I meant to say that the second-half of my post will be posted the week after next (rather than 'today' which was nine days ago! - when I left a note saying I would write whereas actually I have now just written and the real today is infact Monday 12th June).

Anyway, how goes it?  Reporting from a lovely sunny day here in Burtigny.  Just been for a hot run in a lovely wood.  Its amazing that after 5 minutes from the base, I'm suddenly in a thick wood - no cars, no people just tall trees, cool breeze, hazy sunshine, and luckily no wolves.  I heard that some open-minded Swiss were going to reintroduce wolves into the countryside.  However, I don't think that would have lasted long, for surely they would have been shot off to fend from farmers' livestock (as well as a nosy touring dts student such as myself) being eaten by them.
 
I feel for all the Germans on the base, that they can't be in their very own country for the World Cup.  Tomorrow us dtsers and some others go to the football stadium in Geneva to shine our best to everyone armed with many Christian newspapers and the sword of God's Spirit.  Not sure exactly what we are doing but something of that ilk.  We will also get to see the most classic match - Switzerland against France. 
On the weekend of 19th May, I went with a friend to see Chateau de Chillon.  A famous Swiss Medieval castle (seen top). 

It was a good holiday break from base.  Also saw Montreux, Freddie Mercury's old place of residence.  Talking of popstars the most talked about in Burtigny is Phil Collins.  In our first week, every time we drove past the top end of Begnins, a few mins from Burtigny, a staff member would say 'By the way thats Phil Collins' house', the mystery is which big private house is it exactly.  Switzerland is a good place for celebrities to hide away.

After much teaching and of living in a small farming village in the hills north of Lac Leman, it was very pleasant indeed to get away to the south of the lake near Evian, France, to a friend's chalet up a Mountain.  Matt and Si H were there as well as Jess who it was especially pleasing to see!  We drove south to an interesting historic town just over Italia's border of Ousta.  The next day we walked up a hill all though with out our lunch.  Matt, however, was fueled by the beauty of the mountain and kept going some way further than the rest of us, who just crashed as soon as we reached the top.  Yes sorry not to include a run Matt - next time though!



Above-This wasn't the top! (left to right: Si, Matt & Jess overlooking Lac Leman). 

Below-The evening before.  We sipped beers on the balcony and took in more of God's amazing artwork.  (This is what I don't get looking from Burtigny's side!).



It was great to then have Jess over to JEM Burtigny for a few days and sit in on a few of the talks.  On Tuesday Jess left but a nice surprise was having Yusanne to stay just for the night, who just happened to be visiting a friend in Lausanne.  Was great to catch up with her also.  So all in all a great time - big shout of thanks to all you great people! 

Jan Erik is a young enthusiastic Norwegian.  One evening he just said, 'Do you wanna wrestle?  I feel like a wrestle'.  So I thought ok why not, but I really wasn't feeling very strong and I didn't realise that he is rather big into this and he had me down pretty quick.  Since then I have enjoyed various random wrestles now and again, though he is always the one to have me down.

Yesterday, we had a volley-ball competition with a neighboring Ywam base from Chatel.  I hadn't played for about 12 years but it was much fun all the same. 

We have these 'fontaines' here, there are probably about four of them by the road.  They consist of a water spout, and a concrete trough from which livestock once drank.  One guy later on, went for a run and then came back wet without their top and said they were refreshed from having jumped in the fountain.  Being highly aware of Swiss etiquette, I have not gone so far as to jump in, but having seen this man's initiative, I have soaked myself with the cold water.  Really is very refreshing.  A refreshing place to swim I'd say is the only thing that is ideally missing on sight.  The Lake I am yet to try.

This week (our last!! how rather sad) we are being taught on Spiritual authority.  All got prayed for and it was full-on but excellent.  I feel I will miss this village.  It really has been a wonderful place to live and has suited me very well.  

One week and then we are off to Paris for two weeks and then to the Middle East for three months.  I don't think I will be able to mention much God stuff at all due on my posts due to the restrictions of the Muslim country over the internet but will say what I can. 

Thought I'd also just include more movie talk as ever!  I saw 'Crash' again.  It really does touch me, and so refreshing to watch the director talk about how it portrays true perspectives of LA.  Everytime they thought a scene was controversial they would think about it, but bottom-line, if they thought it portrayed truth they would include it, no matter how unattractive or un PC or uncomfortable, it is still truth, reality, and I think thats just excellent.  I'm just realising, this ends off the second part of this post that was initially about 'truth' in the first place. 


Tot siens!