How many of us can say we attended school in a place where others openly believed in God? If you grew up in Canada, there’s a good chance that you can.
Now imagine growing up in France, where fewer than 1.5% of the population are committed followers of Jesus Christ. For example, although half of French residents claim to be Catholic, church attendance in France is among the lowest in the world, with only about 5% of the total population even attending a weekly mass. Consider this: would life be much different if a significant amount of the population didn’t affiliate with any religion?
Allison, Patty and Addi grew up within the French school system. Their families lived in France while serving with GEM. They’re now adults, and they all agree that although there were challenges, growing up in France was something they don’t regret.
All three accepted the Lord as their Saviour at a very young age, and so their entire school experiences were as Christians in not-so-Christian environments. Patty recalls the experience as being isolating, while Addi remembers even the teachers making denigrating comments toward the faith. Allison remembers it being lonely at times, but their experiences don’t end on sour notes. “I know that He was in those lonely places, and I know that the small number [of believers] does not reflect His absence or abandonment even,” Allison remarks.
Addi reflects that “although there were many negative comments, and we were taught things that I blatantly disagreed with, I think it helped me to learn how to think critically and be able to disagree without taking things personally, or villainizing those who saw things completely differently than I did.”
Because they were quite solitary in their faith while at school, with their classmates being mainly without religion, with some Muslim or nominally Catholic peers, you may be wondering what type of Christian community they had outside of it. “I had a good group of friends at church,” Addi recalls, “though we didn’t live very close together.” Allison experienced a different scenario, “There wasn’t any youth at our church because it was so small, but there was another kind of church group that drew their youth together about half an hour away, and so we met with them.” Patty also remembers joining an inter-church youth group, “that was the only choice available to us at that time, and I loved it. We did a lot together above and beyond the weekly youth group meetings.”
These Christian communities are vital to the wellbeing of impressionable youth. Allison explains, “I’ve made friends with many GEM K’s [missionary kids], and there have been some that now struggle with the idea of faith.” With Jesus-followers in the minority, it could be difficult to stand firm when surrounded by those who don’t share the same belief. For others, though, it could be a valuable learning experience, “Knowing struggle is a part of faith, and there is a cost and a suffering to it, I think that is a gift that I cherish to a certain degree.” Allison admits.
Addi also has chosen to turn something that had been difficult into something special. “I love France and will always appreciate what I learned through growing up there. I find that I miss the conversations that I would have with people, discussing my faith with those who didn’t have their own and seeing them genuinely interested in what I had to say even when they had no intention of becoming a Christian.”
Although growing up as a Christian in France may feel isolating at times, God does not abandon His kids! Let’s pray for those growing up in France right now, whether they’re refugees, locals, or serving as missionaries, that the Lord would provide them with community, and that they’d know He loves them and is with them always.
About the author:
Leanne Monge Barrera is a storyteller with Greater Europe Mission and serves out of Winnipeg, Canada.
