Launching into the Unknown

Hello again family and friends,

Can you believe it is August already!? The last six months have been completely unexpected and challenging in so many ways. I’m sure many of you are asking, like me, “when is this pandemic going to be over?” And the reality is that none of us know. All of us are living through the unknown in ways we have never had to before. As I stare into the Fall semester, I feel pretty powerless to lead a ministry of hospitality and welcome to the nations. But my lack of control reminds me that I was never in control in the first place. I’m reminded that:

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” - Psalm 127:1

 This was true before our world was hit with a pandemic, and this true after this pandemic has passed. God is neither surprised nor threatened by this pandemic. In fact, he even allowed it to happen and is accomplishing his purposes through it. It’s through the worst of circumstances that God’s work of redemption is most powerfully put on display, and nowhere is that more evident than at the cross when Jesus tasted death for us to bring us life. Our Savior, who was humiliated to the grave, has risen victoriously and has ascended to his throne to bring about a day where sin, disease, pain and death are no longer a reality. We can face the unknown in the present, because in Jesus, the future is secure. So with this hope we press forward, to extend the hospitality of Christ knowing that God delights to use our feeble efforts to welcome sinners from all nations into His Kingdom. 

Matching Grant Accomplished!

Even with the difficulty of living through a pandemic, this summer turned out to be amazingly productive. First off, I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping me to meet my $10,000 matching grant!!! This ministry would not be possible without your generosity and desire to take part in what we’re doing here at Texas A&M. I have been blessed by your ministry partnership, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed connecting with many of you this summer. 

Secondly, it was a productive summer with the training I received at the ACMI Conference and at RUF Summer Training. ACMI [American Christians Ministering to Internationals] is a network of International Student Ministries collaborating together to share ideas and vision for bringing the gospel to International Students in the United States. Every year ACMI holds a conference to bring everyone together and host various workshops. Even though it was on Zoom, I loved attending the conference this year, and benefitted particularly from a presentation on how the gospel is good news in a Confucian Society. RUF Summer Training was also a huge blessing this year. It is such a privilege for me to work alongside so many gifted campus ministers and collaborate with them on ministry. After training, I found myself feeling motivated and encouraged to face the challenges of our upcoming Fall semester. 

Lastly, it was a productive Summer with ministry. Every Friday, we hosted a Zoom call for students where we alternated between a Bible Study and a Trivia night. The trivia was a blast, and we had several meaningful conversations with students at our Bible Studies. There were several opportunities this summer to deliver furniture and take students to the grocery store as well. I also preached at 6 different churches this summer. It was a gift to interact with so many brothers and sisters from these different churches. Not only is it an honor to preach for them, I often find myself benefiting from their hospitality as well. Definitely one of the perks to being an RUF campus minister. 

Prayer Requests

There are a number of things to be praying for this Fall. I’ll do my best to keep you updated on our prayer needs as they come my way. For now, here are some ways you can be praying for our students, our ministry and for us personally:

• Please pray for the health and safety of our students, and their families back home
• Please pray for our students to have motivation and energy to take classes online especially as Zoom fatigue continues
• Please pray for creative and safe ways to connect with students this coming year
• Please pray for my safety and my back in delivering furniture to students’ homes this summer
• Please pray for opportunities to welcome new students into our ministry 
• Please pray for relationships with current students to deepen, and for more opportunities to discuss the gospel
• As a family, please pray that we would find creative things to do at home with Brighton
• Please pray that we would find creative ways to stay connected with friends
• Please pray that Crystal and baby girl #2 would remain healthy throughout pregnancy 
• Please pray for a safe delivery of baby girl #2 in October