The French Finleys have landed and are ready for an American adventure, 12 months in the good ol' USA. This is the first time we've lived as a family for a full year on American soil. In fact, in the last 9 years, we've only spent 6 months in Jonathan's homeland.
Since we arrived last week, Michael (age 2) has been learning english from a Colorado dog. He can say "nice doggy," "go away", and "I'm afraid" (He says, "I love you!" to his American grandparents--the dog didn't teach him that!). It is amazing to think that he will be bilingual by the end of this coming school year.
Samuel (age 5) and Karen can't wait to start their new
French-Amercian school. Samuel will be in 1st grade and will learn to read in both French and English. Karen, in order to teach kindergarten in the USA, has entered the country with an immigrant visa that will eventually lead to dual French-American Citizenship, a status that her sons and husband already enjoy. We are interested to see how the Lord will use our contact with the French-Speaking community in the San Francisco Bay area (We'll be based there beginning in September). Pray that God surprises us with many networking opportunities and new partnerships that will create global ministry ventures that bring Him glory.
Pray that we would find affordable housing (an oxymoron?) in the Silicon Valley. We are very grateful to
Twin Lakes Church and
First Baptist Church of Los Altos for providing half of our rent!
For now, we are in Littleton, Colorado. Jonathan has been meeting with
WorldVenture's leadership about the future of the
OIKOS ministry. On August 23rd in Littleton, he will be making an important presentation to the Europe Ministries Team about the expansion of OIKOS' role in training leaders for globalized ministry and in cultivating transcontinental mission initiatives --
mission from everywhere to everywhere -- especially within the broader French-speaking world. Pray for Jonathan as he receives input from key leaders and as he prepares for his August 23rd presentation.
We are looking forward to seeing many of you face to face and very soon !!! Please send us your news so that we can pray for you just as you pray for us.
With much love,
The FINLEYs