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Calling all Project Leaders! Do you want to see how you can make something from nothing and, at the same time, watch the Lord move mountains in our lives? Then come and see the Chaville Church in Paris and witness this miracle at work… everyday!
“If all it took to raise funds was to click our fingers, there would be no work of the spirit in our hearts!” That is why you will see the sisters of the Chaville Church regularly transforming their homes into workshops, for needlework, art or cookery; putting into action their God-given gifts and talents in order to raise funds for the mission work in Africa and India. Be it with needle and thread, copper pots containing kilos of fruit and sugar or paintbrush and wood; this church performs exceptionally. It took several years of experience before this very specific role of supporting the missionary vision became engraved in the heart of the church. As a result of the 2003 International Conference call to ‘Raise Funds', they set about exploring the church's talents and unearthed hidden treasures of expertise in many of the members. Today, we can see the fruits of that call manifested.
Altogether, since August 2003, the sisters and brothers have made, with their own hands, some 5,100 pots of jam; sewn many items such as bags, heating pads, oven gloves; painted hundreds of wooden trays; all this for the purpose of building God's Kingdom. They have sold these items in over 60 in-house company sales, fairs, flea markets and home sales. Their next project is taking place in England; this will also be the first collaboration between the English, French and Mauritian churches; clearly demonstrating a unity of heart and vision, which is the product of living out this gospel, whatever our nationality and wherever we may be.
Fundraising in Paris is a regular cottage industry, and the sisters and brothers are always invited for the following year wherever they sell their goods. Seeing everyone at work is like watching an industrial production line, yet nothing like anything to be found in the world. Here each person is totally committed to his task. Nothing is hit and miss. “When market-research has been done, preferences and tastes of Parisians identified, needs targeted, only then can production begin,” explains Dane Series, responsible for fundraising in Paris. And, we are not talking small here. Should you see the bolts of cloth or baskets of fruits arriving at a sister's house you could wonder what all this was destined for. Thank goodness the sisters are not overwhelmed by the quantities of material, as everything has been mathematically pre-calculated. We are talking stock management, budget forecasts, and planned output in units per workshop; “We manufacture stocks for 9 months of the year, and during the rest we sell…” Easier said than done of course!
It would be naive to think for one minute that all this happened without any complications; there was a price to pay – recognising and accepting one's mistakes, appreciating each other's gifts, encouraging one another; everyone has had to be humbled at one point or other. However, feeling the Lord's heart in bringing the church together in one vision has been their reward. “The most important thing is that the Gospel is at work in us at the same time that it is being spread across the world,” says Genevieve. Commitment, unity, perseverance, the joy of fellowship; these are the first fruits that the teams are reaping. Their hearts are truly ‘ having fun, raising funds' as prescribed by Audrey Hardy. This slogan has become so real for the brothers and sisters that they will not miss any opportunity.
What is important is that everyone finds his place; they can pick fruit if they can't sew, when the ironing is done, there is fruit to be peeled. Even the youth take part… You should see them sing their song about buying a pot of jam! Of course, the youth take part in their own way but ultimately, everyone's heart is united around one goal: spreading the Gospel and making this church known.
What a sight, on Saturday afternoons, to see sisters, youths, dads, arm in arm carrying baskets of home-made jams come knocking on your door in Chaville, wreathed in smiles; selling their delicious products. This is truly the Lord's family come to pay you a visit. In fact, having been informed beforehand of the up-coming visit, a lot of people really look forward to that time. They also hold special sales events at the Old Age Pensioners' Club; complete with gospel singing. Another opening is the Chaville Bridge Club, which has put in a regular order for 20 pots of jam at a time. They use all these openings to evangelise, invite people to church and talk about the mission they are contributing to in Africa and India. It is absolutely wonderful.
It is marvellous to see how much the Lord is drawing and uniting hearts for this vision and how through this, the sisters and brothers are being blessed as they work for the Kingdom. Not afraid to work, neither are they worried when supplies are lacking. Their attitude is to always look for God's provision, not afraid to ask a neighbour for fruit or seek out alternative sources. The elders of the Chaville Church, Jean Louis and Bruno, as well as Sister Dane carry the vision and spirit for these projects. The Paris Fundraisers have developed their own unique niche!
If you could only see the effect that the preaching of this Gospel is having in the lives of brothers and sisters in Africa and India, we guarantee that you too will soon be peeling fruit…
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