Leigh Family Prayer Newsletter - November 2004

October 31, 2004

Yesterday I was in a worship-leading seminar taught by a dear friend from Ireland. During a worship time, I was standing by a window. As I looked out, I saw a bird's nest high up in a tree. Because it was near the top of the tree, within the branches, I would not have seen it in summer's thick leaves. It took the cold winds of autumn to dry up those protective green leaves and blow them away to reveal this secret nest.

As I saw it and sang to the Lord, He reminded me that the birds sing His praises and that He takes care of them. My job: sing His praises. His job: take care of me.

Today in church, He followed the lesson up during the worship time and in the message. In a small one-verse parable mentioned in the message, (Matt 13:31) Jesus indicates that the result of even tiniest real faith is a fruit-bearing garden plant; but one so big that it becomes an actual tree and provides a secure home for the birds. Again God spoke to my heart about the connection to us as a family and His provision for us.

Just because He spoke those things fairly specifically to me makes them no less applicable to you, of course! ;c) And He probably has some other things to say to you as well. If you think about it, please encourage us with a quick email about what God is speaking to you in YOUR life. We'd love to hear it!

Last month, one of the prayer requests was about key relationships and ministry teams for us. Thank you for your prayers. God is faithful and your obedience matters in this! In regards to that prayer request, many from our team in England (with whom we worked in Scotland), came and visited us during the school holidays (leaving just this morning). This was a very key time of relationship re-connection and deepening, with an understanding that God is confirming these relationships as having a profound purpose for the future and not just as a precious memory. Key relationships here in France have also been forming during this month. In fact, I don't think that we've ever seen heart connections develop so quickly anywhere in our lives as here in Alsace. God is up to something!

We also asked for a heart for the kids we are ministering to at our children's school. The Lord is good. My heart is really turning towards these kids. This is a new thing for me but it's definitely welcome!

Prayer Requests

• Schedule - Last month we asked about "schedule wisdom". Much of that is about managing our time wisely. We also want to step into opportunities that are God's opportunities (and avoid anything that isn't). There is an opportunity with respect to some marriage counseling (holding back more details because of privacy). We've never really done it (just led some marriage classes). We need wisdom to know if this is the right time/situation and French language grace if it is!
  
• Roots - I'm not sure really how to phrase this as a prayer request... As we've discussed a bit, we really see God "planting" us here. We've had many confirmations from other people about that as well, including prophetic words about being an "oak tree" in this area. Right now, I have the feeling that God is carefully creating a safe, secure and healthy place to put His little "acorn". Please pray that we would be well planted in this season.
  
• Rachel's Schooling - We're at a crossroads right now in planning Rachel's schooling for next year. This is the last year that she can attend Collège-Daniel. We feel certain that she needs to stay with us right now (as opposed to going to the States or England for school). What is the question is now is whether she does the French public school system or an American system via correspondence/Internet. We're leaning towards the American system at the moment. We really need wisdom and discernment about Rachel's schooling for next year and practical counsel as well. If any of you have experience with any Internet schooling options or if anyone has any insight into our situation that the Lord has given you, please let us know.
  
• House Issues - The house directly behind us was recently sold, and the new owners are doing extensive renovating. Among the renovation activities will be the removing of a barn-like structure that actually backs-up/connects to our house. This would not be any big deal except that it implicates us. The removing of this structure requires some modification to a corner of our roof and some structural support to be added to our toilet room (which is on the 2nd floor) that is currently provided by this structure, and then finish work to the outside of our house in the area that was covered by this structure. Aspects of this work should clearly be "their issue" as I see it. Some aspects would arguably be ours. We need some insight, counsel, wisdom and discernment as we negotiate these "imposed home improvements" with the new owners. We will also need some finances for the finish work. Additionally, there is the possibility that the work needed might open a possibility to add a 2nd toilet (badly needed), which would also then let us do some badly needed renovation on the first toilet. Again, wisdom and finances are the need. We expect that the work will affect us around the January time-frame (could be COLD then!)
  
• Residence Permit Renewal - Our residence permits are up in December and need their annual renewal. We begin the process this month for the renewal. For the first time, we don't really have a "good bank account" to show them as proof as to why we won't be a burden on French society. So we need favor with the government to continue staying and wisdom to organize our finances for the renewal application. We're currently in transition with new banks both here in France and in the States so that makes it more complicated. But...none of this is too complicated for God!

Bless you all!
David (and "them Leigh's")