Dauner News Update July 31, 2008
The past six weeks, undoubtedly the most frenzied of our church year, were so packed with people and activities that they defy any detailed narration in a newsletter of this kind. Here is a brief summary of the four principal events that should require only a few minutes to read.
1. Work Week at Bonnefoi Retreat Center: June 22-27
Two dozen volunteers of all ages and from several different countries advanced the ongoing improvements on our retreat center in the Ardèche mountains. Besides preparing the buildings for the 2008 Bible camp, two new dormitory rooms were made habitable, the terrace was repaired, and the floor was laid in the outside corridor linking our two dining rooms.
Among the workers were nine members on mission from the Church of Christ in Littleton, Colorado: Frank and Alexander Aldrich; Rick & Jennifer and Jeff Mastalka; Scott & Candace, Preston and Monica McGinty.
2. CEM Summer Session 2008: June 29–July 6
A large contingent (42) of participants from outside of Marseilles made this year’s program especially dynamic. Seven countries were represented: France, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, the USA, and Canada. The intensive week-long schedule was punctuated by three evangelistic concerts:
(1) at an outdoor theater during a gospel music festival in a suburb of Marseille;
(2) our musical play Break Down Our Walls: The Story of Joshua, performed at a neighborhood catholic parish church (The parish priest was overjoyed at the biblical content and evangelistic message of the play. He said, “I opened not only the doors of my church to you, but also the doors of my heart.”);
(3) a program of religious music and skits at our own chapel.
Two more couples from the Littleton church attended the session: Gus & Candy White, Kent & Jean Nofsinger. Both Gus and Kent appeared on the program and gave excellent talks on Christian ethics, and the presence of the Christ in the Old Testament.
3. CEM Ten-Year Alumni Reunion: July 12-14
Over half of the 50 alumni of our Christian on Mission spiritual internship (CEM) attended a week-end reunion held at the Bonnefoi Retreat Center. The program featured a talk by former CEM president Yann Opsitch, presently with Abilene Christian University.
4. Harmony Bible Camp: July 16-30
With 140 campers and 35 staff, this was, numerically, our biggest year ever. It would be hard to exaggerate the amount of work that goes into organizing and running the camp. It is a Herculean task. Plus, because of French laws regulating volunteer work, the staff has to pay their own room and board.
The theme of the camp centered on the missionary voyages of Paul. Each day, the campers made a virtual visit to one of the cities evangelized by the Apostle. My general impression is that the campers are increasingly spiritual in their attitude, even though a large number of them come from unchurched families. The main reason, probably, is the cumulative effect of the camp: Most of the kids have been attending for years, and Bible camp contributes to their spiritual maturation. This year, fifteen of the campers were foreigners from Italy, England and the USA. One of the older teenage girls from the south of France was baptized on the final Sunday of camp.
As for the staff, we will no doubt do what we do every year after camp: Sleep for two days!
Love in Christ,
Max and Prisca Dauner