Summer Sending Abroad!

I feel like I've been packing and re-packing constantly this spring; in the last 6 weeks, I've spent 4 weekends in hotels, in 4 different cities. It's been a crazy spring, mainly because I've been preparing for our annual global summer mission projects to take off. Six groups will depart today and tomorrow; 105 students and 25 Cru staff ready to take the Gospel to the world.

What a privilege to be a part of sending them out to the harvest fields. I am feeling the best kind of exhausted right now; knowing my day-to-day, routine tasks are playing a part in advancing God's kingdom around the world. I can't believe I get to do what I do, and alongside such a great team of people, nonetheless.

Pray for the summer teams, headed to the following cities:

• Kumasi, Ghana
• Montevideo, Uruguay
• Paris, France
• Brisbane, Australia
• the Middle East (secure location)
• western East Asia (secure location)

It's our aim that this summer, these student mission projects will be able to meet hundreds of fellow students, share the Gospel, and win them to Christ. Then, the students will be discipled by the summer group and the incoming team of Americans we're sending in the fall. The fall teams will stay all year in hopes of building into the spiritual movement started by the summer group. Throughout the year, I'll send 7-10 day "vision trips" with laborers who can help pull off key outreaches.

And to think there are 9 other geographical regions of the US with Cru students who are doing the exact same things - sending summer, fall and vision trip teams constantly to their partnership countries.

I love the strategy and intentionality involved in our regional sending plan. When I say that these are partnerships, I mean that the Upper Midwest is committed to sending laborers to these specific countries on a consistent basis.

Wonderful things are happening in each of these locations. There are high schoolers coming to Christ in the Middle East, and Chinese students coming to Christ in Australia. Our summer team will partner with a team of dozens of Ghanaian students who are on their own summer project in their native country. Unreached people groups in Asia are seeing fruit. I could go on and on! Stay tuned for updates throughout May and June from our summer mission projects.

Friday Fun.

Yesterday I spent my entire lunch hour perusing a local antique store. Let me tell you- it was fantastic.

I purposely left my phone in the car so I could just have some uninterrupted time to myself. I also purposely only brought in a small amount of cash so I wouldn't be tempted to make any big purchases...

There were literally thousands of little trinkets in that store- I was giddy at the site of it all! One of my favorite items to browse in any antique shop are the boxes of old photos. I don't know who would actually purchase old photos of someone else's family, or what they would use them for, but those photos are a huge reason why I love antique stores. My significance & individualization strengths were going crazy imaging story after story behind each picture.


I couldn't go away empty handed; I ended up with a few small knick-knacks, including this tiny box of crazy eight playing cards.


I loved crazy eights as a kid. I can remember how proud I felt whenever I would beat my mom (I'm sure she let me win--some of the time). As soon as I picked up the box, cue the nostalgia (as if I wasn't feeling it already just walking into the store).

While I walked the couple blocks from the shop to my car, I pondered why I was feeling so relaxed and at peace. Even inspired, in a way. All that stuff on display was from a time when life was simpler, (at least it seems like it was), and just being around it made me more relaxed. I think I need to make visiting that store a monthly occurence.

Suddenly Summer.

A week ago we had snow, and now it's suddenly summer! And not just in terms of the weather, but in other areas of life, too. Small groups and staff meetings have ended, and summer projects are just days away. I can't wait for a change of pace next week as I shift my focus to my summer plans. I've got quite a few things on tap for the summer, but many of them involve rest (vacations, catching up on reading, sticking to a 40 hour work week...) I can't wait. Also on tap: another seminary class, road trip to Colorado, iced coffees downtown with my favorite Amy, baby shower for my sister-in-law, parent's 35th wedding anniversary party, a visit from the Denver brother and girlfriend, wedding showers for some of my besties ... ! Can't wait.