Mel, What Are You Up To?  

Well, hey there! I am doing well y'all. Life continues to be full for me professionally and personally, but it's also healthy and balanced. Such a gift to be able to say that. Some seasons in life can just be crazy-cuckoo, you know? But you learn from living in the busy and I'm learning that a full life is so much better than a busier one.

I'm spreading my wings and leadership more in my role as managing editor for Cru Storylines. It amazes me sometimes when I consider that there's never been a "me" before – an African American woman – serving in a national leadership role in communications for Cru.

The reality humbles and inspires me to keep trusting the Lord with my life and the talents He's placed within me. He wants to use them well and the fruit He brings as a result continues to bless my life and the lives of so many others.

Something I've enjoyed doing lately is developing my reading life through some really good books! Presently I'm reading:

• "Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War" by Leymah Gbowee
• "The Wait" by Devon Franklin and Meagan Good
• "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in A World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain
• "I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in A World Made for Whiteness" by Austin Channing Brown

Pray that I would continue to walk by faith and trust the Lord with the opportunities, relationships, and gifts He's blessed me with. Pray for wisdom to rest well regularly and also boldness to enjoy this season of life. 

Africa...Maybe, eh?

I'm working on a story assignment that could take me to West Africa later this spring. The story is about a believer in The Gambia and how his faith in God transformed his life and led him to plant churches and tell more people about Jesus. It makes my heart smile to think of spending time on the African continent. It's been 17 years since my last visit. Plans are being worked through with the story subject for this trip. 

Pray that God would be in the details for this ministry opportunity and for me and my teammate who'll travel with me as the photographer for the story. I'm also preparing to head into two weeks of travel to Chicago and New York City for writing and leadership conferences starting next Friday. I want to get some things in place for the Gambia trip before then. Pray God would guide me in that. 

One God, One Week and Thousands of Students

Cru^® staff members Tom Gooldy and Ebenezer Paulraj posed a simple “what if” question to a gathering of South Asian staff members and student leaders at a November 2017 training conference in India.

What might God do if each student leader here, in one week’s time, found five new leaders to coach?  They had no idea how much momentum this single question would create. Read more here. 

Thank you for your faithful prayers and giving as we partner together to expand God's kingdom here on earth. I'm very grateful for your investment as I serve God with Cru. Please let me know how I can pray for you this week!