The Nagelkirks
Updates from April 2025
France set to 'reexamine' historic 1968 migration pact with Algeria
Greetings from Grenoble. This is one of the headlines from France. The ever-delicate relationship between France and Algeria is more difficult now that France, like the U.S., would like to return a few more of its immigrants, especially those causing trouble. More and more the question of mass migration is forcing its way into the conversation about the problems in Europe.
This weekend is the beginning of Ramadan, the month long "fasting" ritual of millions of Muslims around the world. It isn't really fasting, it's more of a change of eating hours. People don't eat during the day and instead eat only between sundown and dawn. Many eat more during Ramadan than otherwise. There are however, some who take it very seriously as a religious exercise and expect to be blessed by god for doing so. Every year Ramadan reveals the extant to which the Muslim community continues to grow in size and influence on the culture and on society practices.
The "god" portrayed in Islam is not one of love and merci and blessings. It is one of having to "walk the walk" or get smacked by god. It's a relationship of fear for most people. Many are ignorant of the real teachings of Islam but still think whatever they do, and however they do it, is the real Islam. That's why it's so hard for people to know "who" the real Muslims are.
This year I have once again been helping a campus ministry that reaches out to students. One way they do this is by having a food bank distribution every two weeks. My role is to serve as the welcome director by offering tea and coffee and cookies. It gives me the opportunity to talk freely with students, including those from Muslim countries. For a few months now several students from Iran have been coming. When I talked to them, I found out that all five of them have rejected Islam because of its incredibly harsh application in Iran. They might say they are atheist now, but several of them have shown a real interest in learning more about Jesus and about the Bible. What a joy to share with people like this, especially as they are only here for a short time.
Please continue to pray for us, but also for the Muslim community here. Pray that God would show them mercy. Pray for these Iranians students who have, like many young Iranians, rejected the religion of their homeland and family.
Here's a site which gives more information about how to pray for the Muslim world. https://www.pray30days.org
Peace in chaos
We continue to thank God for the privilege God has given us of serving here in France. With the escalation of voices shouting about the situation in Ukraine and in Gaza, we praise God for the assurance He gives His people that HE is in control no matter how loud the voices or how many gang up together to try to say the same thing. Every time I think about what is going on I think of Psalm 2....why do the nations gather together?.,...
We praise God that by His grace and through the strength of the Holy Spirit we can continue to know peace in the storm as we're a part of making disciples of all nations. We praise God for:Teaching. I am grateful to be able to preach more. Sunday, I began the series our church is doing on the book of Isaiah. We started with Isaiah 55, which is feast for the senses. I encourage you to read it again and to respond to the invitation by "drinking deeply" A wedding. We have been asked by an Egyptian friend to be a part of his wedding in Egypt. He was here in Grenoble for a couple of years to work on his doctorate. We will travel to Cairo and spend a week with his family. We are very, very excited.ANOTHER WEDDING!!! Our daughter, Simone, is marrying a young man named Christian. PTL. This will take place near Vancouver, Washington in May of this year. We thank God that Simone has found a Godly young man to marry. Christian is in the Air Force which means they will be living in married housing on the base in Missouri after the wedding. Healing: About a week ago we met with the daughter of friends of ours who are a part of our church. She has struggled with anxiety and fear. We were able to go through some of Neil Andersons "Steps to Freedom in Christ" with her. This is another aspect of "making disciples" that we enjoy because we get to see close up the power of God to transform lives and to bring peace where there was fear and chaos.
