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.