many nations

One of the highlights of wrapping up my first school year on staff took place the last week in May. My co-worker Allison and I traveled to Colorado Springs with nine international students to attend the International House Party at InterVarsity's Bear Trap Ranch. Students learned about Jesus as we studied the parable of the prodigal son all week in small groups and had ample opportunies for fun, including hiking, rock climbing, square dancing, etc. It was a wonderful week and a great reminder of how much I enjoy serving in a cross-cultural context. I've become pretty accustomed to working with American students!

Last week one of the students hosted a reunion potluck for all of us. As great as it was to see everyone again, I was even more excited to learn from Allison that the four non-Christian students who were a part of our trip were all eager to continue studying scripture over the summer. Friday night they showed up at Allison's GIG (Group Investigating God) for dinner, fellowship, and a Bible study/discussion.

Praise God for the mysterious way He is at work drawing people into His kingdom from every tribe, tongue, and nation!

Enjoying the spectacular view from the top made up for a grueling climb.

Reunited - post dinner visit to Creve Coeur Lake.

summer staff life

Leading a scripture study from Nehemiah 2 at Catalyst 08, our week-long student leadership camp that happened in May.

I'm back from an unintentional blogging hiatus. Two student camps, a move to a new apartment, and a visit from Paul have kept me busy for the past four weeks. I am still getting settled into my apartment and figuring out what my schedule for the summer will look like as I work full-time to raise my full budget so that I will be able to focus fully on campus work once school starts up again! That's a lot of "full" for one summer.

I plan to post stories of God's provision as I dive into this process and your prayers for encouragement and boldness are very much appreciated.

Someone told me recently that raising financial support is one of the sharpest tools in God's discipleship shed. I am beginning to understand just what that means, but I can also honestly say that I know how good it is for me and the internal work that He is doing on my character.

house party

Tomorrow afternoon I will embark on a trek to the mountains surrounding Colorado Springs, CO. My co-worker Allison and I are taking nine international students to the International House Party, a week long camp for international students held at InterVarsity's Bear Trap Ranch. Most of the students attending are not yet followers of Jesus, but they will be encountering him through scripture each morning and through our interactions during the week.

Please pray for safe travel, loads of fun, and for many of our guests to make decisions to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord.

the plot thickens

Meet Paul. He's on staff with InterVarsity at UC Santa Barbara. We met at our staff conference in January and now we're dating.

Here's to another unexpected twist in the plot! It gets added to a long list of plot twists from the past several months.

Your prayers for wisdom are valued as we continue to get to know each other. We're definitely putting the "long" in long distance relationship, but I spent a week in Santa Barbara last month and he'll be in St. Louis for a week in June.

Unlooked for, unmerited gifts...

new life

...it's just like you to bring light into darkness / it's just like you / lord, it's just like you / it's just like you to bring beauty to ashes / it's just like you / lord, it's just like you...

Spring has arrived in St. Louis and it is a stunning sight to behold. There is something incredible about seeing new life in full bloom: God's story of resurrection on full display.

Wednesdays are typically my Sabbath - a time for rest and extended time in prayer and Scripture. I find myself returning to the Missouri Botanical Garden again and again - such a different environment from Wash U's campus and truly a place where I connect with the One in whom I live and move and have my being.

Here's a sample of what I observed during a recent visit.

As this academic year comes to a close, I am clinging to the promises of God for the students I've met this year who have yet to experience new life in Jesus. Our God is might to save and I am choosing to have faith that resurrection is possible in their lives.

I am praying, speaking, and walking with hope because the Spirit of God can cause skeptical hearts to become curious.

desperately seeking

This morning I met up with a student and her friend for breakfast. Her friend is not a student at Wash U, but he's visiting for the next week before heading to Massachusetts where he'll spend some time at a psychiatric treatment center. He was supposed to start college last fall, but he entered rehab instead. He's been in and out three times since.

He is one among countless. As I heard some of his story I was struck by the reality that we were created to worship, but there are a million ways that can get distorted as we decide where we will surrender our allegiance. My student's friend is still searching and I am hopeful because he wants to be healed. I told him that I will be praying for his time in Massachusetts as we parted ways. Will you join me in doing likewise?

This week I've been asked to mourn with those who mourn. It's brought me to my knees. I think that is a good place for me to be.

spring sprint

Less than four weeks of classes are left in this semester. Where has the time gone? Here are some highlights from the past few weeks, as well as what comes next:

1. CityLights 2008 - God showed up in a big way! The five One Voice students who participated are still talking about the the things that they learned. As a fellowship, we want to integrate the gospel and social justice, both on campus and in the surrounding community. Pray for us as we begin the process of planning for Fall 2008 - we want to our connection with the urban poor in St. Louis to go beyond a week-long experience each spring break!

Aya, Olivia, and Joy - CityLights is a great opportunity for students to connect with each other across fellowship, ethnic, and campus lines.

2. Spanish language Bible study - Guillermo (junior) and Asenath (freshman) are launching a new small group that will study scriptures in Spanish. Both are well connected with the small Latino community on campus and have a desire to reach out to their peers. Pray that God would be glorified as His word is preached to a specific culture on campus in their heart language.

3. Invitation to lead - Between now and the end of the semester I will be inviting four students to join our leadership team for the 2008-2009 school year. Pray that they would be sensitive to God's leading and direction as they consider this opportunity to join us in advancing the kingdom on the campus at Wash U.