Phew! The days just keep flying by and yet there is still so much going on! Everyday holds something new and exciting to do and we’re constantly busy over here and it’s crazy stressful sometimes but it’s tons of fun and it’s all for God. Last week was full of fun stuff but the major things I want to talk about are Bible study and praise and worship night. But first! Decorating!!
So my car and all my stuff got here last weekend right? Well I’ve been spending all my free time unpacking and finally decorating my room. I finally unpacked and got rid of all the boxes and have actually got most of my posters hung up. I also bought a new TV (on sale at Target for a great price) and set up my Xbox and Wii. The posters hung up combined with the countless little knick knacks I’ve collected over the years are finally making my room feel like home and it’s wonderful! Over the weekend I also went thrift shopping and picked up a coffee maker, a rug, and some glassware. “Borrowed” a coffee table from one of the dorm common rooms my room is almost complete. Just need a few more places to sit and I’ll have my own little dorm apartment all set up.
Now on to the best part of the week, my first Bible study! I held our first meeting Thursday evening. I contacted a few guys that said they were interested in studies earlier in the week. I was super nervous because only a few of them got back to me. Come Thursday I was totally freaking out that either no one would show up or only one guy would show up. To my surprise I had 5 guys show up! Two more couldn’t make it that night but are committed to coming in the future. Praise Jesus! Now even though it was only and introductory meeting it was still tons of fun. We just hung out and got to know each other a little bit for the first half. For the rest of the time we did a little reflection on a passage I picked out. Specifically it was 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
“When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
Here Saint Paul is basically saying that he may not be the best or the smartest when it comes to the faith and he doesn’t speak in fancy fords but is actually just a regular man who simply knows Jesus. I especially loves the part when he talks about how he came in much fear and trembling. The team and I have basically seen this passage as our theme this year. We may not be the smartest or the best speakers but we know Jesus and we want everyone to do the same. I do have to say that I think all the guys in my study are pretty freaking awesome and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the semester.
Over the weekend we actually had a special guest come visit. Mr. Jeffrey Traughber, the team director at Florida Atlantic University! He was here visiting some friends so we got to hang with him and was great to see him! Hope the rest of the team at FAU is doing well!
Saturday was a big day for us. In the morning we had student leader training where we covered Gospel Presentations. I LOVE Gospel Presentations so I was a little excited. A Gospel Presentation is a presentation of the basics of the good news of the Lordship of Jesus Christ, his kingdom come/coming, his death, burial, and resurrection, and the free forgiveness of sins for those who repent and trust in the person of Jesus Christ. I love Gospel Presentations because there are so many kinds, shapes and sizes that they come in. I went over two of my favorites with the student leaders; The Indian Chief Analogy and the Roman Roads. It would take way too long to explain both of those here so I’ll probably make a whole different post dedicated to them so look forward to that! The whole thing went really well and I’m looking forward to more student leader trainings.
Saturday night was something called Festival of Praise which was an event where students could come listen to live worship music and spend some time with the Lord in Adoration. Now to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of praise and worship. I feel like people tend to get more into the music rather than the actual worship. You all know that I’m not the biggest fan of Christian Music in general and I had a bad experience with praise and worship when I went on the Stubenville of the Rockies retreat back in Denver when I was getting Confirmed a few years back. That whole retreat we basically listened to a band play the same 5 songs over and over and over AND OVER, while kneeling on a slanted CONCRETE floor for HOURS. I’m seriously not exaggerating. 5 songs. That’s it. Over and over and over. It felt like I was at a really bad, really long concert……except more painful. Ever since then, that’s what came to mind when I thought of praise and worship.
Festival of Praise was actually pretty amazing though. I went because I wanted to support some of my new friends that were playing in the worship band. I was honestly very surprised at how great it was. Not only was the music wonderful (we have so many talented people here at Ave) but I could really feel everyone getting into not only listening to the music but actually praying and worshiping. I had a really great time and I’m sure all the students that went did also. I’m really really looking froward to more of these events and maybe getting to help out with them as well.
The last thing I have to talk about is our very special dinner last night. The team and I had dinner with this couple, Randy and Nancy, who live in the town of Ave Maria. For those of you who don’t know, Ave Maria isn’t just a school, there is also a whole community and town around here. Corinne connected with Nancy last year and we all wanted to see if she could help us get involved with the community and vice versa. Randy and Nancy were absolutely amazing. So nice and so welcoming. Dinner was fantastic and we had some amazing conversation. We’re going to plan a brunch for community members where we will introduce ourselves to them and explain why we’re here and how they can get involved. However the best part was getting to meet His Holiness Pope Francis….or at least a life size carboard cutout of him. So much fun and such wonderful people.
Now this week we’re going to be super busy. On Tuesday we’re going to visit Florida Gulf Coast University where they don;t have a FOCUS team to talk about SEEK (our national conference coming up) and just to meet some of the students there. Our Regional Director and Director of Collegiate Outreach are visiting on Wednesday and Thursday to meet with us and see how things are going. Plus I’ve got my awesome Bible study to plan! Prayers for me, the guys in my study, and all the students in bible studies here are greatly appreciated!
Missionary Impossible 