Last night I lay on the roof of the children’s home with several of the youth who meet with Adam every night to experience God’s presence. (Adam is one of the visitors to the Home who chose to stay and help build into the kids’ lives). As I lay there looking up at the vaulted clouds and the stars beyond, I was just reminded of how immense God truly is and of how humble He is to come down to this world and truly love each and every one of us.
While on the roof, I had the opportunity to pray with Esteban and Alex. Esteban has been at the Home six years—he is an amazing twelve year old kid with a warm smile and something always going on behind his brown eyes. He told me that his first family had separated and would never come back together or come back for him. Every day for the past six years he has earnestly prayed for a new family. This is still his prayer. I could see how badly he hurt and how much he yearned for family connection as he told me his story. It nearly broke my heart for such an amazing young boy to have such pain.
Alex is maybe six or seven. He asked me to pray for his brothers and sister. They are with his father in the United States. He does not know where they are or if they are ok, and he told me that he never will know. They crossed and permanently left him and his mother behind. They will not reconnect again. His mother lives in a Durango, so his home moves sometimes when he isn’t at the Home. He desperately misses his siblings and prays that they are ok.
Please pray for these, our little brothers in Mexico, and all the other kids at the Home. Many go through more pain in their days than we ever realize.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
July 23 update
The conversations with the kids get progressively more in-depth every year. It has been very hard, but beneficial, to hear the real-life situations many of them are in. Today we were able to help out a woman whose kids go to the Home. The staff was able to verify that the situation was legitimate—her husband left her, she had no job, she was sick and could not afford to pay for a doctor, and she could not afford to feed her kids over the mandatory break when she walked all the way to the Home to pick them up. I overheard her telling her situation to one of the workers at the Home felt led to pray for her. Our group prayed for healing (the ladies laid hands on her) and we were able to assist her some financially—hopefully enough to feed her kids over the break. It was very difficult for all of us to see that, especially since we’ve gotten to know and love her kids over the course of the week…
We also had a big fiesta to end the week with the kids after our classes with them. Many will be gone next week for vacation. I’ll let the others share more, though…
We also had a big fiesta to end the week with the kids after our classes with them. Many will be gone next week for vacation. I’ll let the others share more, though…
Thursday, July 22, 2010
July 22 Update
Today was an amazingly blessed day—and a LONG one (in a good way). The first three lessons with the kids went really well. We played ‘getting to know you’ games and learned quite a bit about the littlest ones and 8-11 year old girls. We had good conversation over lunch about how to better help the youth connect with God in a relationship (vs. just learning about behavior modification) so that God could transform their hearts. The lesson with the 8-11 year old boys completely went out the window. While that group has typically been good, today they had uncontrollable energy and were not in any way in a receptive mood for anything less than war—which is about what our playtime was. We had some very deep sharing and conversations with the oldest groups of kids—it was evident by the way they listened that some of the stories from our lives impacted several of the listeners very heavily. I was extremely grateful to hear that.
Between two lessons it was requested that our group share during the afternoon service. Since the lessons are finished around 4:50 p.m. and service was at 5:00 p.m. and we had to drop our things off at the casita (little house—where the missionaries (us) stay), that meant we had no time to prepare. I was a little nervous, but we prayed and I knew the Holy Spirit would do what He wanted. The service was awesome—I LOVED the thunderstorm partway through that blew a fresh breeze through at several opportune moments as we sang and prayed. When the Americans shared, I could feel the Spirit move—each had something right to say. God helped me get through the interpretation (verbal translation) as each spoke to the audience. I was able to share something about how I DEEPLY desire for all of the youth to either have a relationship with God or a stronger relationship with God… Then we read 1 Corinthians 13 (the beginning and love section) and we replaced ‘love’ with God when we read it a second time (to help the youth know the nature of the one they should seek relationship with). It seemed to go very well.
Immediately afterwards we practiced Spanish worship with Armando (the worship leader) for two hours and then headed up the hill to grab supper. Three of us left it cooling on the table so we could catch as much time with the kids as possible while the others ate and recuperated—then they joined us. During the oldest girls’ lesson we had offered to pray in the concha (the court where they play basketball). I was very pleasantly surprised to find that they not only remembered but were asking when we could start. We got together and asked them what to pray for—we prayed for quite some time (in English and Spanish) for the Home, for unity, for relationships, families, health, and a few other requests. After we were done we got back in time to eat and cool down for a few minutes. Exhausted, we sat down to chat.
I was excited because even though we were all dog tired at least two were brimming with excitement and energy from our experiences today. That’s when I was able to surprise everyone with the letters of support from you (those who love us and had the time to write one for a trip-goer). Thank you SO much! I saw so many smiles and more than a few tears. Your letters provided a powerful push when we were excited but very very tired. Thank you so dearly for your love and support—it along with God’s love will give us the strength to push through successfully to tomorrow. Now we are going to write up encouraging things for each of the kids for tomorrow—we are going to give them to them for them to keep (a page with their picture and things like ‘you have beautiful eyes’, ‘you are a great artist’, ‘you have so much energy and excitement’… I know that, at least for the little ones, it should have a very big impact to be so encouraged. We are all excited to complete our project for tomorrow. Thanks again, and good night!!!--Brandon
Between two lessons it was requested that our group share during the afternoon service. Since the lessons are finished around 4:50 p.m. and service was at 5:00 p.m. and we had to drop our things off at the casita (little house—where the missionaries (us) stay), that meant we had no time to prepare. I was a little nervous, but we prayed and I knew the Holy Spirit would do what He wanted. The service was awesome—I LOVED the thunderstorm partway through that blew a fresh breeze through at several opportune moments as we sang and prayed. When the Americans shared, I could feel the Spirit move—each had something right to say. God helped me get through the interpretation (verbal translation) as each spoke to the audience. I was able to share something about how I DEEPLY desire for all of the youth to either have a relationship with God or a stronger relationship with God… Then we read 1 Corinthians 13 (the beginning and love section) and we replaced ‘love’ with God when we read it a second time (to help the youth know the nature of the one they should seek relationship with). It seemed to go very well.
Immediately afterwards we practiced Spanish worship with Armando (the worship leader) for two hours and then headed up the hill to grab supper. Three of us left it cooling on the table so we could catch as much time with the kids as possible while the others ate and recuperated—then they joined us. During the oldest girls’ lesson we had offered to pray in the concha (the court where they play basketball). I was very pleasantly surprised to find that they not only remembered but were asking when we could start. We got together and asked them what to pray for—we prayed for quite some time (in English and Spanish) for the Home, for unity, for relationships, families, health, and a few other requests. After we were done we got back in time to eat and cool down for a few minutes. Exhausted, we sat down to chat.
I was excited because even though we were all dog tired at least two were brimming with excitement and energy from our experiences today. That’s when I was able to surprise everyone with the letters of support from you (those who love us and had the time to write one for a trip-goer). Thank you SO much! I saw so many smiles and more than a few tears. Your letters provided a powerful push when we were excited but very very tired. Thank you so dearly for your love and support—it along with God’s love will give us the strength to push through successfully to tomorrow. Now we are going to write up encouraging things for each of the kids for tomorrow—we are going to give them to them for them to keep (a page with their picture and things like ‘you have beautiful eyes’, ‘you are a great artist’, ‘you have so much energy and excitement’… I know that, at least for the little ones, it should have a very big impact to be so encouraged. We are all excited to complete our project for tomorrow. Thanks again, and good night!!!--Brandon
Update from Mexico July 20
Juaréz is different every year, even as some things are much the same. The area around the Home hasn’t changed much, and many of the children are the same ones I have grown to love. Most of the staff are the same, and the city is still going through much the same things it’s been going through for the past several years.
There is a different feel here, though. It shows that there have been far less visitors to the Home this summer. The initial reaction from the younger kids was cooler, though they warmed up very, very quickly. The older ones who recognized me seemed very glad to see me, and I am deeply happy to see them again. Their warm greetings meant a great deal to me, and I am excited to catch up with them. It also saddens me quite a bit to know that they have been unable to give such warm greetings to many of their recurring friends over the years.
Today we had a surprise—right as we were preparing to teach a lesson to our last group of the day, the oldest boys, Luis (our contact for whatever we need) asked us if we could join him and the kids for a surprise trip. We canceled the lesson and joined him and the oldest boys and girls as we loaded up the van and the Home’s bus and headed for a nearby park. There 15 of the students from the Home who have been at a camp put on by Joventud (a Christian organization) met us. It was very exciting to see some of my friends again (this is where I received some of the warmest greetings). We were able to watch them perform a few street evangelism skits in the park. Afterwards, we returned for an evening of supper, music, and playing with the kids in the concha (outdoor courtyard). It was a great day.
A few highlights for me: One of the originally troublesome girls is now helping us quite a bit with the other students and seems to be very touched by the ‘His Princess’ letters we read. Also, the other night we learning Spanish worship with Armando in the concha, and we were surrounded by a couple dozen of the kids… Most of the youngest girls were there. They jumped up on the tables where we were worshipping in and loudly joined us as they swayed back and forth. It was so awesome to enjoy the cool sound of Spanish worship music on guitar (Armando has an incredible voice) as a bunch of very cute five-year-old girls smiled and danced and sang to the music while the moon rose into the night sky. The moment was very unforgettable.
Just for those of you who wonder what we do in a typical day… We get up in the morning for personal time with God, group devotions, a little lesson planning/tweaking, and off to the Home for time with the kids. We teach three sessions before and three sessions after lunch—each involves a lesson of some sort with some activities (we’ve done skits with the youngest kids and more discussion/question/answer interactions with the older ones). Letters from ‘His Princess’ translated for the girls and times we’ve shared very personal occurrences relevant to the lessons seem to have had the greatest impact on the youth so far. The lessons run 45 minutes and we have 5 minutes between lessons to switch up the room. Sometimes we combine a section for larger activities, and we always do at least some fun stuff—time in the concha, drawing, cards… etc….
Probably the most impactful activity so far has been the ‘red and blue cup activity’. We filled red cups with dirt, water, coffee, salsa, and spit in them (in front of the kids—believe me, some of the kids would have drank it otherwise). The kids were very disgusted. Then we filled blue cups with soda (the good Mexican kind from the little stores). We blindfolded the kids and ultimately sat them in front of a cup. It was possibly to smell the putrid nature of the ‘feos’ (gross ones). The kids were squirming and not sure if they wanted to drink them or not. We had quietly switched out the red ones with nasty stuff for red ones with soda (we kept them red for peekers). Then we told the students to drink (and gave them the option to refuse). Afterwards we had them open their eyes and let them drink their pop. We had some great reactions and excellent discussion afterwards—many of them said they were afraid…. The lesson was over meekness and how it didn’t mean weakness (Christ was powerful and even told the Pharisees that He would be seated next the right hand of the Almighty, yet submitted to God’s will and let them beat Him not two minutes later (Matthew 26:62-68; also Isaiah 53:7)—He was incredibly strong, yet obedient to God). It was also over the fact that the meek are always submissive to God (true meekness) and that we have to trust God and submit even when it seems like a bad idea (like drinking when you smell the grossness and maybe even peeked and saw a red cup in front of you). It seemed to go over very well and definitely made for good discussion.
After the last section of lessons we have time to plan and prepare for the set the next day, then grab supper and take a short break. Afterwards we usually play with the kids in the concha until around 9 or 9:30 p.m. There is sometimes an evening debriefing, and always some time to rest…
So far it has been a blessed trip—I have definitely seen God working with the kids and with those with me…. I am excited to see what is yet to come—especially with my friends who are at the camp and will be rejoining us Saturday.
Please keep us and the kids in your prayers—there is much to do and yet we always must discern what is in God’s will and needs done vs. what is just a good idea. We also need to continue to take the time to rest and draw our strength from God.
Thanks again for your prayers and support
--Brandon
There is a different feel here, though. It shows that there have been far less visitors to the Home this summer. The initial reaction from the younger kids was cooler, though they warmed up very, very quickly. The older ones who recognized me seemed very glad to see me, and I am deeply happy to see them again. Their warm greetings meant a great deal to me, and I am excited to catch up with them. It also saddens me quite a bit to know that they have been unable to give such warm greetings to many of their recurring friends over the years.
Today we had a surprise—right as we were preparing to teach a lesson to our last group of the day, the oldest boys, Luis (our contact for whatever we need) asked us if we could join him and the kids for a surprise trip. We canceled the lesson and joined him and the oldest boys and girls as we loaded up the van and the Home’s bus and headed for a nearby park. There 15 of the students from the Home who have been at a camp put on by Joventud (a Christian organization) met us. It was very exciting to see some of my friends again (this is where I received some of the warmest greetings). We were able to watch them perform a few street evangelism skits in the park. Afterwards, we returned for an evening of supper, music, and playing with the kids in the concha (outdoor courtyard). It was a great day.
A few highlights for me: One of the originally troublesome girls is now helping us quite a bit with the other students and seems to be very touched by the ‘His Princess’ letters we read. Also, the other night we learning Spanish worship with Armando in the concha, and we were surrounded by a couple dozen of the kids… Most of the youngest girls were there. They jumped up on the tables where we were worshipping in and loudly joined us as they swayed back and forth. It was so awesome to enjoy the cool sound of Spanish worship music on guitar (Armando has an incredible voice) as a bunch of very cute five-year-old girls smiled and danced and sang to the music while the moon rose into the night sky. The moment was very unforgettable.
Just for those of you who wonder what we do in a typical day… We get up in the morning for personal time with God, group devotions, a little lesson planning/tweaking, and off to the Home for time with the kids. We teach three sessions before and three sessions after lunch—each involves a lesson of some sort with some activities (we’ve done skits with the youngest kids and more discussion/question/answer interactions with the older ones). Letters from ‘His Princess’ translated for the girls and times we’ve shared very personal occurrences relevant to the lessons seem to have had the greatest impact on the youth so far. The lessons run 45 minutes and we have 5 minutes between lessons to switch up the room. Sometimes we combine a section for larger activities, and we always do at least some fun stuff—time in the concha, drawing, cards… etc….
Probably the most impactful activity so far has been the ‘red and blue cup activity’. We filled red cups with dirt, water, coffee, salsa, and spit in them (in front of the kids—believe me, some of the kids would have drank it otherwise). The kids were very disgusted. Then we filled blue cups with soda (the good Mexican kind from the little stores). We blindfolded the kids and ultimately sat them in front of a cup. It was possibly to smell the putrid nature of the ‘feos’ (gross ones). The kids were squirming and not sure if they wanted to drink them or not. We had quietly switched out the red ones with nasty stuff for red ones with soda (we kept them red for peekers). Then we told the students to drink (and gave them the option to refuse). Afterwards we had them open their eyes and let them drink their pop. We had some great reactions and excellent discussion afterwards—many of them said they were afraid…. The lesson was over meekness and how it didn’t mean weakness (Christ was powerful and even told the Pharisees that He would be seated next the right hand of the Almighty, yet submitted to God’s will and let them beat Him not two minutes later (Matthew 26:62-68; also Isaiah 53:7)—He was incredibly strong, yet obedient to God). It was also over the fact that the meek are always submissive to God (true meekness) and that we have to trust God and submit even when it seems like a bad idea (like drinking when you smell the grossness and maybe even peeked and saw a red cup in front of you). It seemed to go over very well and definitely made for good discussion.
After the last section of lessons we have time to plan and prepare for the set the next day, then grab supper and take a short break. Afterwards we usually play with the kids in the concha until around 9 or 9:30 p.m. There is sometimes an evening debriefing, and always some time to rest…
So far it has been a blessed trip—I have definitely seen God working with the kids and with those with me…. I am excited to see what is yet to come—especially with my friends who are at the camp and will be rejoining us Saturday.
Please keep us and the kids in your prayers—there is much to do and yet we always must discern what is in God’s will and needs done vs. what is just a good idea. We also need to continue to take the time to rest and draw our strength from God.
Thanks again for your prayers and support
--Brandon
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
July 20 Update
Since I am currently in Juarez Mexico on our mission trip and all of us here have been involved in Unite in some way, I'm going to start posting the Mexico updates here until I return... You may also read them directly at www.seekingtoservejuarez2010.blogspot.com Pleae keep us in your prayers!!!
It has been excellent so far here in Juaréz. God has been powerfully challenging our group to stretch and grow in many senses. He is also challenging us individually and helping us support and love one another as He works.
The pastor Sunday made a special point in the service of thanking us for coming when so few have. According to Wendy the Children’s Home has only had about 40 visitors so far and that may be all they get (compared to 800 a few years ago). To the pastor here, the congregation, and the children, we are a big blessing. It works my own heart pretty hard to see some of the kids whom I have grown to love and then to know that they have not been loved this summer as usual. The kids are amazing kids. Most of them are pretty smart, and most of them are very loving. They are still kids and there are plenty who are ornery and some who are even obnoxious sometimes, but they all are amazing and each so deserving to be loved. Some are being extra loud and distracting for attention likely just because they have received so little for such a long time. The rest are some of the coolest kids I have had the pleasure to talk with (though I think almost all kids are pretty amazing). Most have been very happy to see us, and quite a few remember James and me (I remember more of them than I would have figured, myself). Some have grown up pretty well—I’ve enjoyed watching some of the older boys give the younger ones opportunities to have the ball in soccer… even giving up great shots and sometimes hurting the momentum of their team to give the younger kids the joy of playing up front… God seems to be raising up some cool leaders in that age range.
Worship on Sunday was beyond what words can describe. I was borderline crying at one point and felt the Spirit move in powerful ways. Something about the way that worship in the Spirit occurs in this local Church moves me greatly every time. Especially powerful to me was a song that, in English (roughly) repeats “adore, adore, adore, all of the glory and all of the honor to His majesty”… It’s not really just the words or just the music or just the way in which it is sung/played… it’s more than that which makes that chorus ring so powerfully… The Spirit was almost tangible in the place as we sung those verses… and the presence of God easily can move one to tears…
It has been interesting to see the status of the city. In the poor district here, it is almost the same (except the lack of Christian visitors). It hurts my heart that, regardless of the reasons why, so many are not coming the Children’s Home now. The message that the Church is sending by stopping its flow of servants is quite simple and quite clear. When it looks rough or dangerous, or even if it is rough or dangerous, the body of Christ stops loving. As one who deeply loves some of these kids, that cuts me straight to the core. THE most powerful thing that one can do for the kid here is to help them know God and know His love… The message sent is a strong contradictor to what the groups have taught them for a long time about how strong and great God’s love is… If we Christians really embody the love of Christ, then how can His love be all that great? If these kids don’t get into a powerful RELATIONSHIP with Jesus, then all of the efforts of all the years have been for almost nothing… I WANT these kids whom I care about to know God—He is the only one who can give them a life worth living… Please pray that they see His love for them despite the recent circumstances…
Please pray that God embolden His children so that more of them would come here. Please also be praying for our team to be listening to God’s spirit and to continue to be sensitive. Pray also for unity in the Spirit and that God help us let go of what we need to and move with Him in everything. Thank you so much for your love, prayers, and support!
--Brandon
It has been excellent so far here in Juaréz. God has been powerfully challenging our group to stretch and grow in many senses. He is also challenging us individually and helping us support and love one another as He works.
The pastor Sunday made a special point in the service of thanking us for coming when so few have. According to Wendy the Children’s Home has only had about 40 visitors so far and that may be all they get (compared to 800 a few years ago). To the pastor here, the congregation, and the children, we are a big blessing. It works my own heart pretty hard to see some of the kids whom I have grown to love and then to know that they have not been loved this summer as usual. The kids are amazing kids. Most of them are pretty smart, and most of them are very loving. They are still kids and there are plenty who are ornery and some who are even obnoxious sometimes, but they all are amazing and each so deserving to be loved. Some are being extra loud and distracting for attention likely just because they have received so little for such a long time. The rest are some of the coolest kids I have had the pleasure to talk with (though I think almost all kids are pretty amazing). Most have been very happy to see us, and quite a few remember James and me (I remember more of them than I would have figured, myself). Some have grown up pretty well—I’ve enjoyed watching some of the older boys give the younger ones opportunities to have the ball in soccer… even giving up great shots and sometimes hurting the momentum of their team to give the younger kids the joy of playing up front… God seems to be raising up some cool leaders in that age range.
Worship on Sunday was beyond what words can describe. I was borderline crying at one point and felt the Spirit move in powerful ways. Something about the way that worship in the Spirit occurs in this local Church moves me greatly every time. Especially powerful to me was a song that, in English (roughly) repeats “adore, adore, adore, all of the glory and all of the honor to His majesty”… It’s not really just the words or just the music or just the way in which it is sung/played… it’s more than that which makes that chorus ring so powerfully… The Spirit was almost tangible in the place as we sung those verses… and the presence of God easily can move one to tears…
It has been interesting to see the status of the city. In the poor district here, it is almost the same (except the lack of Christian visitors). It hurts my heart that, regardless of the reasons why, so many are not coming the Children’s Home now. The message that the Church is sending by stopping its flow of servants is quite simple and quite clear. When it looks rough or dangerous, or even if it is rough or dangerous, the body of Christ stops loving. As one who deeply loves some of these kids, that cuts me straight to the core. THE most powerful thing that one can do for the kid here is to help them know God and know His love… The message sent is a strong contradictor to what the groups have taught them for a long time about how strong and great God’s love is… If we Christians really embody the love of Christ, then how can His love be all that great? If these kids don’t get into a powerful RELATIONSHIP with Jesus, then all of the efforts of all the years have been for almost nothing… I WANT these kids whom I care about to know God—He is the only one who can give them a life worth living… Please pray that they see His love for them despite the recent circumstances…
Please pray that God embolden His children so that more of them would come here. Please also be praying for our team to be listening to God’s spirit and to continue to be sensitive. Pray also for unity in the Spirit and that God help us let go of what we need to and move with Him in everything. Thank you so much for your love, prayers, and support!
--Brandon
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Update July 14
You know those really awesome deeply impactful conversations you have with someone when you’re at the right place at the right time and it feels like God is there and it just REALLY touches the other person and you deeply?--those conversations that seem to happen at most a few times each year? I have been blessed with three such conversations in the past week, and I want to thank God for that. Also, I have finally gotten my first monthly supporter and a few one-time donations, so things aren’t as financially scary as they were before. It’s still tight, but God is showing already that He provides enough for the basics. Please pray that He continue to help me ‘seek ye first’ His kingdom…
Our work project in Chanute went extremely well. We were able to be a blessing and be blessed by a local music ministry. I felt like God was definitely at work even though I wasn’t entirely mentally there the entire trip. He gave me enough of what I needed to have at least one very awesome conversation about Him with a brother down there and one awesome conversation with a brother in Wichita. It was a truly great blessing. The others who went with me also seemed to have a good time with it. I was very thankful for their company and kindnesses on the trip. We’ll see if we can get some photos up.
Beyond that, prayer has been answered about our training session in August—we have invited several other area ministries who might send people to learn more about international student interactions, interpersonal communication, and how to share not just the story of Jesus but God’s story from a Biblical perspective. Trinity Lutheran Church has agreed to host the training, and Doug Schaible of New Tribes will likely be the primary speaker. We’ll be working up a brochure for that event. I’ve also met with a few more Churches (still quite a few to go) and have greater buy-in for both the community groups on and near campus and for the coffeehouse ministry/hangout in the United Methodist Student Center. Ultimately, God is doing some amazing things. Please pray that He keep all of us involved on track and energized in Him. I am so grateful for what He does and for answered prayers! He, and especially His love, are truly amazing beyond words.
Our work project in Chanute went extremely well. We were able to be a blessing and be blessed by a local music ministry. I felt like God was definitely at work even though I wasn’t entirely mentally there the entire trip. He gave me enough of what I needed to have at least one very awesome conversation about Him with a brother down there and one awesome conversation with a brother in Wichita. It was a truly great blessing. The others who went with me also seemed to have a good time with it. I was very thankful for their company and kindnesses on the trip. We’ll see if we can get some photos up.
Beyond that, prayer has been answered about our training session in August—we have invited several other area ministries who might send people to learn more about international student interactions, interpersonal communication, and how to share not just the story of Jesus but God’s story from a Biblical perspective. Trinity Lutheran Church has agreed to host the training, and Doug Schaible of New Tribes will likely be the primary speaker. We’ll be working up a brochure for that event. I’ve also met with a few more Churches (still quite a few to go) and have greater buy-in for both the community groups on and near campus and for the coffeehouse ministry/hangout in the United Methodist Student Center. Ultimately, God is doing some amazing things. Please pray that He keep all of us involved on track and energized in Him. I am so grateful for what He does and for answered prayers! He, and especially His love, are truly amazing beyond words.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Prayer Request and Update 07/03/10
At this point, everyone going on the North Oak Mexico Mission trip to Juarez, Mexico, is leadership in Unite. The preparations have been good, and I am VERY excited to see what God will be doing on this trip. Please feel free to pray that God’s will be done on the trip, that we be good conduits for Him to work through, that those we interact with will be receptive to what He’s doing, and that those sending/supporting (you if you are praying) will feel their connection to the trip and their importance in it… To follow more details about the trip, check out the related blog http://seekingtoservejuarez2010.blogspot.com/. To find out more information about the Children’s Home we will be at, check out their website at http://www.emmanuelgo.org/.
Also, I’ve been meeting with several more Churches and, Lord willing, will be meeting with or at least contacting the rest before we leave for Mexico. Please pray that God work through those meetings. I have at least one student leader who will be accompanying me to most meetings and a few who want to help more heavily with the coffee house. We also have to prayerfully decide which training opportunities to take up in August before the community groups launch.
Also, I’ve been meeting with several more Churches and, Lord willing, will be meeting with or at least contacting the rest before we leave for Mexico. Please pray that God work through those meetings. I have at least one student leader who will be accompanying me to most meetings and a few who want to help more heavily with the coffee house. We also have to prayerfully decide which training opportunities to take up in August before the community groups launch.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Ministry Update 6/22/10
Ministry Update
The last few weeks have been very good, and I feel like God has helped me to be at the right place at the right time several times. Besides some very important conversations and prayer-times with college-aged students, multiple other opportunities have arisen. In terms of people connections, I have reconnected with old friends from WaKeeney and Hays, and through that several new people to the area.
Also, I have met with ministry leaders in multiple churches and college ministries to begin cooperative efforts for the upcoming semester. Besides initiating contacts to help find community members for our studies and get the word out about Unite, several of the meetings have yielded potential new relationship opportunities with people who would like to work on and possibly help fund the coffee house initiative. Additionally, things are coming together for two training opportunities that several of the students in Unite and I can attend to help learn about relational ministries and how to run a coffee house. There is also a potential training for some of us in relational ministries and how to reach non-Christians on campus.
We have rented the Union for our ‘Get Plugged In’ event and contacted all of the other Christian college ministries about co-sponsoring the event. [For those who are not familiar with the event, we invite all Christian churches and Christian college ministries to attend a four-hour open house on campus in which student can come and talk with the churches and ministries. This helps students more readily find a church and/or ministry (the only other current existing option to find a church is to find a phone book, look up addresses, and start visiting)]. Three out of the five campus Christian ministries have agreed to co-sponsor the event. The other two may well agree to co-sponsor it, but the deadline to have them listed as co-sponsors in the university brochure has already passed. If they do decide to co-sponsor, we’ll work with them to help get out the word about ‘Get Plugged In’ to students and will list them as co-sponsors on all other materials.
Unite’s Summer small group on Sunday at Coffee Rules has been going well. We had a new college student and a new high school graduate come last Sunday and share as we prayed for and encouraged each other. Also, our game night on Friday night at the United Methodist Student Center had better attendance. I am hopeful that we’ll see more come this Friday and that it will continue to grow over the Summer.
Four student leaders have been meeting with me to pray for and discuss upcoming directions with Unite. I have also been chatting with several older people to get some wise counsel. Interestingly enough, all four students in Unite are the four attending the Mexico Mission Trip that I direct through North Oak. I hope in future years to possibly make the Mexico Trip a Unite trip and that we can invite all congregation members and students from the small groups along with North Oak and a few other Churches at large.
Finally, on a personal note, I have activated my contract with Allegro, the non-profit ministry that helps with legal and tax accountability. I may now legally receive tax-deductible charitable donations for my living expenses as a missions worker to campus. Additionally, Unite will be able to receive donations through a second account for use in upcoming ventures. I plan to begin sending out support letters tomorrow and am currently databasing and addressing envelopes. (If you have an interest in supporting me or Unite prayerfully or financially, please email uniteeph4.1.16@gmail.com).
Upcoming Week
The rest of this week for me will be spent organizing and prayerfully preparing. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of meetings with ministry leaders and committees and students, and I have also moved in with three college men so that I may lower my living expenses. I have yet to fully unpack, and I am selling much of what I own both for the money and to conserve space in my smaller living arrangements. I need to separate my items and list the ones I’ll be selling. I also need to complete my databasing for ministry supporters and send out my support letters. Then I need to compile all the notes from all of my meetings and organize all of my files and scheduled appointments (this includes transferring all of my virtual files into a new organized file system and backing them up on an external drive). Organizing will help me on Saturday (my Sabbath) when I sit down and really pray over all that has happened to better discern God’s direction. There are also at least two meetings with college-age students and one meeting with a local ministry leader this week (and a phone call with an area ministry leader to discuss cross-cultural training for the congregation members as they may well work with international students). Friday night is game night, and Sunday afternoon is the small group meeting (I may also be meeting with the student leaders as schedule permits).
Next week I will begin going to Churches in earnest (there are 28 in Hays) to invite them to participate in ‘Get Plugged In’ and to send congregation members to our small groups, if they wish. I will also invite them to participate in the coffee house endeavor.
We will also begin re-vamping our study and sending out the first wave of edits to those who have agreed to help recompile it. [For any who may be interested in forming the study lessons, please email uniteeph4.1.16@gmail.com.] Additionally, I need to follow up with several ministry leaders about possible commitments of time, money, and/or people to both the small groups and the coffee shop. Then there will still be the continued small group meetings, Mexico planning meetings, Unite leadership meetings, and Friday night game nights, and I will also be continuing to send out my support letters over the week. Until the next update!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Prayer Request Update June 9
A number of our college students have big decisions to make; please pray that God help them hear His voice and only His voice, that they listen and understand and obey. Pray that God help them see their next steps in His will and follow through by taking them.
Several students/college aged people are in hard financial straights; please pray for them.
We still meet over the Summer and several graduating high school students have expressed interest in joining our small groups over the Summer. Please pray that those who would benefit become involved.
Over the next few weeks we will be working with a large variety of groups, Churches, and individuals to begin assembling adults for the small group studies on campus. Please pray that we will be sensitive for opportunities to share and invite people and that those on the other end will be receptive to any promptings from the Holy Spirit.
We will also be looking at working on several projects, including potentially getting the coffeehouse in the
I will be sending out my first round of support/sponsorship letters for my personal living expenses as I lead in this ministry. I know God will provide for my basic needs if I ‘seek ye first the
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Ministry Excerpt May 25th
Monday night was excellent. A large group of students from Unite met to buy food for a college guy who had maxed out his options with the local aid groups and couldn’t get food for a couple of weeks. Instead we headed to the
After the worst had blown through we had a ton of fun with several others who were there splashing around in the rain and driving around town throwing up water and checking things out.
Once we’d recollected ourselves, we were able to make the Walmart run to buy the food. It is a blessing and encouragement to see how generous everyone became when a need was apparent. Many of those who contributed the most and thought to buy extra nice items were themselves having trouble making the bare minimums for rent and food. God is awesome, and it touches a person very deeply to see His love expressed through others and reflected in their hearts. I am humbled and infinitely grateful to He whom we are blessed to serve for the opportunities He gives us to live in community with Him and all who serve Him. We are so unworthy to be used to show His love, but His love is so amazing that He wants to use us with Him to love others... what an amazing thing. I really can't express how grateful that makes me.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Prayer Requests May 23rd
Hello everyone!
For those of you following happenings in Unite and supporting us in prayer, thank you SINCERELY.
Your prayer support is invaluable as we seek to reach into campus with Christ's love and let Him build relationships.
Please pray for:
All of the students and other adults who will be involved in Unite leadership--that they listen to God, hear God, and understand what it is they are to do in this so that we may best move with Him as opposed to for Him. Also that we be sensitive to His voice and see all the opportunities available to make relationships.
That God continue to pull together the right leadership for Unite at the right time.
All of the congregation members and students that will be involved in the Unite small group communities--that they also listen to God, hear God, and understand how best to move with Him. Please especially pray that God break down barriers that may prevent the right congregation members or college students from joining us.
That God work on the hearts of college students who interact with the small group communities--especially that people who are curious about God/Christ would come up to our groups while we study and pray and ask us what we're doing and why... and that if students do ask us that God direct our answers and help us interact with them...
All the college students on campus-that they find an opportunity to get involved with Christ's body-the church-while they are here.
All of those helping design the study-that we can discern the most important things to include and the right time-line for the entire study progression.
Those involved in the international ministry and coffee-house planning... that we be sensitive to move in God's timing with Him. In particular, please be in prayer that one student who may be heavily involved hear God's voice and know what it is she is to do to take the 'next step' with God.
The churches and ministries we will interact with-that we may all work together in Christ to the greatest effect
(Personal) That God continue to provide for my basic needs and that He continue to help me 'seek ye first the kingdom'
For those of you following happenings in Unite and supporting us in prayer, thank you SINCERELY.
Your prayer support is invaluable as we seek to reach into campus with Christ's love and let Him build relationships.
Please pray for:
All of the students and other adults who will be involved in Unite leadership--that they listen to God, hear God, and understand what it is they are to do in this so that we may best move with Him as opposed to for Him. Also that we be sensitive to His voice and see all the opportunities available to make relationships.
That God continue to pull together the right leadership for Unite at the right time.
All of the congregation members and students that will be involved in the Unite small group communities--that they also listen to God, hear God, and understand how best to move with Him. Please especially pray that God break down barriers that may prevent the right congregation members or college students from joining us.
That God work on the hearts of college students who interact with the small group communities--especially that people who are curious about God/Christ would come up to our groups while we study and pray and ask us what we're doing and why... and that if students do ask us that God direct our answers and help us interact with them...
All the college students on campus-that they find an opportunity to get involved with Christ's body-the church-while they are here.
All of those helping design the study-that we can discern the most important things to include and the right time-line for the entire study progression.
Those involved in the international ministry and coffee-house planning... that we be sensitive to move in God's timing with Him. In particular, please be in prayer that one student who may be heavily involved hear God's voice and know what it is she is to do to take the 'next step' with God.
The churches and ministries we will interact with-that we may all work together in Christ to the greatest effect
(Personal) That God continue to provide for my basic needs and that He continue to help me 'seek ye first the kingdom'
Time in Ministry
Excerpt from Monday, May 17
"Today was an incredible day. After a good time praying, meditating, and reading scripture, I completed a lot of little tasks necessary for Unite. I rented a PO Box, set up some bank accounts, and sent out several emails.
After that, I was able to meet with a college guy for lunch, and we had an amazing conversation. It was one of those conversations I live for—the conversations that seem to be brought about at the exact perfect time. I was very thankful to be used in that situation and to get to know him better.
I met with another college guy for supper after completing a few more administrative tasks for Unite, and that conversation also lasted almost three hours. It was another very good conversation, and we were able to share a powerful prayer time afterwards. Then we got together with two other college men and took about an hour and a half to pray for others we knew and other situations that were on our hearts.
It was a day that started early in the morning and ended after
The rest of my days last week were equally blessed. I had a few more excellent one-on-one meetings with college men and two good meetings with high school students I mentor. I also had a very good phone conversation with the regional director of New Tribes. He sent some materials in the mail that should help us much better design our college Bible Studies for the small groups—both the regular study and the international focused ones. He further offered to come out some time for a training session for our leadership. I had mentioned this as a possibility at my meeting with Community Connections and at my meeting with North Oak’s Outreach Ministry team.
My meeting with the director of Community Connections/the Center for Life Experience was very fruitful. We discussed their international ministry initiatives as well as the vision we have with Unite. We compared notes and are trying to figure out how to best work together. I also may swing by First Presbyterian’s discipleship team meeting to find out if some congregation members would be interested in joining our studies next semester at FHSU campus.
The North Oak Outreach Ministry team meeting was also productive. I will be seeking to meet with the leader for the adult equipping team to find out if any congregation members from North Oak have interest in joining our study groups on campus.
Our Sunday afternoon small group meeting moved out to Coffee Rules so that we can get used to meeting on or near campus for next year. Three students who don’t usually make it joined us, and we spent the time sharing about what’s been going on in each others’ lives spiritually and praying for each other. I am always thankful that God enables us to open up and share so deeply with each other and pray for each other. I firmly believe that the best community building times occur when we pray for 'whenever two or more gather in my name, I am there,' and the Holy Spirit can build bridges far better than we can. I am very excited for continued opportunities to grow together in God and pray for and encourage each other this Summer.
Thank you for reading this update, and please keep us all in your prayers!
--Brandon
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Contact Info
Unite
PO BOX 1100
Hays, KS 67601
uniteeph4.1.16@gmail.com
Unite is also on facebook--check out the group 'Unite'
PO BOX 1100
Hays, KS 67601
uniteeph4.1.16@gmail.com
Unite is also on facebook--check out the group 'Unite'
Unite Description
Unite (Ephesians 4:1-16) creates opportunities for members of the body of Christ in various congregations to interact with college students in their environment and develop relationships. Through these relationships and interactions opportunities for the Holy Spirit to minister will arise. Unite acts as a ligament in the body of Christ—facilitating more readily the connections between church members and students.
One of our core focuses is developing small group spiritual communities of students, faculty, and lay-persons that meet on campus and near campus in public areas. These groups will go through Bible-based studies together and will pray for and encourage each other as everyone continues to grow in Christ (Ephesians 4:16). The small groups help Christian students, many of whom step away from their faith in college, get involved in strong spiritual communities with older Christians. The small group communities also create opportunities for non-Christians to interact with communities of believers in their day-to-day lives. It is our prayer that curious individuals will see the groups praying for each other, studying the Bible, and encouraging each other, and that the individuals will interact with our groups. After a few such interactions, hopefully they may even join the groups regularly. This is particularly likely for some of the more than two hundred international students on campus, as many already have a strong curiosity about Christianity.
We are working with others to offer music nights, game nights, and eventually coffeehouse nights near campus as God enables. Other events such as ‘Get Plugged In’ invite all the churches and college ministries in the region to be present on campus for a given day so that students looking for Christian community can more readily find a church home/ministry. All events ultimately serve to let students and Christians in the community interact and develop healthy, God-centered relationships, and to create opportunities in which the Holy Spirit may interact.
Unite is unique among Fort Hays college ministries in that we enable congregations’ members to be directly involved in on-campus ministry, and we meet on campus in public locations in which students may freely join. If you would like more detailed information about what we do or if you have questions, please feel free to use the information below to contact us and please check out our prayer blog.
Unite
PO Box 1100
Hays, KS 67601
Uniteeph4.1.16@gmail.com
http://www.uniteeph4-1-16.blogspot.com (prayer and information blog)
Ministry Leader
Brandon Nimz
785-259-2539
One of our core focuses is developing small group spiritual communities of students, faculty, and lay-persons that meet on campus and near campus in public areas. These groups will go through Bible-based studies together and will pray for and encourage each other as everyone continues to grow in Christ (Ephesians 4:16). The small groups help Christian students, many of whom step away from their faith in college, get involved in strong spiritual communities with older Christians. The small group communities also create opportunities for non-Christians to interact with communities of believers in their day-to-day lives. It is our prayer that curious individuals will see the groups praying for each other, studying the Bible, and encouraging each other, and that the individuals will interact with our groups. After a few such interactions, hopefully they may even join the groups regularly. This is particularly likely for some of the more than two hundred international students on campus, as many already have a strong curiosity about Christianity.
We are working with others to offer music nights, game nights, and eventually coffeehouse nights near campus as God enables. Other events such as ‘Get Plugged In’ invite all the churches and college ministries in the region to be present on campus for a given day so that students looking for Christian community can more readily find a church home/ministry. All events ultimately serve to let students and Christians in the community interact and develop healthy, God-centered relationships, and to create opportunities in which the Holy Spirit may interact.
Unite is unique among Fort Hays college ministries in that we enable congregations’ members to be directly involved in on-campus ministry, and we meet on campus in public locations in which students may freely join. If you would like more detailed information about what we do or if you have questions, please feel free to use the information below to contact us and please check out our prayer blog.
Unite
PO Box 1100
Hays, KS 67601
Uniteeph4.1.16@gmail.com
http://www.uniteeph4-1-16.blogspot.com (prayer and information blog)
Ministry Leader
Brandon Nimz
785-259-2539
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