les Davey de France

House-hunting, eh ! It's so time-consuming and such a faff... So this morning we scuttled off to talk to an agency that Fiona has used and that might just consider renting to the Mitchells. The lady was very pleasant and we arranged to see a couple of places next Wednesday morning. Then we had an appointment at 2:30 to see a flat that I have visited before. It's the landlord who owns the FACflat that the FAC stagiaires stay in, and I think we got in touch with him via Robyn, and Irish language assistant who was here in Bordeaux with us a couple of years ago. I'd been to a barbecue on the terrace of the flat some time ago, and a very nice terrace it is, too. The kind of flat I can imagine retiring to with Mrs Davey if that's the kind of thing we one day do. Anyway there's one or two things to sort out, like when the flat will be available and so on. Then off to the bank to make an appointment to open a bank account. Now it's preparation time for Sunday....

So the fridge broke down on our fridge-freezer. We took advice and were told that fixing it would typically be expensive. Huh. So we borrowed a fridge from a student that had been stored in the warehouse behind the church. They want to sell it but were happy for us to use it while we decided what we ought to do. I returned from the UK on Monday and Pat said, "I find frozen insects in that fridge." I looked. Cockroaches ! Then we found a live cockroach. YUK ! So the fridge is going back to the warehouse and the house smells of insecticide. I hope we have caught it quickly and early enough to avoid an infestation. Meanwhile this morning Catrin got her dossier to fill in and return next Tuesday or Wednesday for Lycée François Magendie. Great. It's almost 1/2 inch thick. Most of it we can do, though some things are sadly impossible (livret de famille, etc...) And we also need a Certificate de Radiation from her collège. Should have seen that coming. Meanwhile the Mi...

The two weeks of church visits were quickly followed by a missions weekend at Cwmbrân which seemed to go OK, though I had a slight problem with my voice - a bit like a bronchitis that didn't hurt... It was overcome by the mike men and has completely left me now. My return on Monday was swiftly followed by a visit from one of the Deeside elders and his wife, who arrived yesterday. Today we'll take them into Bordeaux to show them the beautiful city. This evening we greet Tim and Suzanne who will camp in our garden while looking for a flat to live in while they study French at the DEFLE from September. Meanwhile Catrin has official confirmation that she's going to Lycée François Magendie American Section from September, and she has her Brevet exams on Thursday and Friday (GCSE equivalent). Saturday we have a day of planning and discussion of the church council, then I preach for the Chinese . (no, on 7 July !) Sunday am I preach in French and pm in English. Also need...

 

Fatherhood: The Core of the Universe

I have just returned from my deputation visits.  Here's some initial impressions : I arrived in the UK on Jubilee Weekend. From where I stood the jubilee was a splendid occasion for the UK. I don't think that I have ever found the country so endearing. I was a bit underwhelmed by the Olympic torch thing, though. The churches I visited are all so different : churches meeting in schools, in huge buildings, in old chapels, in new hi-tech premises. Churches in cities, in towns, in villages. Meetings with HUNDREDS of people, meetings with fewer than 20 people. I think in all the churches there was a tremendous optimism and joy. People seem content in God. It was a great opportunity to spend a little time with our home church, including two sessions in Bethany Books (meet the non-author !), visits to some folks who are shut-in or unwell, an elders' meeting, etc... We're so very thankful for the folks at Christchurch Deeside. Everyone seems to be having trouble with ...

On Thursday morning I'll be holding court in Bethany Books. If you are available and in the Shotton area it would be great to see you.