confess that I love cheese, so I think this is a great
custom.
I can now say that Anna and I survived driving in Paris traffic. This is no small claim. If there are rules of the road, we could not discern them. After
nearly being hit 6 times, we found our prayer life was much stronger. More, to reach our site for the street show, we had to carry all of our equipment and
ride the Metro. That was also a great adventure!
AN ANTENNA SHOW
"Antenna" is the word that the French church uses when they start a new church in a nearby town. The "antenna church" is started by the
older established church. Today, we did a show for an antenna church in a town where there are very, very few Christians. When our friends first moved to
the town, there was no evangelical church of any kind there, so they started one.
At the outreach today, most of the children heard the Gospel for the first time. Several new families visited, the program was advertised on the radio, and
the local newspaper came to photograph the puppet team. Best of all, the adults and the children loved the program. We told the story of Jonah and
challenged everyone not to run away from God. We challenged them to run to God and put their trust in Jesus.
Everyone left the show full of delicious cake and carrying a cartoon-style illustrated children's Bible. More, they left with a sweet taste for the Gospel.
Ask the Father to water this seed in their hearts.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for the remaining 2 days of ministry. Tomorrow, we go into a state-run convalescent home for adults requiring physiotherapy.
Our contact there is not a believer, we will need to be very careful how we come across and what words we use. Please ask God to make us wise as we are
going to preach the Gospel. Please ask God to pour His Spirit on this time. Thank you for praying!
In Jesus,
Linda for
Anna and the 2 French teams
October 13th, 2006 France
Dearest Friends,
FACT
Did you know that France has more registered witches than any other European nation?
A PARIS STREET SHOW - MORE NEWS
We received a letter from our friend Peter who we worked with in Paris. The following are his words: "Your message was shared with a
congregation of 100 people on the street who chose to stay. The average number in a French evangelical church building on a Sunday after 20 years of
ministry is 20 people."
This illustrated for us the need to have this kind of ministry partnering with local churches, so that they can reach people who would not normally come in
their doors. This is what we have done all week as we have worked with many churches.
Our friend in Paris told us that 15 took a gospel leaflet that day. It had the address of a good local church on it. More, 2 Muslims spoke to him, asking
questions about man's separation from God by sin. With both of them, he was able to answer their questions by going through the Gospel tract. Please pray
for Peter Kent as he continues to share Jesus on the streets.
BLESSINGS
1. We had the opportunity to have very good conversations with 2 sales people while playing tourist in Chartres! Pray for
these ladies to come to Jesus.
2. Praying over our meal in McDonald's puzzled many, but it is another opportunity to "salt" the culture.
3. An official at a facility where we shared asked if I was married. When I told him the story and shared the hope that Jesus gives me, he was
shocked. He said, "This is surreal. I do not understand how you can speak of hope under these circumstances." Please ask God to show him the reality of the
Cross and the hope that Jesus gives.
4. One gentleman in a wheelchair came to a program we did at a hospital. He seemed very surprised when we began the program, willing to do the
whole thing just for him. For years now, I have been doing programs for up to 2000 children at a time and programs for 1, 2 or 3 children. God does not see
numbers, He sees individuals. I am so grateful that He saw me, one little 5-year-old child who was desperately hungry for His love.
Pray for Maurice!
5. Finally, another lady, Sylvie, came, and both were riveted by the story of the Gospel. God touched them. Both Maurice and Sylvie kindly
agreed to have Anna continue to visit with them. Please pray for these new friends and the time that Anna and her mother will spend with them.
6. I am often asked the following questions: "Do you have children? Are they married? Do they love Jesus?" I praise God for the witness that
Josh and Teresa and Matt and Jill are being to people they do not know by virtue of their testimony.
7. Though the man in charge of our visit to the hospital did his best to discourage us from coming, even offering to let us forget about it and
leave after we had arrived, we did do the program. I was blessed by Anna's sweet spirit as she dealt with his discouraging spirit.
8. In 2 meetings last night, we began to make plans to start work among the children of Nigeria and Senegal. An incredible series of events made
these 2 meetings possible. Please pray for wisdom as we begin to look at these 2 countries. The ministry in these places is over 1
year away, but it takes a long time to plan an outreach to a country. Pray!
NEW FRIENDS, OLD FRIENDS
Since I came to France, I have had many opportunities to share about this past year
and what God has been doing in my life since Mike's death. I did not know that Anna and her mother, Carol, had been translating all of my e-mails and
sending them to French brothers and sisters. I am so grateful! These dear French Christians have been faithfully praying for me and my family and the
trips.
So, I arrived in France not knowing anyone but being well known by many. It was at their request that I shared about Mike, my longing for him and the
goodness of the Father. I have seen that many others share my same pain, and by God's grace, I've been able to encourage them with my testimony of how God
is healing my heart.
Constantly, I am reminded of how much God loves me! As hard as this is, I truly rejoice that I can be a comfort to others in their hurt. So many of you
have comforted me. It is sweet to have the privilege to offer others comfort as I have been given comfort. The response has been incredible, with people
asking me to share Mike's testimony again and again.
Please ask God to make me gentle, wise, and full of His love. There are so many hurting people that I meet who have no comfort because they do not know
Jesus. Please ask God to make me a light in their worlds. I could not survive this pain without my faith in Jesus Christ and I ache for the French people
that I have shared with to have the same hope. Pray! Continue to pray after I have returned home!
PRAYER REQUEST
I leave tomorrow, Saturday, and because of the time difference, will arrive on Saturday
afternoon in Atlanta. Pray me safely home! We have 1 more program today and dinner tonight. Pray also for these opportunities.
In Jesus,
Linda
November 1st, 2006 Home and France Final Thoughts
Dearest Friends,
Tomorrow, our team leaves for Florida to do ministry at our younger son's church. I
am so excited to see Matt, Jill and Baby Luke! God is so good to me. I have the pleasure of sharing Jesus with children, the company of amazing friends,
and I will be with my family. Please hold us in your prayers.
Note: The following article on France was written my way home from Paris.
CHARTES CATHEDRAL
As I write these words, I am over the Atlantic Ocean, but by the time that you receive this email I should be home. I have been thinking
about my visit to France and especially remembering a visit to the Chartes Cathedral.
One morning, Anna and I played tourist and took a trip to see one of Europe's most famous churches. It is an impressive structure, with incredible
stained glass windows and amazing gargoyles. Each year thousands of people flock to this place as tourists and to worship. I do not believe that they had
the same response that I did.
To be honest, this place made me weep. I watched people praying to idols that could not see their pain or ever help them. I saw a grandfather
with his grandson lighting a candle in front of one of these idols, clearly believing that this act would help them in some way. It reminded me of what I
had seen in Taiwan and India…. something man made that stands in God's place. Scripture rang in my ears… Thou shall have no other gods before me. Exodus
The just shall live by faith. Romans Jesus said, "I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly." John 10:10 Jesus said," I am the way, the
truth, and the life." John 14:6 The dear people I saw seemed so sad and hungry for hope, but they found no comfort.
I have come to love the French people so much! Their kindness to me this week overwhelmed me and I ache for France to know the truth of God's words.
There are so few people who believe in France, but they are a light for Jesus Christ. Please pray for your brothers and sisters there. Ask God to increase
their numbers, make them bold in sharing His love, and wise in their presentation of His hope. More, don't give up on France and the rest of western Euorpe.
Pray ! Expect God to answer your prayers for France!
THE LAST DAY
Anna and I finished our ministry together in France with a special afternoon program for senior citizens and a few children…. an
interesting mix. They really listened and many had tears in their eyes as we talked about God's faithfulness in good times and bad times. It was a very
special time and a sweet way to finish.
I am eternally grateful to Anna for asking me to come to France and not giving up until I said yes!
SWEET FAITH
Last Sunday night, I spoke at Midway PCA in Powder Springs. It is always my heart's
desire to speak about God's mercy and kindness, but at the service, I saw these qualities beautifully displayed.
A young couple gave birth to a beautiful little girl the previous Wednesday, but she was born with a terminal heart defect. Nothing could be done.
Accompanied by the grandparents, they came to baptize her as a sign of God's covenant of love with His people. At their request, we sang "Great is thy
Faithfulness." Then, they took vows before the whole church promising to raise her to love the Lord. I wept at the depth of their faith. May the Lord
give you and I such deep trust in Jesus!
SPEAKING OPPURTUNITIES
If you love what God is doing in the lives of children through the puppet ministry,
could you please call me (706-397-2956) or write me an email (msummer@earthlink.net) and ask me to come and share their stories. To be honest, we need to
involve more people in praying for this work and supporting it.
Thank you for all you do to help us tell children about Jesus.
