jan 26 update
Posted by Drew | Filed under ministry updates
Huge week. It’s as if all of the ministry opportunities I’ve pursued are all beginning to bear fruit at the same time. Here’s a quick summary.
Two groups I wanted to pursue are the Kappa Sigmas and the Ultimate Frisbee club team. I was planning to go to Chapter last Wednesday, but Ultimate practice got moved to Monday and Wednesday, meaning I would have to choose one or the other. So I called the KS pres. and asked him if there was a way for me to be involved other than coming to chapter. He suggested I come to the executive meetings where he meets with the officers on Sunday nights. And I think that’s a lot better because rather than trying to somewhat get to know 80 guys, I can now focus on getting to know a much smaller number, and they happen to be the leaders in the fraternity. As a result of that decision, I was able to go to practice that night and really began to feel like I am a part of the team there. I really felt like God was confirming that direction for me. And then this week I had even more confirmation that I’ll get to later.
Thursday, Chris (from my staff team) had a lunch appointment with two freshmen. I also had a lunch appointment with two freshmen. Our ministry had been hoping to put together a new freshman community group so we decided to combine our appointments. I also had two other names of guys who might be interested, so I called them and invited them to lunch. Every one was able to make it and everyone was interested in forming a community. So we got together again on Monday to cook burgers and to get things kicked off and talk about expectations for the group. These boys are studs. I’m really excited about this group.
That same day I had an appointment with the lady in charge of the East Alabama Food Bank. I was referred to her by a pastor of a church here with whom I met on Monday. I’ll tell you more about that at the end of the email.
The weekend was great. We had a leadership retreat to talk and pray about the semester with our student leaders. About 20 of them came, including Brennan and Philip, who are the two freshmen I’ve been meeting with, and who I have been hoping would begin to feel connected to the ministry here. It was a very relaxed weekend, and I discovered that I still remember how to build a bonfire from my days at Camp Lake Stephens.
Saturday night I moved into my new residence. A family here in Auburn has very generously given me a rent free place to live. I moved in with their son, and all the furniture I need is already there. So thanks again to all who offered to help me find furniture. At the time I thought I’d be moving into an empty one bedroom apt, but things have worked out to where I will have a roommate, and a fully furnished place. And the first few nights there have been really good.
Sunday night the KS executive meeting didn’t happen, but the president did call to ensure me that he wanted to include me in those meetings in the future.
Monday was the first freshman community group meeting. Ultimate Frisbee practice was cancelled due to weather.
Wednesday I had another meeting with a lady who runs the Mercy Ministry through Auburn UMC. More about that later.
That night I went to practice (by the way, I’m practicing with a team that travels to tournaments once or twice a month, none of which am I eligible to play in because I’m not a student). Practice was good. My knee seems to have completely healed. My white boy mad hops have finally returned. But I need to find a better stretching routine because I’m dealing with a lot of soreness lately. (probably more information than you needed — sorry) But the best part was going to dinner with three of the guys after practice. ( I still don’t’ understand who would make CiCi’s pizza the meal of choice following a couple hours of running around… Yet another distinction between college freshman and an old guy like me.) As soon as we sat down with our food we dove into a spiritual conversation. I didn’t even initiate it. One of the guys it seems is being pursued by God at the moment because he’s reading More Than a Carpenter at the request of one of his other friends. He said he would stop by the office today. But I’m still waiting on him. Either way it was a very natural conversation, and I pray opened some doors for more discussions in the future. It definitely confirmed that the ultimate frisbee team is a wise investment for me, ministry-wise.
OK, Food bank… Mercy Ministry… Remember how I said I was praying about a vision God had given me for being a good steward with the money made available by my not having to pay rent? (If you dont’, I’m not offended. I realize many (most (all)) of you have enough important things going on to not remember a small detail from one of my emails..) So I would like to describe the entire situation for you, but I’m already over my space limit for this email, and probably should end it now. But I do desire input from people who might have experience in this area. Basically, I feel like God has given me a vision for investing in a needy family in the community. I’ve arrived at this vision through a lot of different circumstances and convictions. Not all my convictions are personal. And some may even be misguided, but I pray they are not. But I believe I have done very little in my life to help people around me that I have the time and resources to help. My job is to share the Gospel, but part of that, if not all, is in action and deed. So I’ve done some research and I have found a family in need that I believe I can help. I’ve been advised to not talk to them about money I have available at first, but rather seek ways I can help the family using my time and energy and other resources. If there is an occasion to help financially, then I’ll consider that option then. The plan is to pour into the life of this family, spending time with them, serving them, praying for them, helping in whatever way I can, and sharing Christ with them. Investing. That’s a common theme I’m seeing in the places I feel called lately. I think potentially this could be the most challenging ministry I’ve ever been a part of. But I think that means it could also be the most rewarding.
And I’m hoping that I can recruit other families to do this with me. I know I’ll need at least a few students to help me with the family I’ll be trying to help. But I think there are plenty of families who need help, and also plenty of families who would respond to a challenge to help them.
I realize that this theory is tainted with idealism. I expect reality to set in powerfully. But I’m not interested in holding back. If I’m going to fail I dont want it to be for lack of effort. I believe this is from the Lord. And I want to be obedient. I expect this to be a learning experience. Maybe a painful one.
I’m sure many of you have concerns. A couple disclaimers. This is not a change in focus for me. I see this as something I’ll do on the side. It’s a way of plugging into the community outside of the campus ministry, which is my primary focus, and my primary calling. But I do see potential to involve students, and I would love to make that happen. Ok, maybe just one disclaimer.
Any insight or advice or criticism is very welcome. I’ll take all the help/prayers/wisdom/scolding
Thanks for reading this far. I apologize for the length. I really can’t imagine every week will be this eventful, so please dont think I’ve fallen back into the habit of unreasonably long emails.you are all very valuable to this ministry.
Thank you.
Drew
