I was sitting an hour ago in a room full of foreigners to France for my second rendez-vous at the Préfecture. The walls were lined with people from all over the world, of every age, size and color (don't worry, i was by far the palest and the only remotely red-headed) waiting. Waiting to see if they can become legal in France. The palpable stress and tension in the room was overpowering as each person glanced up at the blinking numbers every few seconds to see if their number would come up.
... what a great p-day ...
Last night was my french debut. I gave a free recital for the community at the Nogent ward building where they have a nice shiny grand piano. The program started with Bach in good mariah fashion--organ prelude and Debussy's Reflets dans l'eau (both resurrected from my sophomore recital), then played a flashy arrangement (well, actually an improvisation) of How Great Thou Art, Ravel's Ondine, another improv of Nearer, my God to Thee, and finale with Poulenc's Italian caprice. As I introduced each piece and tried to explain why I am on a mission here in france, the Spirit filled the room and I hope many felt my testimony through the music.
While we were all visiting afterwards, the Evèque / Bishop pulled me aside and told me that i had impressed so many that he is organizing back-to-back concerts April 26th and inviting civil authorities, mayors, and pastors and bishops from other faiths... it wasn't until halfway through is speech that i snuck in a plea to put as many hours between the concerts as possible for my ou-of-shape fingers' sake... .
So it was a success I guess. so many of the members came up to me afterwards telling me that they now had more people they could invite to the concert that would be uplifted--they'll ask them for next time. I guess they didn't trust me for this concert, but i'll keep you posted for the next.
I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!
Sœur Wilson
ps--thanks jared kelson and pamela ash for the letter/email!
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