The Whitemans in France

Totally Immersed

Its been a while since we wrote, so I will try to summarize the last few weeks the best I can. The trip across the Atlantic was pretty uneventful, and we were glad for that! Maddie did exceptionally well despite the constant turbulence that kept her from sleeping. After a short layover in Munich, we rendezvoused in Lyon with another family headed to our language school in Albertville. Ironically, their names were Josh and Jenny. :) The ride from the airport was less than two hours, but as we were in and out of sleep it could have been six, and we wouldn’t have known the difference!

Each time I awoke, the scenery had transformed. Farms and vineyards were replaced by rolling hills, which in turn were replaced by glacial rivers and the towering Alps. Savoie is a beautiful corner of France, pressed up against Italy and Switzerland. Although it hosted the winter Olympics in 1992, Albertville is a small mono-cultural town. And that culture, of course, is French. So what better place to learn the language and culture?

When we pulled up to the school, several families came out to greet us and help us get settled in our apartment. They even had our first few meals ready for us, and offered to take us to the supermarché when needed. We really appreciated the warm welcome!

Jetlag made sleep a challenge, which meant Madeline got to celebrate New Year’s Eve with us…probably the last time that will happen for quite a while! A group of families got together at the school and had a party with games and food. There are several families that really enjoy games, so we are glad that we brought so many with us. This is an answer to prayer!

Five days after arriving, we had our language placement test. As Jenn has no background in French, she was placed in the debutant class. Josh tested into an intermediate French course, having some background but little regular use for 10 years. Classes here are total immersion, which means we are drinking from the fire hose. If you don’t understand something in class, you have to ask in French, and the answer will be given only in French. We love our teachers, but every day is completely exhausting and overwhelming. People say that it gets easier, but at first it feels like you are drowning. So we press on. In the mean time, we feel like two-year-olds, struggling to communicate.

Madeline has done well in the garderie and already seems to have some French comprehension. We are blessed to have a French woman named Corine running the nursery program. You can sense that this is a calling for her, and it shows in how happy all the kids are—Madeline included. Another answer to prayer!

Two students in Albertville are fellow Alliance workers…both headed to Africa. We’re glad that Carrie and Amanda are here with us! Tim and Brett, future teammates already living in Paris, made the six-hour drive to welcome us and do some orientation to life in France. Last weekend, Josh took the train to Paris to pick up a car and replace the iMac that we sold back in the States. He was also able to spend time with Al and Carol, the Alliance field directors for France. We’re looking forward to being part of both our teams — back in Colorado and the new team in France.

Please pray for our family, as we have been hit hard with sickness the past two weeks. We’ve all missed some school, which is hard when classes ramp up so quickly. It seems like we are finally getting back on our feet. Also, pray for encouragement, as it is easy to get discouraged in immersive language learning.

It means so much knowing that you pray on our behalf!

Much love,

JJ&m