What a year! In 5 days it will be the one year anniversary of my passing out in a theater, hitting my face on the handrail, and being rushed to the hospital to find out I had a massive brain tumor. That was the beginning of a terrible on-going journey until now. Somehow in the midst of all of the chaos, that took me through an extensive surgery and recovery, I did not let go of the ministry. I even went on Campus Staff for ISI in August. Looking back on it I am surprised I just did not stay hidden in my house to recover. At the recommendation of ISI I have used my time since then to focus on raising support. However, I have continued to go to the weekly Talk Times and Investigative Bible studies at Sac St and went to International Camp in October (45 students) and the large Thanksgiving outreach in Davis in November (94 students). We have a good hybrid team in place at Sac St- 4 leaders from Campus Crusade and 3 leaders from ISI. We have built a good foundation so far (see Metrics link, below) but with ~900 international students there we have a lot more work to do in 2015. Please pray for wisdom.
Story 1 - Takayoshi
We met Takayoshi and Masani last year at the Christmas party in Davis. They have 3 kids and we ended up becoming good friends with them. They are strict Buddhists but they came to church with us twice. The second time they even brought a new friend who had just arrived from Japan. None of them had ever been to a Christian church before, and they said they enjoyed the entire experience a lot. They even lifted their hands in worship! :) We took them gold panning and then to a gold mine, afterwards. Before they left to go back to Japan I was able to share more about my faith in Christ and what He has meant to my life.
Story 2 - Vina
Midway through the Fall semester we added Investigative Bible Study after our Talk Times. Most of the regular ~10 students have stayed and listen attentively. 3 weeks ago we were going through Ps 139 and how God is always near us and knows everything about us. One of the students from Malaysia stated- wow, God sure knows me but I don't know Him. This was the signal the girl leader needed to start conversations with her on how she could know Him.
Prayer Requests
- Now that my support raising is over I need to figure out where to best put my newly available time at Sac St. I suspect at the English Language Institute (ELI) and the Engineering school with the Indian students. But, please pray for wisdom
- SSDI. I find out January 13, 2015 if I qualify for SSDI. Pray that I get this as it will take much of the financial pressure off my ministry. Plus, my neurosurgeon firmly believes I qualify for it.
- Travel. One of the lingering effects from my tumor is that I am blind in my left eye and I have lots of agitation when I drive. Pray that the peace of Christ will rule in my heart over these physical setbacks.
Please send me your prayer requests! Please put "Prayer Request" in the Subject line to ensure I save it.
Metrics
http://isiervthomas.weebly.com/metrics
http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic
Pics
ISI Pics
Admonition
Here is a verse I found this week on Faith, Hope and Love that encouraged me. I hope it encourages you:
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thess 1:2-3
God bless all of you for your prayers and support. - Erv