This week has been one of ups and downs. While meeting with different students this week, it is clear God is doing a work in the lives of each student. It seems for some, that right now it means dealing with some hard issues in life.
We started Monday morning talking to one of our older students who is considering going to Russia on a month long missions trip with The Navigators this summer. This in it's self is not necessarily a hard issue in life. But, it is neat getting to watch the process of him seeking the Lord on his plans, what he should do for the summer, and what it really looks like to seek God out on a decision. As he goes through this process it's neat to be able to open up the scriptures and look at what God says about a number of factors such as money, futures and jobs, timing, and serving him. It's also cool to see how God has put previous life examples and stories of my own in my life, to share and help give advice on certain topics such as decision making. Please pray for David as he continues to seek the Lord and makes a decision on his summer plans and Russia.
That same day we visited a freshmen guy we have spent some time with and had some bible studies with his friends in his dorm. After talking to him for a little while he let us know that his family is going through some really tough times and it affects them all it sounds like. He couldn't give us details as to what was happening, but it was a big deal. We asked him how he was doing with it and what he was feeling, he expressed anger with God. This is a very honest emotion and reaction. He said, "I have all the right answers and the Bible knowledge, but right now... I don't know." This time with this student was a very sobering, yet a good time of getting down to the raw side of our relationship with Christ. What does it look like for us when the entire world is crumbling down? Where do we turn? We know our hope is in God, but do we always feel it? Do we know what that will look like when tragedy hits? We prayed for him and just sat and talked for a while. Please keep this particular student and his family in your prayers. Pray that he will experience ultimate hope and dependence on our Lord and Savior. Pray that this will only bring him and others closer to God and that God will use it as a testimony to his Love.
On Tuesday we picked up another student for Bible study. We ended up going to lunch and he told us the news of his grandfather passing away the night before. As he told us he was due to travel home during Spring Break to spend some time with his grandfather, who he was extremely close to, I could hear the heartbreak and sorrow in his voice. My heart broke with his. Now, this student is dealing with thoughts of eternity, family mourning, where is God in this situation, and where does he turn to go on in the day to day. Again, through these really tough and real situations of true heartache and pain, God is there and uses these times to lead us more and more to him, if we are willing to find comfort in his arms. For me, it's been so neat to build a friendship with this students and see him grow as a man of God. Once again, will you please pray for him as he is faced with immediate loss and questioning.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
16May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Thank you for all your prayers for these students. Also, I would just like to thank all of you who take the time out of your busy days and weeks to stop by read what is happening in my life and in the lives of those around me, especially the students at UCSD. I love you all. For a short update on personal prayer requests please read on to the next paragraph.
In personal news, please pray for my parents as they are taking a much needed break from work for the cruise they have hoped to go on for years. Please pray for my mom, that God would give her the energy needed to enjoy the cruise fully, as she is still on chemotherapy. Pray that they would have a great time together with friends and as a couple. In other traveling news, my fiancee Tess and I will be taking off in a week to spend some time with her parents, along with trying to fit in some wedding details and continue our premarital preparation time with a couple who are mentoring us in the area of marriage and life. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and love. I will try to update you again soon and hopefully will have a newsletter for you by the first week of April.
P.S. If anyone knows of any great ideas or deal for a Maui honeymoon, please let me know ;) Just thought I would ask. Thanks!
