February Newsletter

Fresh Bread

Wedding planning, ministry, preparing for marriage, heading for Africa… my brain is spinning! Life has been crazy, but very joyful and exciting. The big thing on my mind right now is Africa. I leave on Friday, February 28th and I can’t wait. Please pray for me as we travel and share the Gospel with Ivorian students. We will be joining the American team there which includes two of my roommates from last year. Please also pray that I will be a great encouragement to them as they have been far from home, missing some of the comforts that home brings.

From Campus 

Summer Opportunities

• As I write this, I’m sitting with 5 of the girls I disciple as they write support letters. 3 of them are going on summer mission trips with Cru. One is heading to Africa with a local ministry to serve in orphanages and the other is going to Washington to serve at-risk youth using outdoor adventures as therapy. 

Athletes

• One of the things I’ve been most excited about is the Field Hockey Bible study. Last semester I had the opportunity to  attend a few of their studies. One week 10 girls came which is incredible. One of the girls started crying during the study and said, “I’ve really needed something like this. I’ve been struggling a ton lately and I’m so glad we’re doing this.” I’m so thankful for the leaders Jessi and Leah for being spiritual leaders for their team.
• A swimmer named Ibby is going to Big Break, our spring break conference in Panama City Beach, FL. This is a huge step of faith for her. She even had already put money down for another spring break trip with her friends, but felt like the Lord calling her to do something eternal with her spring break. Please pray for her as she learns to share her faith at the   conference and puts it into practice  by sharing the Gospel with students partying on the beach. 

The Maze

• We had the opportunity to have Jim Munroe, a Christian illusionist, come to MSU and put on a magic show. He uses the illusions to encourage students to think differently about the world. One of the things he says is, “Maybe there is more going on behind the scenes than what you can perceive with your 5 natural senses.” He uses his story to share the gospel with students.
• 1,700 students attended the event at MSU. 200 students attended the event at a local 2 year school in West Plains, MO. 184 students indicated that they had prayed to  invite Christ into their lives.
• During a follow-up conversation, one of our staff members, Emily, shared the gospel with a  Chinese student. She had a lot of questions after the Maze and after talking with Emily more she surrendered her life to Christ. Praise the Lord for our new sister in Christ!
• I got to talk with one of the women’s basketball players last week. She had attended the Maze with one of her teammates and it was exactly what she needed. She went to a Christian high school so coming to MSU was a very different experience for her. She opened up to me and said her relationship with God has been struggling lately. She has been looking to school, basketball, and relationships for fulfillment, only to find each area has failed her. She wasn’t planning on going to the Maze, but that day she felt like she was really supposed to go. Jim’s message and the truth of the Gospel hit her heart and that night she rededicated her life to the Lord. She’s excited to move forward, trusting God to meets her need for fulfillment and purpose in life.

CHECK OUT JIM'S STORY AT I AM SECOND

HERE IS THE LINK: http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/jim-munroe/

Ways you can pray

• Pray for the follow-up of students that attended the Maze. Pray that the Spirit would lead us as we answer questions and share the Gospel with students.

• Continue to pray for Davy and I as we plan a wedding and prepare for marriage. We are   reading through The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller before we begin marriage counseling in March. Please pray that God continues to teach us to love each other sacrificially.

• I am going back to Cote d’Ivoire February 28th through March 9th. Please pray for safe travels, boldness as I initiate spiritual conversations with Ivoirian college students, and that I would be a great encouragement to the Cru team serving there.