Well, sort of. All of us have our visas except Morgan. For some reason hers didnt’ arrive Saturday like the rest of our team. And since the mail hasn’t run since then, we’re not sure if that was just a postal issue or visa issue. We’re praying it’s a postal issue and that it will arrive tomorrow.

That means our plane tickets booked for Jan 10 out of Miami will not need to be changed and we’ll be back in Italy a week from Thursday.

Our team was finally able to reconnect at Christmas Conference this past week in Atlanta. Across the board we’ve all had challenging times at home, and we all have mixed emotions about going back next week. We’ve all seen first hand why they don’t allow first year stinters to come home during their term. I’ll try to explain. As a team we had learned a lot about community, but we know we still have a ways to go. We had a very busy, very tiring first semester, and most of us have had relaxing time at home with friends we know really well, relationships we’re comfortable with, and environments that are familiar. Going back to a full, if not overwhelming, schedule in a foreign culture with a team that by design stretches and challenges relationships doesn’t seem as appealing as it did in August. The excitement of the unknown is gone because the unknown is now known. The reality of STINT is what we face now, and the motivation is not as strong. We could all probably use some encouragement if you have a second. Use the links on this page to leave comments on their blogs or send them emails. I know we’d all appreciate it.
I think part of the low desire to return is just the reality I described. But I think another part of it is spiritual attack, and we could definitely use prayer against that. We definitely saw evidence when we were in Atlanta of the Enemy planting seeds of lies to divide us or discourage us or make us feel isolated. Some of those lies were very effective. But we will not be defeated. We have the power to overcome the enemy. We would really appreciate your prayers.

One highlight of my time at home was a trip to Lambert’s. 4 of us were all that remained committed from the original group that was large enough that we were talking about getting a church van to make the 3 and a half hour trek to Sikeston, MO. It’s a tradition among friends of mine that I try to uphold at least once a year. We drive up, eat, visit the grave of the restaurant founder, and drive home. Everyone should try it at least once. This year’s menu selection might have been the best, but also the most unrealistic. I’ve had large meals there before, but this 40 oz center cut ham easily surpassed all others. Maybe it wasn’t 40 oz (maybe it was more), but it filled the entire bottom of a large skillet and was at least a full inch thick throughout. I recommend it. It’s the only item on the menu with XXL beside it.

Time at home was great. There were 3 new family members in my house for Christmas this year. 3 marriages brought them in. I’m glad I was able to be here for that. I should include more details, but it was a pretty calm Christmas. I mostly included this update just so no one would think that in spending my Christmas with my family the only highlight worth mentioning was the ham from Lambert’s.