Short Circuit

Apple Picking

   We have been having International Fellowships each month during the school year as a new way of outreach. Couples from our church open up their homes and serve supper to the students. Sometimes there are other couples to help as co-hosts. This gives our church people opportunity to interact with Internationals and make them feel a little more at ease with them. It also gives the Internationals a look into an American home and a chance to share in Christian hospitality. Often times they are amazed that someone would invite so many strangers into their home and be willing to feed them.

   Each month we try to do different things. In the Spring and Fall we are able to be outside and could play volleyball or badminton. One thing that was more popular than games, was picking their own apples. Many had never even seen apples growing on trees. We had a hayrack ride and bonfire (and of course taught them to make some-mores). At Christmas we drove them around to see the many light decorations on the homes before bring them to a well-decorated home for some hot chili and other goodies. We have separated them into groups and played table games or we have stayed together and played group games.

Group at the bonfire.

   We like to incorporate two other important times into our Fellowships. One is music and the other is a devotional. We will give them the words to some old American classics (even some rounds) as well as some easy Gospel choruses. We use the guitar as we teach these songs. They seem to enjoy this time. We have asked different people to share their testimonies or to give a simple devotional the students would understand. Often if there is a question after the devotional, we have a good discussion. Students will come to something like this when they won't come to a Bible Study. We've had as few as 8 and as many as 30 in attendance. There have been some good follow-ups as well.

   Elva Craig