Pat's reconnaissance visit to Bordeaux

Easter Monday

The day started at 4h00 to get to Manchester for the 6h45 flight. We arrived at Bordeaux ten minutes early somehow, think the pilot must have put his foot down. Carol was there to meet me, and took me to her house for a reviving cuppa and breakfast, then she whisked me off on a tour of Bordeaux. My head was spinning, but it was good to get a sort of general idea of the scope of the city.

The whole of it including the suburbs is spread over quite a large area, but the centre itself is not too bad. After lunch we went to look at some estate agents to get a rough idea of what was available, although we have been looking on the internet too. It varies just like here really, it depends where you want to live as to how much you can afford. Then we had an early night because believe it or not, we had to get up at 5h30 (which of course was 3h30 in old British money)

Easter Tuesday

We were off to meet Carol Foucachon, the minister's wife, who tried to arrange for me to meet the headmistress of the school her daughter attends. She had to leave the house at 7h10, not sure if this is the case each day, because this day we were following the chap who had made the arrangement for me., and he was going a different way. Whatever, we were up bright eyed and bushy tailed.

The Foucachons live over the river so we had to go over to meet Carol F, and then come back over again to go to the school. Carol F's daughter Christine used to go to a local school within walking distance from their house, but there was bullying, because she comes from a Christian family, and also although she is fluent in French, she is 1/2 American. So one of the things we want to avoid is putting more pressure on the children than is necessary. The headmistress seemed really helpful, and Carol had to translate for me , but she was very concerned to make sure the children would be happy. It seems a lovely school, bright and cheerful. The children in the playground all seemed happy, and Christine loves it too. When the headmistress realised G & C didn't speak French, she immediately found two children she knew could speak English. I also met the two English teachers, one of whom IS English, and explained we were coming over, and they were just great. It wasn't "what we can do for your children" but "what your children can do for us, in helping us to teach the English class". So when I came out I had enrolled the children in the school, having only expected to see it. I was so grateful, God had gone before me and prepared the way!

The school is fee-paying according to how much you earn, but it isn't that expensive, and it is within the same area we will be attending for language school, so we can all travel in together. The two are happy to learn that they only have to go 4 days a week with Wed. off as well as the weekend, and two hours for lunch with no school uniform.

Wednesday

I had a look at the centre that Carol uses for the student work and sat in on some Bible studies there. The church Carol L attends is in Floirac, over the river, and as far as we know we will attend there too, as we have met the wife(Carol F) and minister. He has a lot of work to do, and other men in the church are all very busy.

I'm really glad I went as it makes me feel more aware of the issues and work that is needed in Bordeaux. It was good to see it all with my own eyes. I had a great time, and enjoyed it . Very glad to get back and see the family of course, and to be able to give Gwilym and Catrin some positive feedback too.

So that's my report! God is very faithful, and the great thing is that we don't have to worry about the school issue now.

All the best to you,

lots of love

Pat ,0]

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