September, 2001

Dear Friends,

The French news declared on September 11th, "Ce soir, nous sommes tous des
Américains." Whatever our differences, we are profoundly united with people
all over the world in our national trauma. In the weeks and months to
follow, more will be revealed about the dark forces unleashed on our
continent. No doubt, the bonds of friendship with France and so many others
will continue to be expressed. But for now, it is a time of mourning, and a
time to ask God's help.
The Huguenots of old loved to sing Psalm 68, "Que Dieu se montre
seulement..." Let God arise, indeed, in these dreadful days. He has, and he
will. He has arisen in biblical history, culminating in the coming, the
death, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He has been constantly present with
his people, throughout their trials and persecutions. Our Huguenot forebears
took comfort in the presence of God in times of triumph and times of
tragedy. And without a doubt, he is here, in New York and in Washington, to
comfort, to heal, but also to show the way of justice and of victory.
Barbara and I, who have extensive family in New York (all safe, praise
God!), have been deeply moved by the outpouring of love and concern from
friends abroad, and especially from France. We spent the week end in New
York, and noticed a number of French flags at half-mast. There is a
fellowship with Christ's suffering, a fellowship with him but also with each
other in him, one that crosses all boundaries.
This is not so much a time to ask for gifts, though we always treasure those
expressions of your love for France. It is especially a time to ask for your
prayers, for your concern. France, too, is vulnerable to foreign attack.
France, too, needs the gospel of Christ's presence in the midst of
suffering. For though a terrorist attack brings world conflict into sharp
focus, the battle of good and evil rages even in times of relative peace.
The work of the Huguenot Fellowship seems more relevant then ever, because
it calls on the Lord, to arise in the hearts and souls of all French people.


Very Truly Yours,
William Edgar