Well September is the “Re-entry” in French culture. People have spent the last 6 weeks completely checked out of normal life… many on vacation for a month at a time, but now… everyone’s back. School’s started, businesses re-opened, and people look to fill their social calendar. The Bridge is engaging people at different community events, as well as hosting an open house day on Sunday morning, Sept. 19.
We are now going to begin our 4th set of negotiations for a permanent home for The Bridge. This property is affordable, in a great location and has enough space to fulfill our long-term vision of The Bridge as a ministry center. It needs LOTS of renovation though, so when it is finalized start booking your trip to come help!
This article is a fascinating window into how Europe is changing. More challenging than ever to share the gospel, but people are seeking God– we see it! The “Islamization of Europe”
« A summer of change
We appreciate your prayers over the last month. We are very close to finalizing negotiations on space for the church in an office building in Le Pecq– which is in the heart of our target area in Paris’ western suburbs. Please continue to pray about this, as there are still a few logistical hurdles to be worked out.
On the family side, we are finishing language school on Friday, June 25. Hard to believe this year of language study is almost behind us, but we are very thankful for it. We can communicate adequately now in French (still lots of improvement ahead) and understand almost everything we come into contact with. It opens up many new doors for relationships as well as simply navigating life & business here in France!
The children will be finishing their school year (completely French environment) on Friday, July 2. We are so proud of them. We will be moving at the end of July to live among the international community concentrated on the west side of Paris (our school has been 20 minutes south of Paris). We appreciate your continued prayers for this transition as the right location, price and space are a hard combination to find!
“Rentrée”–Building update–Culture article »« Tyson Tidings Prayer Requests– Building Search & Team Members
(click here to see the email version– sign-up for emails in right box)
It has been just over 2 months since The Bridge International Church launched. In those two months the church has continued to grow, small groups have successfully started, and new people are coming every week! Pictured is a scene from the first Bridge picnic May 9, with about 50 people in attendance. Thank you for your continued prayers and faithful support. Rather than give a full update today though, I have two quick prayer requests.
Please join with us in prayer over two issues:
1) Building possibilities– Tomorrow (May 25) I will be making a follow-up inspection of a building that we are considering for the church (we currently meet in a conference center each Sunday). We are praying for God’s direction as our most promising building option fell through two weeks ago unexpectedly after several months of waiting.
2) Team members– We have 10 family units as part of our team now (pictured are the “Bridge Team Kids” at Easter). 
We have already had our first “Bridge baby”– congratulations to the Kempermans, our Dutch team members and dear friends. The 2nd baby is expected within the next week– prayers with The Browns– fellow American missionaries working with The Bridge. Besides these issues each family needs your prayers. All face the normal day-to-day challenges of life in a foreign country, but some are facing huge challenges and need God’s blessing right now!
Thank you for reading this, and remembering us in prayer. Please pray for our family also, as our leadership role among the team will be developing more fully as we finish language school in June.
Your notes and prayers are precious to us each day! God is moving mountains here in Paris– touching the world through this incredible, international city.
Todd & Amanda Tyson and family
todd@tysontidings.com
P.S. We are constantly scheduling short-term teams to minister here. We welcome teams of all kinds, and will have an urgent need for building renovation soon! Please contact us anytime about bringing a team from your church, university, etc…
A summer of change »« The Bridge has Launched!
The Bridge had it’s first public service this last Sunday, March 14, 2010. It was great day. “Renew” is the theme for this month… focusing on how God makes all things new. There were about 75 people there and everything went so smoothly. We had guests representing at least 6 different countries besides France. One family said their kids had a great time, and that they would be back! Pray with us for many, many more like that! We are waiting to hear on a permanent building for The Bridge, so we’re currently meeting at a hotel just off the main northwestern train line out of Paris (see www.thebridgeparis.com).
You’ll see here some pictures (click on pic to view a little bigger). A team from Evangel University (Springfield, MO) had been with us all week, helping with promotion, University ministry, and conference for expats, and preparations for the service. See pictures of their fearless leaders in action on Sunday morning– Dr. Robert Turnbull (French) along with Professor Brandon Schmidly (Philosophy) and his wife (Todd’s cousin) Leanne. It was a treat to have them here. The entire team was incredible with big servants’ hearts!
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Our worship quartet with two MA’s just off the plane!
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Robby Bradford shares a great message to kick-off the “Renew” theme.
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The Bridge Kids are a big part of this ministry– they are the best!
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Dr. Turnbull “ministering” during coffee time (croissants & good coffee!)
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Professor Schmidly doubles as our sound man! (click pic to view– sorry to cut of his head!)
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Leanne prepares the giveway– “Renewing” seed packets
Tyson Tidings Prayer Requests– Building Search & Team Members »« Tyson Tidings 6.1– Momentous Occasions
We are preparing for the first public service of The Bridge in Paris this coming Sunday! Our team is growing, and any day we could receive an answer allowing us to obtain a permanent building for The Bridge. Momentous occasions indeed! Read all about it & print one out for your church (or let us know if you need a printed copy).
Click here to view the newsletter.
Todd & Amanda Tyson and family
The Bridge has Launched! »« Newsletter
This article from PBS is mostly a compilation of quotes many European church leaders. It gives a interesting insight into the challenges facing the church in Europe.
There is also some hope reflected in new church elements like the Alpha Course, which we had great success with in Holland at HICC. You’ll see in the right column at the bottom some comments from Nicky Gumbel (founder) among others.
Click here to read this article.
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Latest Newsletter & Update FROM France »« Tyson Tidings 5.1.5– Email only update
The Bridge will begin it’s “building” phase this September. There will be at least four families involved by the first Sunday in September, but we have every reason to believe many more will join us.
See our latest email newsletter– click here.
Many friends and churches have responded generously, so we have ALMOST completed our fundraising (the only thing keeping us from buying our tickets). Only $375 in monthly support is needed (or the equivalent in one-time gifts– $13,500). We praise God that He is providing in the midst of all the economic gloom we hear from the news each day! (For anyone wanting to submit a new pledge or adjust a current one, click here. Email us about any one-time contributions so we’ll know they are coming.)We hope to leave for France the week of July 20. Please pray that God provides everything needed SOON, so we can finalize our plans to move.
A big answer to prayer– we praise God for helping us find a family-friendly language school so close to our target area for The Bridge!
Pray for housing to be found, needed financial commitments to come in, and moving plans to go smoothly!
Article about the decline of religion in Europe »« Our support team is growing
