Awesome autumn

It's officially that wonderful time of the year here in Moscow, the time when the leaves stop producing their green chlorophyll and the other pigments show off their impressive array of colors. The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and the kids in school are generally still very excited (as are the teachers).

Just this past weekend HCA had the middle school retreat at a camp outside of Moscow. It was a wonderful time to get away and be with the sixth through eighth graders (the 6th and 7th graders are former students of mine). Throughout the course of four sessions together (followed three times by small group time), we explored the biblical truths of propitiation, reconciliation, regeneration, and justification - all amazing works that God does in us! God surely met with us in our times of worship and during all the random times throughout the weekend: crazy games, mealtimes, late night talks in the 7th grade boys room (including Q & A with Mr. Brande and Mr. Hays...we addressed the ever-pressing topic of girls; told stories about our most embarrassing, happiest, and saddest moments; and heard stories from the kids as well), and much more. I sensed that the kids grew closer to each other and were challenged to continue growing deeper in their walks with God. Please join me in praying that the seeds that were sown this past weekend would take root in fertile soul.

Please join me in praying this week for Jeff McGuire, the HCA director, as he is making many contacts at recruitment fairs in the U.S. Pray for God to direct his conversations and the hearts of those who are considering teaching in international Christian schools. Actually, as of this moment on Monday, Jeff is at a recruitment fair at my alma mater, Olivet Nazarene University, and he's staying with one of my former education professors! Small world!

Please be in prayer all this week for our upcoming English Cafe on Saturday, October 11. We will be exploring the topic of "True Colors" through a variety of games, icebreakers, songs, and discussions. In planning for this night, we leaders have sensed God direct our night in such a way that we will be sharing gospel truth quite clearly in a few points, and we are very excited about this. Please join us in praying for the hearts of our Russian friends who will be attending, that they will be excited to come and that the truth that will be presented will penetrate and will be effective. Pray for continued relationship forming and deepening between our Russian friends and us native English speakers. Finally pray for wisdom as we prepare and as we lead the discussions on Saturday night.

For those of you who have been anticipating pictures of my big 25th birthday bash, I have finally been able to upload all of them to the web and add captions to them. To check them out, click on the following link: http://picasaweb.google.com/lukedanielhays/25thBirthdayAdventure#