Ever since Caleb, a high-school sophomore in Jacksonville, Florida, went to FastBreak, he has been reading his Bible every night. He deeply wants to be a man that God can use on his campus and in his family.

Recently, when Caleb’s 25-year-old sister, Alexis, was visiting from Georgia, she stepped in his room at 11:30 on a Saturday night and found Caleb reading his Bible. She had questions about what he was reading, which led to a great conversation. Caleb found himself saying to Alexis, “the words in the Bible aren’t going to make much sense if you don’t first become a Christian.” He had a Knowing God Personally booklet by his bed and said, “Let me show you something.” As he read the booklet to her, page by page, God opened her eyes and her heart to what Jesus said in the Bible. Alexis prayed to receive Christ with her little brother that Saturday night and began the most meaningful relationship she will ever experience in her life.

This experience has encouraged Caleb in his walk with God and he shared about it to all his friends at a Student Venture meeting. Caleb’s heart’s desire is to be a man that God can use for His glory, and because of Student Venture he has the faith and the tools to make that happen.

Family Stuff

• So grateful for our daughter, Hannah, who turns 8 on March 18th. What a delight she is. She is growing into a precious little girl with a sweet heart for the Lord. It is wonderful to see her be herself among public school friends and share her heart for the Lord without realizing that many people would be trembling to say what she says.
• Praying for wisdom and timing for a 2.5 day EEG (brain wave scan) for Ethan. We’re trying to catch absence seizure activity. These are tricky to catch. Logistics of this testing seems quite challenging, along with being confined to a bed for 2 days.
• Praising God that our insurance will cover 30 sessions for Ethan’s Vision Therapy. Please pray his eyes will learn to work together. He is seeing double, not only with both eyes, but in his up-close single eye vision. Pray that God would use this therapy to work though many struggles we are dealing with.
• Pray for perseverance, as we need to get Ethan back in OT (therapy to develop fine motor skills). There are always many insurance battles to fight and it can become very overwhelming and defeating. Pray too, that Kristie can be a creative and loving OT in the meantime. We are praying that Ethan would be able to write clearly by this July 2010.

Katrina, second from left, is a freshman at Timber Creek High School here in Orlando and is involved in Student Venture. Last month she attended our annual FastBreak conference and wrote about her experience. Her full story has been edited down for space.

“One of the things that has changed how I act at school and what I do there, is the amazing opportunity I had to go out and share my faith. We went door-to-door collecting cans of nonperishable food items for the Second Hand Food Bank. Then, we would started conversations using a short survey on things related to church and God.

“Every time I have ever done this, the results were mostly “No thank you” or “I’m already a Christian.” So, going into this outreach, my attitude was very indifferent and I knew nothing would happen.

“I went out with three other people. We approached a house and Shaylyn, a senior in high school, answered the door. She donated a bag full of cans and immediately she was very welcoming and we jumped into a conversation.

“Together, we read through the Connecting with God booklet, which explains the gospel. Right from the start she was very interested in what I had to say and she opened up about her story. She was so amazed by the fact that God sent Jesus Christ to die for her, and saved her from all her sins. She was in awe that she was created with value and worth.

“After talking with Shaylyn for about forty-five minutes we got to the fourth point in the book. At the bottom of the page there is a picture of two circles. The first circle shows self is on the throne and Christ is outside the life and the second circle shows Christ is on the throne and self is yielding to Christ. I asked Shaylyn which circle best represents her life. She said, ‘Most definitely the first circle.’ Then I asked, “Well, which circle would you like to have represent your life?” And she replied by saying, ‘Definitely the second!!’

“She was really excited to begin her relationship with God. Right then, she prayed the prayer along with me. As I was praying with her, a smile came across my face. It was like God saying, ‘Katrina, my daughter, I am so much more powerful than you think I am.’ Right then I realized that it’s not through my own strength that I can reach people, but through God’s, and God’s alone
“Since then, I have been taking opportunities during lunch to talk to people who are eating by themselves. Or passing by people in the hallway, even if I don’t know them, and asking them how there day is going. Or telling the administrators how much I appreciate what they do. I don’t do these things as good deeds or to make myself known. But I do it simply to give all the glory to God, and to show people the everlasting love, joy, and peace I have found in my Father, Savior, and Best Friend, Jesus Christ. My purpose, even if I am an everyday, 14-year-old girl, is to be the salt and the light in this lost, dark world!”

Family Stuff

• Pray for God’s provision of our monthly financial support need.
• UPDATE: After two roofers unable to determine the problem, Greg was able to find the source of the leak and reapir it himself.
• On February 4, Ethan told Kristie that he wanted to be Jesus’ friend forever! Kristie and Ethan prayed together and he began New Life in Christ.
• While his vision is 20/20, Ethan is having problems with his eyes teaming together. So we think he sees double at close distances among other things. We’re putting him in a 36 week vision therapy program that we hope will train his eyes correctly.
• We also had Ethan evaluated by a neurologist as we think he may be having momentary seizures. We get the results later in February.

What’s the farthest distance you’ve ridden your bike in a single day?

I enjoy cycling for fitness and I log a lot of miles on the bike. One of my goals is to finish a 100 mile single-day ride (yes, 100 miles). Cyclists call these century rides. On February 28, I have the opportunity to test my mettle on the bike and attempt a century. I’m riding in the Tour de Cure, a cycling event organized by the American Diabetes Association.

I have family, friends and co-workers who live with diabetes and I’ve seen how it radically affects daily life. As a rider, I also have the opportunity to raise funds to help prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. So I’ve set another goal of raising $1000 for the ADA. To date, I’m nearly halfway there.

If you would like to join me as a sponsor, you may make a secure donation online through my personalized Tour de Cure Web page.

“My name is Tyler and I just finished my first year at UCLA. I went to Rancho Bernardo High School where I was involved in Student Venture. With high school how it is these days (academic pressures, extra curricular activities, drama with friends, the social scene and what society says is ‘normal’ for teenagers), I see how so extremely important it is to have a group like Student Venture on campus. It points students to the gospel and teaches and encourages them to follow Christ who loves them and has a plan for them. For me, getting plugged into a Bible study with Student Venture and going to ‘Big Mondays’ (monthly outreaches), was a way to keep me grounded and grow in the one thing that truly matters the most in life—following Christ.

“I was not always the most passionate person about my faith in high school and had more than my share of stumbles. Weekly Bible study and my great leader, Shawn, were invaluable in helping me learn and grow in my faith. I am intensely involved with Campus Crusade for Christ at UCLA and on complete fire for God. I’ve grown in my walk with Christ so much, especially this last year, and I have a personal and strong faith that wants to follow Christ with all my heart. And where I am now can be greatly attributed to my involvement with Student Venture, and the great work God did in my life through all of it.”

Sadly, percentages of students who leave their faith as they exit high school and enter college are high. Because of this, Student Venture desires that every college-bound freshman get involved with Campus Crusade for Christ’s ministry at their campus. We believe this is a critical step to help them in their walk with Christ!

Family Stuff

On June 19th, Kristie hosted eight neighborhood women for a night of inner and outer beauty. Our neighbor treated everyone to a Mary Kay facial and then Kristie was able to share about where we can find true beauty as women. She shared that only though a relationship with Jesus can we have the character qualities that make us truly beautiful on the inside and out. Jesus will transform us into people who live out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. That evening three women indicated that they prayed to have Jesus take control of their lives and five want to come back for the next three weeks for a follow-up Bible study.

Please pray for our time at our biennial Campus Crusade Staff Conference in Colorado this month and that God will provide the additional funds to cover the costs. Pray for Hannah and Ethan as they stay with grandparents — or maybe we should say pray for their grandparents! : )

Hannah donates to Locks of Love.

In June, Hannah had 10+ inches cut from her hair. She gave her hair to Locks of Love. Prayerfully, her hair will encourage some little girl somewhere who is going though a difficult time. This was a big step for Hannah to let go of her hair. To catch the whole story, visit Kristie’s site.

Ethan graduates pre-K!

What a big day! I can’t believe our little guy is going to kindergarten next August. Please be praying for us as he enters elementary school. At this point I’m feeling a little overwhelmed about what next year will look like, scheduling therapies and the different needs he may have. Please pray for the principal’s wisdom to place him in the right class. Pray that we and the school will work well together and that Ethan will be able to thrive in this setting and not become frustrated by his lack of fine motor skills. He is a smart little guy and has such a sweet heart! He is continuing to love gymnastics and we’ve seen his body strengthen over the course of his sessions.

Often God opens doors for Student Venture staff to work with students as coaches, cheer leading sponsors, debate team leaders, etc. As we connect with the students, we have opportunities to share the gospel and speak into their lives. Your partnership sends us forth to reach students in many different ways. We thank you for coming alongside to allow us to reach these students. You are making an eternal difference in their lives.

Student Venture staff, Ken Vensel, in Jacksonville, Florida, has volunteer coached wrestling at the high school level for many years. Twelve years ago, he began a wrestling program at Switzerland Middle School and more recently a 2nd program at Fruit Cove Middle school. Coaches can have an incredible impact on a teenager’s life. Ken states, “I like to tell them that wrestling is the only sport that God participated in (He wrestled Jacob all night)! The famous missionary, Jim Elliot, said that wrestling was the sport most like a Christian’s life. Even scripture tells us that, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood!”

At the end of every season, Ken hosts a pizza party and presents the gospel. This year, six boys put their faith in Christ and joined the army of God! Some of these boys are unchurched, one has a catholic background and one’s uncle is a former mayor. It’s cool to see God take students from all walks of life and different family situations and bring them together to hear His Gospel. Ken shares, “Over the 12 years that I have been working with these wrestling teams, every team has heard the gospel and over 120 students have prayed to receive Christ.”

Thank you for being a part of our personal ministry to students and enabling us to encourage and equip through materials, and one-to-one evangelism and discipleship.

PS— Here’s an encouraging note that one of the 8th grade girls sent to Kristie.

“Thanks so much for leading our study. You have really opened my eyes to see the importance of our friendship and relationship with God. Please be praying that these next weeks that I will be like a sail boat and catch the wind of the Holy Spirit!”

Family Stuff

• Please pray for the 8th grade students as they transition to high school. Prayerfully they will connect with other believers there and get involved in Student Venture or another ministry and church that will encourage them to continue to grow in their faith.
• Pray for us that we’d make the most of our summer days coming soon. That we’d get on a good schedule and continue in the progress we’ve been able to make with Ethan. Please be praying for Ethan’s ability to process information and react to it in appropriate timing.
• Please pray for our time at CCC’s staff training in CO this July and as we leave the kids in California. Pray, too, that God would multiply our short amount of time in CA to connect with many of our ministry partners. We are so grateful for you! As we look at the calendar, this seems mind-boggling. We know God can make it happen!

What’s going on? The group middle school girls I am ministering to are a mess. You know how middle school kids can be at times—cliquish, backbiting, hurtful in word and action. Sadly, many hearts are bruised from each other’s lack of love, thoughtfulness or kindness. The drama has been spiraling through the roof!

So I’m praying that they will fail.

It’s simple, they can’t love each other like Jesus loves apart from His power. John and other NT writers used the greek word agape to describe this selfless, unconditional kind of love.

I set a time for the girls to lovingly reveal their hurts to each other as well as discuss how we should treat each other. But that’s not enough. I know they can learn to change their behavior in their own strength to an extent, but their self-efforts will ultimately fall short.

Why? Because agape love only comes from God (1 John 4: 7–12). It’s only when they come to the end of themselves will their hearts be broken and ready to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirt by faith. Then Christ will be the one loving through them.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. —Galatians 2:20 ESV

Just the other day I received a prayer request from one of the girls and am so encouraged to see how the Spirit is working in her life. She said, “Please pray for peace in my life and for the various ways in which [excluding others] is causing pain and tears in many lives, including mine.”

This is exactly what I’ve been praying for— brokenness to “see.” Will you join me in praying that these precious young women will come to the end of themselves and see that loving each other with an unconditional agape kind of love is impossible apart from the power of the Holy Spirit?

Family Stuff

We’re praising God with how well Ethan is doing. Gymnastics is such a blessing for him and we’re seeing changes weekly. It is even helping his thought processing. We’re praying for increased hand strength and abilities in the next five months.

There are some logistics with the middle school ministry that are getting difficult to manage. Please pray God would work things out each week.

Repose, Lake Eola

Greg was honored with the invitation to include four of his photos in Orlando Magazine’s 7th annual Paint the Town exhibition. The show will run from March 19 through April 11 at the City Arts Factory on the corner of Pine and Orange in downtown Orlando. Admission is free. His image Repose image is also featured in the March issue of Orlando Magazine.

See all four images on Greg’s Flickr page.

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!