Things on campus are going really well, and I'm posting on here just to let you know that my November newsletter is available. If you would like a copy, just message me and I will forward it along.
Thanks for everything!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Hello again.
First and foremost, please allow me to apologize because I have totally neglected this blog. Though I have been updating my personal blog on a semi-regular basis. If you want the link to that, just ask.
Friday, August 27, 2010
A few quick stories
- One day last week we were tabling for a new student activities fair, and we met a few Korean students who were studying in China and came to AU on an exchange program. Apparently their teacher was a former AU alum who knew of Chi Alpha before he actually started following God. He then recommended that his students come check us out when they arrived at AU. We have had the pleasure of hanging out with them this week. When asked by a Chi Alpha sophomore what their favorite part of DC was, the group said "Chi Alpha". Glad we could make them feel welcome! =]
- Another night, I met a girl who heard about Chi Alpha online. I got to learn a little more about her story and how she was once agnostic because she was forced to attend church as a kid and saw no point in God. In the last few years, God has radically changed her life through healing and redemption. And, now she wants to serve Him on campus. Awesome!
- Yesterday, we had our first worship meeting. It was a pretty full chapel with people from all over the world and from all walks of life. At one point our worship leader asked people to hold their hands out in surrender, and I looked around the room to see dozens of college students declaring that they wanted to put God first in their lives. Honestly, it was such a touching moment that I definitely got a little teary eyed.
-Two of my dear friends shared their stories last night. One talked about how our community helped him deal with his depression and helped him become more comfortable being himself. The other talked about how he used to find value in attention from girls and drinking with his frat brothers on the weekends. Now, he sees that God has more and finds value in authentic community. I love Chi Alpha, but I love Chi Alpha because Chi Alpha is a group of people. People who yield to God, and who love one another. I love this guys and it was awesome to hear them share their stories.
- Another night, I met a girl who heard about Chi Alpha online. I got to learn a little more about her story and how she was once agnostic because she was forced to attend church as a kid and saw no point in God. In the last few years, God has radically changed her life through healing and redemption. And, now she wants to serve Him on campus. Awesome!
- Yesterday, we had our first worship meeting. It was a pretty full chapel with people from all over the world and from all walks of life. At one point our worship leader asked people to hold their hands out in surrender, and I looked around the room to see dozens of college students declaring that they wanted to put God first in their lives. Honestly, it was such a touching moment that I definitely got a little teary eyed.
-Two of my dear friends shared their stories last night. One talked about how our community helped him deal with his depression and helped him become more comfortable being himself. The other talked about how he used to find value in attention from girls and drinking with his frat brothers on the weekends. Now, he sees that God has more and finds value in authentic community. I love Chi Alpha, but I love Chi Alpha because Chi Alpha is a group of people. People who yield to God, and who love one another. I love this guys and it was awesome to hear them share their stories.
Friday, August 20, 2010
In summary...
A blurb for my home church's newsletter:
1000 event flyers, 500 free cups, 200 servings of ice cream, 25 pizzas, 7 days... all for 1 purpose to let students know that they are welcomed and loved. Welcome week at American University is coming to a close and my internship with the campus ministry here is only beginning. I have met dozens of students from all walks of life and all over the world, and each student has the same desire: to find a community on campus. Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship is that community for many and God has great things in store for this year.
1000 event flyers, 500 free cups, 200 servings of ice cream, 25 pizzas, 7 days... all for 1 purpose to let students know that they are welcomed and loved. Welcome week at American University is coming to a close and my internship with the campus ministry here is only beginning. I have met dozens of students from all walks of life and all over the world, and each student has the same desire: to find a community on campus. Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship is that community for many and God has great things in store for this year.
As I continue to work with Chi Alpha this year, I am so excited to have the partnership of my church back home! Your prayers and investment of $125/month will make a huge difference in impacting the lives of college students. It also has made a great difference in helping me reach my support raising goals. $1500 of my $2500 monthly budget has been raised so far. I am incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement! Please keep this process in your prayers as I still have to gather a few more supporters on my team in order to continue to intern. I have to hit the $2000/month benchmark by the end of this month. So if you or anyone you know are interested in helping me further meet that goal, please let me know.
Also, I will be keeping a ministry blog and sending out newsletters regularly; if you would like to receive more information about my work on campus, please email me: kera.package@gmail.com. Thank you again for everything! Thinking and praying for you all often!
Much love and many blessings!
-Kera
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Welcome Week.
I love welcome week. Reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new people, welcoming freshman home, passing out free stuff, serving the campus, and baffling people because we make them feel loved and accepted and they can't quite understand why.... love welcome week.
I only have a few minutes to blog. So for now, here is a recap of the week thus far and an idea of what the upcoming days will involve. I promise to take a few minutes later this week to share some stories more in depth.
Saturday and Sunday... we helped move in hundreds of freshmen. Often, their parents try to pay us. One mom asked me why I wouldn't accept a donation. I explained that it was my pleasure. When she inquired further, I had the opportunity to tell her that we are kind because Jesus was first kind to us. Awesome.
Sunday night... we handed out over 150 servings of ice cream. Amazing event, and the very same one that I first connected with Chi Alpha at three years ago when I was a freshman in college.
Monday afternoon... handed out free ice pops at our information table on the quad.
Monday night... glow in the dark lawn games and pizza on the grassy area near where people get picked up for frat parties. Awesome to be an alternative. I have some great stories... involving everything from awesome freshmen to party crashing drug dealers. Stay tuned because I'll share more later.
Today... more tabling, and an open house for our spiritual life center.
Tomorrow... tabling and family reunion.
Friday... dinner out on the town and a gigantic game of capture the flag.
Saturday... canoeing...
It has been an awesome week thus far, and will prove to be a great week ahead. Please keep our events, our campus, and the students who call it home in your prayers.
I only have a few minutes to blog. So for now, here is a recap of the week thus far and an idea of what the upcoming days will involve. I promise to take a few minutes later this week to share some stories more in depth.
Saturday and Sunday... we helped move in hundreds of freshmen. Often, their parents try to pay us. One mom asked me why I wouldn't accept a donation. I explained that it was my pleasure. When she inquired further, I had the opportunity to tell her that we are kind because Jesus was first kind to us. Awesome.
Sunday night... we handed out over 150 servings of ice cream. Amazing event, and the very same one that I first connected with Chi Alpha at three years ago when I was a freshman in college.
Monday afternoon... handed out free ice pops at our information table on the quad.
Monday night... glow in the dark lawn games and pizza on the grassy area near where people get picked up for frat parties. Awesome to be an alternative. I have some great stories... involving everything from awesome freshmen to party crashing drug dealers. Stay tuned because I'll share more later.
Today... more tabling, and an open house for our spiritual life center.
Tomorrow... tabling and family reunion.
Friday... dinner out on the town and a gigantic game of capture the flag.
Saturday... canoeing...
It has been an awesome week thus far, and will prove to be a great week ahead. Please keep our events, our campus, and the students who call it home in your prayers.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Update
I apologize for not giving a support raising update. I am still $475/month away from the 80% benchmark, almost $1000/month away from full budget. Good news is that my internship director has graciously given me a two week extension to meet that benchmark. So, we have some more time.
I did officially start my internship this week. I will write a longer entry tomorrow reflecting on week one tomorrow.
For now, I am off to bed. I can rest easy knowing that God is in control, and that I have an amazing group of people who love and support me. =]
I did officially start my internship this week. I will write a longer entry tomorrow reflecting on week one tomorrow.
For now, I am off to bed. I can rest easy knowing that God is in control, and that I have an amazing group of people who love and support me. =]
Monday, August 9, 2010
Daily Update- overtime.
My deadline is supposed to be tomorrow morning...
but I now have until Weds. night.
$580/month away from that benchmark.... and still praying for a miracle.
Thank you all for all your prayers! Let's keep praying and believing that God is going to come through for me to start this internship on time! =]
but I now have until Weds. night.
$580/month away from that benchmark.... and still praying for a miracle.
Thank you all for all your prayers! Let's keep praying and believing that God is going to come through for me to start this internship on time! =]
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Daily Update T-.5
One day left, still $625/month until that benchmark.
What has been really awesome is seeing who wants to partner with me. Those who I expect to, often don't. But my friends who I wouldn't think to ask are the ones that want to help. Several of the girls in my Bible study last semester are giving special gifts, and one of my friends from UK wants to help... awesome. So thankful for amazing people in my life.
One full day left until I sit down to have the "where do we go from here? Can I start this internship?" conversation. I am praying that God provides just a little more before then.
Thank you all for your support and prayer!
What has been really awesome is seeing who wants to partner with me. Those who I expect to, often don't. But my friends who I wouldn't think to ask are the ones that want to help. Several of the girls in my Bible study last semester are giving special gifts, and one of my friends from UK wants to help... awesome. So thankful for amazing people in my life.
One full day left until I sit down to have the "where do we go from here? Can I start this internship?" conversation. I am praying that God provides just a little more before then.
Thank you all for your support and prayer!