“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.'”  John 8:12

Though the temperatures are still in the high 80’s to low 90’s—autumn is in the air! Fall colors can be found on almost every street corner. From the crates of red and green apples, to the wide variety of grapes (some say there are over 500 varieties grown here), we’re enjoying the bountiful harvest that comes with this season.

Thanks to a generous financial gift, we have started a free conversation class on Thursdays. Our prayer is that this more intimate, around-the-table setting will encourage deeper conversations with our students. We’re already thanking God for the excitement that students expressed at our first class–everyone wanted a chance to speak as much as possible! We look forward to discussing new topics each week, hearing their stories, and sharing our own–our Hope and Peace!

It is tradition here to honor teachers with flowers on the first day of school. This corner flower stand had difficulty keeping up with the demand as kids headed off to school earlier this week. Depending on size, most bouquets range in price from .50 to $10.00.

Even in the midst of a game, you can see how seriously the people here approach things. Perhaps it’s due to the many times they have had to defend themselves in real-life battles, as surrounding nations have sought to conquer their land throughout history. Even now, our nation feels the tension of neighboring countries threatening their freedom. Please pray for peace for this region of the world, and that they can find their true source of peace in Him.

Early this summer, we took a trip outside of the city, and spent part of the day hiking in a remote area. As we parked our vehicles at the end of the road and trekked up to the top of the make-shift trail, we were surprised to find this very helpful marker! Let’s pray together for our eyes to be open as He directs us and guides us!

Locals here make their own yogurt that has a unique flavor–more sour than sweet. It’s used in a variety of ways: in dough, in soup, and of course, it’s eaten by itself. The process takes a while, and involves wrapping the container up to keep it warm. After some hours have passed, (we’ve heard different opinions on the best time frame), it’s ready to eat!

Many of you know children who have started school recently–a new beginning. Our team kids had their first days last week, and for the youngest team member on the field, that meant a brand new preschool. We prayed that she would do well with the transition, and that there would be some familiar faces. The Lord answered with a teacher and a helper from her old preschool, and she didn’t want to leave the first day! We are so thankful!

This sign (yes, that’s a typo–it should say altar) posted in an ancient but active church outside of the city is a reminder of the importance of the Truth of the Cross. Please pray for the people in this country to break free from centuries of religious rules, to have access to the Gospel, and to answer His call!

What time do you eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner (or is it supper?)??? Your answer might be something like 7:00 AM, Noon, and 6 PM. After spending several days in the mountains with a local friend, her family, and friends, our stomachs got used to a new rhythm–11 AM, 3 PM, and 8 PM. One night, we even had a bonus meal–a midnight cookout!