So I’m going to introduce these guys as a group instead of one by one for now because I don’t quite have their permission yet to write about them individually, but maybe soon. These are the students that help us each week with our Saturday Kids Fellowship and I have just recently had the chance to really get to know them. We had our weekly prayer meeting last night and I really felt like a part of the group and was just so blessed being with this group. Needless to say, I was really happy that our volunteer team had ministry on campus today because that meant I would be able to go spend time with them.
The IVCF, or Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship, is student led and run and will hopefully soon be recognized by the university as an official campus organization. Until then, Rose, Kennel, Jai Jai, PJ, Jonah, Lyndi, Redge, and a few others from their home, open their house each week to share the word of God and gather students together under the love of Jesus. They’ve invited me to their meeting next week and I’m so excited to get the chance to see what they do.
Today was such a blessing to me because I was able to spend most of the day with them. We all went out for lunch and then to a beautiful monastery and finally to an eco lodge at the base of a mountain that offers horseback riding. At our last stop, none of the students had ever been there or knew any of the workers, so I decided to try my luck. The first guy I met was wearing a familiar shirt and was somewhat friendly and actually ended up being the owner (I know how to pick them). As I talked to him I found out his sister married an American and he was actually in the States a few weeks ago, which is where he picked up the shirt he was wearing. The shirt just so happened to be a 2009 National Championship shirt and his sister now lives in the hometown of THE University of Alabama and me of course. Small world. Needless to say, we will have a mountain trail ride coming up in the next few weeks.
Back to the students. As the day progressed, I just got more and more attached to these students. They don’t have much because of their heavy course load (most college students are not able to work here because of their schedule and a lack of jobs), but with the free time they do have, they are focused on volunteer work and campus ministry. I worked my tail off to get through college, and so are these students, yet they “only” get an education out of it. I’m just so blessed by these students and how they are choosing to live their lives.
Before I sign off on this one, I want to tell you one more thing about these students. With their campus ministry, IVCF, they are having to do a lot to get recognized by the university, but once they do, they will have a lot more freedom. One thing they are trying to do is a benefit concert on campus for our Saturday Kids Fellowship. This will hopefully raise an awareness within the student body and provide us with some extra funds. Now the next step is making the concert happen. They have already booked a few bands, but are just now realizing they don’t know what all goes into an event like this.
The good news is I can finally use my graphic design degree and also help them with a little marketing. The only thing we may come up against is the extra support raising to make the event happen and front the costs. I don’t think the event will cost much at all and support raising shouldn’t be a huge issue, but it will be their first time to do it. I’m really praying that God will bless these guys as they prepare for this. It is a great opportunity not only to teach them, but also bring some much needed support for our ministry. Please pray that this concert in September will be a success and God will provide for our needs and also bring us some help with our ministry.
Well I think that’s enough for now. With any luck (and their permission) I will share some of their individual stories later. Until then, please pray for these students because they are truly living their lives for Jesus and seeing it’s not always filled with prosperity…
