Getting back to school can mean getting a newsletter out is difficult, but what a month August was!

A little background as to why: As most of you know, we're with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) and have been ever since we hit the mission field...for training in '99 and then as staff in 2000. YWAM is one of the most diverse organizations in the world...let alone among missionary organizations. Though diverse, there are more and less "traditional" paths of involvement with YWAM. I think our wanderings have been almost completely non-traditional! Additionally, since 2004, we've been somewhat isolated from other YWAM staff since our activities take place outside of a YWAM base or a gathered YWAM "training" school. While we're not "isolated" in the general sense of the word, we are with respect to YWAM, and this can affect the sense of belonging that we feel.

This month, however, literally half of my time was spent on a YWAM base. These were two different 1-week gatherings and each had a main speaker for the event. For the first event, the main speaker was the man who actually founded YWAM France. For the second gathering, it was the man who was over YWAM for the French-speaking world before YWAM France existed. Hearing both of these speakers, and participating in the worship leading for both events (and a whole lot of conversations with God too!) certainly made an impact on me, how I understand our connection with YWAM, and YWAM's deep connection with France and the French-speaking world. This was hugely significant and your prayers about these two different events and our involvement in them is greatly appreciated.

One of the basic values of YWAM is the ability and necessity of every Christian to actively hear God's voice and obey it. In our journey and search for the geographic destination in France that God had planned for us, we often were actively asking and listening for direction...often under the "duress" of calendar milestones, after which we would be homeless or without clear purpose. God always came through. Since arriving here in Alsace, our destination and our home, the question of where to go has been laid to rest and the question of what TO do has gradually morphed into what NOT to do as our "options", "abilities" and "spheres of influence" have gradually increased. At some point the question of where we should put our "hand to the plow" became, at least for me, a question of time management based on my personality and level of energy. My personal time with the Lord has been rich in revelation about who He is and how He works in my life and in history, but the "hard work" to daily hear His voice and make decisions (formerly because I HAD to) was gathering dust.

These two weeks, reinforced by a book I'm currently reading about the history of YWAM France and re-listening to some of the messages, have helped me to dust off this vital part of my relationship with my Heavenly Papa with a desire to put it into immediate practice. This is something that has surfaced in our marriage as well with a marked increase in our desire to pray together. We hear a LOT better when we listen together.

So this has been a very key month!

Some other notable things with respect to this month and your prayers:

• The family YWAM family camp was much more of a blessing than we had anticipated. We were incredibly blessed to be able to do a car swap with some friends for the week: their late-model mini-van with A/C and cruise control for our '98 small station-wagon + 100 euros. (I think we came out ahead in the deal!!!) We had good weather and a sweet time together as a family. It was a huge blessing on several levels to have Olivia play piano as we lead worship for the family camp...a harbinger of the future I hope!

• I did manage to get to some good milestones in IT for the school, though the construction did not advance significantly. The current target is usability for one new classroom by the end of October.

• The progress in the renovation of our house seems to be mired down again, but we do believe we've made progress and it's certainly been an area where we're learning how God works and how we need to position ourselves and our faith.

• You've prayed several times over the last few years about a certain Alana Smith from Arkansas whom God had called to France and to our community of faith here in Alsace. During this incredible month, she received a 3-year visa to stay and work in France and extra missionary support in the form of airline tickets paid for by a company whenever she needs to fly home. This is the culmination of several years of pray and is a fabulous breakthrough miracle showing how nothing is impossible with God!

• Rusty and Janet - Now that Alana is safe and sound in her new home, we're hungry for more! Our dear friends Rusty and Janet Richards also have a call to come and join this family of faith. They need the same miracle that Alana just received. Please pray for Rusty and Janet's long-term visa to stay and work in France to come through quickly!

• Hufschmitt Family - At the very end of August, a family in our church suffered the sudden, tragic death of their 20-year-old son. This family serves with us in the worship ministry thier loss has struck our whole church family. I believe we've already seen God's incredible grace in the midst of this process of shock and grieving, notably at the funeral on Saturday and during the regular Sunday service yesterday. Please pray for the consolation of the Hufschmitt family at this time.

• School Work - Back to school time for Collège-Daniel signals a flurry of activity to put things in place for the coming year. I've done much in the IT area, but much remains to be done before we can enter into the rhythm of the school year. Angela, for her part, has taken on the administration of the cleaning of the school facilities, accomplished with a (sometimes reluctant) volunteer army of parents. This is a responsibility that is simultaneously tremendously satisfying to the part of Angela that loves to clean, arrange and decorate and tremendously challenging to the part that doesn't like to deal with conflict, make phone calls and be forced to always express herself in French. Please pray for grace for both of us to move forward in our responsibilities and keep "breathing" in and out the Holy Spirit in the face of each challenge. We really want to carry out these responsibilities in God's grace and discernment, not relying simply on our own abilities and experience.

• SOZO - With everyone finally back from their diverse summer breaks, our church is poised to officially start the inner healing ministry, "SOZO", for which Angela has received training and in which she'll be participating. Please pray for step-by-step discernment for the pace of activity to begin with and a real Holy Spirit flow within the team as they begin to minister.

• House Work - As mentioned, this project seems to have been slowed down again with some recent confusing communication with our carpenter friend. Additionally, between Angela and me, we have differing approaches and perspectives with respect to how to advance the project. These are wonderful opportunities to further learn how to come into unity as a couple (let the reader understand! ;-) ) We're currently in the process of reading a wonderful book by Craig Hill and Earl Pitts entitled WEALTH, RICHES AND MONEY that is helping to reshape the way we understand God and His provision. Please pray that this occasion will become an opportunity to realign ourselves with God's plans, purposes and provision for our family and our house.

Thank you!
David