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December has been full month with school going all the way until the 23rd! With that, our prayer about a more relaxed Advent season was answered in the sense that we didn't have time to really "feed the Christmas monster" as we've done in the past.
That represents one answered prayer! Here are some others:
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Angela was able to have two of the special ed kids, who were at a very different pace in her music class, supervised by their regular teacher during that time. We pray that there will be a way to help them participate eventually, but this allows Angela to move forward in this new responsibility.
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We got our residence permits today so no problems with awkward questions from the border police when we come back into England!
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Angela's first banner workshop went well. She does have, however, a couple of kids who don't really want to be in there. So while she's excited for what they will be able to do, there will be some challenges to keep all the students interested.
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We've come into some unity about our ministry schedule this summer and that's good. This will be important as we prepare to be together with Rachel before she goes to boarding school in Germany next September.
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The Lord has been so faithful with our finances...always what we need, when we need it. We hope to structure a few things differently in January to help the times of financial "fatness" be better stored up for the "lean" times.
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One of our computers began to "complain" and then "gave up". After many attempts at resuscitation, we had to settle for "resurrection" whereby we restarted from scratch. Thankfully, not much of importance was on there and now, after starting from scratch, it runs much better than before! With Rachel doing school and me doing web site work, we need at least 2 computers and could too easily keep 3 occupied all the time!
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The web work that has occupied my time for much of the fall, has reached a level of "completion" whereby the site, www.intouchcamps.com is now being publicized by its owners. There is still much work to be done on new capabilities for the site, but already it's good to be at this point of accomplishment. Additionally, this experience will help me in other web work that I may engage in in the future.
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In general, we feel a momentum in the Spirit here for the things that God has us involved in: Worship, Intercession, School activities, Networking, Reconciliation. 2006 will be challenging, but I feel will be a real advance in the Kingdom of God here in Europe.
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David's Physical Health - A few days before Christmas, I fainted at a restaurant during dinner. It could have been many things but the fact is, that I don't feel 100% and I've not had a physical in probably 10 years. The doctor is recommending some blood work and a stress test. Now it's a matter of working out insurance details to pay for this. I also feel that it's important for several reasons, at this time, to be "in shape" in every way and to have a "check up". So, please pray for the insurance logistics to pay for this and for God's healing and enabling grace to be physically healthy and in shape.
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Trip to England - We leave tomorrow for a trip to England - paid for by the gracious ones who will host us! It's a tremendous blessing for our family, and, I believe a significant time to be together with this particular group of friends. We arrive on New Year's Eve so we get to be together in the changing from 2005 to 2006. We've seen already some difficulties with this trip as one of our friends, who has suffered cancer surgery this past year just received news that her mother, back in the States, has just weeks to live. We will miss seeing her by just a few hours. Please pray for traveling safety. Pray also for renewed heart connections that go to new depths and an attentiveness to what the Spirit would be saying to us all together.
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Back to School - This has been a good break for us, but soon after returning from England, school starts again. Please pray specifically for inspiration for Angela who still is adjusting to the pressures of more lesson plans with English AND music this year...and now the banner workshop too!
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Motivating the unmotivated - As we prayed for Angela last month with the special needs kids, there seem always to be kids in the Monday chapel service or now, the banner workshop, who simply don't show a desire to participate. Obviously, we don't want anyone left behind, nor any that want to participate to be kept from entering in by the behavior of another student. Please pray that we can see the hearts of these kids and have the inspiration, perseverance, grace and wisdom necessary to work with them and draw them closer to Jesus.
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Logistics! - I (David) am involved in a fair amount of logistics for activities in February, March and May. They don't happen in January but I need to do that work in January! Please pray for my organizational skills and discernment as I plan for ministry activities that are down the road a piece!
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Immigration - We are still waiting on an improvement in our immigration situation. Today we received our residence permits for one more year. Still, it was in November when we were supposed to hear from the government about the next steps in the process but still nothing has been heard. We're pleased to be able to stay another year, but we feel like really being established here properly is at stake. Please continue to pray for our establishment here in France in God's timing and God's way.
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Stray Cats?! - Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Well, at least lions and tigers. Our family (minus me) has taken a shine to a small stray kitten in our neighborhood (Angela calls him/her "Gumdrop") to add to the "cuteness factor". I can only think of food and vet bills to add a 3rd cat. Last night the coddling of this stray had its inevitable result yesterday with the cat spending the cold night in our house. Pray for my cold heart to warm up! ;c)
Until next month!
David
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