Introducing Marcel Longchamps

Marcel and Lucie Longchamps are two of my favourite people. Together with two university students, they minister the Word in Quebec City. Please do not take this to mean that Lucie preaches. She does NOT. However, she is a brave soul who goes out with the guys when they preach on the streets, helping to distribute hundreds of tracts and engaging in conversation with souls as they pass by.

Lucie tries SO hard to communicate with me in her limited English. I want SO bad to be able to talk to her better!! (We're ordering a French course for our whole family this month. I can't wait!!) I admire her for her courage, for her determination to do God's will, and for her sweet spirit. Recently she quit her job because God impressed upon her to be a keeper at home.

Marcel recently started his own blog, The Beauty of Holiness. I encourage you to take a look at it. Keep in mind that his first language is French, and overlook any errors you may find in his English. I'm adding this blog to my sidebar.

Just another day in the life of the Newton family

Sarah just came out to the dining room, where I am folding clothes.

"Mother," she says, "I'm afraid we have a slight dilemma."

"What is it?" I ask, preparing my mind for a flood, since, the last I heard, she was working with her fish tank.

"Larry has decided he doesn't like his aquarium. And you know what that means, don't you?"

Yes, I know exactly what that means. That means that on the loose somewhere in this house is. . .

. . .a pet garter snake.

Thoughts on matchmaking

And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. --Genesis 24:61-67

1. Matchmaking is a biblical concept still practiced in that part of the world.

2. Parents should be involved in the process, and have veto rights. If Christian young people do not have Christian parents, older people in the church fellowship might take the role of "surrogate" parents, although the opinions of the non-Christian parents should still be taken into account.

3. Both persons being brought together by matchmaking have veto rights. (See the question put to Rebekah in Genesis 24:58.)

4. The most important aspect of the whole affair is prayer.

5. The process can (and maybe should) be swift and sure.

More expounding on this in future posts. Meanwhile, thoughts, any one?