God makes all kinds.

This morning we were picked up by RuthAnn, a lady married to a pastor running a church plant out of their basement. We met her after going to the local christian book store to purchase a french bible, upon leaving she 'followed' us to the tabac to introduce herself and invite us to church this morning and also to dinner at her house afterward. So the roads in St Etienne are horrible, they would make a normal person motion sick, thank goodness I was too focused on tryin gto hear her or otherwise, it wouldn't have been a good situation.

Upon arrival at her house, we were introduced to other anglophones that were in attendance (mostly Texans and Brits). Then the service started with a welcome from a guy in really tight white demin pants and a couple songs. Two of the songs I actually knew the english version and there was also and older hymn that both Melissa and I recognised the tune. So that was comforting. After the message, Lord's Supper and collection, there was another song, and the endonf the service. We were pretty much swallowed up in the curiosity of the locals. There had been a prayer meeting the Wednesday before so they all knew of our coming and were thrilled to meet fellow étrangeres (foreigners). It was actually really cool. Then when the last family had left (Wayne and Wendy and their daughter Charlotte - who have girl nights involing pyjamas and chick flicks) we went back into the house for dinner. Ray and RuthAnn had already started the preparations and were accepting of our meager help setting the table and slicing/tearing bread.

All through the meal, they badgered us with questions. RuthAnn had grown up on a farm and wanted to hear of all the different chores and especially thrilled to learn of the calf hutches and other more memorable things of the dairy farm. The fact that Melissa has six siblings was not lost on either of them and they were curious as to the family dynamics at 21 halson st. We asked them of the quirks of St Etienne and its traditions and culture differences, the church, their children, the methods of calling cards, transit costs - mainly bikes which would cost us more than 100 euros plus a lock, etc. They were incredibly hospitable, open and willing to help in anyways they could. Ray even went to the pantry and out of their 10kg pail scooped us out some DUTCH pindekaas!!! it was great. They pretty much adopted us, offering us their oven to bake cookies anytime we wished and to call them with any concerns and questions. RuthAnn delivered us back to our residence at 17h00 (5pm) so it was an afternoon well spent and enjoyed. Melissa and I proceeded to chill for the rest of the day, journaling, chatting - all with a glass of wine, naturally - and then finally contacting the family. Turns out that calling cards actually do work, you just have to know how to use them - no thanks to the asian french man in Paris. So the family is good. The spirits uplifted. The soul refreshed. The girl is ready to face a new week.