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ed@houghtons.net
Ed Houghton ; working with “Sport et Foi.” An urban sports ministry project in Lyon.
Dear Friends,
Well….. My first month in Lyon has now passed and after the initial shock of realising that clothes and bed linen don't wash themselves and that food no longer just magically appears on the table, I have begun to settle in two life in France's second city!!
For those of you struggling to remember exactly what it is I'm doing out here, I'll quickly remind you! “Sport et Foi”, is an organisation which aims to use sport as a means of sharing the gospel with the young people of Lyon, it is run in conjunction with Agape France and works closely with the Agape Campus Crusade for Christ project. I am living with a 28 year old French guy called Michael, who works with Campus Crusade project, we get on well and have some good friendly banter! The apartment is right in the centre of Lyon and is therefore always a hive of activity with students coming and going, whether it's a “Soirée de crêpe” or a “tournoi de coinches”(a stange card game which seems very popular), the French never struggle to find a reason to get together!
The first stage was always going to be and indeed did prove to be pretty challenging! The inevitable shock of no longer being surrounded by familiar people and places, and coming to a city where I barely knew anyone, and what's more to my complete surprise of course they're all French!! So I suppose that's been one of the most challenging things to get used to, constantly speaking in a different language can be hard at times, especially considering that the team I work with, and the people I am with on a day to day basis are all French. It must be said however that it is so encouraging to feel I am making progress in the language and improving from one day to the next!
Right, now to the more important part of the letter…! The Sport et Foi (Sport and Faith) team consists of 5 people including me. Each week we run a number of training sessions in Volleyball, Football and Rugby, which are then followed by some sort of mini talk etc. I am learning that the big challenge out here in France is that although the city is Sport's mad they're not so keen on the “Foi” aspect of the project, and so encouraging people to come has been difficult. For example for the first Rugby and Football session on the 30th of September we had a total of 2 people. My initial reaction was to suggest we went into schools and rally the troops, but there are “Laicite” laws which prevent us using any such tactic. I am pleased to announce however that following a lot of prayer both French and English and publicity in churches, numbers are growing and on Saturday (14th October) we were up to 20!!
Other aspects of life in Lyon to fill you in on quickly! You'll be pleased to know I've found a pub which shows English football ( a great answer to prayer!!) I have found a great church about 3 minutes walk from my apartment and have got stuck into the student group there! I have in fact also joined a French rugby club, which has been a very interesting experience, although opportunities to play in matches are limited because it clashes with Sport et Foi activities.
It's been so encouraging to know that people in Knowle have been praying for me, they really are being answered! It would be great if people could keep praying, maybe for the following
Sport et Foi is about to launch a group for younger kid's, which will take place on Wednesday afternoon! Pray that this would get under way very soon and would be well attended.
That the Saturday afternoon Rugby and Football sessions would continue to be well attended. But also that the Christians who come would have the courage to invite non-Christian friends.
There are two older guys who have been involved with Sport et Foi activities for about 2 years now, but are not yet Christian! Their names are Radoo and Pascal and they've become very good friends with the team, would be great if this was the year they came to know Christ.
Always helpful to pray for my French, especially in more challenging situations such as Bible studies or on the sports field.
Hope your all well, God bless!
Ed
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