A little over three years ago, God led us to change course. We had been pursuing a goal of serving in missions by working toward a mechanical engineering degree to use in this service. After much prayer, we set aside the pursuit of the degree to jump into service with the skills we already have. God confirmed this decision in sending us to France on short notice, to help fellow servants in restoration of a building they had purchased for ministry.
This is how Projects 4 Missions began.
Our first project was working with the Van der Veer family doing renovation work on an old elementary school in southern France. This renovation project continues but is now being used to provide housing for others who also serve God in the same area, and when finished will be able to be used for housing as well as meetings and conference rooms. Working on the project was a blast for us, and we were genuinely encouraged by our host family, the Van der Veers and their heart to serve. We worshipped with a small English-speaking church in the area (called Simply Church) and loved the fellowship and opportunity to be part of their community.
The building we worked on, called Maison de la Plume, currently houses two families (a total of 15 people!) who serve God full time by reaching out to those in the area. God has used these two families as bright shining lights to many, and we are pleased to have had a small hand in serving their ministry.
Currently the Van der Veers and Simply Church are building a new church home for Simply Church to use on the Elementary school property! We wanted to highlight their ministry and share with you a few pictures and their current prayer requests.
The main prayer request from the Van der Veers is that God would send skilled workers to help with with ongoing renovation. They have been working on this project with their own funding and as much time as they can without going broke. Not only are they constructing a building for Simply Church, they are continuing to renovate indoors (currently plastering bedrooms), and outdoors (currently building a pool, installing solar panels, and landscaping the school yard).
Please pray with us that God would send workers and encouragement their way. We would love to be among those God sends to serve and encourage these faithful servants of His, and are praying that God will see fit for us to return and continue to serve in 2021. Even better – we would love to take a team of YOU along. Contact us if you’d be interested in joining!
Thank you for joining in the work of Projects 4 Missions, and in the ministry of these families in France through your prayers and donations.
Another way to help
There are four tools that the Van der Veers need to purchase to continue their work:
- A hammer/drill ( €150 to €200)
- A concrete vibrating tool (€250 to €300)
- A heavy duty jackhammer (€100 to €150)
- A laser (which is pricier)
We’d love your help in sending them funding for these tools. You can donate online here, and it goes directly to them (Choose missionaries, then “Van der Veer, Stefan & Rochelle”).