Yanneck Blank
5 Min Read
14 August 2024
For a week during the Olympics, we traveled around Paris with the Livingbus, partnering with the Christian radio station Phare FM. We visited five different locations in and around Paris, where we operated a mobile radio studio and interviewed athletes and organisers of evangelistic events. This extraordinary journey gave us the chance to meet some incredible people and share the good news of Jesus.
Our tour started on Monday in Le Blanc-Mesnil. The special atmosphere that would characterise our entire week was already evident here. Phare FM held interviews with local athletes and outreach organisers who shared their stories. I particularly remember Pascal Vermes, who came to faith during the 1972 Munich Olympics amidst terrorist attacks – his story was so inspiring.
On Tuesday, we moved our location to Champs-sur-Marne. Here we continued our work, interviewing Christian athletes and supporting outreach events. I was very impressed by the flexibility and dedication of the team. Even when we dismantled the bus, they continued working tirelessly – often with a laptop and simple microphones, even during car rides!
Wednesday took us to Carrières-sur-Seine, where we met more inspiring personalities and shared their stories.
Thursday was a special highlight: In Jambville, we participated in a large sports festival attended by several thousand participants. This was our busiest location, and we had the opportunity to reach numerous people, offering prayer, encouragement, and conversations about Jesus. The atmosphere was lively and spiritually enriching, and the Livingbus was at the heart of the event, with our radio playing an important part of the festival.
Finally, on Friday, we were in Créteil. The last day of our tour brought intense conversations and valuable encounters. Working with Phare FM was inspiring – their perseverance and ability to work professionally even under the simplest conditions were impressive.
On this day, I experienced my personal highlight with a special group. An international group came to the Livingbus for an interview. As they entered the bus, I felt the presence of God very intensely. I shared this feeling with the group, and someone pointed to two people from South Korea and said, “These two bring the presence of God here.” Suddenly, a prophetic space opened up, and we began to pray, praise God, and encourage each other. It was fascinating to see how conversations, prayer, praise, and radio work could all take place simultaneously in the bus.
On Friday night, we began our journey back to Switzerland. Looking back, this week was an unforgettable experience. I had the responsibility of setting up the Livingbus at each location, which was sometimes a logistical challenge. But the team from Phare FM made this work a true pleasure with their dedication and professionalism. They showed that with passion and commitment, even the greatest challenges can be overcome. This week in Paris not only brought us so many new acquaintances and experiences, but it also showed how media work and storytelling can connect and inspire people.
Learn more about the work of 24-7 Prayer Switzerland here.
