HOSTING A LEC STUDENT: THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Antoine, left, and Aric

Once a host family, always a host family -- or so it seems. Virtually all of the families who have hosted LEC students in the past three years have enjoyed the experience. Many still keep in touch, even as the years roll by. Many have had a second or even a third student.

One host family went the extra mile. When called upon by an August 2010 host family who had no teens in their family, a 2009 host family invited the LEC student, Antoine Bardonnet, to "hang" with their son, Aric, of Palmyra.

Here's what host mom Karen had to say about the off-year encounter:

"I just wanted to let you know that Amy A. had contacted me and asked if it would be possible for Aric to get together with Antoine a few times before Aric left for college.

"We moved Aric into Juniata College on Sunday where (right now) he is planning on studying Biopsychology. He is thinking of changing over to Philosphy/Politics/Economics with a French minor and try to work with the French Embassy in some way.

"Anyway, we did manage to get Aric and Antoine together twice before he left. On Monday, August 16, a group of Aric's friends from his French class came over to hang out with both of them. Later that evening, they all went to the Palmyra Brethren in Christ Church for their Youth Group, OUTLET, which is a party for the Middle School/High School Youth. Aric and his friends are in the youth group band, and Antoine was able to hang out and watch them practice before OUTLET started. Antoine joined all the other youth in singing and enjoying the music and youth mission trip testimonies and just hanging out with all the teens in general.

"Aric and Antoine got together again on Thursday, and Aric took Antoine to the Hershey Foods Corporation Inclusion Fest. It is an annual cultural festival featuring foods and entertainment from different cultures. After that, they went to the Hershey Outlets for some good ol' fashioned American teen shopping. Then they came back to our house and hung out with Aric's friends for a little while. After dinner, they watched some television and decided to go to see the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Aric said Antoine enjoyed the movie but thought it was silly.

"I could tell Aric and Antoine enjoyed each other's company. Next summer shouldn't be as hectic as this summer and we are hoping to take in a student or two again.

"We still chat with Marion [the LEC student they hosted last year] on Facebook, and she is getting ready to attend college in Paris. She is hoping to become a European Union translator.

"Thank you for continuing to think of us for this program."

To see how you can join in this program of international friendship, please read here.