Un Repas Américain 2026

I hope everyone is doing well! I am really enjoying the slow transition into summer. I have bought my flight home and have started preparing to step out of my role here so I can focus on packing and moving back to the States for a year of fundraising.

The past few weeks have been very full, and I am so grateful. I had the opportunity to reunite with my colleagues from across France for a weekend in Nice. It was a wonderful time of fellowship, and I deeply enjoyed being in the south.

I also had the chance to plan and teach a cooking class at the community center. I taught everyone how to make mac and cheese and shared a bit about American culture. Almost no one had ever had mac and cheese before, except for one person from Canada. It was such a fun experience to cook together and then share the meal.

When I went shopping with the director of the community center for the meal, which felt really special because we were able to spend time together outside of her usual work setting. She shared that she has been struggling since her mom passed away unexpectedly from a brain tumor two months ago. I told her about losing my dad two years ago and was able to relate, as much as I could, to the pain of losing a parent unexpectedly.

When she asked how my dad died, I felt prompted to be honest and shared that he had taken his own life. She responded with deep compassion, and that opened the door to a meaningful conversation about mental health in France. She shared that many people in France struggle with loneliness and isolation, and that it breaks her heart to see how many lack community. She explained that this is one of the reasons she works at the community center. She wants to create a place where people can find connection, share a coffee, learn something new, and feel a sense of belonging. At the same time, she admitted it can be difficult because many who come are hurting, angry, or divided, and she is not always sure how to bring people together. At one point, she asked for advice on how to love people who are very different from her. I was honest and told her that I am only able to love well because Jesus loves me. (though I still have a lot of room to grow). She wondered if Jesus could really make that kind of difference in someone’s life. I told her I believe He can, especially when people are open to experiencing Him.

She grew quiet for a moment and then shared that she has always thought of love as something transactional, something exchanged rather than freely given. We talked about how God’s love is different. She said she considers herself more spiritual than someone who believes in God and does not really understand who Jesus is. I encouraged her, if she is open, to simply ask Jesus to reveal Himself to her or to ask for help when she struggles to love others.

Later in the conversation, she mentioned that Wednesdays are especially hard for her. She brings her daughter into town for activities but often finds herself with empty time and doesn’t know what to do in town by herself. I told her about Pilgrim Coffee House and suggested she visit if she ever has a few free hours. She asked for the address, which felt like such a meaningful step! Whether I am there or not, I trust that if she walks into that café, she will encounter a place filled with warmth, Gods presence, and genuine love. I am praying that she visits Pilgrim Coffee House and I am going to try and meet her for a coffee if I can. Please join me in praying that this door continues to open!

I have also had the opportunity to hang out three times now with the young girl at the other community center who attends my English Classes! We got bubble tea a few times and she took me to her favorite stores! I am super excited for this friendship outside of the context of the community center where I am more restricted in what I can share so please be praying for our friendship. I love how open and kind she is and she as been a fun friend to have!

Then the group of girls I do cafe franglais with have been getting together over the weekends! I have been excited to spend time with them and get to know them more on a personal level. They still havent been able to come to church with me yet but I know God hasn’t closed that door.

God has been moving in France, and it has been such a special privilege to be part of what He is doing here. Ministry in France is truly beautiful, and the conversations I’ve been able to have with people about the Lord have meant so much to me. Seeing God work in and through these relationships has been incredibly encouraging.

I’m really looking forward to this summer and the opportunity to continue investing in the friendships I’ve built here before moving back to the States for a year of fundraising. I also wanted to share that I was able to secure both a car and a place to stay in Minnesota, which has been such a huge answer to prayer and a weight lifted off my shoulders. I’m beyond grateful for the Lord’s provision and the way He continues to faithfully provide exactly what I need.

I’m especially excited to return to Minnesota and reconnect with my friends and church family there. Since moving back to Texas in 2019, I’ve only been able to visit briefly, so I’m really looking forward to doing life alongside everyone again.

I’m also excited about the next steps in ministry. If you know any pastors or people who have a heart for missions or for France specifically, I would be so grateful if you shared my newsletters with them so they can learn more about what God is doing here.

And as always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

- Amanda Johnson

some photos below