Mayday is an international emergency code word indicating distress. It derives from the French venez "m'aider" meaning "come help me." The call is always given three times in a row ("Mayday Mayday Mayday")
to prevent mistaking it for some similar-sounding phrase under noisy
conditions, and to distinguish an actual Mayday call from a message
about a Mayday call.
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 As the month of May begins, most people are celebrating spring and picking flowers.
I am sending out "Mayday Mayday Mayday" indicating distress for the universities of France!
Most university students and professors have been on strike since
January 2009. They are against reforms proposed by the ministry of
higher education. Certain actions have erupted in destruction of property and violence. Needless to say, the education of
students has been interrupted. Some demonstrators have
been able to even shut down campuses.
Pictured on the right is the entrance to the metro at the University of Nanterre. These students were on mission from Central Bible College. We had spent the afternoon first of all, engaging French students in conversation and afterwards, praying as we walked about the campus.
Just this week, Rosalind, my intern, and I were at
the university campus at St. Denis. The university had been
closed down by students the day before. Piles of chairs, as pictured to the left, were still blocking the escalators and doorways. We were able to meet in the university restaurant.
Here are my prayer requests.
Please pray for an acceptable and peaceful solution. Pray that students will be able to make up the courses they have missed. Pray for students' exam schedules. Pray for students who are discouraged. Pray that Christian students may find strength in Christ and bring comfort to their friends.
Pray for Valerie Pecresse, the minister of Higher Education and Research. Pray that she and her government team in consultation with the professors and students can find the appropriate resolutions to end the strike on a positive note. appropriate
Customers like you make doing business a real pleasure.
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As always, I appreciate your partnership with me in reaching the university students of France with the love of Jesus,
Suzanne Spolarich
Assemblies of God World Missions
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