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Paris UBF

May 3, 2013

Paris UBF Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of LIKE

On April 14, Paris UBF had a special worship service to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of LIKE (an accessories company), established and headed by M. Rebecca Choi.

From Germany, Dr. Peter Chang, M. Stephanus Park, and I attended.

The service began with a joyful sing-along, led by Shp. Thierry Clio. Shp. Eric Nicolle presided over the service. Before the message, we listened to a beautiful duet of "Via Dolorosa" by M. Rebecca and Shps. Florence (she had been baptized during the summer conference 2012).

Dr. Marc Choi spoke on Matt. 8 - 9. It was a very long passage, but very meaningful and interesting. The title was, “Knowing How to be Healed and How to be a Disciple.” Dr. Marc focused on these two aspects: Jesus' healing ministry and the challenge to be disciples. The key verse was Matt. 8:17, "This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.'" The message was clear and also humorous. Dr. Marc challenged us to come to the cross of Jesus in order to receive healing. He also pointed out that as disciples of Jesus we have so many spiritual riches to gain and also some human riches, like brothers and sisters in Christ; we are definitely not losers!

After the worship service and a short break for refreshment and small talk, M. Rebecca shared her testimony of 10 years of LIKE. It was heart-moving and meaningful, leading us to praise God over what he has done in and through this family and ministry. After making a good profit in the first year, Dr. Marc Choi used all this money to buy the present center in the heart of Paris. Still God continued to bless them. God has used this company also to grant proper jobs for missionaries. Not least of all, being a businesswoman also earns M. Rebecca respect among tough French students. Although the present economic situation doesn’t seem inspiring, Dr. Marc and Rebecca Choi have a vision that God may use LIKE to support 100 missionaries to Africa.

Shps. Ene Leppik explained the Bible school to be held the following week (April 15-19). They would use 3 locations (the present and the former center plus the apartment of Eric Nicolle's family at Nanterre) for independent meetings of 2 days each.

On June 2, they will celebrate the 30th anniversary of UBF in France. And the French-speaking summer conference will be held July 5-7.

I am indebted to Shp. Marc Choi Jr. for English manuscripts of the message and testimony, while M. Gabriel Choi served Peter Chang and Stephanus Park with simultaneous translation in Korean.

All the coworkers were joyful and thankful to God. I was encouraged seeing that most of the students I met last summer were still around and even some more. Dr. Marc and Rebecca Choi extended greetings to our coworkers and gave us precious presents from their company. Their whole-hearted labor of love is truly exemplary.

I am also thankful to Dr. Peter Chang and M. Stephanus Park for driving me 13 hours to Paris and back with such calmness and for being good spiritual fellowship along the whole way.
Please, pray for France UBF to experience the healing power in the cross of Jesus and to raise many disciples, even beyond French-speaking nations.

In Christ,

Walter Nett