Pray for Alex

Andrew and I have been spending quite a bit of time with a young Macedonian guy here, Alex. He's 20 years old and speaks English pretty well. Andrew met him at a basketball game about a month ago. We've been trying to be a witness to him through words and actions. He invited us to his home for supper last week Wednesday and served us "Macedonian specialties" as he called them. He made spaghetti noodles served with some sort of chopped brown meat stewed with carrots. The meat tasted like braunschweiger; it and the noodles were served cold. Also on the menu was pickled tomatoes, cauliflower, cucumbers and carrots. For dessert he served "milk and oriental," which is cooked rice with cream. Probably similar to rice pudding, but I've never had that. The meal was very interesting; he had a good heart in making it for us. : ) To describe Alex, he's nervous, edgy, and can come across as harsh sounding. He's asked a number of us Americans why we're always smiling. He likes to talk about politics and says he hates America. Ironically, he plans to go to America to work on a cruise ship in February when he turns 21. Also ironically, he's really attached to Andrew and I. We've both been able to witness to him about the love of Jesus Christ, the peace and joy that He brings, and the fear that He takes away. He's been coming to church regularly and told Andrew he feels something strange in his heart when he's there. We believe the Holy Spirit is working on him; that his heart is tender to the Lord, so we continue to hang out with him. It's difficult at times, he cans say some pretty hurtful things, but we are called to love people such as this. Please be praying for Alex. Pray for Andrew and I too, that the Lord would be revealed through us. Pray also that we'd be patient with him and just love on him. 

An update

ABA I team played Ovche Pole on Saturday and won 80-77! This was a huge, unexpected win for ABA. Andrew played really well. Feel free to follow the link to check out statistics. Scroll down to the game posted as АБА Струмица - Овче Поле and click on the final score to be sent to statistics.

ABA Dance Team provided some half-time entertainment. I guess it went pretty well. : ) We'll dance again this Saturday; meanwhile, we're learning a whole new dance plus working on another for the following Saturday's game.

English classes are going well. Our numbers are fairly consistent at around 20 each session. Please be praying that more people would hear about the ABA English Academy. Also, pray for our relationships with all the students; that the love of Christ would be shown through us and that our lives would boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. We believe that the Lord desires to use this in mighty ways. 

Thanksgiving is coming up quickly. We are planning an authentic Thanksgiving Day celebration here in Strumica and I'm so excited! I hope you all have a wonderful time fellowshiping with family and friends. I have so much to be thankful for and I pray that Thanksgiving reminds us all of that. : )

B-ball news

The game on Saturday went well for Andrew, but not well for the team. They lost my about 30 points. Andrew scored 23 points and just played really well. I know he was so happy to be back on the court again, thinking, "I feel His pleasure when I play basketball." (to semi-quote Chariots of Fire) : ) He was still really disappointed with the loss. Regardless, I was so happy to see him out there.

The guys with injuries are gradually recovering. I think within a month everyone could be back on the court.

We found out that Todd Hendley, the player with the heart condition who was sent back to the states, has been given permission by a doctor in the states to continue pursuing basketball. He is scheduled to fly to Finland where he'll join a professional team. This is truly a miracle and I give the Lord all the praise!

Answered prayer

The ABA division I team has been experiencing a lot of injuries. 3 of the American players are currently out due to injuries. Andrew and I have been praying about him being asked to come on as a temporary sub for these players and we found out yesterday that he will! Praise the Lord! We are both really excited. However, we were asked to pay for the licensing fee which costs 250 Euros, about $345. We are praying that the Lord will provide. Andrew plays in his first game this Saturday.

In other news, I have begun dancing on a dance team headed up by fellow American, Anna. It's quite a stretching experience. If any of you have gotten the pleasure of watching me "bust a move" you know it's about as graceful as watching a chicken fly. It can happen if it has to, but it's not a pretty sight! I have a lot of fun though, and I'm getting to meet some amazing young ladies in the process. We will eventually perform at half-time of the ABA games.

Thanks for all your prayers. Ministry here is really feeling Satan's attack in a lot of ways, but we know that our God is higher and has given us the authority to put Satan under our foot!

Heart of praise.

It's been quite some time since I last posted and a lot of things have happened.

We found out that our Macedonian tutor came to the Lord! Praise Jesus! The Lord used another American here, Jyl, who was able to be a witness to Eli and pray with her when the time came. Jyl has been discipling her since then, but Jyl is going back to the U.S. on Friday. She is about 7 months pregnant and will be delivering their baby girl in the states. So I'm going to start working with Eli; getting in the Word together. It will be really good for both of us.

Andrew has been coaching, with the help of Marcus (American basketball player with ABA) a youth basketball team, ages 13ish-15ish. He's such a good coach. The players are very talented and most of them understand English quite well, which is a big blessing. They've played 2 games so far and have won both.

Anna and I continue to teach English with Dragan. Just this week a couple from England, Norma and Tony Coles, have come to help us. Norma used to teach English in England as a profession and Tony has a lot of experience with it as well. We are now teaching every Monday and Thursday evening. The Coles come on Monday's from 8:00-10:00. Tony teaches the beginner class with the help of Danche, a Macedonian girl, meanwhile Anna teaches pre-intermediate to intermediate and I teach advanced. Norma and Dragan split their time between Anna and I. Anna, Dragan, Danche, and I will continue to teach on Thursday's. Praise the Lord for providing for our needs at just the right time.  

Macedonians love to go out for coffee here. So, now that I'm meeting more and more Macedonian women I've been drinking lots of coffee/tea. The language barrier can be a challenge sometimes, but spending time with them makes it worthwhile. I'm so thankful that the Lord has brought these relationships into my life and provided a way for me to connect with Macedonian women. It's such an answer to prayer.

Andrew still remains in limbo with playing basketball. We are praying that the Lord provides and are trying to be patient in the wait.

We cherish your prayers and are encouraged to know that there are people who are regularly lifting us up. Please pray for relationships, that they would feel the love that the Lord has for them through us; pray for English class, that God would be glorified and exalted; pray for the basketball situation, that the Lord would make a way for Andrew to play.