Posted by Kristie
As a kid, I took swim lessons every summer at the local high school swimming pool. By age eight, I had become a pretty good swimmer. At the end of every session was “free swim” in the amazing Olympic-size pool and the opportunity to jump off the low and high diving boards. One day—you guessed it—I chose the “giant” high board. I remember climbing up each of those 15 steps wondering what it would be like at the top. Once up the ladder, I walked out to the end of the platform.
Then, I just stood there.
I couldn’t jump. I was struck by fear. After what seemed like ten minutes, an instructor came up and held me over the side. And then down, down, down I went. After that moment, I had no problem jumping off the “giant.”
This fall semester somewhat mirrors those summer days when I first encountered that giant diving board. God has placed many opportunities before me and ordered my path enabling me to swim in this “Olympic size pool.” Along with directing the middle school Student Venture ministry at our local school and leading a group of students, God gave me a wonderful opportunity to train two young SV staff women in ministry philosophy and methods.
Kristie is training two young SV Staff women this year, Abby (left), and Kaye (right).
Abby and Kaye are both moms of young children. Their husbands are new to campus fieldwork this year. Please pray for the three of us as we meet together regularly. I’m concerned of my ability to train and know I can also become very task driven. Pray for my ability to love and encourage these special gals and that I would give them the best training possible. Pray for protection for all of our marriages in the midst of the work never seeming to be done (the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few!). Pray for good communication between these women and their husbands and that I can encourage them, through the Word, to be a helper and encourager suitable for their husbands, as God made them to be.
I love how Student Venture uniquely reaches out to students on the campus sharing the good news of Jesus. It is a special privilege to be a part of it in a more hands-on way this year! Thank you for your partnership!
How you can pray…
God creatively arranged for Coral to show up last minute to the ice cream party outreach on October 24 and she gave her life to the Lord. Coral, an 8th grader, has returned faithfully the past two weeks for Bible studies on the basics of her new faith and is bringing new friends with her who don’t know the Lord.
Praise God for Rene, a seminary student God just placed in my path. She is eager to help out with middle school ministry!
Greg is going to be in California for two weeks in November to participate in Cypress Church’s Missions Week. He will also be visiting ministry partners and will be looking to meet new partners. We are trusting God to provide some significant new monthly support. We appreciate your prayer!
Pray for Kristie as she devotes much time to Ethan’s therapy program at home. We are praying the additional home therapy can help him catch up on his cognitive development this year. Please pray too for leading and wisdom as to the best schooling situation for Ethan’s kindergarten next year.
In grateful appreciation,
November 03 2008 | Monthly Updates and Prayer | No Comments »
Posted by Kristie
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
My Plan
I (Kristie) was all set to kick off another year of SV ministry at the middle school—that is, until tropical storm Fay descended over central Florida. The county shut down all campuses the first week of school. Then, I learned that due to a conflict with the new school schedule, our teacher sponsor of six years was no longer available to lead the eighth grade girls. Eeek! When it rains it pours!
God Determines
God is so gracious. The storm week gave me some extra time to pray, prepare and find a new leader. Getting back on campus every week was not part of my plan for the year. But with both kids in school (or pre-school), I realized I have more time. I just needed to figure out what to do with Hannah and Ethan since their school day ends while I’m at the middle school on Friday afternoons.
Hannah is able to go to a friend’s house most Fridays after school. And, I met a new friend who picks up Ethan along with her son every Friday after school. God solved the childcare and transportation issues!
Now, He just had to work through my fear. Yes, after all these years of student ministry, I felt insecure interacting with these girls on a regular basis. It’s so much different from coaching someone else to lead for you! 
After seven weeks my heart is growing fond of the girls. God is giving me a passion for their spiritual growth and is showing me areas where they need to step out in faith and trust Him.
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Building a house of cards during a Bible study titled "The Rock."
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The girls did a trust fall for our Bible study on faith.
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Kristie disciples 13–20 8th grade girls every Friday after school.
How you can pray
- Pray with me for their spiritual growth.
- Pray for two outreach parties coming up on October 24 and November 7.
- This year our high school volunteers are in class until 5pm and can’t help with middle school ministry. We are praying for some college students to become available. Would you pray with me for God to send laborers into this spiritual harvest field?
In grateful appreciation,
October 13 2008 | Monthly Updates | 1 Comment »
Posted by Greg
We are always looking for ways to spur on Ethan’s physical development, so we signed him up for soccer. He’s all laughs and smiles while jogging around the field behind the herd during practices and games. It’s the most physically intense two hours of his week.
Ethan runs downfield against the Sharks.
Ethan also tried out gymnastics as the guest of a friend. Being around other boys in such a fun and physically challenging environment was so great for him. Would you please pray with us as we decide if gymnastics is the right opportunity for Ethan and figure out how to rearrange the finances to make that happen?
Hannah has already graduated from her first grade Dolch site words and loves to read. She’s reading so well we’re going to have to check out more difficult books from the library! She loves her brother and has the job of helping him dress Dapper Dan in the mornings when they wake up. Hannah and Ethan slept in the same room all summer and didn’t want to separate once school began. And believe it or not, they sleep better in the same room.
Greg is going to be in California for two weeks in November to participate in Cypress Church’s Missions Week. He will also be visiting ministry partners and will be looking to meet new partners. We are trusting God to provide some significant new monthly support. We appreciate your prayer!
October 10 2008 | Family and Monthly Updates and Prayer | No Comments »
Posted by Greg
Family Vacation
Our family enjoyed refreshing time with our extended family in California in August. We all drove up to Mammoth Lakes and took in the beauty of the mountains. The kids got to experience some exciting adventures with their cousins.
Burglary
Just before returning home from vacation, our neighbor called and informed us that our house was burglarized the night before. The burglar(s) stole about $1000 worth of items and did about $1000–$1500 worth of damage. Thankfully, both Kristie and I had a strong sense to hide certain small valuables before we left.
Tropical Storm Fay
Tropical storms are not usually a big deal, believe it or not. A lot of gray sky, rain, and gusty winds. But Fay decided to hover over central Florida for four days dropping 7.5 inches of rain. Schools were closed for two of those days (the calmest days, of course!). The ground was so saturated that our after the storm, the normal afternoon showers caused street flooding all over the county.
September 08 2008 | Family and Monthly Updates | No Comments »
Posted by Greg
Greg’s Current Design Project:
Essentials of Spiritual Growth and Multiplication
What it is:
A discipleship tool written by Campus Crusade for Christ President Steve Douglass to help students grow in Christ and get involved in ministry and spiritual multiplication as soon as possible.
Who it’s for:
This series takes into account that today’s high school and college students are post-modern in philosophy and are secondary oral learners (people who can read but do not prefer to learn by reading). They are highly relational and make sense of the world through their experiences, story and discussion.
How it works:
No lectures here—the group discovers Biblical truth together through a directed discussion around a passage of Scripture rather than a workbook or other written materials. Group leaders are provided with a session preparation checklist and lead from a group discussion outline. Group members keep a “mini-journal” that records what they learn from each discussion, and action to take and a person to tell.
So, what’s the big deal?
Greg created a brand identity (top of post) and layout proposal for the Essentials Leader’s Guide and related materials that will make the tool more approachable and easier to use. Greg is presenting his design concept to Steve Douglass on September 19.
Through your financial gifts and prayer, you are a vital part of engaging thousands of lost students with the grace and truth of Jesus, the Living Water. Thank you!
In grateful appreciation,
September 08 2008 | Monthly Updates | No Comments »
