Greetings MEU Family, Alumni, and Friends:
 
It is clear that University life is in full swing again here at MEU. Students have returned. Classes have begun. So also, our many campus services. Each one of us is fully engaged one way or another—faculty, staff, students. It seems that so much is happening all at once that we barely have time to orient for each new day. But this is why MEU is here!
 
I am impressed with the energy and quality of students which I have interacted with during the past three weeks. I’ve joined their Wednesday evening joint dorm worship, asked about their life and the classes they are taking as I meet them at the cafeteria or between classes. Some have come to my office. A few have been in our home for Sabbath dinner.  Kathie and I look forward to more personal exchange with all our theology students this Sunday during our traditional Sunday waffle brunch with real Vermont Maple Syrup which we host in our home each semester.  When I asked one returning student why they came back, she immediately named 2 MEU teachers who have truly inspired her. This is the best recruiting I can imagine—teachers capturing the imagination of students and inspiring them—becoming their mentors. I believe every one of our teachers do so in their own way. This is MEU!
 
Amidst the bustle of beginning a new semester, both challenges and opportunities open before us: While we have a total of 30 new students this semester, overall we have less students than we had planned and prayed for—140 total as of today (down from 179 last Spring). Two-thirds of that drop are Lebanese, though the percentage of loss between our Adventist and non-Adventist students appears equal. The number of dorm students holds steady.  26 nationalities are reflected (Can you imagine French, Egyptian Arabic, Lebanese Arabic, Jordanian Arabic, Syrian Arabic, ND English, Korean, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Farsi, Kurdish, Romanian, Zimbabwean, Chinese, etc. communicating together? It makes for interesting conversation, sensitivity, cultural exchange and growth.).  Lower enrollment obviously affects a University’s operating budget. I invite your prayer as together with our Business Manager we work through the financial implications of these enrollment figures.
 
Yet, some incredible doors have opened. I will mention just two: 1) an official call placed through MENAU via the GC for a full-time University Chaplain who will bring exciting new prospects for our community and campus—an initiative receiving incredible financial support from an NAD Conference (will keep you informed as it unfolds and the candidate accepts); 2) the launch of a PhD in Business Program cohort through AIIAS in 2019—an incredible opportunity for our own faculty and MENAU staff development as well one of the few available in Lebanon.
 
Our MEU Executive Committee recently voted members for two important Committees: a Strategic Planning Committee, and a Strategic Campus Master Planning Committee. Both reflect direction from our latest Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) accreditation report. The former will relate to things like our degree programs, faculty and staff, academic policies and records, financials, spiritual development, service and witnessing, governance, organization, administration, student services, recruitment, etc. The latter will relate to our campus physical plant and facilities, dealing specifically with the creation of an attractive campus with unique characteristics in relation to our programing needs, physical plant, and facilities matters. A major item on their agenda will be the details of a major building complex (for which we already have received substantial donations) which includes worship, music, Sabbath School possibly together with Student Center and training/meeting facilities which can serve MEANU and further enhance MEU’s mission in the region. 
 
Last Sabbath afternoon our entire MEU Family took time out for fellowship, inspiration, and consecration during an otherwise very full day. We sang. We prayed. We studied Scripture together. We discussed the challenges and needs of this semester's student body. We laughed, and ate, and closed Sabbath together. At the same time our students distributed either clothing to refugees or stop smoking flyers in the community. I proudly viewed a picture of the 50 or so who distributed the stop smoking flyers.  Earlier in the day we celebrated Elza's baptism (see below). Each morning there is a small group of our MEU Family welcoming their day together in song, worship, and prayer.
 
I am excited. Humbled. Optimistic. Busy. No doubt, God is at work. I can see it everywhere I turn. Thank you for taking time to read this. Thank you for remembering MEU in your prayers. Thank you for all you do to strengthen our hand as we further God’s mission in this region.

Pictured above: 50 enthusiastic teenagers in Faqra at our 3rd annual science camp.