inLIGHTin

I think this is a record for the most blogs in a month!! You all should be proud of me!!

How's life back in the land of seasons?? I can't even describe how weird it is to me to have lived for a year and a half experiencing the same weather!! I mean, sometimes it rains more, sometimes is hotter or cooler, but always the trees are green, always we're wearing shorts and tanktops and DYING when we wear anything more. I have worn pants three times in the past year, and a jacket not even once. Sam is very ready for some cold weather, but I'm a summer girl and love it. I am however, ready to be a little cold for once, but mostly just to have something different. Already we are dreaming of hot chocolate, snow, using actual blankets, and taking hot showers. Things you never knew you'd miss!

Well, we did finally get our applications for 5th semester and ranked our preferences as first Saginaw, MI, second Miami, FL, and third, Roseau, Dominica. At this point, we'd pretty much be ok with any of them, but are hoping more for Saginaw. If you get the chance, please pray that we get accepted there, but especially that we end up in the same place as James and Mary and Marc and Ericka as well. The friendships we've made here have been amazing. I have such a cool group of girls that I hang out with. We're supposed to about our placement for 5th on or before November 5th, which is the day after Mini 2. I'm expecting we will hear no earlier than that date, so you all can start bugging us about it right after that, but we'll also try to let you all know, cuz we're going to be so excited!!

In the next posting below this, I've included some of the pictures from the first inLIGHTin ministry we had on Friday!! It was kind of crazy leading up to it, because I was in charge of securing enough donations from the area to be able to feed everyone, but miraculously we did have enough food and it went really well. Someone counted over 100 kids participating in one of the games, so we had plenty of interest!! It was great!! The ministry is intended to target teenagers, but because of different school things going on that day, we ended up with mostly elementary aged kids. it was fine and a lot of fun, but we're hoping to find a way to draw in a much older crowd in the next coming weeks. Pray that we would find where they're at and just be very aware of what their needs are right now, and not try to force our agenda's on them. The one's we managed to talk to seem to really just desire relationships, well, the girls anyway. The men in this culture are a whole different issue and need a lot of guidance. You can see last weeks posting for more info. So our first week was definitely a success in some aspects, but also really gave us an idea for what to expect, and what we need to do. Another area of prayer is regarding the woman who is currently renting the building we're using. The owner gave us permission, but the renter, who runs a cafe/bar there in the evenings, was not very happy to have us there. About halfway through she invited a bunch of men in who started drinking, so we had to ask them to at least go outside to drink, and then everyone started arguing and no one was happy. Fortunately, most of the kids were outside and weren't aware of what was going on, but we know is this going to be an issue that we have to deal with before next week. Please pray that the woman would be open and accomodating to us, and that we can work out something that's good for all of us.

Well, that's about all our news! Both of us are just plugging away at school and trying not to think about Christmas too much. We love the island and don't mind being here, but have both realized that a year is too long to be away and are starting to get really excited to go home. Pray that we would be content here and just cherish our last two months here on this amazing island. Feel free to send us an email and catch us up on what's going on in all your lives! Let us know what we can be praying for you, and know that we are SO EXCITED to come home and see you at Christmas!!

Love to all,

Katrina