What the trip is for:
- I am going with people from my church (Highlands Fellowship) to France for a PEACE trip. You can read about PEACE here.
- We are going to help a very small group of Christians learn the PEACE Plan so we can offer them a hand up, not a hand out, so THEY can impact their community, country and world.
- While there we will be working with the staff of Jacques Lefevre Institute, a Christian Liberal Arts Program that provides an environment for students and missionaries to learn about the Francophone culture as well as make a difference.
- I am excited about the chance to impact a few “Key Leaders” who will then take what we teach them and spread it to college students from all over the world. Also because they are from France they can go to many countries you and I as Americans cannot go.
Here is how you can help:
- Give a donation. You can give online through facebook/paypal by going to this site. You can send a check to Highlands Fellowship at PO Box 553 Abingdon VA 24212. Please MAKE SURE to put “FRANCE – TIM LEMONS” on the Memo or it will not count towards my funds. Also if you do that through the church you will receive a charitable donations receipt that you can use as a tax deduction. 🙂
- Prayer/Fast. Please pray and/or fast for me and the 13 other people going. Pray for the Lord’s will to be done through this trip. We have our goals but ultimately we are just answering the call to go and believe He will accomplish through us what He would like to have accomplished. You guys know me, this is not some way for me to get a trip to France. I want it to happen for the Global Glory of God.
While on the trip (permitting I have an internet connection and time) I will send updates through my blog (www.timlemons.com) and upon my return we will provide you with either a picture CD or online photo album of all the things we accomplished. Please read below for a letter from me I have sent out to some explaining in more detail where and what we are doing. Also please leave a comment below letting me know you will be praying for us and anything else you would like to say.
October 25th, 2010
Bonjour! Ça va? (“Hello” and “How are you” in French)
If you didn’t know already, I am planning to go on a mission trip to Merville/Franceville, a town in the region of Normandy, France, with my church, Highlands Fellowship. We will be helping the French People there and cannot wait to do so! I have seen and heard reports about how much people there need our help and I’m stepping across the line to take action! I am so excited to go! The trip is planned for this coming March 18th through 27th. It will be here before we know it! Here is a little information about our trip:
The PEACE Plan is a mission strategy which uses ordinary people to attack the 5 Global Giants of; Spiritual Emptiness, Corrupt Leadership, Poverty, Sickness and lack of Education. We teach people how to help themselves and battle these Global giants using simple tools and methods. PEACE is a “hand up” not a “hand out”. We are excited to teach and focus on the two major giants in the Normandy area- Spiritual Emptiness and lack of Education.
Working at the Institute in Merville-Franceville
Teaching PEACE & Purpose Driven in Merville-Franceville
D-Day Beaches- World War II
The Merville-Francevile area was greatly afflicted during the battles of World War II in so many different ways- their land was used during the battle and numerous lives were lost from numerous countries. The landmarks in Normandy are a constant reminder of their hurt and pain suffered during the 20th century and still to this day. We pray that God will use us to reach out to the people in the Normandy region. We desire to reach out to the community by helping those in the community understand and use P.E.A.C.E. It is important in the French world to use French people to help one another! In their culture, it is very difficult to tell others about Christ as you must have a personal relationship with them before this is acceptable. By using people in their own community this is possible! We will be visiting the staff at the Jacques Lefevre Institute, a Christian Liberal Arts Program that provides an environment for students and missionaries to learn about the Francophone culture as well as make a difference. During our time there, we will be helping them maintain their facilities while teaching them P.E.A.C.E. and how to use this in their local churches.
Once you have looked into their culture and history, you can see how they have suffered and how they struggle with religion. We want to offer them more than religion- we desire to offer hope to a hurting community by showing them the love of Christ and how to begin a personal relationship with Him! We need to show them who Christ truly is and how much He can help those in need, not by ending the pain immediately but by providing hope to overcome. The group we are going to visit are so eager to learn and so appreciative of our help! Simple things will make a huge difference; I am so excited and passionate about helping these people. I just want you to understand what an impact we will make in their lives and in future generations.
Now, this is the awkward part of this work, asking for sponsors. Unfortunately the costs to go to France are significant along with the cost for the work we need to accomplish. The good news is that we use all the money to go there to teach and help them become self reliant. Every dollar you give goes directly to the projects and teaching while in Merville. There is no overhead or administrative cost taken out. 100% of the funds are used for the P.E.A.C.E. trip.
I don’t want you to run and grab your checkbook because you feel obligated. I realize that you probably have limited money. Please pray and consider sponsoring me on this trip of a lifetime. The total amount required to go on this trip is approximately $1,885/per person. I will need at least $1000 by January 1st when the air fare is due.
If you feel led to sponsor me it will be tax-deductible as a charitable donation. Please make your check out to Highlands Fellowship and mail it to the church at PO Box 553, Abingdon, VA 24212. Please write “France – My Name” in the memo portion of the check. You will receive a contribution statement for tax purposes directly from the church. I will try to update you via email and help you feel as close to being there as possible. Upon my return I will have picture CD’s made plus provide all the trip reports.
No matter what, I want to thank you for being a friend with whom I can share my passion for helping others. I firmly believe where God guides, God provides. I am certain that God is guiding me to go to France and to make a difference in people’s lives there. I know this trip is going to change my perspective for the rest of my life. Thank you for your support and prayers.
Paix (“Peace” in French) to you,
Tim Lemons