The Nations of ICSV

Each year it amazes me how many different countries are represented at our little school.  This year, we have 230 students K - 12th grade from almost 50 different nations.

Here's a list of the nations represented at our school this year:
Australia
Austria
Burkina Faso
Canada
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Egypt
El Salvador
Ethiopia
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Italy
Jordan
Kenya
Libya
Macedonia
Malawi
Mauritius
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Pakistan
Philippines
Poland
Russia
Slovakia
South Africa
South Korea
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
United Kingdom
United States
Venezuela
Zimbabwe

What a great opportunity we have been given to share the Gospel with the nations while we live in Vienna.

Pray for Ace

See this little guy.  His name is Ace, and he is a very special little boy born with a special heart.  He was born with only half a heart (at least that is how I understand it, I am sure his mom could give you all the medical details) and that means his heart has to work twice as hard to do even the easy stuff like move oxygen throughout his body.  When he has any type of illness at all, his little heart has to work over the top hard to help him fight infection and keep his body functioning. 

Right now, this sweet boy is in the hospital with an ear infection, pneumonia, Rhinovirus and RSV! Would you please take a few minutes to pray for healing for Ace’s little body and strength for his heart?

But this is just the beginning of the story.  You see, sweet Ace has a little brother, Zane, who was also born with a special heart.  And although his heart condition is not as critical as Ace’s, it is not beneficial for Zane to be sick either.  Zane is at home but he is sick, too, with vomiting and a fever.

Please pray for Zane’s little body to be healed too and for him to stay out of the hospital.

And these sweet babies have a Dad who is not only taking care of Zane while he is sick, but juggling a job and 4 more boys at home.

Pray for Stan as he manages 5 boys at home who want to be with their mom, who are concerned about their brothers and who have to keep the house running.  The oldest boy is 14.  Pray for understanding from his boss so that he doesn’t have to worry about his job along with everything else.

And these 6 boys have a mom.  She keeps all 6 of these boys going; she teaches them at home; she runs several businesses from her home; she is the ultimate mom taxi.  And although she isn’t perfect, she is supermom, an amazing woman, a true friend and my hero.  And right now she is sitting in a hospital room with her baby in her lap, watching helplessly as he fights for his life.  Knowing that another one of her babies is sick at home and missing her husband and 4 healthy sons.  Her laundry isn’t getting done, her kids aren’t being feed or taught and she can’t do anything about it.

Please take a moment and pray for my friend, Michelle.  Pray for strength and courage, hope and peace, wisdom and rest.  She is tired and she has a long battle to fight.

But most of all this family has a Father.  And He holds them in the palm of His hand.  And He hears the prayers of His people.  Thanks for taking time to pray for my friends.