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.