Aventures en France

captured by the THREE-IN-ONE
Father, Holy Spirit, Son

His love poured out

He cried aloud

that I may have

a - bun- dant LIFE!

“How precious to me are Your thoughts Oh God. How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.” (Psalm 139:17-18)


Pyla Sur Mer is a stretch of sand dunes between the Atlantic Ocean and the largest man made pine forest in Europe. The locals call the huge pine forest, the "green sea", and of course the Atlantic, the blue sea. The dune has a volume of about 60, 000, 000 m3, measuring around 500 m wide from east to west and 2.7 km in length from north to south. Its height is 108 metres above sea level. 

I thought I understood these words and whenever I read this passage, I thought of the sand beaches in the Philippines. Then I came to France and set foot on the largest sand dunes in Europe. These words came to mind like whispers as the wind howled and blew the sand, to make patterns on the dunes. And as I scale the vastness of the dunes, it brought chills under my spine whilst the passage take on a new meaning to me.

Having the description of the dunes and the passage in mind, how much more if I think of the desert places in Africa or the Mid-East? God’s thoughts about you and me are unthinkable! They have been thought of even before the foundation of the world was made, they’ve been set in humanity’s heart from eternity. That, to me is overflowing, illegal goodness, if I may put it in my own terms.

notice the blue triangle

I've originally planned to do a triangle trip in France - Paris (North) then to the East near Lake Geneva; and across the land towards the West in Bordeaux before going up to Paris to fly back to Finland. The original purpose that I sent out in my updates earlier, changed when I got a clear direction that I was to go to France for a break, and leave the paper works behind for a moment. I did not see the need for it until I got to the South-West of France. I knew I needed this rest knowing what is waiting for me in the autumn. I may not have been able to go to the Eastern part of France but I met a family (relatives to my hosts), who then I got a chance to get to know and it was such a blessed time. Plus, when I was looking at the geographical map of the region, I noticed a triangle shape. How cool! 

no, I wasn't stealing grapes! they're not even ripe!

I've come to understand that rest is not about doing nothing. I've read it once from Bill Johnson, that "your free time is never wasted unless you pour into something that drains your life or denies who you are.Take reading for example, it would be wasted if I read something that was speaking opposite of who I am. It is not wasted if I read a good book that doesn't pull my heart away from who I am or who God is calling me to be." Or if I spend time with people and they walk away inspired, and I even more blessed as I share what I've been graced with. I've met people in this trip that cultivated the love of God in me, stirred up the grace and patience to sit down to listen to people's stories, and speak life into their situations that seem impossible. I'm so grateful to be part of people's lives even for a brief moment. Honestly, I can only boast what God has done in me and I just want to share that to anyone I meet along the way.

playing with Charlotte

Ingelin & I in Paris

Whilst in Paris, at Starbucks, my friend and I sat next to 2 girls who were talking about relationship. We overheard their conversation. I knew I'd eventually speak to them at some point. I waited. As they were preparing to leave, with a shy smile, I asked if I could have a minute with them. One minute turned into a long chat, exchange of prayers, and hugs! You can never underestimate what one minute, a word, or just simply a hug can do. You just can't measure its effect. What if some of your greatest treasure was the fact that you get to sit down with a friend or a stranger over cheese & a glass of wine, or play with a 2-year old girl? 

Simplicity is what life is made for.
When you know how to celebrate the simplicity of life,
your heart is at rest.

When you know that you are loved,
you do not need the artificial to be satisfied.

There's more to be told about my trip in France but the details might follow later. Meanwhile, let's just say I'm enjoying the rest of my days here - the warm hospitality of the French, the prune museum (btw this is a one-of-a-kind museum coz you get to taste their produce), 

the farm markets, the thunder & lightning at night after a hot day, wading in the river (La Garonne) at night, visiting small villages, the food!, the hazelnut house (La Maison de la Noisette), and more!!! Au revoir !!!