Melissa and I (Tara) got into a pattern which uses my culturally-innocent newness to its advantage.

It all stemmed from this encounter with Elise and Marie.  We were doing a traditional picture-survey with them.  They had 40 photos to choose from for each question.  "What pictures describe your life right now?  What photos describe happiness to you?  Choose a photo to describe what you thought of God when you were young.  Choose a photo to describe what you think of God now.  Which photo would you choose to describe Christ or his message?"  And for that last question, we happened to ask the girls if they were familiar with the message of Christ.  They said no.  I looked at Melissa and suggested, "Melissa, maybe you could explain Jesus's message in a quick summary?"  The girls nodded, and we started talking about having a relationship with God.  It's true that we often think that we are responsible for beginning that relationship with Him, but as this girl aptly pointed out, the burden is on Him!

"If God exists, and if he wants a relationship with me, then it should be his job to initiate with me. I don’t see why I should potentially waste my time trying to find an invisible being who might be there.  I would love to know more about God, but how can I?"  And it dawned on me and Melissa at the same time: God DID, in fact, initiate the relationship with us.  Why is it so hard for me to remember that?  Well, maybe because I wasn't there.  Anyway, Melissa gave a beautiful gospel presentation, and the girls' eyes were completely fixed on her.  (I'm more in tune with body language lately.. it truly expresses more than I thought!)  I think the gospel sounds prettier in French.  Anyway, Melissa explained God's heart for a relationship with us, that He wants it to be our free choice, that our choices have led to sin which separates us from God, and that Jesus was fully God and fully man, so his sacrifice is the only one perfect enough to pay for our sins.

Whew!  It was quite a summary, and I think the girls understood it well and appreciated the clarity of the message.  It was a first for them, as most French think that all religions are the same thing-- just something to believe in even though you know you're the one working at it, not God.  I also noted that these girls quickly understood grace, but the concept of sin was a stretch. It's been a glorious time, though, as many people are hearing the gospel and seem genuinely interested in it, mostly because it's news to them!