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L’ABRI FELLOWSHIP
Chalet Bellevue , 1884 Huemoz , Switzerland
TEL: 41-24-495-2139
Fax: 41-24-495-7647

www.labri.org/swiss
swiss@labri.org



December 2009

Dr Gregory J. Laughery’s NEW BOOK; Living Spiritual Rhythms For Today is now available from Amazon.com and in bookstores.



Dear Friends,

Last Saturday (our day-off) I retrieved my old skies from the basement and headed towards Col-de-la-Croix for my first cross-country outing of the season. The air was refreshingly crisp and the sky a luminous blue. Since the tourists have yet to arrive, the machine had not done the tracks and I made my own way up the mountain plowing through the crystallized snow. I had been pondering the ups and downs of the term in preparation for this letter and as my eyes followed the tracks of a wild animal and lifted past the powered sugared trees to the imposing mountains above, I was filled with joy and thanksgiving, which I am sure was more that merely the dopamine the scientist tells me is produced by physical activity. I wondered if my grandparents (Francis and Edith Schaeffer) realized when they first settled down in Huémoz just how important the geographical location would come to be for those who made their way to the tiny alpine village. It is hard to escape the reality of creation here and the numerous questions it makes us face: Who am I in this world? What is my relationship to the creator and nature? What are my responsibilities towards others and the environment? And so it is with a thankful heart that I come to you now, not only for the present beauty of creation, but for the redeemed creation that awaits us.

The first snowfall of the winter coincided with our Day of Prayer and Fasting on November 30th, and the steady stream of snow flakes seemed to muffle external sounds and help quiet our minds and hearts. Opening the day of prayer, Greg gave us a bird’s eye view of God’s amazing salvation narrative, reading passages from Genesis to Revelation. As Greg mentioned, Edith Schaeffer highlighted (following the prophet Isaiah), in her book The Life of Prayer, that such a day should not be seen as an attempt to twist God’s arm, but a time of putting aside all other activities to stand in the presence of God in a deliberate way – opening our hearts to Him and seeking His counsel through His word and Spirit. Besides the many needs of the community, the students had their own fears and longings to bring before the Lord concerning the next steps in their lives. We continue to pray for them and for those who will be returning to us in January.

This term provided us with a dedicated group of helpers for which we are grateful. Jesse (American) kept the grounds crew busy with various projects, most notably trimming the trees in front of the chapel, which have gradually blocked out the sun and the view. Margot (Australian), Robynn (American), Simone (Romanian) and Mal (American) poured themselves into the work at chalet Bellevue greeting each new student with a spirit of hospitality and love. Robynn recently presented a paper on forgiveness and Simone did one on memory, the results of their personal studies and they were insightful and inspiring. We are also appreciative of John (American) who is helping out with raising awareness of the value of L’Abri materials. The changes and transformations in each one’s life since they have been at Swiss L’Abri are nothing short of amazing. They are all now more dedicated to Christ and clear about what is true.

We are also thankful for the outside lecturers who gave their time and energy to stimulate us with their ideas:

In August, Professor Peter Clarke, an English neuroscientist teaching at the University of Lausanne , talked about “Man, the brain – more than a machine?”

In September, Professor Lee Hardy, a former L’Abri student who teaches philosophy at Calvin College , presented an evaluation and critique of the views of the new atheists.

And in October, we had the pleasure of welcoming Os Guinness and his wife Jenny. Os gave a lecture entitled “The Case for Civility.”

All these topics sparked lively discussion.

Here’s some news of the rest of the staff:

In spite of ill health, Karryn Goldsworthy enjoyed her sabbatical and trip back to Australia . We missed her and look forward to welcoming her back next term.

Apart from their work in the L’Abri community, the Bradfords have enjoyed deepening their contact with the English speaking church in Vevey. This has proven especially beneficial for their children, Alexis and Simon.

The Diepstras will be returning to the States soon to help care for their aging parents. They plan to be back with us later next year. The students will miss their wisdom and their humor and so will we.

Thomas and Kay have survived a particularly busy term in Bellevue . The work on the roof added to the hustle and bustle of things, as the workmen appeared suddenly at windows and thumping noises resonated throughout the chalet. But they say it was well worth the trouble, as for the first time in many years they no longer have to cover the top floor with buckets when it rains or snows. Please continue to pray for the finances for this expensive endeavor of re-doing the whole roof.

Greg and I are well and try to keep abreast of the many details of running the branch and caring for the extended family. Vincent graduates in January and has started his master’s degree at the University of Lausanne while teaching a few classes at a private school. Alexander has enjoyed his first semester studying economics at the University in Yverdon. Lawrence is in his last year of “gymnase”, and as he turned 18 was pleased to participate for the first time in the Swiss direct democracy vote, the result of which made International headlines.

We enjoyed having Edith Schaeffer, now 95, with us for Thanksgiving. She will be spending Christmas in Gryon and health and weather permitting attend the traditional Christmas Eve service in Champery, where she and my grandfather lived before moving to Huémoz.

My parents, John and Prisca Sandri, were also with us for Thanksgiving and we are thankful that Prisca has regained her sense of balance and no longer needs a walker to get around.

Please continue to pray for Rodman Miller who was diagnosed with brain cancer last October. He came to L’Abri as a student in the early 1980’s and married my sister Becky. They worked for a while in the community and hosted meals in chalet Les Sapins. They now live 45 minutes away and have four children and two grandchildren. Rodman is about to complete his first course of radiation and chemotherapy without having experienced too many negative side effects. Pray for wisdom in fighting this awful disease and for God’s strength and love in sustaining the whole family.

Some of us had the privilege of attending the Christmas concert performed by the Aigle Orchestra of which John, Becky, and Kimberly (Becky’s oldest) are members. They played a Corelli piece (which was very familiar being the opening sound track of the “How Should We Then Live” series) and accompanied the choir in a selection of Baroque masses. It was a special way to begin the Advent season leading up to the celebration of God’s beloved son becoming flesh for the sake of humankind and the redemption of all creation.

Merry Christmas to all,

Lisby

***All address changes and requests for the Swiss Newsletter and Prayerletter should be sent to our Swiss address or to by email to swissmailings@labri.org. ***Tax-free receipts for gifts meant specifically for the work of the Swiss branch are available from Switzerland when the gifts are sent either to Huémoz or to the Rochester address with a note specifying its designation for Swiss L’Abri. *** Swiss Address: L'Abri Fellowship, Chalet Bellevue, 1884 Huémoz, Canton de Vaud, Switzerland. *** U.S. Address: L'Abri Fellowship, 1465 12th Avenue N.E., Rochester, MN. 55906, USA.