Parfums de Vie Update - 10/19/21

Dearest Dixie,

At the end of this month, Vincent and I will take a group of 20 kids to the Cevennes mountains for a week-long camp.  We are very excited, because with the Covid restrictions now much reduced here, it means that we can FINALLY take the younger kids to camp again!  This has been impossible since March 2020 (camp was only possible for the older teens!)

It will be a huge blessing for the younger kids of Parfums de Vie, who will benefit so much from getting away from their cramped and difficult home circumstances and being in the fresh air and the great outdoors.  As I have mentioned in the past, violence and abuse is sadly far too common among many of the families that we work with here, and so every opportunity for children to experience God's love and grace, especially for extended periods, is so life-giving and life-changing.

For many of the kids, it will be their first ever camp with Parfums de Vie, and also their first time away from home without their parents.  Vincent and I are always so humbled by the fact that so many muslim families entrust their children to us, knowing that they will spend a week at camp with a Christian organisation!  We have always felt that one week of camp produces more fruit in kids' lives than a whole year of kids clubs and homework clubs.  Both are truly essential, but so much happens in that short but beautifully intense and special space away from the normal stresses of their home lives.  Having extended time in a safe place for life together and to engage more deeply with the stories of Jesus changes lives for eternity.

As well as lots of adventures, hikes, camp-fires, games and cooking, we will also look after two donkeys for the week!  Caring for animals is very therapeutic for children, and we are thrilled about this opportunity!

Will you pray for our camp?  Will you also pray for the provision we need to cover the costs?  One week of camp for one child costs $500.  Should you be in a position to sponsor one child (or partially sponsor or even sponsor several children) all of the giving information is below. 

There's so much more news to share with you, here's just a few updates:

• Fatiha has started her chemotherapy, and while the first few days were extremely difficult, she is feeling much better and is already back out running!!
• All four of our College students are absolutely thriving!  We are so thrilled, in particular for Narjes, who is having a wonderful time, after struggling so much last year!  Please pray as we continue to raise support for the College/University Fund.
• Please pray for more volunteers for our Homework Club - we really need more help and are having to turn kids away as we don't have enough adult helpers.
• We are very thankful that Luke, our new intern, has been able to jump right in and help out in so many areas - please keep praying for him and his impact here.
• Will you pray for the owner of the Parfums de Vie center by name - Gilbert Engilberge - please pray specifically that in the next weeks we will finally come to an agreement on the sale price, so that the purchase of our ministry center will finally go ahead!  We believe that now is the time!

Finally, as I write, we have a team here from one of our supporting churches in Dallas, Texas who have come to bless, encourage and serve alongside us this week.  It is always very encouraging for Vincent and me to have visitors and it's also a blessing for our Parfums de Vie community.  Will you pray for them over the next few days as they pour into us, our team, the children, youth and families of Parfums de Vie.  God is always at work here, but sometimes special breakthroughs happen in people's hearts and circumstances when we have people from the "outside" who come and speak God's love, life and presence into our community!

Vincent and I pray for you often, Dixie, and we are so thankful for your love, prayers, generosity and friendship. 
with love,
Nicole & Vincent