Bonjour
It’s been a while—thank you for your patience! Life has been incredibly full lately. Between countless tasks, obligations, and unexpected moments, I’ve often felt overwhelmed and struggled to find the time or space to share an update.
Now that France entered a week of vacation, I finally had a moment to slow down, rest, and reflect—to put into words what has been happening. The last time I wrote was just before the summer. I shared about the different ministries I’m involved in, and as I look back on my time in this city, I’m deeply grateful for all that I’ve learned and experienced.
Yet this past year was also marked by a season of grief. I was still processing the loss of my dad to suicide—a kind of grief that carries many complicated layers. By the end of the school year, I had reached a deep level of burnout and felt as though I had lost touch with myself amidst all that I was doing.
That led me to make the decision to return home for the summer—to rest, reflect, and pray about the future. Since life in France naturally slows down during that season, it felt like the right time to step away, reconnect with family and friends, and allow my heart to truly rest.
When my new visa was approved, I felt a renewed sense of peace and obedience to return. I flew back to France on September 13th, ready to begin again.
However, these past weeks have been unexpectedly challenging: I’ve developed what feels like endless allergies and flu symptoms, witnessed a shooting just outside my home, lost Wi-Fi due to a bizarre local incident, had my fridge break, ran out of hot water—and faced a handful of other small but exhausting disruptions that made daily life feel nearly unlivable at times.
And yet, through all of it, the Lord has continued to show up with overwhelming generosity.
When the shooting happened, He provided me with a safe place to stay. When my fridge broke, He provided a new one for free. When the hot water tank stopped working, my landlord and his son not only replaced it but also offered to install a new sink and add curtains to make my home more comfortable.
When I shared my frustration about the Wi-Fi, the landlord’s son offered to handle everything on my behalf, promising to get me refunded and even renegotiate my contract since I’d been overpaying. When I told him he didn’t have to, he simply said, “In life, we need people to take care of us. My father and I will make sure you’re cared for.”
And now, while construction makes my apartment unlivable, my teammates have offered me their home for the week while they are gone so I can rest in comfort.
Truly, God’s generosity knows no bounds. With every blow the enemy tries to throw, the Lord responds with a blessing, turning each inconvenience into a reminder that my life is a gift from Him.
This brings to mind Galatians 4:6–7:
“Because you are His children, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. He is the Holy Spirit. By His power we call God ‘Abba.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child. And since you are His child, God has made you also an heir.”
I am an heir to the resources of Heaven. I want to live out that truth daily. Believing that Jesus loves me, that He is my provider and protector, and that He will always take care of me.
I hope this encourages you as well, to see everything in your life as a gift from the Lord and as a reminder that He loves and cares for those who belong to Him.
With love and gratitude,
Amanda Johnson
Ministry
My life in ministry looks a little different this year. I’ve been given the opportunity to scale back in some areas so that I can focus more deeply in others. This year, my primary focus will be serving at the community center and the national church.
I’ve shared a bit before about the community center, but this year I’ll be leading their English classes and helping with the various children’s activities they offer. It’s a secular environment, and I’m genuinely excited to serve, love, and build relationships with the people there all while being immersed in a French-speaking space.
I’ve also shared quite a bit about La Tour du Pin and the local church I’ll be serving with. It’s an honor to have been invited by a French pastor to continue serving in their community, and I’m eager to see how my French will grow and all that God will teach me through this season.
In addition to these new focuses, I’ll still be involved with our student ministry, Pilgrim (the café), and 24/7 prayer, though my role in each will look a bit different this year.
I’m excited to see how God will deepen my roots in these spaces, and I look forward to sharing more as the year unfolds.
Pilgrim
Prayer Request
My teammates, who lead 24/7 Prayer France and run the Pilgrim Café, were recently given the opportunity to rent the space right next door to Pilgrim. This new space will become the home for our 24/7 prayer events and weekly prayer meetings. Please keep this place in your prayers. Pray that Jesus would meet people here in a powerful way. May all who enter be drawn to His presence and encounter His deep love and compassion.
I’ve been serving in various ways at Pilgrim Coffee House—participating in French courses, helping lead English classes, and leading the “Café Franglais” language exchange on Fridays. I’m so grateful for this space and for the beautiful relationships that are being built here. Please keep the café in your prayers. Pray that God’s presence would dwell richly in this place and that many would encounter His love through it.
I’ve been loving my time serving with the national church this year in La Tour du Pin. It’s been such a joy to be fully immersed in the French language and culture through this community. The pastors are incredibly warm and kind, and I’m so thankful for the way they’ve welcomed me into their church family. I especially love spending time with the children! Playing with them, practicing my French, and seeing their beautiful curiosity about Jesus. Please continue to pray for the kids at La Tour du Pin, that they would grow in their love for Him and follow Jesus all the days of their lives.
la tour du pin
-Please pray for the community center—that those I serve alongside would see the presence of God in me. Pray also for the people of La Tour du Pin, and for the pastors and leaders faithfully serving there—that they would be encouraged today and filled with the Spirit of God as the church continues to grow.
-I would also like to ask for prayer for my health, specifically for my allergies. Lately, it has truly felt like an attack on my health from the enemy. No matter what medication I take, or how much I clean and purify the air, I’m constantly battling sneezing, congestion, and discomfort. It often leads to a lingering cough and a frustrating cycle of feeling unwell.
Please join me in praying for complete healing. I believe the enemy has no authority over my body or my health, and I’m standing on the truth that God is my healer. I would be so grateful if you would partner with me in prayer asking that this cycle would be broken and that I would experience full restoration and relief.
-I would also ask you to pray for the ongoing violence taking place in Grenoble, and for the unrest we see throughout our world. Please pray that my apartment would be surrounded and guarded by angels, and that as I walk through the streets, I would have both awareness and divine protection. Our world feels increasingly dangerous, and it’s heartbreaking to witness so many acts of violence each day. Please join me in praying for God’s protection over everyone, and that His peace would go before us, covering our communities, our cities, and our world.