Prayer request. Living in Paris is stressing me out!

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IEATGLITTER

IEATGLITTER

Member
Aug 7, 2012
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I'm married to a French man and I currently live in Paris. My husband and I had to go the préfecture (a place where French people go to get their identity cards and drivers license, and it is also a place where foreigners, like myself, go to renew their residence permit), we had to obtain a list of documents needed to prove our marriage and prove where we live. The list is the most atrocious thing I have ever seen.

They ask for over 20 different documents, including letters from our neighbors, doctors, or any other people who can say that they have seen us together for the last 12 months. The problem is that I don't talk to my neighbors and I have NEVER seen them before. I haven't been to the doctor yet, though I have been meaning to go to receive a check up. I do most of the grocery shopping, so my husband isn't really with me when we do these things...so, we're kind of at a standstill with what to do. I'm so stressed out that I called my mother back in the US and burst into tears. I don't know what to do and I'm really scared.

The way these people treat foreigners, the officials who go over the paperwork, are some of the RUDEST and MEANEST people I have ever met. My husband asked the official a question about the appointment and she responded with a "Well, you should know this" disgusting attitude...um, how can we know this since it's our first time doing this!!! HATEFUL WOMAN!

I have a lot of foreign friends here and the things they tell me about the officials really scares the living daylights out of me. I sat there and listened to them talk in a very nasty way towards mixed couples and people who are not white...and yes, my prefecture is known for being racist. I don't understand how they can get away with this!

So, prayers that this doesn't cause issues in our marriage and prayers for courage and sanity because this is really hard for me because there are times that I can't express myself the way I want in French, and my husband doesn't really have the backbone to stand up to people like this but boy I do...I just have to make sure my mouth doesn't get all twisted. When I'm nervous or angry though, I tend to fumble around a lot with my words...so, I really need courage through all of this so I can tell them that some of the things they want are an invasion of our privacy!!! I really need to get through this...

Thanks!
 
Bureaucracy is an inherent part of the culture out there...keep reminding yourself of the bigger picture when you face the mundane antagonizing. praying for you, ieatglitter/cameragurl, it's always nice to see you around here.
 
I'm sorry to hear this. I work for a French company and I have been to France 4 times in the last two years. I know what you mean by the rude and hateful officials because I have experienced it myself! They can be such snobs! :(

Anyway, I am going to pray for you. May God guide you on what needs to be done and may He give you the favour in their eyes so that they do not be rude or racist towards you! Be bold, sister. :)
 
1 Chronicles 29:15-18

For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.

Father, the steps of the righteous are ordered from you so we ask that ieatglitter will know that all things will work for the good to those who love you as you work your plan out in her life. Make her a powerful witness and a holy presence in this dark world. Give her a bold but gentle witness to those in France that you might bring many sons to glory, In Jesus Name

amen
 
Praying for you
May the love, strength and grace of God be with you.
Amen
 
Philippians 4:9
Think on These Things
8Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
 
Lord please help to overcome all these challenges and suffering and bless, IEATGLITTER, in Jesus name, Amen!
 
I pray that you will go wherever god takes you, without attachment to worldly things. I pray you will submit to gods will. I pray you realize god controls how the officials act, so you are not angered by your judgements. I pray god brings you peace.
 
Welcome to Europe! I know someone in Holland who married a Brazilian woman, but, how can we make you feel welcome, she has to leave every 3 months. He has to earn more and she has to learn the language and then maybe some day she may stay.
 
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