Yabuki Breeze Blog

Two days, Friday & Saturday, two Christmas parties (more pictures) hosted at two different homes for  international students two from different campuses having two totally different experiences. Still… there was one purpose and one common result, the students had a great time, feeling loved and appreciated for a day they will never forget.

On Friday, the large neoeclectic home of our friends, Greg & Angela Speed, founder and owner of Speedsoft (www.speedsoft.com), an internet hosting provider, was full of international students and friends from UTA as we celebrated Christmas together. Feasting on classic Christmas pizza, pasta and sheet cake, students enjoyed hearing Greg’s testimony & sang Christmas carols together in the Speed’s warm living room decked out in Christmas garb. Afterward, students from three different parts of the world, from Africa, the Mesopotamia, and Asia, shared the Christmas story through song, candles and storytelling capped off with departing student, Joy sharing about the signficance of the gospel and how people can choose to follow Christ. People left with much joy in their hearts, lots of pictures and a warm feeling about Christmas.

On Saturday, we and several TCU students, visited the farm of Dave and Debbie, long time friends of our TCU ministry partners, Bennie & Patti for a time of outside fun and fellowship to celebrate Christmas. Shown true Texas hospitality by  members of Bennie & Patti’s church, the students, from China, Japan & Korea enjoyed a sumptious lunch of sandwiches, cookies, etc. One of the more popular part of the trip was that all the students had the opportunity to drive a “tractor” around the property. Afterwards, we were able to feel the warmth of a huge bonfire that would make the Texas A&M bonfire proud next to the family pond as we rosted s’mores that many students were tasting for the first time. Interns Matt & Allison, who are leaving to live overseas this week, were able to say good bye to our students friends in a good and proper way. T-8 and C-5 got to enjoy some of the leisure life on hammocks and students wandered all over the former ranch-housing development. All students went home with goody bags and smile on their face as they were reminded of the many of our “ministry partners” who love and care for them.

Tags: Christmas, Christmas Party

It is hard to believe that Christmas is upon us already. In the busyness of the season, and the commercial nature of our celebration of it, it is easy to forget the importance of this time. I was reminded of this during our ISI staff Christmas party the other day. On the way up, it felt like another event about Jesus in an already filled schedule.

Once I got up there though, I was reminded quickly that Jesus isn’t only the reason for the season, but Christmas was at the core of everything we do with international students. If Christ had not come, we, a very diverse and different people, would not be gathered together… we would not be a team doing some very special things… we would not have the meaning of life that we do in touching the world through international students. If Jesus did not come as a human to reveal God and to redeem man, we would be wasting our time sharing God’s great love to those who don’t know or understand it. Wow… that really put perspective on the evening. I look at the staff team… From long time ISI Staff Phil & Nancy Smick to New Staff Vinay & Shalini Patras, the reason why it is all worth it is because the Father sent his Son for our redemption and to show us who He is and so we can receive the Spirit and receive eternal presence with Him. (even now) Wow!!!

Remember this too… all of you who read this… those of you who have thought about, prayed about, supported us over this last year… remember it is because of Jesus that your sacrifices for our behalf have the special meaning that it does. You are an important part of this special letter, this “Word” of love, sent by God through His Son and expressed through our work as you support us… thank you all for your faithfulness.

Tags: Christmas Party, ministry purpose, Speeds