Maybe the village of Cluses (pronounced klooz) isn’t on your bucket list of places to visit. 
It certainly wasn’t a name we knew until a couple of days ago.
That’s where we met up with Young Life’s new senior staffers in France, Bill and Jody Dupenthaller. 
Their host family, the Labrosse’s, invited us to stay in their lovely alpen home while we caught up with Bill and Jody’s significant life changes. 
Their process reminded us somewhat of our own major transitions these past couple of years and it was satisfying to hear the way God is leading and calling them. 
Jeunesse Ardente is very blessed to have them as they bring their significant talents and gifts as well as their energetic love for teens to God’s work in France. Once their finances are in place their role will be official and they will likely set up in Lyon. You can check out their blog here: http://billjodyfrance.blogspot.fr/
Bill and Jody met us at the train on our arrival and we all piled into their wee car for a tour of the Alps. 
We often comment how accessible the high alps are in Europe and from the remotest, hidden corners we frequently happen upon a bustling eatery serving savory dishes for hikers and passers-by. 
We stopped in the tiny resort village of La Carroz for a photo op and found a fromagerie where Bill wowed us with his newly acquired French. 
The woman who served us was an absolute character and the banter between them had us in stitches.
Plaz de Lys is the only YL property in all of Europe and it was work camp there this past week. We were grateful for the opportunity to serve and pitched in for a morning, toured the camp buildings in the early afternoon and learned firsthand about the history of YL Europe as well as the present vision.
There is a small group of people here in Cluses who are passionate about Plaz de Lys.
They work hard to keep the property well-maintained and serving 8 weeks of camp per year. 
They have big dreams and this place is very close to their hearts. 
The property itself is stunning with expansive views of world-renowned Mont Blanc just beyond the valley and ski chalets dotting the meadow. 
Several ski lifts converge within a stone’s throw of the main lodge and in winter, snow falls deep enough to bury buildings to their roof line.
Mieke and Fred blessed us with generosity and their warm hospitality. While waiting for dinner little Madeleine tried her best to teach me to count to 100 in French. We all indulged in a delicious raclette dinner and Mieke even baked a gluten free chocolate mousse cake for me. I had lots of help eating it just in case you worry that I ate the whole thing by myself! Cheeses were plentiful at the table as was the wine and laughter.
The next day after our morning at camp, the children entertained us with a piano and saxophone concert. They sent us on our way with plenty of kisses and promises to visit when they are in Canada next. We hope it will be soon.
Bill and Jody drove us back to Annecy from where we caught the train to Paris. Today we wandered the streets of the City of Lights trying to capture the smells and sounds and sights in our memories until we return.
Tomorrow our flight leaves at 11:30 am Paris time and arrives in Nanaimo at 8:15 pm. Yes, it’s going to be a very long day and jet lag seems to take longer to overcome when you’re homeward bound. But even so, the experiences of these past two weeks have been unforgettable.
We hope you have enjoyed traveling with us. We expect the next post will be from the comfort of home.
