Pembury Baptist Church

Ian and Mary Roberts - The First Year in Gascony

In June 2010, a few months before we moved to France full-time, we held a small Retreat Weekend here at Le Mouret, led by American friends Ray and Emily Duenke.  During this very special time, each of us were given a personal prophetic word.  In our one, Ray reminded us of the need to make hosting God’s Presence of more importance than hosting our guests:

‘My Presence will give ‘our’ guests what they need, because My Presence is HEALING, RESTORATION, RECONCILIATION, LIFE, ABUNDANT LIFE, PEACE, JOY AND LOVE. Love Me first, host Me first, and all things will be added’.

Over the past year His direction to us remains unchanged.  And, He has resisted our attempts to ‘set something up’.   We felt at times a foolish pressure to look as though we were doing something significant in order to reassure other Christians.  But no, it always went back to the simple concept of making Le Mouret a Resting Place and a Home for God, where everyone who came would have a sense  of His Presence and Peace and love.

And since our arrival a year ago, God has not disappointed.  We live in His Presence, and it is a privilege to be custodians of a place where He so readily seems to reveal Himself.  There is no pressure to strive when we know that each person who comes is greatly loved by Him and it is He who speaks to their hearts and He who heals, refreshes and restores.

We have dipped into various Christian fellowships in the area, but have not felt led to commit to a particular one, believing that this place, our home, is a ‘gathering place’ – a ‘church’, and that the unseen Presence of Our Lord is part of our meal times and in our conversations, sometimes profound, often light-hearted and full of laughter and fun.  It is all significant, and every encounter is an opportunity to bring the Kingdom to earth in this little corner of South West France.  It is important for us to know that we have PBC as our Church Family in England.

In May this year we held another Retreat Weekend, led by Ian and Janice Ross from Toronto.  Janice was struck by a recurring sense of the ‘membrane’ between heaven and earth being virtually dissolved.  Celtic Christians described Nature as the Fifth Gospel, and it is the experience of many who come here that God speaks powerfully through the beauty that surrounds us. We have planted a rose garden around the well, with roses that speak of Him – Emmanuel, Grace, Compassion, Open Arms, Spirit of Freedom and Cariad (which means Love in Welsh).

It has felt so right, being here.  Even though there have been big hurdles to overcome and much to learn, we have come to know God as faithful Father, Provider and Friend.