29th October 2012
Hannah Smeeton
Hannah Smeeton
Pasteurs Corinne Charriau
Lyon
FRANCE
Here I am to worship. Here I am to
bow down. Here I am to say that
you’re my God
(Here I am to worship: Tim Hughes)
Salut! 
I greet you this month with song lyrics
instead of a set piece of scripture. I’ve found
that in all situations, whatever I may be doing
these lyrics have been coming to mind. I’m
sure many of you are familiar with this song. I
have gained a new understanding of these
words this month by meditating on the fact
that God has placed each one of us where we
are for a purpose, we are where we are to
worship him. We all have a purpose to share
the gospel with those around us. We do not
know how long we will be in a set place for,
or how many opportunities we will have to
share Christ’s love with those we work with,
those who live next door to us or those who
we meet through other circumstances. This
perspective has given me an enhanced
eagerness to pray for us to learn to access
God’s support to aid us in speaking more
freely about his love with those around us.
These few lines encourage me to keep my
focus in the right place, whether I’m missing
home or finding things hard. I hope that my
sharing of this new
perspective God has given me will inspire you
too.
Before I get onto what has been happening
here in Lyon, I would really like to thank you
all for partnering in prayer with me. I’m
seeing answers to the last set of prayer
requests each week with every delivery the
charity receives with supplies for the poor
and with every new French word I learn.
So, what have I been up to?
This month God has stretched me as I’ve had
to make my first list of French phone calls to
confirm the attendance of preparation
meetings which was interesting as I really
had to listen carefully to understand what
was being said without having the aid of
gestures or facial expressions.
I’ve been on a trip into the countryside with a
few people from church to gather chestnuts.
Whilst in the countryside, we had the
privilege of sharing a lovely lunch provided
by a welcoming pastor from the area of
Ardèche. The day after consisted of creating
lots of French delights with the chestnuts in
order to sell to raise funds.
During the monthly bible studies we are
looking at the start of each of Paul’s letters. I
have learnt so much as we spent time to
really break down the passage, discuss each
verse and what kind of idea different words
evoke. It was helpful that they go at a slower
pace as it helps me to understand what is
being discussed.
I attended a weekend organised for church
leaders across France to take time out and
learn about different forms of evangelism
and how to encourage their home churches
to share the Gospel. It was a great weekend,
a time to meet and get to know people, to be
inspired by what works were already
happening across France and to think about
how we can contribute to the advancing of
the Gospel.
This month has included a visit to the
national French radio with Corinne. I got to
watch her record a weeks’ worth of
meditations for later on in the month. It was
so interesting to see how it is done and to
learn more about the Christian presence in
the French media.
In addition this month, the youth group has
held their first successful fundraising event (a
cake sale) for their trip to Madagascar. The
hope is to raise enough money for the youth
group to go and donate their time to aid a
charitable cause in Madagascar; however
where they are going to help is yet to be
decided. They also plan to do an exchange
and stay with families there so they are well
integrated. Our next project is to make lots of
Christmas cards for sale, we have already had
one session of card making. Please unite with
us in prayer for the planning and fundraising
this project.
The weekend of 27th-29th October will be
spent at a youth weekend called Car aimant
Kiff. I will attend with the pastor and some of
the members of the youth group. I am
looking forward to this opportunity to get to
know the youth more.
It has come to the time during my year
abroad where I need to start doing some
work on my dissertation, I have chosen a
topic, and have started reading. Prayer for
understanding, more solid ideas and being
able to balance my time would be greatly
appreciated.
Again I thank you for your prayer support,
please keep me updated with what I can be
praying for you 
Hannah
Praise and Prayer:
Praise God for:
 The humble and faithful work of the two pastors here, Corinne and Stephen & leadership team
 Good health
 Times of rest
 Improving French
Please pray for:
 The growth of the reform church in France; that they would continue to walk in God’s truth.
 Car aimant Kiff: That the youth will not forget what they have learnt there but that they would cling to God’s word
each day.
 For God to help me learn increasingly more of the French language so that I can have deeper conversations with
people that will build up friendships.
 For my faith in God to be well fed, as I can’t fully understand the church sermons yet, bible studies are monthly
and I miss having day to day conversations with friends about Gods goodness: this is all leaving me a little drained
at times.
th
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 Mini Camp 5 – 7 November: a weekend away for 6 to 11 year olds, jam packed with bible teaching, fun and
games. I have signed myself up to lead a dance workshop based on the scripture we’re studying, so I would really
appreciate prayer for that.
 Dissertation