Leigh Family Prayer Bulletin - March 2006

Feedback...

Sorry I didn't get this out in time but March kind of snuck up on me!

Also yesterday, I went sledding with Noah (a spontaneous idea of Angela's - report and pics in my blog) and in doing so, I relinquished "control" of the computers in the house. (Strategic mistake!) Angela and Rachel were quickly deep into a creative project on both computers...and...well...that was "all she wrote" as far as getting this thing done. It was a good day, full of grace though. I wondered whether March had come in like a lamb or a lion with our snowy weather, when, in fact it came in with both the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah!

• Health - No real change for David's health issues. Still have two tests to go with the cardiologist. The ultra-sound came out normal and we praise the Lord for that.
• Immigration - We received a negative response from the government authorities about our request to "solidify" our immigration status by "regularizing" our children's status in France. They said our income was too low and too unstable. We have a month to contest this decision or if our situation materially changes, we can start the process all over again with a new request. We hope to have an "expert" in immigration issues look at this soon to see what the best course of action is. The bottom line is, I believe, that "nothing changes" in our current situation. We would dearly like something to change so that we feel that our situation here is more "established" in all respects. What is the most important though, is that we're established by the Lord...regardless of the point of view of the government or our bank account. The Lord is working that establishing in manifest ways in our relationships and in a sense of security in our hearts. That is really the most important thing and we thank God that it's happening.
• Ministry - February was a full and fulfilling month. The gathering to repent for the 1349 massacre of 2000 Jews in Strasbourg was low-key but, I believe, spiritually valid and valuable...not just for the people involved...representing the Church, several key communities in the area and the Jewish community.
  
  (It also gave Angela and I the occasion to be in a good-sized city to celebrate Valentine's Day with a big choice of restaurants. We found a great Tex-Mex place! Go figure!)
  
  Our participation in the annual French European Christian Educator's Conference (called "Mathurin Cordier") was tiring, varied and fulfilling. Angela's role was a flurry of activity to prepare the Chateau with some new banners (we'll get some pics on her pages soon). David was involved in the computer aspect of the registration and leading worship once and on the intercession team. Rachel was on the worship team. There were about 200 folk from Belgium, Switzerland and France there. It blessed us to be a part of it.
  
  Last week we were involved in a 3-day worship "Tabernacle of David" at our church...all 5 of us there and participating through out the whole thing. That's fairly new for us and we hope it is a sign of further family integration in our activities. We also pray that there will be an increase in worship activities here in France and especially locally!

Please Pray...

• David's Physical Health - Next visit is March 21st to have another test. Please pray that we can continue to see the Lord's faithfulness in manifesting full health (however it happens) and may He get the glory.
• American High Schoolers - Like February, the March calendar has us "girding-up our loins" to prepare for the activities. On Saturday, a high-school group from two Christian schools in Illinois arrives and David is their logistical coordinator for the week. Please pray that this trip would be a chance for these young adult Christians to see God at work in the world and how He desires to work through them as well. We pray for seeds to be planted in their hearts so that they would fully follow after the Lord. May this also be valuable as American/European reconciliation.
• Worship - David leads worship (with another person on keyboards and perhaps Rachel to lend rhythm and violin) the week after the Americans' visit for a week-long seminar with Pierre-Daniel Martin, a well-known minister in France. The Sunday at the end of that week, we lead worship at church as well. Pray for stamina as this makes for a full week! Pray especially that the entire seminar would really reach new places in closeness to the Lord's heart during the worship and teaching times.
• Rachel's Schooling - For this year, Rachel has need of real "motivational stamina" as she still has much to accomplish. The schedule she's made allows her to get it done, but it's pretty non-stop, self-motivated schooling/learning. Pray for her self-discipline, motivation, and perseverance.
• Immigration - We need wisdom as to know the next steps to take in becoming more established in France. This could include bureaucratic procedures, finding new income streams, raising more support, etc. Who knows! We really want to take God's steps in this and not be guided simply by well-meaning but abundant and widely-divergent opinions! Please pray for supernatural wisdom/inspiration, perseverance when we're tired of "fighting", and peace knowing that God is in control!

David