Russell and I have developed a fun fascination with roosters—never dreaming that so did France. The rooster is France's national bird. The name comes from the Latin term 'gallus' loosely relating also to the Gauls in Ancient Roman times. Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia on the history of their national bird: "The association between the rooster and the Gauls/French was developed by the kings of France for the strong Christian symbol that the rooster represents : prior to being arrested, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed on the following morning. At the rooster's crowing, Peter remembered Jesus's words. Its crowing at the dawning of each new morning made it a symbol of the daily victory of light over darkness and the triumph of good over evil. It is also an emblem of the Christian's attitude of watchfulness and readiness for the sudden return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment of humankind. That is why, during the Renaissance, the rooster became a symbol of France as a Catholic state and became a popular Christian image on weathervanes, also known as weathercocks." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallic_rooster)
The Gallic rooster's popularity faded away until the French Revolution in 1789. It's used as a mascot in sports and in the corporate world. Most only see the rooster now as a secular symbol and probably don't even know from whence it came. One sees the rooster on top of many very old buildings, gates or fences in France—especially on Catholic buildings. We have a special collection of roosters going with us to France. I found a magnificent one during my traveling days selling wall coverings to the interior design industry. My sister-in-law really wants that bird but I told her it's going with me to France. We have to represent.
Our exciting news relates to this roosting creature as we look forward to our new roost in Chevreuse. Roosting is perching aloft to sleep at night. Russell and I will be perched aloft in our rented 3 story building upon our return to France. The ground floor is a small storefront, with a storage cellar below and a small but beautifully restored 2 floor apartment above. This is a huge gift from God, and from our friends who own this building. They attended the church plant we've been working with in Magny les Hameaux. They are "Kiwi's" from New Zealand who bought this 16th century building a few years ago in downtown (population 6,000) Chevreuse. They thought they would use the upper part for a vacation rental and rent the storefront for commercial usage. But when they decided not to return to France and considered what we were going to do when we returned to France they thought, "Let's allow the Barr's to live there." They told us it was their way of continuing to bring the good news and hope to the community they've been a part of for decades.
The building is located in the outer SW suburbs of Paris with the forests of Versailles around this ancient 11th century village - 20 min. from Versailles. The town is a 5 min. drive to the last train stop to downtown and 10 min. to the France Vie office and 17 min. to the church plant's worship place in Magny. We are being offered this building for the same price we would get for a 2 bedroom apartment. Thank you Pauline and Simon! This moves our ministry efforts at least a year ahead.
Our desire is to form an association under the umbrella of France Vie to have meetups/events/classes with the community. Join us in saying, "Cock-a-doodledoo!"
Surely, I will remember Your wonders of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
And consider all Your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is so great as You?
You are the God who works wonders;
You have revealed Your strength among the peoples.
You redeemed Your people with Your power,
The descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Psalm 77:11-15
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