Good News Travels in Aquitaine
Lindsey Thurlow-Gondard is a former model and a member of the church in Dondas (Aquitaine). Here, she shares her story of finding a home in Christ.
‘I was born and raised to experience rejection as a fundamental language. Throughout my sixty years, I have lived a life of rejection in all forms; through this imprisonment of my soul, I have sinned. I sinned far and wide, I have sinned greatly, unwittingly, knowingly, and unknowingly, I have lived a life of duality, conducting a life of and desperately searching for salvation, in equal measure.
I spent a lifetime of searching for a place of meaning, a place of safety, a place I could call home. Someone once told me that with all my running away, no matter how far I ran, I would always find myself there and I have found that to be the case. I have lived an inner life of regret, of isolation, of misunderstanding; my life of sin brought no peace, only frustration, intolerance, impatience and a lack of compassion for those whom I loved and those I did not know.
One day last summer, whilst walking with my beloved husband and our dogs, I happened to be listening to bible stories, particularly Matthew 11:28-30:
‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’
I fell the wind knocked out of me, collapsing into the open arms of a loving Christ who does not reject, who does not judge, who loves unconditionally, who offers a place of refuge, of community, and a place I CAN call home.
May we all dwell in the house of the Lord, in love and peace.’
David Marshall, of the Aquitaine clergy team, adds: ‘Lindsey found the church in Dondas through the Aquitaine website and arrived in autumn 2024 in some distress. It was a joy for us to minister to her and help her in her journey towards faith in Christ. She was baptised on Easter Sunday this year, and we continue to support her in her newfound faith and discipleship.’ Watch Reverends David and Angela Marshall here.
The Aquitaine chaplaincy recently celebrated their 200th anniversary and welcomed their new chaplain.
Please pray for the chaplaincy and find out more on their website here
Please, make this Good News Travel
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