Étape 9 Morzine-Avoriaz > Saint Jean-de-Maurienne

Today will be mountains and more mountains on the way to Saint Jean-de-Maurienne.  We will see our first HC climb with two category 1 climbs. I hope they were all able to rest.  Today we have our finish line down in the valley, decent will be very important. Pray for safety.  

2 Samuel 22:29-37

For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.

For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?

God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.

He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.

Lord, just like the riders need guidance and help to ride this race today, we need you for our lives.  Lord, We pray that you will be a lamp to the people of the Rhône Alps region and lighten their darkness.  Lord, be their strength and power and make their way perfect.  Keep their feet from slipping.  Please bring salvation to the Rhône Alps today as your word is preached, let them have ears to hear and hearts to believe.  We thank you for those who are sharing your good news to all who will listen.  Bless them on this day and give them strength and courage.  Thank you for the hope you have given. 

We pray all these things in the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Rest Day in Morzine-Avoriaz

Good day to all,

Thank you for praying with us through the Tour so far.  It has been a wonderful race and I hope that you have enjoyed learning more about France.  Yesterday, on the way up the mountain Lance was have a bad day, but what I saw from team Radio Shack was a great example of how we are to be.  When Lance had his difficulties his team did not desert him.  They stayed by his side and helped him get back to the peloton.  As Christians we are ask to do the same.  Help each other in life, when things are good and when things are bad, even at the risk of our own finish time.  We are on a team it is called the Church.  How well do we work together to reach the goal God has given us? 

Lord, I thank you for this area of France.  Thank you for the believers who are living in and through your Spirit so that others can see you.  Lord, I pray that we will be a help to them, so that they will remain strong and serve you.  Lord, you have asked us to lift each other up and to bear one an other's burdens.  I pray that as the Church we will do this in love so that the world will see you through our actions.  Thank you for this reminder.  I thank you for all that you are doing in France through your love and mercy.  The grace which you pour out into our lives is immeasurable.  We praise you and ask that you continue to work in the lives of the people of the Alps.  We pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen

Étage 8 Station des Rousses > Morzine-Avoriaz

Saturday's race was very exciting, and I look forward to the race up the mountains today.  The Frenchman, Sylvain Chavanel, poured out his heart yesterday as he flew up the hills.  He has had to great stage wins and I am sure the country is very proud of him.

 Lord, bless Sylvain today.  May he see your blessing on his life and stop to praise your name.  We thank you for his life and we know that you love him.  Be with all the riders as they grind their way up the mountains.  We praise you and thank you for all the blessings in our lives.  We humbly pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

These next few days in the alps are wonderful.  The crowds are enthusiastic and so fun to watch.  I hurt for every riders as the push through the pain to defeat the mountains and each other, and pray as they fly through the descent. Today will be the first of the category 1 climbs.  I hope you enjoy seeing God's extraordinary handiwork as we go up into the mountain tops.

Along today's route we will be passing just south of Institut Biblique de Genève in Genène and just north of Bonneville, France where Jon and Agnès Hegner are serving as missionaries for Team France.  Please keep them in your prayers today.