Thanksgiving and the end of the semester.

Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays that is celebrated only in the States. However many people in other countries know what it is because of movies they have seen. Every year we share with our Italian friends a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner, we have everything from turkey to cranberry sauce (they always ask what the red stuff is) During the dinner there is the retelling of the first Thanksgiving, as well as a clear cut Gospel presentation. Some of our friend Cristian and Irene ( see picture on the right ) came to learn more about the Thanksgiving holiday, but it was also one more way that we were able to share the Gospel with them. This couple works with Leo and for the last 5 months we have been getting together with them on a regular basis for dinner and company. We have been able to have some very good conversations with them, but Irene is a pretty hard core Catholic and Cristian calls himself Catholic because he is Italian and his family is Catholic, but not because he actually believes what the church teaches. We are continuing to meet with them and pray that God will use us to speak truth into their lives.
This year, as happens every year, the students at Saints Bible Institute were the servers for the dinner. They were servants in the full sense of the word, they set up, served food, cleaned and reorganized without one complaint. They enjoyed being able to be part of an outreach even though they were not able to speak the language. For some of the students this was their first major holiday away from home. It wasn't easy but it was a good growing experience for them as they get a glimpse into what life after college is like.
The students have all returned to the States and are working their way back into the culture and reconnecting with friends and family. This was an interesting semester for us since it was the first semester that we were married, we have done 5 while dating, so we were juggling ministry, our relationship and work, now we do the same thing but we live in the same house :) Relating to the students was different, for Beth not living on campus and being part of their full days, and for Leo being around the students more often. We are very thankful to now live so close to the school. During the last month of school the students were often at our house hanging out, watching movies or just relaxing in a home. Many of them start to miss being in a home rather than a dorm, this allows us to offer another facet to our ministry when we invite them into our home.
Please pray for:
Cristian and Irene, that we would take every opportunity to share the gospel with them
The students that are now at home, that they would not forget what they learned here.
The students that are preparing to come, that God would be preparing them to be changed and used by Him.
Thanks for all your prayers.

Changing Leaves and Addresses

Five months of married life has been wonderful. There have been many adjustments but we are loving the adventure that God has us on. Until November 1st we lived in Leo's mom's house in Rivignano. Where we were able to save some money for when we moved into our own place. Then in the middle of October we signed a contract for a small house in San Lorenzo( see photo on the right) On November 1st we moved into the house and have spent the last few weeks organizing and unpacking. Leo has been able to build us much of the furniture we have needed, book shelves, coffee table, couch, dining room table and chairs, all thanks to wood that his dad had brought home from work over many years. This house has been a true blessing from God, it is close to the school so that Beth can walk back and forth and the students can come over and hang out.

Leo's job is going well, he has lots of work which is good and bad all at the same time. It is good that the factory has work, even though the economy is not the greatest, but it is heavy hard work that is physically draining. We are thankful that his job is full time and that he is well liked by his coworkers and bosses. However we are praying that if it be God's will, that he can find a job closer to the house (his work is 30 min away). Leo will also begin doing some maintenance work around the school helping to fix things that no one else can. God has given Leo an amazing ability to fix and repair almost anything.
This semester has been going well, it has been a change being married and still maintaining relationships with students. Not spending many evenings at the school has made Beth more aware of making her time at the school as productive as possible. Living closer has helped with maintaining that focus.
Next week the students and the Dean of SBI will be going to Rome and Florence. Which means we will have some time to relax and settle into the house a little more. We will be then preparing for Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day we will be having an all American dinner with all of the missionaries and students. Then on the Saturday following we will be hosting an outreach Thanksgiving for Students from the english classes as well as friends of church members. We will post pictures of the dinner! Thank you for all of your prayers.