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Greetings from Albertville, France where Spring is getting into full swing! The white on the high mountains remains but there is a noticeable white on the lower hill sides where there are tons of trees with white blossoms on them. It is wonderfully beautiful and Spring is not even at its peak yet. Truly lovely.
I'm thankful for this new batch of "white stuff" (I know all you in Denver must be a bit jealous about now) for several reasons:
- First of all, it reminds me that God makes all things new and washes me whiter than snow (and white flower blossoms too!). This happens over and over in the seasons of my life...and needs to too!
- Secondly, it reminds me that the fields are white with harvest. The world is a needy place right now and France is no different. Most of the time I don't see the obvious harvest in a dark country like France, but I know it is there and it's worth searching for...another thing I need to be reminded of!
- The blooming all around me brings a nearly tangible lift to me...and I feel that I need it right now.
That's a good lead-in to our prayer needs at this time...
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- War - This conjures up a myriad of responses and images. Specifically for our family, we would appreciate prayer for our protection. We may be less likely to suffer terrorist attacks in France at the moment than in the US, but we live together in an "American Enclave" if-you- will at our language school here in Albertville. In a city of 20,000, this school has hosted anglophone missionaries learning French for about 35 years. We are also not without a Muslim population here. Consequently, the police recently advised our school, that though there is no known specific threat, it would be wise to not let our children play unattended and that we should take note of strangers and strange vehicles around here. Thankfully we share the same national colors as France, but now is not the time to burst forth singing the Star Spangled Banner in these environs!
- Olivia - Olivia is experiencing a time that I might call "emotional fragility". Some of it has to do with the process of maturing but some probably has to do with cultural/situational stresses that at her young age, come out in unpredictable ways. Right now any criticism or correction engenders at times an extremely defensive response with an inordinate amount of tears or wailing. As parents it's difficult because many of her responses are quite disrespectful. We need a huge amount of wisdom, grace, compassion, perseverance, etc. all at the same time. We appreciate your prayers for her and for us.
- Language - Of course this is central to this year for each member of our family. It is our primary focus and foundational for the future. Therefore it requires an exceptional amount of focus and energy over the long haul...that is the course of this academic year. We have all been buffeted, as-it-were, by the language and the struggles we've encountered to learn it and to use it. Yes, we've all had victories and accomplishments for which we can thank God too. At the moment, at least for me, the language is something I really enjoy learning but where I've felt more discouraged by my language encounters lately than encouraged. Please pray that we could, simultaneously give our language acquisition the appropriate focus and energy, but relax and fully trust God for the results and progress.
- France - It's that time of year again! 40 days of prayer (and some fasting too!) for the nation of France. Pray for France and that light would shine in this dark nation. If you want to pray specifically, there are a zillion things and ways to pray that can be found at: http://www.lafrance2003.org/UK/index.htm Additionally, if you want to pray even more specifically, pray for our future in France...that God would make a way logistically, financially, relationally, etc. into France. It's a huge hurdle that remains in front of us at the end of language school and we appreciate your bringing it before the Lord.
- April - A month? Why? Well, as I thought about the month of April coming up and how it is filled with some significant things for us, I thought about previous Aprils as well and how they have had significance throughout our life as the Leigh Family. It began in April of 1986, when I proposed to Angela in broken French! In April of 1988 Angela and I went to Denver for a 1-week house-hunting trip and began the process to purchase the house where we would become a family and grow together in the Lord and His callings for us. Many Aprils later (1998) we received our call to France at the annual Marriage Ministries International Conference in Denver. A year later, we boarded a plane at the end of April that would take us to Germany to do our YWAM training. The following April, I quit my secular career for good to begin the process of moving to Scotland to join YWAM staff. April 2003 has some significant events that could really use your prayers!
- Exams - April 12th-17th marks the period of our final exams in language school for this trimester. Please pray for clear minds to remember what we've been taught!
- Break Time - The 19th is the beginning of a two-week break that we're really looking forward to! Pray that we use our time wisely but also that we get the rest, refreshment, and recreation that we need.
- Our Future - It's a bit complex to explain, but I may be attending a seminar during that period at the YWAM base near Paris. I hope to have some conversations there to talk about our future in France with the possibility of being involved in a YWAM school near Valence, France beginning at the end of September. We really desire prayer for wisdom during this time as we discuss and pray about our next step to move permanently to France (we're only "students" this year).
Thank you for your prayers!!
David
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