Highlights.
- Curt Nichols, retired Intel VP, darn good Christian, great guy, came and spoke to the UC Davis (who made the NCAA tournament, by the way ;) Scholars on March 18. About 20+ scholars came out to hear him which was a much higher turnout for our Faith at Work series. I know God's ways are not my ways and I can't see everything He sees but I thought the whole evening went perfect. Seriously. I thought his talk was 100% on point with the students and they listened intently, the Holy Spirit was obviously working by their open and honest questions (especially in the breakout session afterwards, see Story below), the conversations in the care ride to Davis and back, the level of interaction among all the students in the room, and the food.
- After his talk one of the students I have got to know pretty well at camp the last 2 years came up to me and asked- why don't you have Curt come to speak to our monthly all-area dinner? I was so happy to hear this but wondered why I did not think of that myself! :/ I said- great idea!! Before I had a chance to talk with Curt he had already asked him and he said- yes! I have a spot reserved for him Sept 8 since we only have one more month of school left.
- I went skiing this weekend and my wife took Megan* to Jesus Culture and also got to talk to her husband in Iran on Skype. So many great things happened there that I will just list them here and not go into too much detail (engineers are not the most prolific writers)- a) Megan was talking to her husband on Skype when my wife arrived to pick her up. The husband told his wife- I have to speak to her and Erv right now. I am sad I was not there but he just thanked my wife (and me) profusely for being there and looking after his wife and children while he was still stuck in Iran (and he wants to take us out to dinner whenever he finally gets here :), b) at church the pastors wife did the sermon (a little unusual) but that really impacted Megan* favorably because in Islam that is beyond forbidden, c) the church had also put up a prayer wall (like a scaled down Wailing Wall) and everyone was invited to write a prayer and put the note into the wall. Megan* was so excited she placed 3 of them in the wall and let my wife read them first (one of the requests I remember was that God would help her husband get to the US), d) not sure why, but she asked my wife everything she believed about hell. *whew* my wife answered it well (so glad she is in ministry with me), then e) the climax, they held a baptism afterwards and Megan* was completely fascinated by that. So much so, she actually pushed her way by all the families of those that came to see their loved ones baptized and made her way to the actual front of the baptismal on stage. There she recorded everything on her phone and I know it was because she wanted to send it all to her husband. Then she asked my wife detailed questions about why they all did that and what it meant! :) Ah, I forgot, one more f) everyone at Jesus Culture raises their hands when they sing, preach, go to the bathroom... it's who they are. Megan* asked what that was all about. My wife said- don't you remember when your children were little how they would come up to you with their hands held up to be held? When you become a Christian God is your Father and when your heart wants to express love to Him you lift your hands in the same way. Megan* instantly smiled and understood!
- We our going to San Francisco on April 15 (Spring Break) and everyone is so excited to go. I will be happy to have everyone all together again!
Lowlights.
- Only four showed at our last Talk Time. I know they are all great, hard-working students and are so busy. We actually have an unbelievable high percentage of students working for the university at Student Ambassadors and also in the bookstore. This is another reason I think we have such a great reputation within the school even though we are a somewhat small group. They always text me when they can't make it and say how sad they are to miss. I like that.
Story 1 - Ellen*
I do not know Ellen* too well. Ellen* was in my breakout group of ~8 after Curt had talked. She was obviously touched immensely by the talk. She said, I know a lot of students that come back to China after they study here in the US and obviously something is different about them. They have had an encounter with God in some way. I actually feel a gap or hole in my heart that I know God needs to fill (she really did say this!). But, I don't know what to do or even if I know enough to do anything. I decided to say in front of everyone- it is like a man who greatly loves a woman and pursues her and proves to her that he is worthy of her, that he is a very good man, and that he will cherish and protect her forever. He then simply asks her to marry him. Well, that is what God is doing with you right now. To fill that hole, all you need to see is how great His love for You is and say- yes!
Story 2 - Ken*
After I said this to Ellen (above), Ken*, who was sitting across from her said this- yes, that explains it. In the US you have heard about this 'man' who loves you, pursues you and proves how good he is so that you can respond to him. We know nothing of this 'man' in China and it is good to learn this now. :)
Story 3, 4, 5 - Darla*, Ren* and Megan*
Darla* and Ren* whom I talked to in the car to and from Davis. I will mention more about that great conversation next time. I already went too long on Megan* in the Highlight section :)
Prayer Requests
- Plans for the summer with the students. Most, if not all, of my peers take the summer off to plan and prepare for next year. I want to just keep meeting and doing things with the students. Pray that God will give me ideas on what to do- Picnics, bike rides, kayak trips, Bible study...
- Our SF trip. We are taking MegaBus and will be together the entire day and into the night. What a tremendous opportunity to be salt and light and have great conversations and show them Christ by how we live our lives with them!
- How to end well. The end of the school year is coming in a 5 weeks. Pray that God would have us end well and that we can do something special to cap off a great year. A dinner at my house, the Taco Truck for everyone again, gifts of some sort...
- For Megan*. That God would continue to show Himself to her and build on the experience she had with Him at Easter. That she would know for sure she has found the relationship with Him she desires. Pray for my wife to be able to follow-up with her soon and say the right things. <<Ongoing>> <<Yes and Yes and Yes!!!)>>
- For Ana* and Zoey*. Like Megan* that God would start drawing them to Himself and making them aware of their need for Him. They are both great friends with Megan*. That perhaps Megans* seeking will inspire them to seek also. <<Ongoing>>
- That we can start an Alpha or M28 club (Bible study) with the students that are interested in learning more about the Lord. <<Drop, for now. Take Megan each week to her Farsi Bible study>>
- Many opportunities have arisen with more students, faculty, volunteers and churches connected with us- host families, greeting students at the airport when they arrive, weekly talk partners, Bible study, dinners, assisting the college... We certainly need wisdom to know what we can and cannot do, that the Lord will direct our steps. <<Done. Meeting this month>>
- For Curt Nichols speaking on March 18. That God would give Him the right message and anointed words. I know He already has the right message by his life. That God would kindle a fire in all of the scholars to come and hear him and receive what he has to say. That all in all God would be lifted up and the Holy Spirit would convict all in sin and righteousness. <<Oh man, answered exceedingly abundantly 'beyond all I could ask or think'>>
Admonition
“No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us." - John 1:18
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