France is one of the largest countries in Europe (slightly larger than California). The English Channel lies to the northwest and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Spain broils across the Pyrenees to the south, the Mediterranean (including Corsica) is to the southeast, and over the eastern Alps and Jura ranges lie Switzerland and Italy.

In about 300 BC, a fierce and warlike Celtic tribe called "Parisii" settled on an island of the Seine River. The river provided a natural barrier for self-defense against any invasions from other tribes. The area developed into a farming village through time, and the Romans referred to the people as Gauls. In 53BC, Julius Caesar invaded the city and renamed it "Lucete". The city continued its expansion on its left bank of the river, and the right bank remained inhabited due to its swamps and wild boars. In 360AD, the Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate was sent to Lutece to fight against the barbaric invasion. The Emperor was swept up by the city’s charm, and renamed it "Paris".

Christianity was introduced into France in the second century AD. They were persecuted in the beginning, until Emperor Constantine was converted in 312 AD. Christianity suddenly became the official state religion, and many monasteries and churches were founded. The state Church eventually acquired tremendous authority and great wealth, it also promoted education and scholarship. The University of Paris was establish in 1200, and soon became the intellectual center of Europe.

In 1095, Pope Urban II launched the first Crusade to liberate the Holy Land. The Crusaders were an assemblage of kings, nobles, mercenaries, adventurers and large group of pilgrims, including women and children. They crossed thousands of miles of hostile regions and tried to conquer a land whose strength they had never known. Among the seven Crusade expeditions, the most tragic one was the Children’s Crusade in 1212, thousands of French children, some as young as six years old, joined the expedition and started their journey to Jerusalem. People believed that children had "less sins" than adults, and it should be the key to win. Unfortunately most of them were slaughtered in the battles, or died in hunger and diseases. Some survived the war and were captured as slaves. Few returned home. Louis IX was also himself taken into captivity in Egypt and ransomed at an exorbitant fee. The crusaders achieved no lasting results in terms of military conquest. Nevertheless, they ended the centuries of rivalry between Arabs and Byzantines, and opened up trade between the East and West. Goods like silk, sugar, peaches, lemons, cotton, various melons and many Arabian paint colors such as azure and gules were introduced to the West for the first time, and the advanced eastern accomplishments like compass, porcelain, chemistry, paper making, gunpowder, clocks, and windmills were brought to Europe. The new ideas and technologies were the essential elements germinating the Renaissance. In term, the development of arts and sciences from the Renaissance formed the modern world we have today.

Paris, the nicknamed "City of Light" was only in recent history. For centuries it was pitch dark at night, Francois I and Henry II reigned in the 15^th and 16^th centuries, and required the residences to place a candle in one window of each house. Candles were expensive then and it was difficult to enforce the law. It was well into the 19^th century that tens of thousands of gas lamp poles were installed along the major streets, and the public lighting was greatly improved.

The great Paris was formed and designed by a single person named Georges Haussmann "The Perfect", with the blessings of the dictator Emperor Napoleon III. In 1865, under Haussmann’s direction, Paris transformed from bottom up, grand boulevards were constructed, the Champs Elysees was refurbished, the twelve avenues of the Etoile were designed, del’Opera, Monceau Park, Bois de Boulogne, Sebastopol, Saint-Michel and Saint-Germain and many more monuments and magnificent landscape and building were raised. On the other hand, nearly a quarter million of poor people were displaced, their homes demolished for the boulevards and new structures without any accommodations provided for them. People young and old wondered along the streets, and eventually slums and shantytowns showed up in the east-end. It was said that the glittery lights of Paris were the reflections of the tears of les miserables (those outcasts and in extreme poverty).

CULTURE

French are very sociable; they constantly greet each other and exchange tokens of politeness. Customers entering small shops greet shopkeepers with Bonjour, Messieurs-Dames (Good day, ladies and gentleman) and depart with Au revoir, Messieurs-Dames. One person's Merci (thank you) is always acknowledged with Je vous en prie (you're welcome).

For centuries, the French Kings never hesitated to collect beautiful objects to decorate and embellish their power and palaces; the unprecedented freedom of creativity attracted artists, artisans, scientists and intellectuals from both domestic and abroad. Its democratization of culture had influenced not only the creative forces, but also its political power eventually. Over time, these paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, philosophy, craftsmanship, music, language and even cuisines have merged together, and it is known as the French culture.

Some Frenchmen fiercely defend their beloved culture, but the American commercial and culture inventions such as movies, rock ‘N’ roll, soap operas, soft drinks, fast foods, and so on have quietly moved into the main stream. Many French chose to exercise an intellectual judgment, especially among the youth.

OUR MISSION

It was said that Paris is the most beautiful city ever built, half the world wants to view the elegant Tour Eiffel, sipping in the flower decorated cafes, stroll the famous boulevards of Champs Elysees and visit the spectacular Palace of Versaiulles. There were 26 million tourists that visited Paris in 2000 alone, among them 2 million Americans. But for us, we go not just to enjoy these beautiful cityscapes and ancient monuments, we are there to change the hearts of the people whose forefathers had designed these artistic grandeur and all their splendor.

The Wars of Religion (1562-98) had fierce battles between the French Protestants (Huguenots) and Catholics. The Edict of Nantes, promulgated by Henri IV in 1598, gave the Protestants the legal right to practice their religion and granted them certain cities as safe heavens. King Louis XIV revoked the edict in 1685, and more than 250,000 French Protestants migrated to the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. The history has certainly hindered the spreading of Christianity in France for centuries; Christians are minorities even to this day. The majority of French residents are nominal Catholics, the second largest religion after Catholicism is Islam. The Protestants, who constitute only about 1% of the population, mainly reside in Alsace (east) and in Languedoc (south).

It was our fathers or grandfathers who bravely charged ashore in Normandy in WWII, after suffering many sacrifices, they freed this country from Nazi Germany. Now the responsibility is falling upon on the shoulders of our generation; it is time for us to lunge back again and save the French.

The French national anthem " La Marseillaise" opening with:
Allons, enfants de la patrie (Let’ go, children of the homeland)
Le jour de gloire est arrive. (The day of glory has arrived)

Because of your participating, in that day, many French will understand the true meaning of these few words, when we are all together to enjoy the glorious banquet prepared by Our Heavenly Father.

Please pray heartily and seek His will for you to spend a month in this beautiful country and share His love to the people who always dream of love.

See you in the summer of 2003 in Paris!

Full country name: French Republic
Area: 551,000 sq km (214,890 sq mi)
Population: 59 million
Capital city: Paris (pop 13 million)
People: 92% French, 3% North African, 2% German, 1% Breton, 2% Other (including Provençal, Catalan & Basque)
Language: French (also Flemish, Alsacian, Breton, Basque, Catalan, Provençal & Corsican)
Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, 1% Protestant, 1% Muslim, 1% Jewish, 6% unaffiliated
Government: Democracy
President: Jacques Chirac
Prime Minister: Lionel Jospin

GDP: US$1.32 trillion
GDP per head: US$22,700
Annual growth: 4%
Inflation: 2%
Major industries: Oil refining, steel, cement, aluminium, agricultural products & foodstuffs, luxury goods, chemicals, motor manufacturing, energy products
Major trading partners: EU, USA

• Basic French language will be taught by our French teacher, the course will be included in the total 20 hours of missions training
• You may have a tour of France or other European countries after the project, and reschedule your airline ticket with the carrier from Paris to Los Angeles/Seattle/New York; the International Travel Insurance will cover three more weeks of your traveling time. Our sponsoring churches and affiliated missionaries would be happy to assist you for information or any special needs.

Source: Lonely Planet & The French Way

Would you spend one year to serve the Lord in France?
International Teacher Placement Service(ITPS) is an uniquely organized, worldwide network ministry; you can be a part of this community and join our strategic planning and visions to bring people to the Kingdom of God. It will not only be an exciting and rewarding experience, about all, its fruits last for eternity.

We are seeking tent-making staff who have a love for God and sincere desire to serve Him, to be assigned to France, with a minimum of 1 year commitment. If you have an available heart, please pray for God’s will for you to take this opportunity, and because of your effort, hundreds of lives will be changed.

Please visit our website at www.ITPSusa.org for more information.