studying.

Today, we started class.

From 8-10 we have Intro to Christian Doctrine- straight lecture, taught by Alan Scholes (who actually wrote most of the books we have to read for the class...). From 1030-1230 we have Bible Study Methods, which is some lecture, some small group learning. They warned us to take class seriously and start the homework right away.

So, after we ate lunch, we went to Wal-Mart to do some grocery shopping, and finally started our homework at 3. It's now 10:56pm and I'm finally done! I think this is the longest time I've ever spent sitting in one room studying. That whole "1-2 hours for every hour in class" rule actually applied for once.

Needless to say, I'm not ever skipping class.

evangelism.

Last week we had the chance to go sharing on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University. My roommate Lauren and I were able to do two Quest surveys and use the Soularium cards. When asked if she'd every experienced God before, Claniese, a sophomore pre-med major, said she definitely had. She explained that she tore her ACL and miniscus during her senior year of high school, but prayed, fasted (and trained hard, I'm sure), and was able to come back and earn a full-ride scholarship at BCU, where she plays now. Didn't really expect that answer! Three women from our life group were able to meet some sorority girls and did Soularium with the VP and another girl; they commented that they would love to use the Soularium cards with all of their sorority girls over the weekend, so one of the staff members gave them her kit. I'm excited to see if they were able to go back and visit them over the weekend (BCU's about 10-15 minutes from our hotel).

Saturday we had the whole day off; my roommate Lauren and I were hanging out with some friends and we decided to go get some pizza from the place across the street (I made sure that everyone said their favorite kind before I cast my vote! :) haha). Since it was so close we just walked over, ordered the pizza and decided to wait for it. In the meantime we chatted with each other and made small talk with one of the workers, Sue. There were no other customers in the place so she had a book sitting out about politics and religion. We started asking her about it, and she explained it a little. She commented that she was a born-again Christian. Ryan asked her what she meant by that, how she came to that decision and where she was at now. She explained that she had some family problems in the last year and was at the end of her rope, but she didn't sound totally certain of her faith. Ryan started to share the Gospel, and she asked us what we were doing there. When she found out we were missionaries she asked if we had any brochures about faith! We gave her a KGP and Satisfied booklet, and she told us to come back any time and chat with her.

History.

Last night we heard from Vonette Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. She is adorable. To hear her speak of Dr. Bright's heart for ministry and the Lord and college students was pretty cool. She told the story of how they met, and how he pursued her and won her over. I met her afterward and got a photo with her- I felt not even worthy to get a picture with her, but had to remember she's a fellow servant of Christ.

the world.

So far, the people I've met here are pretty amazing. A lot of the new staff STINTed somewhere the past few years and have a lot of stories (with Campus Crusade, you can do a year-long Short-Term INTernship (STINT) in many countries around the world). To hear about life in Lebanon, Bosnia, Russia, Chile, New Zealand, Thailand and Kryghystan (i don't even know where that is), is so very interesting! You can read that the Gospel is for all nations in the Bible, but it's really encouraging to see that people really are taking Jesus everywhere. And here I am, going to be in an airconditioned office in a metro-ish city with internet and computer access...yet it's an important job. To see the different areas of ministry that occur within the realm of Campus Crusade is really eye-opening.

the first real day!

I'm going to try to be honest on this blog; today I woke up and wanted to get as far away from Crusade and the El Caribe as possible. It was the first real day, so obviously I was incredibly nervous, as I'm a nervous wreck whenever I start something new (and even in day-to-day activities I am generally nervous, for no real reason. But I digress). My main concern/thought was "Why am I here? Why did I decide to do this? What was I THINKING!? I can't do this."

At the moment, Phillipians 4:6-7 enters my mind and sums up my feelings after the first real day of New Staff Training. I in no way understand everything I heard today, but I feel very at peace. God's given me specific desires, skills and passions in my life. I need to use them to glorfy Him the best way I know how. At this moment in my life, I am believing God that the best thing for me to do is join staff. I'm sure more doubts will come in the coming weeks/months/years (possibly even hours), but for now I rest in Him. I will be still, and know that He is God.

I want to write more but I need some sleep...tomorrow will have to do.

Ames

New Staff Training!

I finally made it to Florida after 12 hours of travel! I spent Monday night in Omaha at Dan & Courtney's (college friends)- my friend Nici drove me down. It was fun to see them! They took me to the Omaha airport at 430am Tues Jan 6 to catch my 630am flight to Memphis. Once everyone boarded the plane they realized they had a computer malfunction and had to shut everything down. So we sat on the runway in total darkness for a few minutes, then they booted the plane back up and we were off!

I had an hour layover in Memphis- just enough time to stretch my legs and grab some bacon & eggs for breakfast. I caught my next flight at 920am to Orlando, which landed at noon after a very bumpy ride. I slept most of the way despite the turbulence. Once I got my baggage I made my way to the shuttle station and had to wait 45 minutes to board my van to take me to Daytona Beach. For the next 2 hours I sat next to a 79 year-old grandmother named Silver who was returning from visiting family in Vermont. She complained about the weather there, and I sympathized with her. Other topics of conversations included the reasons why Daytona Beach was not a real great city, and the tradegy of John Travolta's son's death (he apparently lives in the area).

Oddly enough, there was a guy in my van who was from Sacremento who was heading to staff training in Daytona. He grew up in California but his dad is from Pipestone, MN and has family in Luverne, Sioux Falls and surrounding areas. Small world!

My roommates are great- they are from Kentucky, South Carolina and Pennsylvania. They are all going into different areas of Campus Crusade ministry- Athletes in Action, Bridges and Campus Ministry, so I'm excited to get to know em better.

More later! Good night for now :)

Ames

before & after.

I said you gotta leave, you gotta promise me
It’s the beginning of my end, you gotta promise me
How can a holy God renew a wicked Pharisee I’m saying
I’m like Peter in the boat, so just depart from me
It seems I’m destined for doom like ancient prophesy
And in the dark I’m consumed, it’s just too much for me
With sin in full bloom, my gloom booms by the full moon
And I’m thinking to myself, ‘how can You rescue me?’

My before and after
I can’t but sing
My before and after
I’ll sing praises to my King
My before and after
Here’s the anthem, let it ring
One love, two arms, three scars
Draw us to where You are
No one is too far for You to save a heart

Then in the darkness of this room, You snuck up next to me
You put your hand upon my wound and whispered ‘rest in me’
And there I stepped out of the tomb and into destiny
The rest they say is history
Your grace is such a mystery

before and after//jimmy needham