| Our 2-month summer (what for me, was 3 months when I grew up!) is now half over. These two months are a real "hinge" time. They are clearly a time where the Lord wants to bring change in us as a family, our church here, our community, the Christian school we work with, etc. We've already seen a good "swing" on the hinge...much of it this last week or so. As to things you've prayed about: - School construction has not advanced any but is scheduled for a final push starting mid-August. Here's a site which shows the state of advancement after the 2nd construction team finished: http://www.euro-team.org/SMGconstCDanielJuneJuly09.htm
- Our summer worship times have been rich and I think the concept of worship as an activity into which you enter as opposed to an event which one attends is starting to be more widely understood and accepted. Angela and I have enjoyed doing it together. This month should be fun!
- Health - I think there has been more health stability with Angela and me and we're applying more and more our authority in Christ over things happening in our body as well. As we increasingly walk this out, we're expecting good things.
- Angela will doubtless have much to share in her next newsletter, but suffice to say, God is doing a work in her right now that will be foundational in establishing direction for her. Exciting to be a part of.
- I'm excited to see my IT intern, Samuel, progressing so much in his activities and I still very much enjoying working with him. I get a real sense of satisfaction in seeing him accomplish real things that need to get done and to know that I'm helping in the steering of his activities and understanding.
- We've finally established who gives a self-employed foreigner their French social security number and how to get it. We've finally got to a place where I can declare and pay my business taxes on-line. Yes! Progress is being made!! ;-)
- Rusty and Janet's seminar was this weekend and it has been a full and glorious time. I see this as a real "activating" time for where God is taking our fellowship. This has been significant part of the real "swing" on the hinge that we've seen this last week. They've also spoken at church on another Sunday, been carrying most of the summer worship times, and have begun sharing with a small group to transmit an inner-healing ministry. It has been exceedingly fruitful to have them with us.
- Alana will be coming this fall and the plans are even now taking shape. This is valuable follow-on to the time with Rusty and Janet here. For all three of them, as well, it's a valuable time for understanding what they need to be planted here.
- Can't say we've achieved the most purpose-filled summer for Noah and Olivia yet. There are some home projects that we hope we can involve the children in, but I have to admit that making that full of rich purpose is still a stretch!
One thing we didn't pray for specifically last month but have prayed for many times over the last 3 years, involves moving forward the computer network and sever infrastructure for which I'm responsible at school. This month, I finally had a big breakthrough on that and have implemented some valuable changes that will help me make this a more usable and manageable service. AND and can see the light at the end of the tunnel for the rest of the changes probably during the autumn break. Thank you Lord! |
- School Prep - This will be a bit different for us in that we will not specifically be doing the Junior High worship this year and Angela has stepped back from school involvement. The Christian school (http://www.college-daniel.org) remains a significant part of our focus however:
- Olivia is still a student there
- This coming year, we will be hosting a classmate of Olivia's, Pauline, for two nights a week. Really looking forward to that!
- As the new construction continues, there will be an extension of the computer network
- The addition of the first class of high school adds additional computer needs
- We hope that instead of leading worship, we can help in training some of the youth to lead their own worship
So please pray that the construction is finished on time, and that l can get all the computer network work done to prepare for the new school year. Pray also for the leadership team at the school as we welcome back the principal from 2007-2008 who was on sabbatical this year, and we add the high school into the mix.
- Worship - Please pray that our summer worship times (every weekday morning for Rusty and every Tues/Thurs eve. for Angela and me) would continue to establish an enduring altar to the Lord and increase His active presence in our town.
- Momentum and Seeds Planted - Some significant momentum has been established in our fellowship this summer by a few different seminars and the times of worship. This weekend, we were out on the streets "Treasure Hunting" (approaching people that God had singled out via specific signs He had revealed, and praying with them for their felt needs and sharing the Gospel with them), and we've been challenged to breakout of old patterns and to pursue the dreams and calling that God has given us, as individuals and as a Body. We see God doing significant things in our lives to heal us up, build us up, and release us for the community as perhaps never before. Please pray that we would steward well those things that God has planted in us individually and corporately. This is the time for powerful change among us that is to be a catalyst for transformation in this region.
- Building - Part of the the direction that God is laying out for us as a church requires that our facility be finally finished (the renovation) and usable. It's clear that what is needed is not something that our landlord can provide. The direction being received right now is that we need to buy the building from him with the costs of completing the renovation rolled into the loan. A plan of building usage that includes rentable multi-purpose configurations is currently being finalized. It's a huge challenge of faith for us a body right now. Please pray for a gift of faith in us and wisdom in all the processes necessary to move forward in this project. Pray especially for financial provision for the significant down-payment.
- Discipleship - As mentioned before, we hope that we can help in the training of young worship leaders. I plan to start meeting with one young, on-fire 14-year-old to help him learn the guitar so that he can do worship leading. He's a musician and a leader in his class, and desires so much to serve Jesus. It's a privilege to work with kids like this...there aren't enough of them! Please pray that I might be able to guide Matthias both technically and with respect to his ability to be sensitive to the Spirit in worship leading. Pray that the Lord would release him in his calling.
- Reinforcements - Please continue to pray for Rusty and Janet Richards and Alana Smith as they pursue how to come to Europe to serve the Lord as they feel called to. Pray for their path to be laid out for them with respect to immigration and for their provision. Pray also a peace and grace on their hearts for living in Europe and a specific grace for learning French. They are precious to us and have been a great blessing to us. They will bring the Kingdom to Europe!
Until next month,
David |