I am honored to join hands, hearts and minds with the 40-day fast, once more we are proving that together we are able to accomplish so much more than when we are able to apart.
While you may have been reading stories all week about starving children, broken homes or illiteracy, I would like to highlight a different area of need in a part of the world often disregarded, due to their established governments, opulence, and resemblance to us: the people of Paris, France.
Walking the streets of Paris, you might find yourself enamored with the beautiful shops, the amazing architecture, or the historical treasures of centuries of humanity walking these same streets. The gold-leafed, ornate columns or the statues of kings and emperors might distract you from the aching and hurting people who will not even look you in the eye. Symbols of opulence are what people want to see, and what they want to remember; but off the beaten path, there is a different picture, one of pain, emptiness and loss.
For a city touted as the spiritual hub of France, it is amazing to see the sheer number of broken, hurting people, begging, hiding, or just surviving through an 
ordinary and mundane life. Their veiled faces only serve as remnants to what they once were, and who they truly long to be. France is a proud country, who has fought hard for the freedoms and rights they hold today, but somehow in the midst of protecting freedom, they have lost track of hope.
In the absence of any declared or public religion the nation of Islam has moved in and taken root. The churches and cathedrals of yesterday are being turned into the mosques of today. Muslim gangs patrol the streets of neighborhoods built once with the idea of fostering and creating art. The rampant Islamic culture is then contrasted by a fiercely agnostic and humanistic populous, built upon the foundations of self and the scars of abuse and neglect by a national church of old. Furthermore, with over 7.5% unemployment, Paris, the city of light, is growing increasingly dark.
A glimmer of hope however now penetrates the grayscale world of Paris, represented by a person found looking for more, hungry for the real deal, the person seeking God. They are peppered all throughout the city, amongst the artifacts, catacombs and churches, seeking quietly something that their heart cries for daily, a true relationship with their Creator. Romans 8:19 states "All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal His children" (GNB.) This is never more evident than in Paris, where they are eagerly waiting to see real Christianity. While they wait, a revolution is brewing.
This past Wednesday the revolution took another step, something monumental happened. A young church by the name of C3Paris held its first Baptism service. Two people, who had given their lives to Christ earlier in the year, were now making a public declaration of that decision. They were being baptized amongst a crowd of believers and non-believers, who were all experiencing this type of event for the first time. Worship, lead by one guitar echoed through the service praises of God in French. Merci Seigneur, merci… merci beaucoup.
I had the pleasure of visiting this church, nearly four months ago, and let me tell you, the spirit of God was so thick there. At that time, regular attendance was around 20 people each Sunday, doing whatever they could to get to church to cultivate their own personal relationships with Jesus. Since then, God has moved in so many ways, and hungry people keep showing up for church on Sunday and finding ways to build relationships and community during the week. It is an authentic grass-roots movement for God… and it is AMAZING. In those four months, attendance has more than tripled, and people are hungry for more.
So today, I am fasting and praying for the people of Paris. I am praying that God will bring them the revolution and relationship that their hearts cry out for. I have seen the beginning of this movement, and it is beautiful, and so inspiring. God is at work in France, and he is inviting us all to be a part of it. I don’t know about you, but I’m in!
Great post man!
Posted by: CJ Mills | June 27, 2008 at 10:52 PM
I think it's great to be focusing on a specific city, and getting involved there. It's great there's a church there really reaching out.
Thank you for being apart of the 40 day fast!
Posted by: Kristin | June 28, 2008 at 07:22 AM
I'll be praying for you today, and for Paris and the many cities like her.
Posted by: euphrony | June 28, 2008 at 07:47 AM
It's awesome to hear of some encouraging steps being taken in France. There has been a lot of spiritual darkness there for a long time, so what a praise to hear of this church and their commitment.
Posted by: Sarah Chia | June 28, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Hey!
My name is Allison and I just met some friends of yours, Pastor Mike and Renae. We had a very interesting conversation and your name was brought up. They mentioned that you are getting involved in missionary work and you were headed to Paris. My interest was peaked because I was raised in France while my parents were missionaries there.
What a great opportunity for you! I hope it is everything you want it to be and more.
Que la paix de notre Seigneur Jesus Christ soit avec toi,
Allison
Posted by: Allison M. | June 28, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Dude, I am so proud of you! It's amazing to see how far you've come. And even more amazing to see how you are impacting others now! We love you so much man!
Posted by: Tony Chavez | June 28, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Cj- Thanks Man! So glad you came by... first comment too1 :-)
Kristin - Thank you, I am so excited to see what C3Paris is doing as well.
Euphrony - Thank you for your prayers, and you are right, there are so many cities just like her.
Sarah - I couldnt agree more, I am glad it is encouraging to you as well.
Allison - Enchanté! Wow its a small world. I would love to hear some of the stories of how all that happened.
Tony - As always, you are a dear friend and a brother, and I am so thankful that God put us in the same battles on the same lines. Cant wait for the next one!
Posted by: CrazyDisciple | June 28, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Thanks for sharing Mocha! This is the beginning to an amazing story! I look forward to following you and praying with you through this journey.
Posted by: just Matt | June 28, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Me too! Great post, can't WAIT to hear how God uses you. What a privilege to be part of such an exciting plan.
Posted by: amy | June 28, 2008 at 07:11 PM
What an awesome post!
Thanks!
Posted by: Melissa | June 28, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Thanks for fasting and sharing. I always like to look inside your head.
Posted by: Starlite | June 28, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Wow man.... Im so proud of you!I love that you are finishing what you started... I knew the day we went to the airport in Paris that for you, the mission wasn't over...
I have the priveledge of having gotten the oportunity to walk WITH you along the streets of Paris, been there to see first hand to see just what it is that breaks our Savior's heart... and I know that it breaks your heart as well; mine broke too.
It was unbelievably hard to believe the amount of love that I could feel for people in such a short amount of time while being there, and even harder to leave them. My heart still hurts for the Parisians, but I know that this is where I'm called to be...
Knowing that you are the one that God has entrusted this mission too is an incredible relief. I am so proud of you for finishing what we started, and for carrying on the work that God is doing in the lives of Paris.
Love ya MOCHA!!!
Posted by: jaymz | June 28, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Awesome post. We hear so much over here about Europe being post-God, etc. We need more stories like this.
Posted by: Fay(ola) | June 28, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Scott, great perspective man. What an amazing thing to join in the front lines of what God is doing on the Earth today. I pray that we all can continue to catch His vision and do His work during our lifetimes. I'm so very proud of you!
Posted by: Nick | June 28, 2008 at 11:07 PM
i'm proud to call you my brother and my friend. God is so evident in what you do man and i for one am blessed to be able to witness it. great job!
Posted by: Iman | June 29, 2008 at 01:20 AM
Go get it baby!!! The world will never be the same...
Posted by: Pastor Mike | June 29, 2008 at 08:30 AM
I don't know what to say other than...we are so proud of you and love you so much! Hold on for the ride!
Posted by: Alyse | June 29, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Scott it has been exciting to be apart of this journey with you thus far! Remember the difference between a journey and a destination. A journey is fresh,exciting,mystrious, and yet amazing! Destinations are simply points in time!! And there is nothing lifegiving about them. I love my friend and brother!!
Posted by: arnie mccall | June 30, 2008 at 08:18 AM
I'm interested in your journey. Especially the part in Paris. Let's connect.
Posted by: l | July 01, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Matt – Bro I am glad to have you along on this journey too… thanks for praying!
Amy – you are so awesome… you and Matt have to come visit.
Melissa – Thank you!
Starlite – Oh, so that was you shining a light through there!
Jaymz – you humble me and blow me away. We will walk those streets together, again… I promise.
Fay – I agree, more to come too!
Nick – Thank man, you are so awesome!
Iman – You so coooooooool! Thanks man, you bless me.
Pastor Mike – thanks for being such an amazing pastor. You are loved and appreciated.
Alyse – Heck yeah girl, let’s go get em!
Arnie – Dude, I am thinking of getting an extra couch just so you can visit more often. Love you bro, LOADS!
I – Will do!
LOVE YOU ALL, thanks for the support, friendship and comments... we're making a difference already!
Posted by: CrazyDisciple | July 02, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Scott,
Great post. My husband's family is from France, so you're words really hit close to my heart. Thanks for being a part of the 40 Day Fast and thank you for ministering to the people of Paris.
Kat
Posted by: The Secret Life of Kat | July 06, 2008 at 02:34 PM