A Summer of Service in Southern France (Cross Cultural Report)
A Summer of Service in Southern France
by Rebecca Elliot
At the end of June, I travelled to the south of France as part of my cross-cultural placement with the Irish Baptist College. While my original plans had involved travelling to Japan, those arrangements unfortunately fell through. Thankfully, Baptist Missions stepped in, and what followed was an incredibly encouraging time in a country which I had only ever previously experienced as a holiday destination.
I spent my placement with David and Hannah Sandall, who have been serving with Baptist Missions in France for the past four years. I first met them in 2018 during a BYE Team trip to their home church in Brannockstown, so reconnecting in this new setting was a great reminder of the importance of the wider body of Christ and the value of maintaining gospel-centred friendships. You never know when your paths may cross again.
David and Hannah are members of the Baptist church in Carcassonne, supporting the church’s ministry while focusing primarily on church planting in a nearby town—one with no current evangelical witness. My time with them involved shadowing their weekly routine, engaging with local families, visiting the local market, helping out with the youth and gaining a real insight into life and ministry in a French context.
One of the most memorable aspects of the trip was visiting families connected with the church. A particularly meaningful encounter was with a refugee family from Pakistan who are practising Catholics. David and I spent time helping with practical needs around their home, which led to several rich conversations about their background and beliefs. Toward the end of my placement, they invited me back for a very informal cooking class, where I learned to make some traditional Pakistani food—and more importantly, heard more about their faith journey. I was struck by their openness and hospitality, and was reminded of how crucial genuine relationships are in sharing the gospel. While we don't fully understand where they stand spiritually, they profess belief in Jesus and his saving work, and we continue to pray that they will grow in faith and understanding.
Another highlight was a visit to a park near Toulouse, where a group of believers from North African backgrounds gather regularly for fellowship, food, and worship in Arabic. It was inspiring to witness the joy and boldness of those who face so many challenges due to their cultural backgrounds, freely praising God in public. For someone with a heart for people from North Africa and the Middle East, this was a powerful glimpse of God's faithfulness and the ongoing fruit of gospel witness.
My time in France was a rich blessing and has given me a clearer picture of what it might look like to serve long-term in a European mission context. Please continue to pray for the Sandalls and the church in Carcassonne—for endurance, encouragement, and for more workers to be raised up to serve in this spiritually needy land.
