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Newsletter, December 2006 We have just come to the end of our autumn term a week ago. The students have all left and things are very quiet around here. We just had our first real snowfall the other day and we remember how beautiful the mountains are when they are covered. It really is a spectacular place that we have the privilege living in. I think that some of our students were disappointed that the snow was so late in arriving. It’s always interesting watching some of the students, particularly those from the southern U.S., react to the snow. Our fall term was a very busy one but also a very good one. I know that we often say that but I really do mean it. We had a great group of students from a wide range of backgrounds. We had the usual American majority but we also had several Europeans, among them our third Norwegian in the past two terms. We also had a student from Singapore as well as others from Australia and Canada. Our students have been struggling with and asking a wide variety of questions. Let me give you a couple of examples. We have had what seems to be an increasing number of students lately who are coming out of extremely conservative backgrounds. These people often arrive here in a state of confusion. They think that Christianity equals some kind of extreme legalism and are in the midst of reacting against it. They often want no part of it. We had at least 3 students this term who come from a background of similar teaching and each of them was in one stage or another of rejecting their faith. I think that each of them came to realize that Christianity has much more to offer and each of them came to embrace a much fuller understanding of what it means to be and live as a Christian. We also had a number of students who struggle with various obstacles to belief. One guy in particular has been trying to overcome some obstacle to faith for years now. While that hurdle wasn’t completely removed I think that he is at least facing and moving in the right direction. His desire for God is very real and I believe that the work that God accomplished in his life here will continue as he returns home. Another guy returned here after almost 7 years. He has spent many years in Italy where his parents are missionaries. He came back having rejected his faith but also realizing a deep need in his life. He has since re-embraced Christianity and he will be returning for another term in order to deepen his understanding and try and establish a solid foundation. We have quite a few students returning for the winter term. 3 of our helpers, Julian, Tori and Jason, are coming back for another term, along with 2 new helpers, Stephen and Gwen. We are happy to have them all back as they have been good to have here and have made things easier for all of us. It is especially helpful for the workers living in Bellevue to have a good group of helpers. Life is hectic enough up there even with good helpers. While the faces of the students change each term, many of the central questions remain the same, although each time with a new spin. We get people who simply lack much understanding of what it is that they claim to believe. We get others with very specific theological questions, regarding such things as God’s sovereignty, the problem of evil, questions about the nature of scripture, etc. We get others with philosophical kinds of questions. Things like the relationship between faith and reason and questions about knowledge often come up, especially in the context of postmodernism. Others come with apologetic kinds of questions. These are often addressed for two reasons. Firstly, in order to respond to the questions that others ask, and, secondly, in order to strengthen one’s own faith. Others come seeking to understand the relationship between culture and faith. Questions and thinking about the arts has always been a part of L’Abri and it continues to be so today. We also continue to get many students who come with deeply personal questions. Identity continues to be central among these questions. We get many students who simply lack an understanding of what it means to be a child of God and this manifests itself in all kinds of ways, from self-loathing to apathy and hopelessness, to eating disorders, and to an utter lack of self- worth. These problems seem to be as prevalent among Christians as they are among non-believers. While there are no simple answers to any of these questions, I am constantly amazed to see how God works in the lives of the students who come here. Rarely do students leave here with all of their questions answered in a neat and tidy way but in most cases we see significant change. For that we have reason to give thanks. George and Eileen Diepstra have just finished their first full term as workers. They are living in Chalet les Melezes with their daughter Karen who has been a student for the past month or so. They are fitting in well. George has been doing a series of lectures on the history of the relationship between science and theology as well as the doctrine of creation. George comes from a strong science background having recently retired as a professor of zoology at Northeastern Illinois University. Both he and Eileen have been tutoring and participating in meals. They have been a welcome addition to our staff. Karryn Goldsworthy has been continuing her work in Chesalet. In October she gave an introduction to an art exhibition that was taking place in Martigny. Two days after the lecture we went together to view the exhibition. It was a good day out for all of us. The workers in Bellevue continue to do well. Kay has recently become a grandmother for the first time. Her daughter Cori gave birth in October to a little boy named Declan. She has returned to spend time with her family for Christmas. Jasie too has being doing well in her work. She tutors a couple of people and her computer skills are invaluable. She's also home with family for the holidays. Thomas Rauchenstein continues to fit in well in the work. He has just finished his first term as a worker and has been adjusting well to life as a worker in Bellevue and again gave some very good lectures on the Atonement earlier this past term. The Laughery family is doing well. Vincent very much enjoyed his time visiting North America and being a student at Southborough. He has now started well at the University of Lausanne - French/Philosophy majors. Alexander has serious exams coming up in Economics and a tough year ahead. He's into his subject, which always helps. Lawrence also has a heavy exam schedule next summer in finishing the ninth grade. Lisby and Greg are grateful for a good L'Abri team and look forward to what God will bring in 2007 for us all. Greg has had his book on spirituality published recently. I’m sure that this is a relief as he has discovered the many complexities and difficulties of the Christian publishing world. You can read about it further at the bottom of the letter. Our family is well. The kids, Alexis and Simon are enjoying school and keep us running up and down the mountain with all of their extracurricular activities. I have been lecturing on various world religions this past term and hope to continue in this vein looking at the question of religious pluralism. I find that many of us, myself included, are seriously lacking in our understanding of what others in this world believe. This past year has been a good one. Karen and I continue to enjoy working with the students and our lives here. We feel fortunate and very thankful to be where we are. We look forward to the upcoming year and all that God will accomplish. Thank you for your interest in and support of our work here. We trust that all of you have a wonderful Christmas season and we pray that God will bless each of you in the upcoming year. In Christ, Richard Bradford
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