We are now in Sherbrooke, Quebec, to study French. We are in a beginner's class of twelve students all of whom will be going to serve in missions in Africa.
As we have said, the area is very hilly which allows for lots of exercise when we walk.
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Here are some photos of the school grounds where we now live.
A lot of cedars and evergreen trees planted for the nursery market. This region also produces evergreen trees for the Christmas market in Canada and USA. Maple syrup is harvested in the region and is manufactured into products you find on grocery shelves.
As we go for our walks, it feels like we are in a magnificent cathedral with a rainbow of colours surrounding us. Beneath our feet is a blanket of colourful confetti leaves rustling with each step and we are delighted, like young children playing in stacks of dried leaves.
We have completed three full weeks of French language training. This is tough, and we have not hit the hard parts yet. At least for the the first few weeks we get a bit of a break in that they do use some English in class. Hereinafter, that is not supposed to be the case. We cling to the promise that equips the people he calls. In our moments of humiliation and embarrassment, as we struggle to use this new language, we are comforted by the greater purpose for being here. On September 20th, we attended our first French speaking church. We were overwhelmed at the friendliness and graciousness of the people; over a dozen people came and introduced themselves to us. They are use to the language students so they actually speak a little slower and more clearly. Even when you do not know all of the words, there is a lot we can understand just by listening and picking out familiar words.
This is beautiful country.
Here are pictures of the drive to the school.
As we have said, the area is very hilly which allows for lots of exercise when we walk.
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Here are some photos of the school grounds where we now live.
This building has the library in the basement, chapel on the main floor and boy's dorm (for Bible School students) on the top floor.
Here, Grace is walking up to the building
where we have French language classes.
The school also has 31 Bible school students plus French classes
for intermediate and advanced.
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This building houses the cafeteria on the main floor. Top floor is the Bible School girls dorm and the bottom floor is a recreational area.
Same building but a view from the front step, going down to the building where we have classes.
Our apartment is even further down.
Pictures from the church picnic.
People bring a lunch and tailgate from the back of the cars,
then share in the boiled corn.
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Fresh apples from the tree, how delicious!
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Just visiting!
Below are pictures of what has been our favourite walking trail
along the river.
The leaves are starting to turn colour.
We have completed three full weeks of French language training. This is tough, and we have not hit the hard parts yet. At least for the the first few weeks we get a bit of a break in that they do use some English in class. Hereinafter, that is not supposed to be the case. We cling to the promise that equips the people he calls. In our moments of humiliation and embarrassment, as we struggle to use this new language, we are comforted by the greater purpose for being here. On September 20th, we attended our first French speaking church. We were overwhelmed at the friendliness and graciousness of the people; over a dozen people came and introduced themselves to us. They are use to the language students so they actually speak a little slower and more clearly. Even when you do not know all of the words, there is a lot we can understand just by listening and picking out familiar words.
That same Sunday, the church had its annual picnic. It was 20 minutes out in the country to get there. There were people who greeted us and then began helping us with the language. It was a great time of fellowship and learning. Went on a hayride and even had an opportunity to walk around the farm with the pastor and another couple. We were so grateful to God that he blessed us with this time of fellowship.
As part of our language training, we need to do activities that allow us to interact with the French-speaking people. We went on a couple of outings to help us with that.
First of all we went to an apple orchard. We had a guided tour of the orchard and the instructors made sure that everything was in French.
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Fall is coming and the trees are displaying splendid colours.
First of all we went to an apple orchard. We had a guided tour of the orchard and the instructors made sure that everything was in French.
Here is a picture of some of the 200-300 handmade apple pies prepared everyday. They use two pounds of apples in each pie.
We were allowed to pick one bag of apples each.
These were Spartan apples and they were good.
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We also went to a Lavender farm.
The country was very picturesque and very aromatic.
We went on a guided tour - in French and English.
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