Claire, my wife, and I (J.F.) are back after spending almost nine months on the other side of the world — quite literally — in the city of Dunedin, in the south of New Zealand’s South Island. It is difficult to summarise such an adventure in just a few paragraphs, as it was so rich, profound and full of surprises.
First and foremost, it is a sense of gratitude that prevails. Gratitude to our Lord, who has made this sabbatical possible, particularly by inspiring the generosity of a donor who has helped fund my salary for this year, and the commitment of Rachel Calvert, the chair of A Rocha France, and the whole team, who have very generously and with a spirit of service agreed to cover for us whilst we are away.
Very early on in the preparations, we felt as though we were being led to this country by a series of ‘coincidences’ that felt like a wink from God 😉. And yet, looking back, everything fell into place with disconcerting ease. It was as if doors were opening one after the other, even though we knew almost no one in Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand).
There was Peter Harris’s suggestion of the destination, the warm welcome from the Department of Theology at the University of Otago, the visas obtained without difficulty, and then the unlikely emergence of a house swap — and even a car swap — close to the university and our boys’ school. All of this made this year possible in a very practical sense.
And then there was the journey itself. As New Zealand is almost equidistant from France whether travelling east or west, we had the privilege of turning our trip to the Antipodes into a veritable round-the-world tour with our boys, with ‘stopovers’ in Iceland, Canada and Fiji on the way there, and Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines on the way back… each stop marked by remarkable encounters and hospitality. In New Zealand itself, we were touched by the same generosity from people who opened their homes to welcome us. This left a deep impression on us.
What touched us most, perhaps, was the general atmosphere: calm human relationships, a great deal of kindness and respect in everyday interactions, and an absence of aggression that sometimes stood in stark contrast to the often palpable tensions in France. In a country regularly ranked among the safest and most peaceful in the world, we experienced this atmosphere of trust first-hand.
Together with the Board of Directors, we had set three objectives for this sabbatical:
- to take a step back after years of intense commitment, refocus on Jesus and discern the way forward;
- to deepen our understanding in certain areas, particularly theology;
- to rest, slow down, spend quality time with our family and provide our children with a formative experience.
With gratitude, we can say today that these three objectives have been fully achieved — and even exceeded.
I particularly enjoyed having time to read on a variety of subjects, and I had the privilege of taking around ten theology courses, which enabled me to deepen my knowledge and renew my thinking.
Of course, there isn’t enough space here to describe the landscapes, the people I met, the conversations, the surprises along the way, or even the beauty of the flora and fauna I observed throughout the year. But those of you who visit Les Courmettes over the coming months will have the chance to hear a few stories over a meal and see some photos. And for those who are unable to come to Les Courmettes, I hope to have the pleasure of meeting many of you to talk about it in person.
Beyond the memories, I return with a renewed conviction and a deep desire: now more than ever, in the face of the ecological crisis, we must be whistleblowers, calling for a reawakening and a return to a simple and joyful life, centred on the Gospel, inspired by Jesus, far from the siren calls of consumerism. Christians have a vital role to play in these troubled times and must remind others of our ultimate hope: the restoration and renewal of creation.
This year has only served to reinforce what the Lord has placed on my heart for the past twenty years: the call to care for creation, to fight against complacency in the face of climate change, to speak out, to educate, to encourage, and to take action.
At a time when heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent, when the Strait of Hormuz is at risk of being closed, and when creation ‘groans and suffers the pains of childbirth’ (Romans 8:22), we are called to hold fast to prayer, hope and action together.
I am therefore delighted to resume my travels across France to discuss these issues in churches, groups and with anyone who is interested. If you would like to organise a talk, please do not hesitate to contact me. Or join me in preparing for COP31.
And if you’d like a more immersive experience, we’d also like to invite you to Les Courmettes this autumn for a session dedicated to gaining a better understanding of climate issues, praying together and identifying concrete courses of action (18–24 October at Les Courmettes – further details to follow).
Jean-François Mouhot