This last week we had an opportunity to go to Paris, and spend some time with the program there. We were very excited going in because we've heard so many great things about the program, but haven't ever had the opportunity to meet them. The director is French and does not speak any English, but he has an Assembly of God missionary working with him, who is fluent in French. Her name is Summer. We met her at the train station and she took us back to the church and Masters Commission housing. We got to hear the miracles they've experienced with receiving the 3 houses to hold Masters Commission students. This will be there third year running and they have 41 students coming this fall! We found this program to be especially unique because they have a national who is running the program and the program was birthed in the heart of several churches around France before they even knew what Masters Commission was. When they learned of Masters Commission and found it was the same vision they had in their heart it was only natural to partner together with us. I wish you could hear the heart they have for France and the desire to see young people being trained in leadership. It was really a blessing for us to spend some time with them. The atmosphere they have created is very positive and welcoming.
While we were touring the facilities we were introduced to a former student and her family that was in town. They were also so friendly and spent some time encouraging Nolan and I, and praying for us. We were overwhelmed by the genuine spirit there. We did not know these people, but they cared for and loved us as though we were family.
After a tour of everything we headed into the city of Paris. The city is absolutely beautiful. We had Starbucks and sat in one of the many artist squares. Around us were many artists painting, drawing, and selling artwork. Then we went to dinner at a Mexican place, which Brussels has very little of. While we were having dinner there was a cat wondering around, greeting all the customers. We asked if it was the restaurants cat, and found its a neighborhood cat that walks in and out of all the restaurants on the street. I've only something like that in the movies. After dinner Summer took us to a few of the main sights in Paris... The Louvre, The Arc of Triumph, and of course the Eiffel Tower. I definitely want to spend some more time in Paris. There is so much to see and enjoy there.
The entire trip was such an encouragement for Masters Commission, seeing the things God is doing there, and through Masters Commission. We're so thankful that we were able to get to know them better and start a deeper friendship.

Monday was our first official Belgium holiday. Its the day they celebrate their independence from Holland. We had been downtown on Sunday and saw the setup of the events that would follow on Monday. Thankfully, our friend Vibeke (a lady from the church we attended in Denmark) decided to stop by and see us, so we decided to see if we could catch some of the action. Unfortunately, the weather was awful... misty rain and COLD! ( nothing new from Belgium)Well, we went anyways and were quite entertained by the parades they had going on. There were so many people in weird customs and on stilts. It was definitely a culture experience that we hadn't experienced in Denmark before. I was able to go get some very-very good red cherries. They were kind of expensive, but worth it. ;) Since the weather was gloomy and bits of rain, we found a cozy little cafe to warm up in until the fireworks would start at 11. The first place we walked into was too packed, but I was excited for the atmosphere, since we always went to cafes in Copenhagen, I wasn't sure if we would find any cool places here in Brussels. We ended up to the cafe right next store, and it ended up being perfect!The fireworks were by far the best we have ever seen. It seemed like for 20 minutes you were treated to a never ending finale from start to finish. What was unique was the touch of music put to the show they put on. It truly was a sight to see. So, for those traveling to Brussels, come July 21st and make sure to catch the festivities in downtown! The evening was fabulous and well worth the cold we had to endure. Seriously, we could see our breath and it is the middle of summer. Something isn't right with that. :)

Hannah and I decided that our Saturday would be dedicated to apartment hunting. Once we moved our luggage to the EMC building where we are staying now, we drove with Albert who dropped us off downtown in the area where I posted about earlier. When he dropped us off we thought we were going to have to buy an umbrella because it was raining ( and since it rains like 200 days out of the year, we thought one would be in call for). We walked in a department store only to find out that the little umbrella's we would want where 25 euro or $40! There was nothing to the umbrella. So if anyone in the states would like to find Hannah a small one to put in her purse, please send one ;)

ATTN: Hannah Tarantino
45 Chaussee de Waterloo
1640 Rhode St. Genese
Belgium

That's the office here. We can always receive mail or packages there. It's the best address to send to by the way.

It wasn't long before the rain stopped and walking downtown couldn't of been more perfect. I am not sure how much we walked, but we went up and down street after street looking for apartments, and admiring the unique characteristics of all the rest. Our goal on each street was always to look for the orange signs saying Tu Huur or Louer! We actually were able to find a good number, so hopefully this week we can get a few appointments going. The majority are close to being out of our range, but we will see what happens. The thing that gets us is that each place is unique in the charges that are on top of the rent vary so much. Charges cover the cleaning of your doorway to electricty/water/heat. The majority of the time it's only the water, but you never really know, and the charges can vary from 25-150 euro! Seriously! Why the huge difference!!!

So keep that in prayer this week please.

All the walking around really gave us an appetite and in the middle of the walking we past a Oriental little shop, and all I remember was looking through the glass at the food they had and it just looked great. I know that my smell of the food was the one talking before my mind was set on what the food actually was though. I was so set on checking it out, that Hannah and I made our way back to the restaurant. It was actually a Lebanese little place. The menu was on the door before you walked in and I just looked at Hannah because I had no clue what any of it meant. It was the type of place where you walked in and just picked what you wanted to eat, so you had to have an idea or else... well it was pointless to go. So after debating wether we should eat or not, we said let's try it. The guy looked at us and asked what we wanted in French and I said I have no clue what to order. So he told us to sit down and he would bring each of us a plate! TALK ABOUT OH NO, WHAT DID I JUST DO!!! Anyways, the wait wasn't too long before this girl brought over a heaping plate full of Lebanese food! I know I was really hungry, but everything on the plate was just amazing! I couldn't of ordered anything better! We loved it. Hannah said it was the best humus she has ever had!

So for those that love Lebanese food, if you come see us we will make sure to take you there!

We have a request for those that check this site. We have found an area in town that we really want to be in but we know that the only way we will find a place is by God's hand in it. I took a picture in google to give you an idea. It's called Elsene. Both Hannah and I love the area. For those that come visit us I know you will just enjoy it as well. Please join us in prayer this next week. Financially we really will need God to move or this area won't be possible.

We did have two appointments tonight at apartments. The first one was amazing! The only problem was there was no real bedroom. The bedroom was the living room and dinig room all together! But it was nice. The second one... well, McNamee didn't even stop, it looked scary and the funny thing was the rent was so high. It was not in the best place in town, so we didn't even bother! Apartment hunting has surely been a new adventure.

So last night we needed a quick bite to eat so we follow our friend Joan to get something fast to eat. We ended up eating at Hector Chicken! We are told that this is the place to eat cheap... Well, I wanted to give a picture of what European life is like when you come to fast food and extras!

First of all, look at the size of the cup! Secondly, if you want BBQ sauce, well just at $1.50 for two very small pieces so you can enjoy your meal!!! I will miss bigger drinks, but I guess in the long run it will be better for my health! We did find out that Pizza Hut offers free refills! Too bad I don't want pizza all the time.

Also, they must think well of the USA since they put a picture of the flag next to the restroom ;)

In other news we are still out looking for an apartment. Tonight we are going to two appointments and we really enjoy this part of the town. We did see a nice one this morning, but it was right off the main street and it wasn't as clean as where we will be tonight. I do really love the places here, they have such character in them. Hopefully we will be able to show you pictures soon!!!

The first day working over here felt great! By the time Hannah and I were able to get home, Hannah looked at me and said I gotta go to bed!!! She was exhausted (in a good way). We are working on a Directors retreat for this upcoming October where the leaders of Master Commission programs in Europe will come to Brussels for a few days. Yesterday Hannah took a good chunk working on that!


We finally decided on what offices that we would take over as well. We are going to be on the 2nd floor (3rd if you were in the US). We had the option of getting a temp office while we are waiting for the future MCE offices to be ready, but I think Hannah and I want to work where the Offices will be and watch the growth of it. We have one side of the building but the majority of it will need to be renovated with teams throughout the next year. As I walk through the halls and offices my vision of what they could look like in the future is very exciting!

If anyone is wanting to bring teams to work on this area, you should contact us. We will be looking for office furniture and if anyone wants to help us with that, they can help us out by IKEA gift cards! Contact us if you are interested. We were looking at painting the office and we found out that a gallon of paint cost 69 euro. The euro by the way is more than the dollar, so just think about that one ;)



By the way, I love Italy!!! ;) Yesterday we went to look at an apartment downtown and the resident who was staying there was ITALIAN and he was incredible. I just loved listening to him. Italians are so welcoming! The apartment was very very nice, but I am not sure the area it was located at is what we would want to settle on. Tonight we are going back downtown right in the area of where the EU is. The area is so incredible. Please pray that we are able to find that right apartment. As it is right now our budgeted amount is very limited right now with what we have been seeing. I know we will find the right place though!

This morning we are off to the local commune so we can register! Woohoo. Lasne!!!!

We have only been here a matter of hours, but it hasn't taken long to realize that life over here is a little more expensive than the US. In the past few days that we have been here we have gone to the grocery store twice, out to eat downtown, as well as shopping for an apartment. All of these things have quickly opened our eyes to what the Euro is doing over here in Europe.

All this got me to thinking... How much has the exchange rate affected our budget?

As many of you know, we are supported by friends, families and churches on a commitment basis. We were told back in 2006 that to live from month to month here in Brussels, that we would need to raise $3,512 in monthly support. Right now we are about $2,900 of that goal! While that is great news, there is a BUT...

In 2006 when our budget was set, that $3,512 in the exchange rate was 2,900 euro a month. Today, July, 2009 that same $3,512 we are budgeting each month for living expenses now only covers 2,235 euro!!! To put that in dollars, we are $1,000 short a month from what we are ask to raise if that $3,512 comes in every month. This is and will continue to always be a huge need as we are living in the Euro economy and the Dollar continues to lower.

Please prayerfully consider supporting the Tarantino's on a monthly commitment. We truly need people who join together with us as we reach missions across the globe with Master's Commission and the work across Europe!

We have relationships already where some people can't support a month to month basis, but they can every few months and every bit helps as we continually are trying to compensate for the lowering dollar. Contact us for information on how you can be apart of that.

You can always check out our Missions Status page for the current information on where we are at.