International Friendship Activities & Cultural Exchange

Newsletter

Welcome to the our latest newsletter

InterFACE Newsletter        March 2010         Bob and Colleen Ludeking

GREETINGS in the name of our Lord.

   It has been unusually cold and miserable for days, weeks. The people that have lived here for many years say this is the worst weather they can remember. Regardless of the cold we have pushed on with all our activities for the students.

   I would like to bring you up to date what has taken place in the last few months. As I finished my last Newsletter, I mentioned the Christmas play with all internationals. A student would read all the dialogue just like telling a story and the students would act out the parts. It sounds easy doesn’t it. It was quite a challenge. We hoped to use all students that were believers but we just couldn’t get enough Christian volunteers. You can be assured that they all knew the Christmas story from beginning to end. Several asked additional questions such as why Jesus came to die so we felt it was a wonderful witnessing tool. A special note; We used a doll with dark colored skin for the baby Jesus which I found at the international house in the playroom. It just suddenly appeared probably donated by someone. When I saw it, I knew it would be perfect for the play. I set it aside. Later in the day a student asked me could she have the doll for her 26 the year old retarded daughter who came to the school with her. My heart dropped. I said this is the doll that will be the baby Jesus in our play. She responded, can I have the doll after the holidays. Yes, I said. When the English school began I noticed the young woman was carrying around a doll. Someone had given her a beautiful new doll for Christmas. THANK YOU LORD. I placed the JESUS doll in with the Christmas costumes for another year.
I also asked for your prayers in regard to the Christmas Conference. The weather in the north was very bad but all the buses got through safely. The weather here in Florida was quite cold but the warm heart of the host families surrounded the students in a special way. The music and the presentation about Christmas were excellent. The response of the students was very encouraging. Seventy five percent of the students wanted to learn more about Jesus and the Bible. Eight students made a decision to follow Christ. Follow up will be handled by the local staff. WOW! Thank you Lord.
   The Friendship English school continues every week. This class focus is building friendship. During the break we have refreshments, sing songs, a time of sharing and prayer. Many students sing songs from their countries. This brings many memories and tears as they remember the past.
   Many students are from Haiti. One of the shepherds in the Christmas play was Frantz from Haiti. He graduated and we said GOODBY as he returned to his family in Haiti. Several weeks after the earthquake, I received a surprise call. Frantz and his two year old daughter were back in Tampa. His wife a doctor remained in Haiti to help her people. Frantz and his daughter were able to stay with one of his advisors. He needed a job and would later need an apartment and furniture. In a few weeks he had secured a job, found an apartment but needed furniture. The call went out for furniture and two weeks later, six families donated everything for his apartment except a sofa. Frantz wife has recently joined him here in Tampa. Thank you Lord, for the generosity of your people. Frantz and his family are believers. Keep them in your prayers as his wife learns English and they adjust to living in Tampa.
    Recently we received a very special call from a young Chinese couple, living in Atlanta with their two kids. Both became believers in Buffalo. The wife has been having Bible studies in her home. Two weeks ago, she called very excited. Four of her students had accepted Christ as their Savior. WONDERFUL Thank you Lord for your transforming power and THANK YOU friends for your support and prayers.
     Twenty two students decided to go SKY DIVING in January. Bob and I said together ARE THEY CRAZY!!!!!!!!!! The students needed us and several others to drive them to Zepher Hills were the activity would take place. We were amazed how many people were involved in this sport. The students found out they would not be jumping alone. An instructor would be behind them attached together with the parachute when they jumped from the PLANE!!!!!!!!!! I wasn’t sure I could watch. The students also received a twenty minute lesson on procedure and what to do when they jumped but it did not make me feel better. It took about three hours for everyone to go. Everyone said it was awesome. I’m not convinced. We did have a lot of time to build friendships and enjoyed our day. Thank you Lord, that everyone landed safely back on the ground.
    Our final activity was the GO EAST Trip to New York and Washington over the Spring Break with thirty three students. Six girls from USF joined us as we drove to Atlanta to meet the bus. One girl was from Indonesia, Pakistan, China, Haiti, and two sisters from Tajikista. One sister is going to school in Tampa and the other is studying law in LA. They were a great group. Several students were Moslem. Many pictures were taken and it was a memorable trip. During the trip many talks about our country being birthed on Christian principals and the importance of God in our lives were given. One evening as Grampa Bob was driving the bus, Uncle Bob shared a personal story about his daughter. She had the mind of a three year old but was older. She went to school on a bus with others and was attacked on the way home from school on the bus. Two boys on the bus had hurt her. He was very angry and asked the school many questions. However they had no answers for him. He shared how he wanted to hurt the boys but he didn’t. He knew he had to forgive them. It was an emotional testimony. He asked if anyone had any questions. One girl asked “What is forgiveness?” His answer was amazing. Please pray that the seeds planted on this trip will continue to grow resulting in all becoming followers of Christ. Thank you Lord!

                           Praises
   We now have a bus to pick up Burmese for church/Sunday School totally paid for. Bob is the bus driver and I go along to try to talk with everyone. Thanks to God for safety on all our activities
   Thank you for the new believers in Atlanta and their teacher
   Baptisms of one Chinese and four Burmese Sunday in church
   God will continue to bless our international class as they reach out Bible studies

                            Prayers
    Continue to pray for the churches in the area to catch the vision to reach out to the internationals and open their hearts and homes
    More English schools for the Burmese and other immigrants and refugees also a pastor for the Burmese
    The garden area provided for the Burmese on the church property will grow and feed many.
     Bob and myself for our health and continued involvement in ministry
 

                   THANK YOU
Our continued appreciation for allowing us to be part of this amazing ministry. It’s part of our lives. As you read all that God has done and is doing please be blessed as we have been. ITS BECAUSE of your prayers and support. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN JUNE to personally share more experiences.
 

                SERVING THE KING TOGETHER
                     Colleen & Bob